How to Bargain Hunt for Authentic Louis Vuitton

With a little time and research, you can get a coveted LV bag for cheaper than retail.

So you're eyeing the latest Louis Vuitton Speedy to add to your bag collection, but the $1,000-plus price tag is deterring you from making that luxury purchase. Bargain hunters, here comes your fashion challenge: buying a high-end couture bag at a discount. It may seem impossible, but with a bit of research and some compromise, you can soon be the owner of your very own designer bag.

Things You'll Need

• Access to the Internet
• A penchant for bargain hunting
• Patience

Instructions

1. Peruse the LV store or website for deals on specific items. Check regularly and check often to see what's on sale or clearance. Inventory moves quickly, so it's best to make a regular habit of checking back for sale items. If possible, visit stores in states with low or no sales tax, such as Oregon or New Hampshire. At the very least, you will get the bag without paying a lot extra on sales tax.

2. Conduct exclusive online research. Scour reputable sites, such as eBay or Amazon. Make sure that all sellers have proof of authenticity for their purchases and high customer satisfaction ratings. Be cautious and avoid international shipping if possible. Some deals begin at pennies, so it's always a good idea to check the source online before you buy. Again, it's important to be persistent. Check sites regularly and often for the best deals.

3. Join a swapping community. If you don't mind gently used LV items, consider joining an online community or forum that engages in fashion and accessory exchanges and swaps. These groups consist of people trading items with one another. Swapstyle.com is a large global site that allows users to swap nearly any retail good as well as providing a social networking platform. The site also uses a system to rate users and sellers for safe swapping.

4. Borrow it. Sites such as bagborroworsteal.com allow users to rent expensive and high-end luxury bags for a week at a time or more. For an authentic LV bag, prices start about $60 per week. While you won't necessarily be a bag owner, you do have the ability to look like you have a variety of bags for a fraction of the price.

5. Visit consignment stores. Most consignment or vintage stores have treasures waiting to be found. Check on sites such as Yelp.com or Citysearch.com to find the high-end consignment stores in your neighborhood. Visit the store earlier in the day, avoid weekends and become friends with the store clerks and owners, so they will become familiar with your taste and style.

Tips & Warnings

• For additional bargain hunting tips and sources visit http://www.bargainluxury.blogspot.com/

• Always ask for proof or a certificate of authenticity when purchasing a Luis Vuitton or other high-end luxury product -- there are many fake Louis Vuitton products in the marketplace. Follow the axiom, if the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

References

• Bag Borrow or Steal: Handbags
• Swap Style: FAQ