Chanel bags are more than just beautiful handbags. They are statement pieces, and for many collectors, a bona fide investment. Most Chanel bags increase in value over time. In fact, they are often recognized as the leading designer handbag, worth their investment. Ranging in price from $2,000 to more than $200,000, authentic Chanel handbags are hot ticket items at some pawnshops. While pawnshops in the middle of the country may not buy and sell these high-price items, in markets such as Southern California, where pawnbrokers have access to inventory from the local community, pawnshops do buy and sell authentic Chanel handbags.

Why Shop for Designer Bags at Pawn Shops

A pawn shop may not be the first place that comes to mind when you’re thinking of treating yourself or a loved one to a luxury item. Here are the reasons why they should be the first place you shop when looking for a designer item.

1. Authentic Handbags are Cheaper at Pawn Shops

No matter what type of designer item you’re looking for, you’ll always pay a fraction of the full retail value. It is quite common to save 30%-50% on designer products.

2. Pawnshops May Carry Limited Edition, Rare Items

Because pawn shops get their inventory from their community, you never know what someone may bring in to sell. From vintage Chanel handbags to rare Swiss watches, to ancient coins for a collection, pawnshops don’t go to trade shows or buyer’s markets. They buy from their customers which means the inventory can come from virtually anywhere in the world. This also means that the inventory of designer items is turning over constantly. What you see in the shop on a Monday is unlikely to be what you see in the shop the following week.

3. Pawnshops are Easier on the Environment

It may be surprising to learn that pawnshops are more eco-friendly than traditional retailers. The inventory is hand-delivered to pawnshops, rather than boxed, wrapped, and shipped from across the country or world. Pawn shops are in the business of resale, so there is no further environmental impact from production or manufacturing, which can lead to pollution.

4. Reputable pawn shops will only sell authentic items

Pawn shops that want to stay in business will avoid selling fake items. The reason? Just like any other business, pawnbrokers want repeat customers and good word-of-mouth reviews. Tricking customers will only create a bad reputation, so honest pawnshops will avoid all knockoffs.

How to Know a Chanel Handbag is Authentic

When you’re looking for a Chanel handbag, it’s smart to include pawnshops as a potential source. Pawnshops offer significant savings on luxury items including watches, jewelry, and high-end handbags. However, you need to be smart about where you shop. You should also know what to look for when shopping for an expensive handbag. After all, there are countless knockoffs out there, and you don’t want to be fooled.

Established and successful pawn shops will employ people who know exactly what to look for to confirm that an item is authentic. When it comes to Chanel, there are many things shops will look for, to verify that the bag is authentic.

Quilting

A telltale sign that a supposed Chanel bag is a knockoff is misaligned quilting. Chanel bags are known for their incredible quilted patterns which come in chevron, square, and diamond. On authentic Chanel bags, the quilting will always align perfectly. If the alignment is mismatched on the flap, or near a pocket, it is likely a fake.

Serial Numbers

Chanel uses either 6, 7, or 8 numbers in their serial numbers. Knock-off bags typically have an “authentication card” but, the serial number is often 9 or more numbers.

Lightweight Chain Straps

Another red flag that a Chanel bag is not authentic can be found in the straps. The signature chain that has been used in Chanel bags for decades is heavy. Those that have lightweight chains are not authentic.

Stitch Counts

On authentic Chanel quilted bags, each panel will have more than 8 stitches. Chanel insists on bags that do not bulge, so they use a high stitch count per panel. When looking for signs of authenticity, pawnbrokers know that less than eight stitches are a giveaway that the bag is a fake.

Logo

Chanel’s overlapping C-logo is one of the most recognized logos in the world. Known as the CC lock, this logo should always be straight and spaced evenly. The upper portion of the right C will overlap the upper left C. The left C will overlap the right C on the bottom. If the Cs overlap differently the bag is not authentic.

Bulges or Bumps

Chanel bags are known for being smooth and free of bumps or bulges. Any bulging on a bag will be a sign that the bag is fake. On the inside of the bag, the liner should be taught. Loose or sagging lining is common in knockoffs.

Upright Position

The premium design and production of Chanel bags mean that they will stand upright on their own. If you find a bag that is reported to be a Chanel, but it won’t stand properly, or it leans, it is a fake.

Authentic Chanel Handbags in the Inland Empire

Central Mega Pawn is a top-rated pawn shop in the Inland Empire. With a 4.9-star rating on Google, we aim to provide a premium customer experience at our pawn shop. In addition to buying and selling authentic Chanel handbags at our shop in Ontario, we also buy and sell handbags from other luxury designers such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi Chloe, Dior, Prada, and others.

As a locally owned and operated business, we serve Ontario, Pomona, Upland, and surrounding communities from our store located at 11031 Central Avenue, in Ontario. For your convenience, Central Mega Pawn is open seven days a week until 6 pm. We also list many of our items in our online store that you may shop 24/7.

As inflation continues to put a dent in the budgets of Americans, many are looking for ways to save money on purchases or make a bit of extra cash. One of the best places to accomplish both is at your local pawn shop. Pawnshops often carry designer jewelry, name-brand electronics, premium quality power tools, and luxury items such as watches, handbags that you can purchase for a fraction of the price you’d pay at a traditional retailer. The reason pawnshops can stock these in-demand items is that they are constantly buying hot ticket items. So if you’re looking to make some extra money in 200, follow these tips for negotiating at a pawn shop.

Selling Items to a Pawn Shop: How to Negotiate for the Best Price

You can turn most things of value into cash at a local pawn shop. But, to make sure you get the best offer for your items, follow these negotiation tips.

1. Clean The Item You Plan to Sell

Items that don’t show signs of wear and tear will get a better offer than items that are obviously used. So, if you’ve got unused sports equipment, handbags, power tools, or antiques, wipe them down before you take them into the pawnshop. If you have gold, platinum, or diamond jewelry you no longer wear, run some cold water over it, so that it is free of debris and smudging.

However, you need to be incredibly careful with items such as antiques, luxury watches, and coins. It’s best just to run a soft cloth over them, so as not to damage them with abrasive cleaners or brushes.

2. Look at the Pawn Shop’s Online Store

Pawnshops don’t carry too many of the same items in stock. So, if you’re considering selling a Louis Vuitton handbag, for example, check the pawn shop’s online store first. If they have a lot of the same type of handbag that you want to sell, you may want to look for another pawnshop. Or you may choose to sell a different item to that shop. For example, you may see that although they have three Vuitton bags, they don’t have many laptop computers, and you recently got a new tablet, so you’re considering selling your laptop. A quick peek at the inventory in their online store can let you know if your item may be one of a kind.

3. Know What Your Item is Worth

Before you attempt to sell anything at a pawn shop, you should have a ballpark estimate of what it is worth brand-new. Keep in mind that pawn shops will offer you a percentage of the value. By remembering this, it would save you from being disappointed if an offer made is much less than you hoped for. For example, if you have an item that retails for $1000, you should not expect the pawn shop to offer you $950. It also prevents you from looking like you don’t know what you’re doing when you’re selling an item.

4. Remember it’s Just Business

When negotiating at a pawn shop in 2022, try to remain detached, and non-emotional. Remember that just because a piece of jewelry has significant sentimental value to you, it may not have the same value to a pawn shop. Likewise, try not to take it personally if the pawn shop doesn’t make you an offer at all. This doesn’t mean you don’t have a nice item. It may just mean that they know what their customers want, and the item may not meet that demand, currently. Keep in mind that selling to a pawn shop is a business transaction, and nothing about it is meant to make you feel angry or upset.

5. Wait for the Shop to Make an Offer

When you take an item into a pawn shop to sell, it’s smart to let the pawnbroker make the first offer. Pawnbrokers buy and sell items every day, and they are comfortable with assigning a value to your item. If you take something in to sell, and immediately say, “I need $100 for this,” you could be shortchanging yourself because it’s possible the shop was going to offer you $150. So let them start the negotiations by making an offer, and then suggest 10-15% more than they offered.

Buying Items at a Pawn Shop: How to Negotiate for the Best Price

If you’re on the hunt for a gift for a loved one, a collectible to add to your collection, or a treat to spoil yourself, always check your local pawn shop first. You can often find the exact same items you’d find in department stores, hardware stores, and jewelry stores, but you’ll pay a fraction of the price. Follow these tips for negotiating a purchase at a pawnshop.

1. Look for Similar Items in Stock

If you’re at the pawn shop to buy a power drill or saw, and you see that they have half a dozen in stock, you can often get a great price. So, let the employee quote you a price, and then counteroffer at roughly 80% of their lowest prices. Then listen and consider meeting them in the middle. If they won’t budge at all, you should always be willing to walk away.

2. Have Cash with You

When negotiating for an item at a pawn shop, make sure you let the pawnbroker know that you have cash, and you’ll be paying cash. You may be able to get the shop to lower the price a bit more if you let them know you have cash with you.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away

If you reach an impasse with a pawnshop, don’t be afraid to walk away. Experienced pawnbrokers are good at reading people, and if they see that you’d rather walk away than pay the price they are offering, you may just convince them to drop the price a bit more.

Buy and Sell Items at the Inland Empire’s Top Rated Pawn Shop

Central Mega Pawn is the Inland Empire’s top-reviewed and fastest-growing pawnshop. From everyday household tools to luxury jewelry, watches, and electronics by the best brands, we buy and sell a wide variety of items every day. For your convenience, Central Mega Pawn is open seven days a week until 6 pm. We are located at 11031 Central Avenue, in Ontario.