Is collective clothing legitimate? What you need to know before buying

The used market can help you revise your wardrobe.


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One of the simplest ways to become more durable is to buy used clothes. There are several ways to do this: you could hit the local savings store , exchange articles with friends or move your search online. If this is your goal - and you tend to have an expensive taste - then you've probably heard of a collective locker room. And if you plan to make a purchase, you have probably decided to look for: is the collective cloakroom legitimate?

Unlike many resale sites such as Poshmark, Depop and Thredup, parts on collective cloakroom tend to cost a nice penny. The retailer sells designer brands like Chanel, Valentino, Jimmy Choo, Balenciaga, and more, and some hermes bags on the site cost up to $ 258,000. So before making a purchase, you want to make sure you know exactly how the service works, what you can expect and that you will receive authentic items every time you shop. Continue to read to find out more on a collective locker room, from what separates it from other resale sites in the way of avoiding scams.

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What is the collective cloakroom?

Vestiaire Collective mobile app icon on phone screen top view
Postmodern / Shutterstock studio

Collective cloakroom began in 2009 and is based in Paris. "This is a peer market, in which users join the platform and sell their used luxury products to other users," said Michael Zakkour , Digital Commerce and Retail Expert for 5 new digital .

The items sold are generally in good condition to an excellent condition, and the seller will explain the current state of each room and any sign of wear.

You can buy categories such as clothing for women, men and children, bags, shoes, jewelry, watches and vintage. According to Reuters, the company was assessed at around 1.1 billion euros In January 2024, and sales on the platform increased by 25% compared to the previous year, because fashionistas aimed to organize more sustainable cupboards.

Unlike other platforms that focus on clothing and accessories, collective cloakroom really focuses on luxury items. In November 2022, the company began to ban several rapid fashion brands, including Boohoo, Shein, Zara and Gap, of the platform; In 2023, he prohibited a second wave Quick fashion stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Urban Outfitters and Mango.

It is different from the used store with regard to the list of sellers and prices of the items themselves rather than sending them to a central location to be listed.

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How does the collective cloakroom work?

Vestiaire Collective, the RealReal, and Rue La La mobile app icons are seen on a smartphone
Tada / Shutterstock images

The platform works like many other resale markets. "Sellers list their articles on the platform, providing detailed descriptions, photographs and the state of the article," explains Zakkour. "Once an article is sold, it is shipped to collective vestisire for authentication, and their team of experts checks the quality and authenticity of each article."

Once the item is authenticated, it is shipped to the buyer; If it is refused during the authentication process, a refund is issued. However, this is only the case if you select authenticated shipments for $ 15.

If you choose a direct shipping, the item will send you directly to the seller, although some high -risk items are digitally authenticated for quality control (as a bonus, the item is also faster because it does not have Need to make a standard on the way to you). If you use direct shipping, you have 72 hours from the time of delivery to report any problem with the order.

A key difference compared to other resale websites is that instead of needing to buy an item at the indicated price, buyers can make an offer at their own price. The seller can then approve or reject it or make a counter offer (sellers can also choose to deactivate this feature, so buyers cannot haggle with everyone). You cannot make an offer for less than 70% of the original price of the part.

You will also not have the possibility of yield on most items, although you can relaunch the room on the collective locker room. If you decide to do it within 72 hours, it is for free, which means that you keep all the revenues of the sale instead of giving a collective wardrobe a cup.

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Is the collective locker room a legitimate website?

Person holding cellphone with webpage of French e-commerce company Vestiaire Collective on screen with logo
T. Schneider / Shutterstock

According to all the accounts, collective cloakroom is a legitimate website - and if you place an order, you will probably receive what you have ordered in the condition that it has been described and within a reasonable time.

However, "the first rule of purchase always applies: the Buyer Misfie", says Jessica Doyle , shopping expert at Freely give .

Most of the problems with the platform occur due to its basic premise. "The markets, in general, face these types of challenges because the transaction occurs between individuals, not a business to a consumer," notes Doyle.

But these problems are not more present on a collective locker room than on Other markets - They are only something to know whenever online purchases on such a platform.

Of course, these problems do not always have a huge red flag, so it is important to trust your intestine. If something seems ladle, too good to be true, or simply a little, it is better to avoid it.

Authenticity guarantee

Collective cloakroom has a team of experts who frequent the wardrobe academy to ensure quality control and supervise its authentication process. "The academy specializes in perfection skills Experts can recognize The characteristics of the authentic, "they write.

If you think you have received a counterfeit item, you can make it reappear. If it is counterfeit, you will receive a refund.

Commitment to sustainability

The purchase of pre-loved items already helps the environment because it reduces the demand and production of new clothes. In addition, articles on collective wardrobe tend to be of better quality, which means that they will last longer and will require a replacement less often.

"We prevent three times more emissions that we generate, without compensation," reads the company's website , and they aim to reduce emissions every year.

Protection against the seller

If the quality of collective cloakroom control team does not approve of the item you want to sell, the company's customer support team will cancel the sale and give you the room for free.

The same thing happens if a buyer cancels his order after receiving a quality control report: you can have the item set for free to the article or so that the collective locker room holds it. If he sells again, they will ship it for free once he sends.

Buyer protection

Buyers are able to use several forms of authentication, and if they believe they have received a counterfeit, they can deposit a return. Payment methods are just as secure as most online markets; You will want to regularly monitor your accounts during the chances of fraud or hacking, but your information is safe with collective cloakroom.

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Are there scams on a collective cloakroom to watch?

Close up of woman sitting on the couch using credit card and laptop to shop online from home.
istock

False goods

One of the most important and frightening scams on a collective cloakroom is to get a false version of the article you have ordered - and with high articles like false bags, which can cost you. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"The platform has a precision rate of 99.9% His relationship of trust ] Regarding authenticity, but it is not difficult to find collective cloakroom criticisms in which buyers say they have been sold a false, "said Doyle." fake."

If you suspect a problem before ordering, use an authenticated shipment. If you believe that something could be defective after receiving it, you can submit it for a second assessment. "In case we made a Error in our initial assessment , you will be completely reimbursed, "reads the company's website.

Receive the wrong article

Some buyers who have filed complaints against collective cloakroom on the Better Business Office (BBB) ​​say that the article they received was different from the one that was described both in large and small ways.

A person said that the bag they had received was a micro-tail, while the product was listed as a small handbag (two sizes that had technical dimensions on the designer's website); Another person said that the interior of a handbag they ordered was plastic instead of cotton that was listed. "He was also effiled and there was a completely missed point on the label that was sewn in the bag," they write.

In both cases, buyers struggled to receive a timely refund.

Buyers are demanding a problem with an item

This has an impact on people who seek to sell their goods on a collective locker room. According to A Reddit user : "I have just sold a creator straw bag a few days ago, and everything was as described in the list. The buyer received it today and I received a message by e-mail saying that The buyer pointed out a problem.

They say that the buyer contacted collective locker room, saying that the bag had been damaged and demanding a full refund. Collective vestilar authorized the reimbursement and the seller did not have any sale. Other sellers commented on the post, affirming similar; Some even mentioned the buyers damaging the bag after receipt, then returning the damaged item to obtain a refund.

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What are the surest payment methods to use on a collective cloakroom?

Credit card: These can protect you from fraud; If you have to contest a payment, simply file a complaint with your bank - it is a much better option than paying debit, where the recovery of lost funds due to fraud is much more difficult.

PAY PAL: This service also offers protection in the event of fraud and maintains your private financial information during online purchases.


Categories: Smarter Living
Tags: / Shopping
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