With only a few weeks left until Christmas, your mind has probably started drifting to gifting. If luxury items are on your list, whether a classic Cartier bracelet for a close friend or a much-coveted sequin Prada handbag that would look perfect on the arm of a stylish family member, buying pre-loved is a seriously smart way of treating those you love (yourself included) while leaving a far less prominent mark on the planet.
One of the best places for shopping for pre-loved gems is, of course, eBay. The platform is a treasure trove when it comes to luxury goods, offering designer watches, classic jewellery pieces and statement handbags at affordable prices, and all of which are covered by eBay’s handy Authenticity Guarantee, which ensures designer items over £500 are genuine.
Here, we’ve teamed up with singer-songwriter Griff, a self-confessed eBay devotee, to steal her top tips for shopping for pre-loved gifts this festive season. Read on for her ultimate guide.
Save gift ideas throughout the year
‘I love pre-loved shopping and gifting because it makes luxury purchases more accessible,’ says Griff. ‘It’s also great to give pre-loved items a second home and a new life.’ According to the singer, making a note of gift ideas well in advance of the festive season is a smart place to start.
‘Gifting is like a test of how well you know a person. This summer, I was on holiday with a close friend, Angel, who mentioned she loved this gorgeous green and gold Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet she saw in a magazine. I’ve managed to find it on eBay and it’s going to make the perfect gift for her. Shopping on eBay is great because it means you can give a high-quality, premium gift at a reasonable price.’
Be clever with your keywords
‘When searching for items, be as specific as possible with your keywords, as you’ll get much better results that way,’ says Griff. Don’t forget to include all item specifics like colour, fabric, and even the era of the piece or collection it’s from for optimal results.
If you do have a specific luxury item in mind, set alerts so you’ll receive email notifications if it becomes available. You can then place your bid or hit ‘Buy it now’ to snap it up immediately.
TOP TIP: To set an alert, search for a specific item and click ‘Save this search’ next to the blue heart to receive email updates
Gift thoughtfully – and practically
‘I try to gift sustainably – if I’m buying a luxury item, I want it to be something the recipient will love for many years,’ says Griff. ‘For example, I’ve been eyeing up a beautiful large leather Bottega Veneta tote on eBay for my stylist, Kamran. The small-bag trend is cute, but I also think a gift should be practical, and big bags are more useful.’
Seek out the Authenticity Guarantee
‘With eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, you can be sure that designer items you’re buying are 100% genuine,’ explains Griff. ‘That’s so important when you’re giving a luxury gift to someone. It means it’s worth its value, and gives you peace of mind.’
A team of highly experienced eBay expert authenticators meticulously checks luxury items with a multi-point inspection, inside and outside. The item will then be shipped to you with custom documentation to confirm that it has been certified as authenticated by eBay. Not sure if the item you want has been authenticated? Look for eBay’s blue tick for reassurance.
TOP TIP: For best results, tick ‘Include description’ under the search button when browsing on eBay, as some sellers mention keywords in item descriptions rather than titles
Don't forget to treat yourself
‘When it comes to gifting, you mustn’t forget about yourself,’ says Griff. For the singer, it’s a gold Rolex Cellini watch she’s spotted on eBay that will be top of her festive wish list this year. ‘Watches are a timeless gift, and something you tend to keep for life. And if I’m going for a Rolex, I’m going to make sure it’s gold.’
Shop luxury pre-loved gifts, inspired by Griff’s favourites, with confidence on eBay
Authenticity Guarantee is independent from, and not associated with, any brands sold on eBay
