Not sure which store to choose? If a seller says, “Everything we sell is authentic,” can you trust them? Is it normal for a store to require you to send in your item before giving you a quote? Is there a checklist you can use to verify whether a store is legitimate?
When evaluating whether a pre-owned Hermès store is legitimate, don’t focus on its size or marketing. Instead, check these 10 verifiable points. Stores that meet all 10 criteria generally present significantly lower transaction risks. Below, we explain how to check each point and why it matters.
It is important to note that disputes involving second-hand purchases do occur in Japan, particularly in certain types of transactions. According to data from Japan’s National Consumer Affairs Center, consultations related to “door-to-door purchasing” (訪問購入) have continued to increase in recent years. Nearly 80% of the people involved in these contracts are aged 60 or older. Common cases include consumers who initially only requested an appraisal but were pressured into selling their items, being encouraged to sell items different from those agreed upon in advance, or continuing to be pressured even after refusing. (National Consumer Affairs Center｜Door-to-Door Purchasing)
Door-to-door purchasing is subject to Japan’s Cooling-Off rules, while in-store transactions and transactions where customers voluntarily send in their items are not. This is why it is particularly important to verify the store before visiting: once an in-store transaction has been completed, there is no statutory cooling-off period.
| No. | What to Check |
| 1 | Can you find the secondhand dealer license number? |
| 2 | Does the store have a physical location that customers can visit? |
| 3 | Does the written quote explain the reasons for any deductions? |
| 4 | Does the store clearly state when payment will be made? |
| 5 | Does it publicly disclose its condition grading standards, including the number of grades and the criteria for each? |
| 6 | Does it explain how missing accessories affect the quote? |
| 7 | If the initial quote is reduced before the final offer, are the reasons and amounts for each adjustment clearly explained? |
| 8 | Does the store require you to send in the item before providing a quote? |
| 9 | Are consignment fees and other charges disclosed in writing in advance? |
| 10 | Does the store promise that items are “100% authentic” or offer an “unconditional refund”? |
The common point among all 10 criteria is that customers can verify them independently rather than relying solely on verbal explanations from the seller.
In Japan, businesses engaged in the purchase and sale of pre-owned goods are required to obtain a secondhand dealer license issued by the relevant Public Safety Commission. From April 1, 2024, the license number must be displayed on the dealer’s own website. This is not simply something a dealer may choose to disclose—it is a legal requirement.
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s explanation of the amendments to the Secondhand Goods Business Act, secondhand dealers must display the following three items together in a location that is easily visible to consumers on a website they manage themselves: the business name, the name of the Public Safety Commission that issued the license, and the license number (Article 12, Paragraph 2 of the Secondhand Goods Business Act).
Businesses that regularly employ five or fewer employees, or businesses that do not have a website at all, may be exempt. However, “specified secondhand dealers” that conduct transactions online are not eligible for this exemption and must display the information (Article 8-2, Paragraph 1 of the same Act).
References: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department｜Amendments to the Secondhand Goods Business Act (Effective April 1, 2024) / National Police Agency｜Secondhand Goods and Pawnshop Businesses
In other words, if a store conducts pre-owned Hermès transactions online but you cannot find its secondhand dealer license number on its website, that store is not complying with the current requirements. This is not a bonus point—it is a basic requirement.
XIAOMA’s secondhand dealer license number is Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission No. 304381506931.
In Singapore, stores are subject to separate regulations under the Precious Metals (Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing) Act, and the list of registered dealers is publicly available from Singapore’s Ministry of Law. You can verify the registration yourself: List of Registered Dealers｜Ministry of Law (Singapore)
The physical store address and license number should be checked together. A platform that operates only online, with no physical location that customers can visit, leaves customers without a place to resolve disputes in person if a problem arises.
XIAOMA has locations in Japan (Ginza, Tokyo; Umeda, Osaka), Hong Kong, Singapore, France (Paris), and Dubai.
Without publicly disclosed grading standards, customers cannot tell which condition grade their bag has been assigned, making it difficult to determine whether the quote is reasonable.
XIAOMA uses a seven-level condition grading system, with clear criteria for each grade:
| Grade | Criteria |
| Brand New | Never used, with no flaws, and in completely new condition |
| Unused | Unused, but does not meet the standards for brand-new condition |
| SA — Excellent | Used only a few times and very well maintained, with almost no signs of use; may have extremely minor surface scratches |
| A — Very Good | Lightly used and well maintained, with some signs of use |
| AB — Good | Lightly used, with some noticeable signs of use and scratches |
| B — Fair | Some scratches, flaws, and more frequent signs of use |
| BC — Well Used | Noticeable signs of wear |
For the actual price differences associated with each condition grade, see “How Much Is My Hermès Bag Worth?” (Read the article).
The same principle applies to accessories. Simply saying “the more complete the accessories, the better” does not tell customers which missing items matter more or less to the valuation.
In terms of their impact on valuation, accessories generally rank as follows, from greatest to least:
Shoulder strap (where applicable) ＞ Clochette ＞ Lock and keys ＞ Blue dust bag and blue box ＞ Standard dust bag and box
Functional accessories have a significantly greater impact than packaging. Shoulder straps, Clochettes, locks, and keys are important components associated with the bag itself and may need to be replaced if missing. Dust bags and boxes are supplementary items and generally have a smaller impact on valuation.
For details on how missing accessories or the original receipt can affect valuation, see “Can I Sell My Hermès Without the Original Receipt or Box?” (Read the article).
A legitimate platform should be able to provide an initial quote based on photos and item information, without requiring you to send in the item first.
XIAOMA’s online preliminary quote turnaround time is 30 minutes to 2 hours for standard styles and within 24 hours for rare styles and exotic leathers.
We recommend obtaining quotes from 3–5 companies on the same day and using the middle range as a reference. It is normal for different platforms to offer different quotes for the same item. These differences mainly come from the individual conditions of each platform, including whether they already have buyers for the specific style, current inventory levels, sales channels, and authentication capabilities.
For a detailed explanation of these four factors, see “Why Are Hermès Buyback Prices Different?” (Read the article).
These kinds of promises should be treated with caution rather than as a reason to automatically trust a seller.
Authenticity is determined through a comprehensive assessment of craftsmanship, hardware, stamps, leather, and internal structure. Professional authentication provides an assessment and conclusion based on these factors—it is not an absolute guarantee.
A platform that is willing to explain its authentication criteria and process is generally more transparent than one that simply makes unconditional promises.
XIAOMA’s authentication process consists of three stages:
These three stages are typically completed within 10–20 minutes. Once the results are confirmed, the contract signing process begins, with the entire process from authentication through contract completion taking approximately 20–30 minutes.
Rare styles, exotic leathers, or items requiring further verification may require additional evaluation time, generally completed within 24 hours.
For more on why professional authentication needs to be conducted in multiple stages, see “Why Is Professional Authentication So Important?” (Read the article).
You can ask the platform to explain each adjustment and its corresponding amount, rather than simply saying that “market conditions have changed.” A legitimate platform should be able to identify the specific issues—such as wear on the corners, scratches on the hardware, or missing accessories—and explain their respective impact on the valuation.
The best way to minimize discrepancies in advance is to provide sufficiently detailed information. We recommend submitting photos of the front, back, bottom, all four corners, handle bases, hardware close-ups, interior, stamp, and accompanying accessories, as well as a 360-degree video of the bag.
The more complete the information provided in advance, the smaller the potential price adjustment after the physical inspection.
For more ways to avoid unnecessary price reductions, see “Is It Safe to Sell My Hermès?” (Read the article).
“When will I receive my money?” should be clearly stated before the transaction is completed, not discussed afterward.
XIAOMA offers same-day cash payment. Once the transaction is confirmed, payment arrangements are generally completed within 30 minutes to 2 hours. For bank transfers, the time until funds are received depends on the processing time of the local bank.
For consignment transactions, commissions and any other fees should be clearly stated in writing in advance.
The calculation of the final amount received differs between buyback and consignment:
Buyback = Confirmed offer price = Amount you receive
Consignment = Final selling price − Commission − Other fees = Amount you receive
A higher consignment listing price does not necessarily mean you will receive more money in the end.
For a complete comparison, see “How to Sell Your Hermès for the Best Price” (Read the article).
For the complete process, see “The Complete Guide to Selling Your Hermès” (Read the article).
Once you have chosen a store, the next step is to go through each stage of the transaction and confirm what needs to be checked at each point. See “What Should You Confirm Before Selling Your Hermès Bag?”
If you first want to understand the different types of pre-owned Hermès stores in Japan and which type may be right for you, see “What Types of Pre-Owned Hermès Stores Are There in Japan, and How Should You Choose?”
XIAOMA has specialized in Hermès for over 10 years, with more than 2 million luxury items authenticated to date.
XIAOMA (Ginza Xiaoma) is operated by ASU BRAND Co., Ltd.
Not sure whether buyback or consignment is right for you?
Contact XIAOMA for a free “Buyback Quote + Estimated Consignment Price” and compare both options side by side.
Last updated: September 2026
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