Selling for the first time and not sure what to ask? Can you change your mind after signing the contract? When will you actually receive the money? Is there a step-by-step checklist you can follow?
There are three key stages when selling a Hermès bag: before receiving a quote, before signing the contract, and before payment. What you need to confirm is different at each stage, and once you move forward, it can be difficult to go back and clarify things later. The following checklist explains what to confirm at each stage, in order.
One point should be made clear from the start: transactions completed in-store or by voluntarily shipping the item do not have a statutory cooling-off period. Japan’s cooling-off rules apply to houmon kounyu (訪問購入), where a business visits the consumer’s home to purchase goods. They do not apply when the customer voluntarily visits a store or sends the item themselves (National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan: How to Prevent Problems with Door-to-Door Purchasing). Therefore, each of the three stages below should be fully confirmed before proceeding to the next.
Before receiving a quote, the key questions are: “How was this quote calculated, and could it change later?”
There are five things to confirm:
XIAOMA’s online preliminary quotes are provided within 30 minutes to 2 hours for standard items, and within 24 hours for rare items and special leathers. When visiting the store, please bring valid identification and the item itself.
We recommend providing the following photos: full front view, back, bottom, all four corners, handle bases, close-ups of the hardware, interior, stamp area, a photo showing all included accessories, as well as a 360-degree video. The more complete the information provided, the smaller the potential price adjustment after the physical inspection.
For the complete photo checklist and other ways to avoid unnecessary price reductions, see Is It Safe to Sell Your Hermès Bag? (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/selling-hermes-safe).
The same item may receive different quotes from different platforms. These differences mainly come from the platforms themselves rather than the item: whether they already have buyers for that particular style, their inventory levels, sales channels, and authentication capabilities. We recommend obtaining quotes from 3 to 5 companies on the same day and using the middle range as a reference.
For a detailed explanation of these four factors, see Why Do Hermès Buyback Prices Differ? (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/why-buyout-prices-differ).
Before signing, the key question is: “Can the price change after the physical inspection, and what happens if it does?”
You can ask in advance how long the authentication and appraisal process will take. XIAOMA’s authentication process consists of three stages: checking the condition, verifying authenticity, and checking the accessories. These three stages are generally completed within 10 to 20 minutes, with the entire process from authentication to contract signing taking approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Rare items, special leathers, or items requiring further verification may require additional evaluation time and are generally completed within 24 hours.
If the quoted price is reduced after the physical inspection, you can ask the buyer to explain each adjustment and the corresponding amount, rather than simply stating that it is due to “market conditions.” A reputable platform should be able to identify the specific issue—such as wear on the corners, scratches on the hardware, or missing accessories—and explain its impact on the valuation.
For consignment, confirm the commission and any other fees before signing. These fees should be clearly stated in writing in advance. Also confirm the contract period and whether the price can be adjusted or the consignment terminated before the contract expires.
When comparing buyback and consignment, compare the final amount you receive—not the listed price.
Therefore, a higher consignment listing price does not necessarily mean you will receive more in the end. For a complete comparison of the two options, see How to Sell Your Hermès for a Higher Price (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/sell-for-highest-price).
For more on why the authentication process is structured this way, see Why Is Professional Authentication So Important? (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/professional-appraisal).
Before payment, the key questions are: “When will I receive the money, and how will it be paid?”
| Payment Method / Timing | Details |
| Same-day cash payment | Payment arrangements are completed within 30 minutes to 2 hours after the transaction is confirmed |
| Bank transfer | Timing depends on the processing time of the local bank |
| Consignment settlement | Within 1 business day after the item is sold and full payment has been received |
For consignment, also confirm when the item will be listed. After the contract is completed, items are generally listed within 1 to 2 business days. In the event of a large volume of items arriving at the same time, listing will be completed within a maximum of 3 business days.
Combining the three stages above gives you the following ten-point checklist. The key point is that each item can be independently verified, rather than relying solely on what the company tells you verbally.
| Stage | What to Check |
| Before receiving a quote | Whether the secondhand dealer license number can be verified |
| Before receiving a quote | Whether there is a physical store you can visit |
| Before receiving a quote | Whether the company requires you to send the item before providing a quote |
| Before receiving a quote | Whether its condition grading standards are publicly disclosed, including the number of grades and criteria for each |
| Before receiving a quote | Whether it explains how missing accessories affect the valuation |
| Before signing | Whether reasons for price deductions are provided in writing |
| Before signing | If the preliminary quote is reduced, whether each reason and corresponding amount is explained |
| Before signing | Whether consignment commissions and other fees are disclosed in writing in advance |
| Before payment | Whether the payment timing is clearly stated |
| Throughout the process | Whether the company promises “absolute authenticity” or an “unconditional refund” |
The final point deserves special attention: such promises should be treated with caution rather than as a reason for greater trust. Authenticity is determined through a comprehensive assessment of craftsmanship, hardware, stamps, leather, and internal structure. A professional authentication process provides an authentication conclusion—it is not an absolute guarantee.
The first item can be independently checked online. As of April 1, 2024, secondhand dealers in Japan are required to display their business name, the name of the Public Safety Commission that issued the license, and their license number on a website they operate. Businesses conducting transactions online are not covered by the small-scale exemption (Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department: Amendments to the Secondhand Goods Business Act). If the license number cannot be found on the website, this item should be considered a fail.
XIAOMA’s secondhand dealer license number is Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission No. 304381506931.
XIAOMA’s service network spans Japan (Ginza, Tokyo; Umeda, Osaka), Hong Kong, Singapore, France (Paris), and Dubai.
For a detailed explanation of all ten checks and how to verify them, see How to Tell Whether a Secondhand Hermès Store Is Legitimate. For the complete process, including timing and payment methods, see The Complete Guide to Selling Your Hermès (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/guide-to-selling-your-hermes).
Once you have confirmed everything above, the next step is to find out how much your bag is currently worth. See How Much Is My Hermès Bag Worth? (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/how-much-my-hermes-worth).
If your bag is missing its receipt, box, or accessories, see Can I Still Sell My Hermès Without the Receipt or Box? (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/selling-without-original-receipt).
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 at a glance.
Last updated: September 2026
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