TikTok launched its shop a few years ago and has added a category specifically for secondhand luxury brand items. While the feature was already available to the US earlier, the platform is not opening it to UK users as well.
Secondhand Luxury Items on TikTok
Luxury brands release products that many people want to buy, but the luxury label tends to come with a hefty price tag as well. The average Joe may not be able to afford them or prefer not to spend a huge chunk of their savings on them, which is where preowned items come in.
Secondhand luxury products tend to be cheaper, as do most items that are already used and being resold. TikTok recognizes the growing practice of buying used items from well-known and expensive brands, ergo, the shop category dedicated to it.
Now, UK TikTok also has the option to browse through the app to shop for name-brand items such as handbags, clothing, and accessories, all without needing to leave the app. For now, buyers can find products from a few brands.
According to Tech Crunch, the products will be from UK companies such as Sellier, Luxe Collective, Sign of the Times, HardlyEverWornIt, and Break Archive. It's more than likely that the list of brands will expand over time.
To ensure smooth transactions and prevent scams, TikTok Shop has an anti-counterfeit policy wherein the buyer will get a full refund if the luxury goods are proven to be fake. The company is already in talks with LVMH to help spot fake products.
While the US TikTok Shop has measures in place like being required to have certificates from third-party authenticators, as well as a partnership with authentication services Entrupy and Real Authentication for designer handbags, the UK has a different approach.
A TikTok spokesperson said that the five mentioned UK luxury brands have their own in-house authentication process. Either way, it helps create a trusted online marketplace for the app, encouraging buyers to opt for TikTok instead.
Tips for Buying Secondhand Items Online
Shopping online comes with a lot of risks, especially since you won't be able to see the product in person, and the seller might not fulfill their end of the bargain. But, there are ways for you to prevent receiving counterfeits or products in bad condition.
For one, make sure that the photo that comes with the listing is the actual item. That way, you'll see the state it is in, whether it has already been worn out or if there are damages. Don't be afraid to ask for additional photos to make sure they didn't just pull it from the internet.
You can also use the actual image and compare it to product photos from the manufacturer. Counterfeits tend to get details wrong, and if you catch one, then you'd know not to buy the item and find somewhere else to get it from.
With certain luxury products, they come with serial codes and dates of manufacturing, which allow authenticators to trace where the items are made. You can use this method on your own to make sure that the item really is authentic.
