Christie's Gucci Collector Website Launches

Last fall we learned that Gucci collectors would soon have a new way to value and sell their objects. Christie's and Gucci have partnered on a new website, Gucci Collector, where people can upload vintage items and get an appraisal. Christie's and Gucci are both part of the luxury megagroup PPR. Christie's provides, at no charge, auction estimates for vintage Gucci. The website defines Gucci vintage products as those that are generally a less common piece and at least 20 years old (other limited edition pieces or ones that have a special provenance might also be considered). In order to file a request the Gucci owner needs to submit good color images of the pieces, information on dimensions and materials and copies of any documentation of the item. Christie's promises a response within 2-4 weeks.

For those with good Gucci pieces that might not fit Christie's exacting standards there are plenty of other options. There's the old standby, eBay.com but there you run into the potential for auctioning off your items cheek by jowl with some less-than-scrupulous auction holders. Another good option is Portero.com which deals in only luxury goods. You pay $25 per item listing plus 30 percent of final sale price. Items are shipped to Portero where they are evaluated for authenticity, condition and value before being listed for sale. Another option is local consignment shops which usually have a similar percentage deal (although the exact percentage can vary). The downside of consigning locally is that it could sit on a shelf for a while until the right person walks through the door.