Why We Pay Consignors on Dispatch — And Almost Nobody Else Does
When you sell a luxury handbag or piece of jewellery on consignment, you're placing enormous trust in the consignment store. You're handing over an item worth thousands — sometimes tens of thousands — of dollars, and you expect to be treated fairly when it sells. But there's one part of the consignment process that almost nobody talks about: when exactly do you get paid?
The Industry Standard: Wait and Hope
At nearly every luxury consignment store in Australia, the payout process works like this:
- Your item sells.
- The store ships the item to the buyer.
- The buyer receives the item and inspects it.
- The buyer decides whether or not to return it.
- Once the return window closes — typically 7 to 14 days after delivery — the store processes your payment.
That means from the day your item sells, you could be waiting two to three weeks before you see a cent. And during that time, you're carrying all the uncertainty: will the buyer return it? Will the store drag their feet? When will the money actually land?
Why This Happens
Most consignment stores wait because they don't want the financial risk. If a buyer returns an item after the store has already paid out the consignor, the store is left with the cost. So they shift that risk onto you, the seller.
It's understandable from a business perspective. But it's not fair to the consignor — and it's not how The Purse Affair operates.
How The Purse Affair Does It Differently
At The Purse Affair, we process your payout the moment we dispatch the item to the buyer.
Not when they receive it. Not when the return window closes. The moment it leaves our facility.
Why? Because once we've shipped an item, it's our responsibility. We've authenticated it. We've described it accurately. We've photographed it in detail and presented it honestly. If there's ever an issue after dispatch — a return, a dispute, a claim — that's on us. Not on you.
Why Very Few Stores Do This
Paying on dispatch is a risk that very few consignment stores in Australia are willing to take. If a buyer returns an item, the store absorbs the cost. If there's a shipping issue, the store handles it. If there's a dispute, the store resolves it — all while the consignor has already been paid.
We're comfortable taking that risk because:
- Our authentication is rigorous. Every item is verified before listing. We stand behind every piece with a Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee.
- Our descriptions are accurate. Professional photography, honest condition reporting, and detailed listings mean buyers know exactly what they're getting.
- Our return rate is extremely low. When items are properly authenticated and accurately described, returns are rare.
In short, we've built the processes and confidence to back our sellers — and that's what sets us apart.
What This Means for You
When you consign with The Purse Affair:
- Your item sells? You get paid immediately on dispatch.
- No two-week waiting period.
- No uncertainty about returns affecting your payout.
- No chasing the store for your money.
It's a simple principle: once your item leaves our hands, you've done your part and we've done ours. You deserve to be paid.
Our Track Record
The Purse Affair is Australia's largest authenticated preloved luxury retailer. We're the only luxury consignment store in Australia with a physical presence at a major retail destination, and we've processed thousands of consignment sales with this policy.
Our results speak for themselves:
- 50% of items sell within one week
- 80% of items sell within one month
- 95% of items eventually sell
- Two physical stores in Melbourne — Doncaster and Collins Street CBD
- Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee on every piece
Ready to Sell with Confidence?
If you're considering selling a luxury item — whether it's a Hermès Birkin, a Chanel Classic Flap, Cartier jewellery, or a Rolex watch — we'd love to hear from you.
Email your photos and item details to quote.tpa@gmail.com for a free valuation within 24 hours. Include:
- Photos (front, back, interior, base, hardware close-ups)
- Inclusions (box, dust bag, receipt, authenticity card)
- Any signs of wear
- Brand, model, size, colour, and year of purchase if known
Or visit us in store — no appointment needed.
Doncaster: Level 1, 619 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster VIC 3108
Collins St CBD: Tenancy 1, Floor UM, 356 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
