She started her journey not on a search engine, but on specialized enthusiast forums. She learned the vocabulary of high-end resale: Series 24 stickers , 24k gold-plated hardware (for the vintage finds), and the importance of caviar leather grain.

The "aha" moment came when she found a midnight black Double Flap on . It wasn't just the bag; it was the "Clair" AI tool that gave her a real-time valuation, proving the piece held its investment value.

Her first stop was . She loved the transparency; every scuff was documented in high-definition photos. Then she pivoted to The RealReal , where she spent hours filtering by "Pristine" condition. She even checked eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee program, watching a video of a professional leather expert physically inspecting a bag before it ever reached a buyer.