Backed by over 30 years of extensive experience and dedicated service, Vintage Contessa & Times Past is a family-owned and operated buyer and seller of luxury designer handbags, watches, diamonds and jewelry located in Houston, Texas. We take great pride in our reputation as a team of experienced professionals who offer top-quality, designer products at exceptional prices for our customers.

Our team delivers outstanding customer service you deserve to create a hassle-free, convenient way to sell your luxury handbags, high-end watches and other jewelry. Reach out today to learn more about our fast and convenient evaluation process.

Please review our FAQ to learn more about what we do and do not buy. 

How It Works

Step One

LUXURY ITEM EVALUATION:

  • If you have items in your closet, safe or drawer you are not wearing, sell or trade with us. Forward us detailed descriptions of your luxury item to sell with photos or visit our showroom in Houston.

Step Two

Set an Appointment or Send us Your Luxury Item:

  • After the evaluation, if you agree to the approximate quote based upon the condition represented, set an appointment to meet with our buyers or ship your item to our Houston showroom.

Step Three

Full Item Inspection:

  • Once we receive your luxury item in our store in our hands, our qualified experts will inspect the items condition and authenticiy.

Step Four

Receive top dollar payments or a higher trade in value:

  • Once finalized with the product in our hands, you will receive payment. We only buy authentic pieces and do not work on consignment, so you are paid or can trade up right away.
  • Get help from real people. Contact us by email or phone from 10am to 4:30pm central Monday to Friday.
  • Items that are traded-in towards the purchase of a new item are only charged sales tax on the difference in price (for Texas residents). For example, if the item you purchase is $1,000.00 and the trade in is $800.00, then sales tax is charged only on the difference of $200.00.

 

Sell Or Trade Your Luxury Items

Trade, Upgrade, or Cash In Your Luxury Items

If you have luxury items you’d like to sell or trade, we welcome you to contact us. Please keep in mind that while we strive to provide quick responses, we are a small, dedicated team, and response times average 48 hours excluding weekends.

For any questions or to schedule an appointment, contact us or call 713.977.7296 from 10 am to 4:30 pm Central, Monday to Friday.

FAQ

What do we buy?

VCTP buys a select range of luxury items, depending on market demand and our inventory needs. Please note that all transactions are by appointment only, as our buyers often travel.

We are currently purchasing the following:

Fine Watches

  • Rolex
  • Patek Philippe
  • Audemars Piguet
  • Omega
  • Cartier
  • Panerai
  • Other brands based on gold content and market demand

Handbags

  • Hermès (Birkin, Kelly, Evelyne, etc.)
  • Chanel (classic double flaps, etc.)
  • Dior (Lady bags, etc.)
  • Goyard (St. Louis totes, etc.)

1-Carat+ Diamonds

(GIA Certified preferred)

Gold, Silver, Platinum

  • Bars
  • Coins
  • Jewelry
  • Flatware
  • Scrap Pieces
  • Watches

Signed Jewelry

  • Cartier
  • Van Cleef & Arpels
  • David Webb
  • David Yurman
  • Chanel
  • Hermès

Currently, we are not purchasing items from certain brands or categories due to inventory levels or low demand:

  • Diamonds under 1 carat
  • Brands: Louis Vuitton, Gucci, YSL, Valentino, Chloe
  • Categories: Shoes, clothes, sunglasses, other non-listed brands (unless being sold for melt value)

Examples: Coach, Michael Kors, Tag Heuer, Michele watches

Our pricing is based on several factors:

  • Authenticity: Original purchase paperwork, service documentation, box, and packaging.
  • Condition: Wear, tear, and smell of the item.
  • Market Demand: International demand, availability, recent sales of comparable items, and trading values.
  • Our Sales History: Our previous sales and the current buying trends.

We purchase luxury items outright instead of consigning them. Items not in like-new or excellent condition require refurbishing, affecting their value and our buying decision.

Please Note: When purchasing from us, it’s essential to inspect each item carefully. All items’ conditions vary.

Submit Your Items For Evaluation

If you don’t see your item’s brand in our FAQ, then we most likely aren’t in the market for buying your item at this time.  

Common Misconceptions About Luxury Selling

Misconception: Retail Price Determines Resale Value

Truth: The original retail price does not dictate the resale value of luxury items. For instance, certain models within a brand like Hermes may retain value better than others.

Brand new items only affect pricing positively if the item is in high demand. Otherwise, preowned buyers typically prefer the brand’s classic styles.

Truth: Limited edition items only fetch a higher price if in demand. For instance, buyers may prefer an entry-level Chanel over a limited edition Louis Vuitton if similarly priced.

Truth: The sale of exotic leathers is complicated by regulations in certain regions, affecting their resale value and desirability.

Truth: Only specific styles or models of a luxury brand may be in demand, affecting their resale value.

Truth: Market demand dictates prices. Currently, smaller luxury items like handbags may be more sought-after than larger ones.

Truth: Some luxury items may command higher prices on the secondary market due to limited availability and increased demand.

Truth: While luxury items are valuable, their future sale price can vary based on market trends and demand.

Truth: The uncertainty of obtaining waitlisted items can increase their value on the secondary market, especially if luxury stores require additional purchases for priority.

Truth: ‘Vintage’ might only mean old and not necessarily more desirable or valuable.

Truth: Our collection ranges from vintage to “like new” pieces, including hard-to-get, waitlisted items.

Truth: What was popular a decade ago may not hold the same value or appeal today.

Truth: The resale value of luxury brands like Hermes or Rolex is dictated by current market demand, not past prices.

Truth: We operate by appointment only to ensure the best service, as our buyers and evaluators often travel.

Truth: Factors such as color, material, and condition significantly affect the pricing of luxury items.

Truth: Higher listing prices do not guarantee that an item will sell for that price; market demand and conditions vary.

Truth: Smelling handbags is part of the authentication process. Storage conditions like those in Houston’s climate can affect the scent of leather and canvas.

Why Work with the Vintage Contessa & Times Past?

Knowledgeable team

Our team is incredibly knowledgeable about designer luxury items and has the expertise to provide a top-dollar quote on your items.

No pressure

When you approach us to sell your luxury item, we will provide a no-pressure, comfortable experience so that you feel confident you are making the right choice.

Specialists

Our luxury buyers are specialists when it comes to assessing and authenticating the pieces our valued clients bring to us. You can rely on our team to give you top-dollar for your diamonds.

Guaranteed authenticity

Our team of professionals has the knowledge to evaluate your luxury item and systematically authenticate it.

You are in control

When it comes to selling luxury accessories to our team, you are the one who is in control. We will not pressure you to make a decision you are not comfortable with.

Transparency

We take a straightforward and transparent approach when it comes to authenticating luxury handbags so that the transaction is easy and stress-free.