EBay is an excellent source for finding lucite purses, and often for relatively competitive prices.  However, there is always some danger when purchasing something that you can’t physically examine before you buy it, and sometimes the buyer an end up with something that she wasn’t bargaining for.  A lucite purse can be a large investment, with prices ranging into the hundreds of dollars.  A few basic guidelines can help ensure that your lucite purse is what you expect it to be.

Read between the lines. EBay listings can be viewed primarily in one of two ways: by browsing the listings for a particular category, or by viewing a list of items containing a particular keyword.  The easiest way to find lucite purses is to simply do a keyword search for “lucite purse.”  However, the keyword search has led to some abuse by sellers who will pack their item description with key words that aren’t necessarily descriptive of the item that they are selling, but rather that are designed to catch the searches of people looking for similar items.  For that reason, it is not unusual to see lucite purses listed with the terms “lucite” and “bakelite” in the title, even if that particular purse only contains one or the other, or in some cases – neither.  Never rely on the item’s title, and if you have any doubt as to the item’s makeup, do not hesitate to ask the seller if they can verify what the purse is made of.

Make assumptions.  Perhaps I am a pessimist, but as a rule of thumb when it comes to eBay auctions, I try to assume the worst.  That way, I am never disappointed and I rarely overpay for an item.  This comes in handy with lucite purses, as I have noticed many a listing where the seller calls the item a lucite purse, but then backtracks with a disclaimer, alleging to have no knowledge of the actual material.  One purse that I have seen time and time again on eBay is a lovely red purse with a clear top.  It has been advertised by more than one seller as being “lucite or bakelite” but the seller also claims to not be an expert on the material.  In this particular example, the material is actually a very lightweight and nearly modern plastic, and on careful examination it appears to be a sewing basket and not actually a purse.  I found one at an antique store, and while it looked lovely in the glass showcase, it was light and flimsy to the touch, and the handle was so thin that I would be loathe to put so much as a makeup compact in it.  In photos, it appears to be an amazing specimen, but in real life it is a cheap sewing box.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask.  If something in the description is unclear, do not be afraid to ask the seller a question.  The response can bring you more than just an answer to your question: it can also tell you a bit about the seller.  A prompt response by someone who is happy to answer your question is always reassuring.  A seller who doesn’t answer is a good sign that he may not be a good communicator – a very bad thing, should the transaction go awry.  A short or unhelpful answer suggests that the seller is not interested in what he is doing, nor in his potential customers – personally, I like to avoid those.

Take Advantage of the Return Policy.  EBay has been pushing sellers to clearly articulate their return policies in their listings.  Many sellers will guarantee the authenticity of the item, and offer full returns if the buyer is not fully satisfied with the purchase.  This added bit of insurance lends credibility to the seller’s description, and if the purchase ultimately up to your expectations, you can take advantage of the return policy.

Scour the Feedback. Descriptive feedback with links to the actual item are available for recent eBay listings, so before you bid, do not hesitate to review the seller’s feedback.  Do buyers compliment the clarity of the descriptions and the buyer’s communication?  Does the seller primarily deal in vintage goods?  All of these things lend credibility to the seller and should be considered before bidding.

Research.  One of the great advantages of eBay is that you have the ability to comparison shop before making a decision on whether to bid on a particular item.  If a seller is listing a beautful frosted Charles S. Kahn lucite purse with carved lid, take a few moments to run a similar search through the completed auctions.  Seeing the prices that similar purses have fetched in the past can give you a good idea of what final price you can expect on your purse.

In my collection, my most beautiful lucite purses were purchased in person from dealers.  I was able to inspect the purses myself before buying them.  I have also spent the most money on those purses.  My best deals on lucite purses have come from eBay.  While I have been diligent in my research and have been very cautious in my purchses, I have fallen prey to two sellers who sold me “lucite” purses that ended up being something less than satisfactory.  I still purchase lucite purses on eBay, but I exercise even more caution now for the reasons described above.

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