Buying
How to buy pre-owned luxury safely
By the Encore Luxe specialists · Updated October 2026
Buying pre-loved is one of the best ways to own a piece from a great house. It is also where most counterfeits are found. The good news is that buying safely is not a matter of luck. It comes down to a handful of questions, asked every time. This guide sets them out.
1. Know who you are buying from
A trustworthy seller is easy to find and easy to contact. Look for:
- a registered business name and a real UK address
- a telephone number answered by people
- clear terms, delivery and returns information published before checkout
Be wary of sellers who exist only as a social media account, will not give a full name or address, or move the conversation to private messages.
2. Ask how the item was authenticated
Authentication should be a process, not a promise. Ask who examined the item, what they checked and whether it was checked in hand or only from photographs. A specialist looks at materials, construction, stitching, hardware, engravings, stamps, serials and the way all of these agree with each other and with the item's era. Our guide to how we authenticate explains our own approach, step by step.
Do not rely on accessories. Boxes, dust bags, receipts, cards and certificates are widely copied and frequently separated from the pieces they came with. They support a story; they do not prove it. Our guide to box and papers goes further.
3. Insist on photographs of the actual item
Stock images and borrowed photos tell you nothing. You should see the actual piece: front, back, base, interior, corners, handles, hardware, stamps, serials and any flaws, in good light. If something is not shown, ask for it. A good seller will not mind.
4. Read the condition in writing
"Excellent" means different things to different sellers. Look for a grading scale that is explained, plus a written description of specific wear: rubbing to corners, scratches to hardware, marks to the lining, wear to a bracelet clasp. Our condition grading guide shows the scale we use and what each grade allows.
5. Check what is included
The listing should state exactly what comes with the piece: dust bag, box, strap, padlock and keys, certificates, service papers, spare links. If it does not say, assume it is not included and ask.
6. Be realistic about the story
Rare pieces exist, but a seller who offers several hard-to-find items at once, presses you to decide quickly or cannot explain where a piece came from deserves caution. Calm, specific answers are a good sign.
7. Pay safely
Pay by credit card or a recognised payment method through the seller's own checkout. Credit cards and established payment services can offer protection if goods do not arrive or are not as described. Never pay by bank transfer to a personal account, and be cautious of anyone who asks you to pay outside the website.
8. Know your rights
When you buy online from a UK business, the Consumer Contracts Regulations generally give you 14 days from delivery to change your mind, and goods must match their description. Read the returns policy before you buy, and check who pays for return postage and insurance on valuable items.
9. Inspect on arrival
When your piece arrives, open it carefully and compare it with the listing: photographs, condition notes and inclusions. Keep the packaging until you are happy. If anything differs, contact the seller at once.
How we do it
Every piece in our shop is examined in our hands before it is listed. We photograph the piece itself, grade its condition in writing, state what is included and send it insured. Every purchase comes with 14-day returns. See our authentication guides, our pre-owned watch checklist or browse the shop.
Questions we’re often asked
- How can I tell if a pre-owned luxury seller is trustworthy?
Look for a named business with a UK address and telephone number, a clear authentication process, written condition grading, photographs of the actual item, secure payment and a returns policy you can read before you buy.
- Are boxes and certificates proof that an item is genuine?
No. Boxes, dust bags, cards and certificates are copied, and they can become separated from the item they came with. Authenticity is established by examining the item itself.
- What rights do I have when buying online in the UK?
When you buy online from a business in the UK, you generally have the right to cancel within 14 days of receiving the goods under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, and goods must be as described.
- Which payment methods are safest?
Pay by credit card or a recognised payment service through the seller's own checkout. Avoid bank transfers to individuals or requests to pay outside the platform.