The Purse Affair Review: Is It Legit?

The Purse Affair is an Australian reseller of pre-owned designer bags, watches and jewelry, based in Melbourne. Its prices are in Australian dollars (AUD), not US dollars. It is a registered Australian company with two stores in Melbourne and published policies on authenticity, refunds and shipping. Below we go through what those policies say, what changes when you order from the US, and what you can check yourself.

Store details and policies last checked against thepurseaffair.com in October 2026.

About The Purse Affair

The Purse Affair sells pre-owned luxury items online and in two stores in Melbourne, Australia. Its About page, read in October 2026, carries the line "The Purse Affair by Alex and Angela since 2017". Most of the stock is handbags from brands such as Chanel, Hermes and Louis Vuitton, alongside watches, jewelry and accessories.

The footer of the website names the company behind the store as APA Luxury Investments Pty Ltd, with ABN 82 616 758 957. On the Australian Business Register (ABN Lookup), read in October 2026, that ABN is active from December 2018, the company is an Australian private company based in Victoria, and "The Purse Affair" is registered as its business name.

The stores, according to its Contact page, are at 356 Collins St in the Melbourne CBD and at Westfield Doncaster, 619 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster. Most items come from people who sell or consign their own bags to the store. Product listings give the condition as a score out of 10, with notes on wear, and list what comes with the item (box, dust bag, receipt).

Ordering From the US

Prices on the site are set in AUD. The currency menu can show prices in USD and other currencies, and many listings show an approximate USD figure next to the AUD price. The amount you pay in US dollars moves with the exchange rate, so check the total at checkout.

According to its shipping policy, read in October 2026, The Purse Affair ships "to most countries", processes orders within 1 to 2 business days, and sends international orders "express via DHL, insured up to the declared value of the item." Product listings say "Complimentary Express Shipping Worldwide". The policy adds that an extra fee may apply to oversized items and that the store will email you first. Its FAQ names EMS or Australia Post express as the carriers instead, so if the carrier matters to you, ask before you pay.

We found nothing on the site about import duties or taxes for US orders. Ask the store in writing who pays them, and plan for them before you order a high-value bag.

How Does The Purse Affair Check Authenticity?

Here is how the store describes its own process. Its Authenticity page, read in October 2026, says that before an item is listed, "it is checked by at least two highly trained authenticators (external & internal) specialising in specific brand names." It says items are checked against the brand's standards in "stamping, stitching, hardware, authenticity stamps, date codes, serial number (where applicable), materials and craftsmanship," and that an item found to be non-authentic is never posted and goes back to the original seller.

The same page names two outside partners. It says it works with a third-party authentication service that uses a device to take magnified photos of the surface. It also names Real Authentication and says each item submitted to that team "is assessed by a minimum of 2 experts from the Real Authentication team." Its FAQ adds that its own team checks that "branding, materials, stitching, serials" match each brand's hallmarks.

These are The Purse Affair's statements about its own process. Whichever store you buy from, check the bag yourself too. When it arrives, photograph it, keep the order confirmation, and compare the serial or date code, stamps, tags and inclusions against the listing.

How Are Prices Set?

Prices are in AUD and, according to one of the store's About Us pages, include delivery with "no delivery fees, hidden charges or other surprises". Some listings show two figures: an "Instagram Price" and a slightly higher "Website Price".

To judge a price, convert it to US dollars at the day's rate, then compare it with the brand's current retail price and with other resellers' listings for the same model, size, material and condition. Check what is included, since a box, dust bag and receipt can change what a bag is worth on resale.

Also Read: The Luxury Closet Review 2026: Legit or Not?

Returns and the Authenticity Guarantee

The Purse Affair does not take returns for a change of mind. Its refund policy, read in October 2026, says: "We do not accept refunds for change of mind." The policy sets out three cases:

• Not as described: you can ask for a refund "within seven days of receiving the item", by Instagram or by email.
• Authenticity: "If an item is found to be non-authentic by a third-party authenticator, we will fully refund the item under our lifetime authenticity guarantee. The seven-day limit does not apply in this case."
• Before shipping: a refund is made minus the payment processor's fee, which the policy puts at usually 3 to 4% of the transaction.

Layby purchases cannot be canceled or refunded, and the store keeps a 20% fee. Watches come with a 30-day warranty on the mechanical movement, according to the same policy. The policy does not set out separate terms for international returns or say who pays return shipping from the US, so ask before you buy.

Note the wording of the guarantee: it applies when a third-party authenticator finds an item non-authentic. Keep your receipt, the listing and your photos, so you have them if you ever need an independent opinion.

Selling or Consigning a Bag

The Purse Affair also buys bags, either on consignment (it pays you after the item sells) or outright (it pays once the item passes authentication). For a quote, it asks for photos, the style, the year of purchase and inclusions such as the receipt, box or dust bag. In October 2026 two of its pages listed consignment fees differently, so get the fee in writing with your quote.

Customer Reviews and Contact

When we checked in October 2026, we found no Trustpilot profile for thepurseaffair.com. The testimonials on its own website are chosen by the store, so they are not an independent rating. Before a large order, look for reviews on platforms the store does not control, and read the most recent ones for how refunds and international deliveries were handled.

According to its Contact page, read in October 2026, you can reach the store through the form on its website, by phone on 03 9005 6138, by email at enquiries@thepurseaffair.com, or on Instagram at @thepurseaffair. Both stores list opening hours. The site does not state a response time.

You May Also Like: Is Shop Premium Outlets Legit?

Conclusion: Legit or Not?

Yes, The Purse Affair is a legitimate business. It is run by a registered Australian company, its website says it has traded since 2017, it has two stores in Melbourne, and it publishes its authenticity, refund and shipping policies.

For a US buyer, the details matter more than the verdict. Prices are in AUD. There are no change-of-mind returns, and claims that an item is not as described must be made within seven days. The store's lifetime authenticity guarantee, in its own words, applies when "a third-party authenticator" finds an item non-authentic. Ask about duties and return shipping before you pay, and check the bag carefully when it arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns The Purse Affair?

The footer of its website names APA Luxury Investments Pty Ltd, an Australian private company with ABN 82 616 758 957. Its About page says "The Purse Affair by Alex and Angela since 2017".

Does The Purse Affair ship to the US?

Yes. Its shipping policy, read in October 2026, says it ships to most countries and sends international orders express via DHL, insured up to the declared value, and its listings say shipping is complimentary worldwide. Prices are in Australian dollars, and the site does not say who pays US import duties or taxes, so ask before you order.

Can I return an item to The Purse Affair?

Not for a change of mind. According to its refund policy, read in October 2026, you can ask for a refund within seven days of receiving an item that is not as described. Its lifetime authenticity guarantee covers a full refund if a third-party authenticator finds an item non-authentic.

Where is The Purse Affair based?

It is based in Melbourne, Australia. Its Contact page lists two stores: 356 Collins St in the Melbourne CBD and Westfield Doncaster, 619 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster.