A WOMAN has left social media users in shock after revealing the huge profit she made after spotting a vintage Cartier bag being peddled online for just $1 (80p).
Chandler West, 29, was sourcing vintage goods on a state auction online in November 2021 when she first came across the handbag.
She purchased it for the paltry sum, not realising it was a designer item, and left it in a pile of clothes for a year, waiting to research its history in order to price it for her own Etsy vintage clothing site.
She reached out to a Facebook group of vintage experts, who identified it as a 1920s French Art Deco evening bag with a centre stone of lapis lazuli, as well as featuring emeralds and diamonds.
Finally, she found the Cartier signature on the metal of the clasp and realised the treasure she had bagged.
Chandler took it to a jeweller to have it examined, where they confirmed that the bag had 12 real diamonds and that it was an authentic Cartier.
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The thrifty woman got in touch with Rago Auctions, and last month watched live as the bag was sold for a whopping $7,500 (£6,076).
Chandler, a marketing copywriter from North Carolina, US, said: “Before selling the Cartier bag at auction, the most expensive item I’d ever sold was an 1850s dress that I sold to a small museum in Australia for $600.
“The hammer price for the Cartier bag was $7,500, (£6,067) I paid a 12 per cent commission of $900 (£728) so the finally amount I received was $6,600 (£5,339).
“I’ve loved vintage clothing since I was a teenager and I love fashion in general. I think what makes vintage really special is that every piece has a story.
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“I love to imagine the women who wore the clothing before me and the moments throughout history they witnessed.”
She shared the moment the bag was sold on TikTok, (@ciao.chandler), where the video garnered over 13 million views and 1.2 million likes.
She said: “Of course I was over the moon as I only paid a dollar!”
The clip shows Chandler watching the auction online, and getting excited as it makes its way up to $7,500 (£6,067).
Viewers were equally stunned by the sale.
Chelcie commented: “WOW!!!!”
Mollie added: “Congratulations, that was thrilling.”
Danny said: “Even with the percentage the auction takes, WOW you cleaned up! Great find.”
Chris said: “CONGRATULATIONS!”
“What dreams are made of!!” added Jane.
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