I am often messaged and asked about where one can buy authentic designer bags by renowned designers online since we can’t get them locally. Below is a list and a few tips on how to get the best bang for your buck:

Sites like Vestiaire Collective, Luisa Via Roma, Net-a-Porter and The Outnet ship to Malta and all offer stellar service. While Luisa Via Roma, Net-a-Porter and The Outnet all sell brand new luxury goods (The Outnet specialises in new pieces from past seasons), Vestiaire Collective is a site where people can buy or sell their second-hand designer goods.

In order to make sure that items are 100 per cent per cent authentic, they are inspected by Vestiaire Collective experts before being sent to the buyer; if the purchased item is found to be counterfeit, the buyer will get a full refund straight away.

Many sellers on eBay don’t understand the value of what it is they are selling, and if you play your cards right, you can get beautiful pieces for peanuts

Vestiaire is also an excellent place to find rare pieces from years ago that are in excellent condition as well as barely used Chanel bags which are hundreds of euros cheaper than the price you’d pay in the boutique (yet another surprise price increase took place earlier this month).

Although some people turn up their noses at eBay right off the bat, it’s not particularly bright for you to do this if you’re a serious collector. Many sellers on eBay don’t understand the value of what it is they are selling, and if you play your cards right, you can get beautiful pieces for peanuts. If you’re the kind of person who is paranoid that you’re going to be fleeced, check the seller feedback meticulously, and if you’re still in doubt, ask for more photos. I find that the best thing to do when shopping off eBay is to find a photo of the item I want to purchase and compare it to the picture of what’s being sold.

Don’t let location deter you either: many sellers prefer selling to people in their own countries or charge astronomical postage sums if you live abroad, so the best way to tackle this is to sign up with the send-on service that Maltapost offers. They have hubs in the UK, the US, Germany, Italy, France and China. These send-on rates are usually much lower than what the sellers are asking for.

Apps like Shoptagr allow you to tag an online item and you will be informed the second it goes on sale or there is a special offer.

It also doesn’t hurt to google for coupon codes if you’re really interested in getting something in particular. Sites like Luisa Via Roma are well known for sending loyal customers a lot of coupon codes; it’s up to you to be sharp and take advantage. You’re also more likely to receive decent discount codes over the weekend or if you leave clothes in your checkout basket without paying for a number of hours. The latter is not a rule of thumb but it has been known to work!