My Experience with My Grandfather’s Things (MGFT)

I shared a sneak peek of my items from My Grandfather’s Things on Instagram recently and received a ton of messages (mostly from my Canadian followers) asking about my experience.

This type of blog post would’ve been super helpful to me prior to bidding on MGFT’s bags, so I decided to write one myself for anyone who’s curious. If you’re on this page, you likely already know about MGFT. For those who don’t, give them a follow (@MyGrandfathersThings) if you love vintage Chanel!

The number one question was… What did I get??

I got a beautiful black lambskin Chanel Diana flap in 2 series (1991-1994)! I also ordered the Fluffy and Ferdie Couplet to use when storing the bag and MGFT also included a strap shortener.

I love the Diana’s classic style, buttery lambskin, burgundy interior, and the 24k gold-plated hardware. It’s the perfect size for me and I find that it can be dressed up or down pretty easily.

Was the bag as described? Any hidden flaws?

The bag was exactly as described. MGFT shares very detailed photos and videos of each bag for sale and there was nothing else I needed to ask for. They even send over the actual video for your records after you pay.

Everything was very well packaged. The bag was wrapped in several layers of bubble wrap that I really had to cut through in order to unravel. Fluffy (the pillow) fit perfectly inside the bag and Ferdie (the felt protector) was in its proper place. The strap shortener was placed in an envelope inside the inner pocket of the bag. There was also a custom care card from MGFT along with a beautifully illustrated handwritten card.

What was the bidding process, my strategy, and the final price?

Unfortunately, I can’t really answer these since I got the bag “shark-style” (first come, first served) at MGFT’s asking price. I was in disbelief when I won, but super excited as I’d lost a few of their auctions previously.

If you’re curious about the general process and rules, follow @MyGrandfathersThings on Instagram and check out their weekly auctions! They also regularly post food, coffee, and their personal bag collection throughout the week. :)

When it came to bidding, I had a personal max. amount that I never actually reached. I usually entered an amount that was slightly higher than the asking price or midway bid (12 hour mark). Honestly, the exchange rate is what deterred me from entering my max. since the bids are in USD. I never really expected to win this way, but was banking on the highest bidder changing their mind (which, by the way, is not a recommended practice as you could be blacklisted. A bid is binding and you should be ready to pay that amount immediately if you win.) I only ever bid on the bags I was ready to pay for.

Since bids are in US Dollars, you should roughly convert it into Canadian Dollars first to make sure you’re bidding an amount you’re comfortable with paying. I say “roughly” because the exchange rate you get on Google vs. your bank vs. your credit card will all be different. The rate will also vary from the time you make a bid to the time you actually make the payment, so always keep this in mind.

How did I pay and in which currency?

MGFT accepts payments in USD, SGD, and HKD. I paid via bank transfer in Hong Kong Dollars. There were no additional fees for me and my bank allowed me to use my credit card for the transfer. This part of the experience may vary depending on your bank and their policies. You can also pay by credit card on MGFT’s website, but there’s an additional service charge.

For those with a CIBC credit card, you can get $50 back with the promo code GMT50 when you send your first Global Money Transfer (more info here). There are no additional fees.

How long did shipping take?

After the payment went through (about two business days), the bag was in my hands a week after it was shipped! I was supposed to receive it within two business days based on the FedEx details, but of course, they held it at customs for a few extra days. I contacted them a few times to follow up after each step in the delivery process and eventually spoke with the customs agent and paid through her. Once paid, I received my bag the next day! You may have a different experience from me depending on the person handling your package. The agent handling my parcel just took a while to get to it. (I truly think it was because she had to take the extra step to convert the currency because she did it with me over the phone.)

How much did I pay in taxes and customs?

Customs, duties, taxes, and handling fees added up to about 20% of the package value. As a business, MGFT does not undervalue their packages, so this is something to keep in mind when you’re budgeting. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide whether the final total will be worth it. With the increasing prices of vintage pieces and Chanel, it could be.

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Follow me on Instagram (@jessyywongg) to see more pics of this beautiful Diana and how I style it. :)