given a cast off that’s worth a lot of money

[Bagitup]

I’ve name changed for this.

About two years ago my friend was having a clear out and asked me if I wanted a bag. She hated it but I really liked it. I use it lots and have been given loads of compliments on it.

A woman I work with is really into bags (mulberry, Pravda etc) and was always going on at me that she thought the bag was worth a lot of money because she thought it was real ostrich skin

I never paid heed to her but my mum commented recently that she had looked at the bag and she was convinced it was real ostrich.

Cut a long story short and the bag has been checked and valued and it’s real and worth thousands.

I have absolutely no plans to sell it. My friend bought it at a market abroad and thought it was a fake.

Do I tell her it’s real? Do I keep schtum?

If you’re keeping it then I don’t tell her. If you’re selling it then I’d let her know

Wish people threw them my way 😂 tough call! Would you want to know? Would she be likely to ask for it back knowing it's value? You see it all the time people going to antiques roadshow having bought something from a car booty.

is there a market for real ostrich? do you mean it has ostrict feathers on it, not the skin. personally I would tell her and see what she says, its yours now but she's your friend. does it need to be insured.

I have zero plans to sell the bag - I love it!

Do you like your friend?
If you want to keep her as a friend, you tell her, see what she wants to do

If you don't like her, don't tell her

@wigglypiggly it’s ostrich skin.

Are you absolutely, 100% sure that it is genuine?? Who checked it?? Bags from foreign markets are always counterfeit.

Fake doesn't have to mean cheap materials - we had two "mulberry" bags handed into the charity shop when I was volunteering, they were definitely made from leather, and decent quality. But not Mulberry.

I’d keep the bag and keep quiet. But if you do get rid of it then give it back.

As others have said, I'd tell her if/when you plan to get rid. She willingly gave it to you, so as long as you keep it yourself it's fine in my books.

Photo of said bag? How many 000's we talkin here?

What?? Can we see? To me that sounds foul, I'm imagining puckered plucked skin < not envy.

I suppose it depends on both of your financial situations. If you're not in need of money then keep it and carry on using it.

If you need the cash then sell it and offer to split with your friend.

...or sell it and never mention the bag again, do you think she even remembers?

I’d sell it and split the cash.

who valued it? you can buy ostrich leather bags for a couple of hundred quid on Etsy. does it have a label?

Is it worth money because it is a brand? Or because it is ostrich? Presumably the former, ostrich can be farmed can't it?

Bags on markets are not always fake. Bags that don't pass quality control can end up on stalls. So they are 'real Prada made in the factory but no serial number. They're called Cabbage. Was it Italy?

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/OSTRICHLEATHERBAGS/items

So it’s not worth enough to sell?

I’m not posting a picture of the bag. It would be far too outing. It was valued by a company that specialises in this sort of thing. They offered to sell it for me too.

@wigglypiggly I was quoted £4500. I can only go with what they say.

Surely it would only be worth megabucks if it’s a label? Ostrich is not the cheapest leather but not in the 000s.

I have a phobia of lumps and spots and things so it wouldn't be my thing, but I guess enjoy swanning around with a few grand on your arm!

Sounds fowl!!

Your friend gave it to you, you love it and have no plans to sell it. You got a lovely free bag. Lucky you. Don't feel guilty, just keep on loving your bag.

I’ve got an ostrich skin handbag that was my granny’s. It must be about 80 years old. I didn’t realise they still made bags from it.

if that's what they say I would get it insured through an expert valuers.