One Louis Vuitton purse, a pair of boots and, oh, is that two Chanel bags? It’s clearly payday, but not in the typical sense.

Instead of picking up a few designer treats for herself, a woman in her 60s stepped into the bustling Ginza branch of Otakaraya in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward.

It was time to make some cash.

Her now-vintage haul cost 400,000 yen ($2,500) some 20 years ago, but what would the clerk’s appraisal be?

As the yen tumbles, stores such as Otakaraya that buy used brand-name goods and precious metals are rapidly popping up.

They differ from thrift stores in that they auction or resell their stock to other businesses. They also deal exclusively in high-end merchandise, unlike chains such as 2nd Street, Kinji and TreFac (Treasure Factory) that carry upscale merchandise alongside everyday clothing brands.

The woman, who brought everything into Tokyo from Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, walked away with 185,000 yen and plans to return.

“I still have other brand-name products at home so I will be back again,” she said, pleased, before leaving the store.

Yokohama-based E-Fran Inc., which owns Otakaraya, was founded in 2000 and currently operates 1,168 stores nationwide. For comparison, seemingly ubiquitous beef bowl chain Yoshinoya is at 1,232 locations as of April.

Including franchises, Otakaraya outlets have tripled over the last decade in the hope of intensifying efforts to amass secondhand goods. The company aims to open an additional 100 outlets by year’s end.

International tourists are another driver in this business trend; they account for 60 percent of total sales at Valuence Japan Inc.’s secondhand stores located in urban areas.

Founded in 2007, the group oversees the Nanboya chain and started out as a conventional secondhand business, selling high-end items directly to customers.

It has since become an Otakaraya counterpart after shifting focus to selling to other dealers. Said dealers both buy that merchandise at stable rates and curate their stock for customers in their respective corners of the fashion world.

Shoppers and business owners overseas are understandably giddy over the bounty of deals, coupled with Japan’s existing reputation as a thrifting mecca; it’s not uncommon to find pre-owned items in immaculate condition.

Japanese trendsetters are not out of the game, however. They've become thriftier as currency shifts push brand new designer pieces increasingly out of reach.

“List prices of overseas brand-name goods are on the rise at their official Japanese storefronts, in part due to the weakening yen,” said Keisuke Hirose, deputy manager at Valuence Japan’s sales headquarters in Tokyo’s Minato Ward. “As new items become increasingly unaffordable, demand for their old counterparts is increasing.”

Ryuichi Funakubo, an E-Fran executive officer, also said a wealth of consumers now consider recycling amid a growing awareness of sustainable practices.

“The rising popularity of flea market apps has people more inclined to resell used goods rather than throwing them away,” Funakubo said.

Auctions are also in vogue. Thankfully, less dicey than bidding on an Amazon returns pallet, the number of overseas companies participating in Valuence Japan's auctions has shot up tenfold over the past five years.

Jewelry is particularly in demand, with large diamonds selling particularly well, according to Valuence Japan representatives.

While international buyers may covet diamonds, soaring gold prices are enticing Japanese sellers.

In May, the retail price per gram of gold in the domestic market hit a record high of 13,477 yen, including tax. Data from leading metals trader Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo KK indicates this is around nine times the 2004 average of 1,472 yen.

A boon for the elderly population, as tidying one’s estate has become a common addition to "end-of-life" preparations.

Back in Ginza, another Otakaraya visitor was doing just that.

A 72-year-old woman from Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward arrived with a Louis Vuitton purse, among other items, for appraisal.

Unlike the woman before her who happily sold everything, she declined the store's offer for the purse, deciding to keep it to pass down to one of her grandchildren.

“I would like to complete my end-of-life preparations by the time I turn 75,” she said, adding that she will be frequenting the branch to sell more things after netting 23,000 yen for fashion accessories and other valuables.

SELLER BEWARE

Don’t let go of the Gucci just yet. Accompanying the boom of luxury-only appraisal stores are accusations of coercion and intimidation.

The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan stated numerous elderly citizens have reported instances of underhanded business dealings, particularly ones taking place at their own homes.

Cases increased by 2,000 over the past five years, hitting 8,575 in the last fiscal year.

A string of reports were made by homeowners saying they saw buyers trespassing on their property, forcing them to part with precious metals they did not plan to sell.

Visitors to brick-and-mortar establishments who only wanted quotes have also filed complaints.

Those cases involve clerks pressuring individuals into selling their belongings for cheaper prices by pushing cash into their hands.

The consumer affairs center urges caution and recommends potential sellers visit more than one shop to compare offers.

Other red flags include businesses claiming, “We will buy your items at a high price right now,” and people should firmly refuse offers if they are not interested in selling.