Short answer: yes, What Goes Around Comes Around (WGACA) is a legitimate company. Founded in 1993 in New York City's SoHo neighborhood, it's one of the most recognized luxury vintage retailers in the US with stores in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, plus a significant online presence. They have a genuine 30-year track record in high-end vintage fashion.
But a 2018 lawsuit filed by Chanel and the issues it surfaced are worth understanding before you make a significant purchase.
The Chanel lawsuit — what happened
In 2018, Chanel sued WGACA for trademark infringement and false advertising, alleging that WGACA was:
- Implying Chanel-endorsed authentication when reselling Chanel products (which Chanel has never endorsed)
- Selling counterfeit Chanel items
- Using Chanel's trademarks in ways that suggested brand affiliation
The case went to trial in 2023. A jury found WGACA liable on multiple counts. WGACA appealed. As of mid-2026, the litigation and its implications are ongoing.
What this means for buyers: WGACA is not a Chanel-authorized dealer. No luxury resale platform is — brands like Chanel, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton don't authorize resellers. The lawsuit established that implying authorization is a problem; it also raised questions about the rigor of WGACA's authentication, particularly for Chanel.
What this doesn't mean: The vast majority of WGACA's inventory is authentic. They are not primarily selling fakes. But the lawsuit established that their authentication process is not infallible, and their historic marketing overstated what "authentication" meant.
What WGACA is genuinely good at
WGACA's strength is vintage luxury — particularly:
- Vintage Chanel (ironic given the lawsuit, but their vintage expertise is deep)
- Hermès vintage and contemporary
- Louis Vuitton vintage monogram
- Vintage designer clothing and accessories from the 70s–90s
Their buyers have decades of experience sourcing estate pieces, vintage samples, and archive items. The curation is genuinely exceptional for buyers who want pieces with history.
They also carry contemporary pre-owned luxury that's more straightforwardly authenticated.
Authentication in practice
WGACA authenticates items in-house. Post-lawsuit, they've been more careful about what claims surround authentication. Their process is more rigorous than peer-to-peer platforms like Depop or Vestiaire's direct-ship option — but less certain than a specialized authentication service for specific items.
For very high-value pieces — Birkin, Kelly, vintage Chanel, anything over $3,000 — consider independent authentication through Entrupy or a specialist service regardless of where you buy.
The buying experience
WGACA's in-store experience is excellent. Their SoHo New York flagship is one of the best luxury resale shopping environments in the US. Knowledgeable staff, well-displayed inventory, and the ability to inspect items in person.
Online, their photography and descriptions are above average. Return policies apply for online purchases (check current terms).
Pricing tends to be premium — you're paying for curation, brand reputation, and the in-store experience. Comparable items on Vestiaire or Fashionphile may be priced lower, though with different authentication assurances.
For sellers
WGACA buys items directly or takes consignment. The buying process involves bringing items to a store or shipping them for evaluation. They focus on high-end vintage and contemporary luxury — mass-market brands aren't in their scope.
Offers will reflect their retail margin. If maximum recovery is the priority, self-listing on Vestiaire or Fashionphile will typically yield more.
The bottom line
WGACA is legitimate with a 30-year track record in luxury vintage. The Chanel lawsuit is real and worth knowing about — it established that their authentication claims historically overstated certainty. That doesn't make them a scam; it means you should treat their authentication as one input rather than a guarantee, especially for Chanel and very high-value pieces.
For buyers who want exceptional vintage luxury curation and an elevated in-person experience, WGACA remains one of the best places to shop. Just do your own verification on anything significant.