Selling clothes on ebay - is it worth it?

[Notcontent]

I am thinking of trying to sell some things on ebay, mainly to force myself to get rid of some things I don't wear but can't bring myself to take to a charity shop... There are a few nice things. Am I likely to sell anything? I plan to take good photos, etc.

I seem to lots of lovely things but nothing I want to wear.

[francesthebadger]

Depends on brand and condition. Have a look at what similar items are going for. Boden and Toast generally go well.

[MrsAtticus]

Hi, I initially had quite a lot of success selling clothes on ebay. I found that they needed to be well known good quality, next, monsoon etc, not primark! And also had some success by posting to Europe, maybe some people overseas like our shops?!
However, since the latest price rise with royal mail, I have had less success and a lot of things not selling at all. Also things have gone for a really low price, as people are taking into account the postage cost (so they might be willing to pay £6 but £5 is the postage so they only bid £1).
I've actually stopped because of this, but also I was having to take photos of clothes in the evening when kids were in bed but light not good, so my photos weren't as good as they used to be and this may not have helped.
Sorry this is a bit rambly!
Worth a try I'd say, especially if you've got clothes from well known quality brands.

[BikeRunSki]

If they are good brands, seasonal and in good condition.

[MairzyDoats]

Some things are still selling even if they aren't 'expensive' to start with - I was bidding on a navy Primark dress yesterday and it went for £19 plus postage! I wasn't prepared to pay that much for a Primark dress but it did look lovely. Good photos definitely help.

[CookieB]

Definitely put primark stuff up for auction. They tend to have a huge turnover with their stock. I recently bought a t-shirt from there for £6 and it's now selling on eBay for 3 times the price. If you put things up as a lot, it also tends to shift really quick and gets a load out your way.

[monaco2000]

Larger sizes always sell well especially size 18+ . I sold a plus size dress where the hem was coming down. Sold it for repair only but it still sold for a tenner. It was only a new look via the charity shop dress that was too long for me and kept tripping over.

Be careful about how you post items. Always worth getting signed for delivery. Under 1kg costs 3.90 second class. I never used to do signed for but items would go 'missing'. Although with proof of posting I'd get refunded eventually it was a pain. Now I send everything signed for nothing goes missing. Funny that.

[monaco2000]

Just thought have you realised the listing fees changed on the 13th May so the first 20 items you list are free to list. Still have to pay final value fees but effectively this means you can list items starting at the lowest price you are prepared to take. Stops you giving things away for silly money.

Another thing I forgot to put is that I have done rather well with items that are out of season if I list them as buy it now. Listing lasts up to 30 days. Sold some winter boots for more than I paid for them. It's also worth remembering the regional variations in weather so if you are boiling down south it may be cold and rainy further north so different clothing may sell better there. So never assume there is no demand as people's circumstances vary.

Good luck. Hope everything sells well.

[PootlewasthebestFlump]

I don't find clothes are selling for all that much either. I sell and buy a lot of my clothes on eBay but find that postage is putting people off, plus people seem to be more keen on buying cheaper stuff new as some of the higher end high street brands have cut their quality to save money anyway.

It's worth listing if you can get a no-fee listing and you are prepared to let it go for little money if necessary.

I agree about the recorded delivery too as so many things get 'lost'....

[Viviennemary]

It seems to be very pot luck. I noticed last year some M & S stuff was selling for reasonable at clothes lately. But it's worth giving a few items a go.

[Viviennemary]

That didn't make any sense. I meant some items sold and some didn't for no apparent reason.

[LaurieFairyCake]

I sold 20 items last week and was disappointed with the prices achieved - I sold a brand new navy silk skirt from Fenn Wright Manson for about £8. It was a 16 and perfect for work. And a Gina snakeskin bag for £1.20

I ended up wishing I'd given it all to a charity shop

[EduardoBarcelona]

Oh I'm sick of buyers being wankers. The idea that they can get refunds at the drop of a hat annoys me

[TheTerribleBaroness]

I buy clothes on eBay so can make a few suggestions from a buyers point of view.

I prefer more than one photo, and close ups of details such as beading or the neckline. This is especially important if the dress or top is black.
Don't use some oversized font with artistic spacing. It doesn't make you look professional or stand out. It's just a bugger to read on the iPhone.
I don't want to pay £7 for first class signed for delivery. Second class is fine.
I want to know what the fabric is, and if it's washable.
If it's not ironed and I can see a tip of a bedroom reflected in the mirror in the shot I'm less likely to believe the claims of good condition and from a clean home.
I am overseas and the hassle of having things posted to a relative sometimes puts me off. However, I'm really keen to buy the brands, sizing and quality that I'm familiar with.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know. :)

[monaco2000]

I buy as well as sell and when buying my biggest bugbear is people making a profit on postage which you are not supposed to do according to eBay.
Sellers forget alot of buyers are also sellers so know postage prices off the top of their head and know when they are being ripped off. Also don't charge first class then second class. It's wrong.

[LapsedPacifist]

The above suggestions are all excellent!

I can't stress enough the importance of providing as many accurate measurements for each garment as possible, in inches and cm - bust, waist and hips measured flat across, length collar to hem, waist to hem and inside and outside leg where appropriate. Sleeve length shoulder to cuff is also important for jackets, and mens shirts.

Sizing varies enormously even within a particular brand and the only accurate way for a purchaser to know whether any particular item is likely to fit is to provide as much detail as possible. This is particularly true of vintage clothing - it drives me batshit crazy when clothes are listed as for example a "size 14" with no measurements given. A 1970s size 14 was 36"-26"-38" which is a modern size 10!

I include a key measurement in the listing title when clothes are labelled S,M,L, e.g. a man's T-shirt would say 'Size M, chest to 40"' in the title.

If there is a mismatch between label and measurement, e.g. a garment with a size 16 label and a bust measurement of only 39", I would describe the item as as "size 14" in the listing title, and in the description I would explain garment is 'labelled 16 but a small fit, bust up to 39".' People usually use their dress size as a search term, and might miss out on your item otherwise.

I also offer free 2nd class postage and I make a point of emphasising that I always get proof of posting, I have NEVER had an item go missing or 'missing' (touch wood!) This means my start prices are slightly higher than comparable items, but I don't get quibbles about postage costs or delivery times.

Try 'cross-selling' . If you are selling a large amount of stuff, put a note on each listing to say:
'Please check out my other items - am selling lots of lovely clothes and shoes in sizes 10-12 suitable for someone about 5'6", shoe size 6, Also boys clothing age 6-8. Brands include ABC and XYZ.'

This works particularly well if you are listing houshold items for collection only. If a buyer is going to drive to your house collect some curtains, they might well take the mirror or the cushions you want rid of for a few quid while they have transport.

[EduardoBarcelona]

Yes. I measured then was accused of lying. As if I have time to lie. Or could be arsed

[Vikkil1]

TheTerribleBaroness makes some excellent suggestions. As a seller I always make sure the items are shot in good daylight, include close ups of details and sometimes fabric texture, and am aware of what might be lurking in my bedroom in the background! Where possible, I hang items from a wooden hanger (just because I think it looks nicer than a freebie black one with a label on that might not be brand I'm selling) on the back of my door, then do some close up shots laid out on my bed or another plain background like a table top. Sometimes I think some things just laid flat don't really give an idea of the correct shape or length.

I also google the item and see if I can find an original model shot from the company, as these are infinitely better than anything I can photograph and show the clothes on a real person. On that note, personally I loathe pictures of the seller wearing the item for sale, even though you're clearly buying something second hand it just reminds me that someone else has worn it first, and their look and body shape if its not the same as mine, sometimes puts me off. If,err, that makes sense!

I also hate sellers making money on the postage, even though you're allowed to charge for packaging, it should be minimal. I bought 100 grey plastic post bags from amazon and round the postage up to the nearest 50p, so £3.20 first class I charge £3.50. Second class £3. I always get proof of postage, but only send signed for if its over £50.

Hope that helps :)

[TheTerribleBaroness]

Oh yes, totally agree with the cross selling. If a seller has for example a dress in my size and to my taste I'm always pleased to see a 'check out my other items' as there likely to be more in my size and taste and I can combined postage. I might then bid on a blouse as well even though I wasn't looking for blouses.

And as for wearing the items, there's a dress keeps popping up in my saved searches but I just can't get passed the seller bulging out of it. And neither can anyone else as she keeps relisting it!

[WildBill]

Boden, White stuff and Fat face are high street labels that sell well as do higher end HS labels, e.g Jaeger, Hobbs.
M&S and below it's not really worth the effort tbh.

[TheTerribleBaroness]

No! List M&S! I love getting stuff for 99p.

[DillyBob14]

don't waste your money on royal mail - send my hermes instead - only costs £2.98 with free tracking.

End at 9pm on a Mon or Tues night too. Never start at 99p, start at the minimum you would accept. You can schedule and list 20 items free per month now so get them ending at the right time of day and at the right price.

[icelandicsaga]

Agree with lots of points. Don't send it 1st class, second is fine, but as a seller I always used signed for. But don't take the michael on postage, I just charge what it costs. If you do find a photo from a store don't just use that, even if the item is unworn, it just looks suspicious. Make your photos as good as you can and make sure your listing title covers all bases (even if it sounds a bit weird when you read it), eg 'Stylish White stuff cool linen dress 12 or 14 great for work or wedding'. Inject a bit of personality into the description (don't just list it on your phone without any details, I hate that as a buyer) but don't witter on and sound like a loon (makes me suspicious yet again!).

[EduardoBarcelona]

i always do free postage and just start the price higher.
I offer second then bump it up to first for prompt payers gratis.
they think they are getting a deal

[Crutchlow35]

I only send items by track able means. Too many dodgy liars out there who say they've not received something in the post when they probably have. That said, P and P is exactly what it costs me so the postage costs plus the cost of a bag or an envelope.

It really isn't worth it now. So many things go for a pound or two which compared to the time spent listing it is a pain in the arse. I find our local Facebook selling pages much better these days.

[Notcontent]

I have just come back to this. Thanks so much for all your tips!!!!
A couple of years ago I had some luck selling a few childrens clothes but never anything of mine. Well, I will give it a go and report back!!