eBay sellers should list measurements

[SusannaSpider]

Just that really. Am I being unreasonable to ask eBay secondhand clothing sellers to put measurements in their listings. I'm tall and find it very difficult to judge from a photo, especially skirt/jumper lengths. Especially as a 14 in one brand could be the same as a 10 in another. Even less helpful are the sellers who say it's knee length (but how tall are you?) Or even worse, the people who list things as a 12 for example, beause that's how they feel it fits, even if the label is an 18.
I'm fed up of buying things that don't fit and some items really aren't cheap and can't be returned.
And whilst I'm having a moan, fabric content or a photo of the care label would be nice too.

Wow! tumbleweed Just me then...

Just ask them for measurements if it's something you need x

I do, but I watch lots of clothes and often find something at the last minute and then receive it to find it is too small or too large.

I agree, take a photo of the label with the size (not what you think it should be!), then show basic measurements with a tape measure or list them clearly.

I do include measurements, as well as fabric content and care instructions, for the exact reasons you mention. People still ask daft questions though, my favourite being 'Will this fit me?'.

Business sellers yes, but private sellers who just want to get rid of a few old clothes? I think YABU to expect that.

From private sellers who are having a clear out, you're being a bit unreasonable. They should put the actual size on and then if it fits differently then they could put in the description that it fits more like a different size, but beyond that i wouldn't expect measurements.

If you want to buy things knowing they will fit and with the options of returns if you don't like items then there's shops for you to buy from. On Ebay you win some and you lose some.

I need a 4ft second hand tank for a turtle. Very few ads put the measurements on. Infuriating.

i run an ebay page for a cat rescue and when i list clothes i state the size, shoulder to hem, armpit to armpit and if fitted the waist measurement, for boots i put the heel height, base to top of boot measurement, and circumference of the top of the boots and still have people asking for obscure measurements like collar to edge of shoulder

I message and ask.

Most people don't have a clue when it comes to listing an item. They just assume the size on the label is enough.

I do agree to an extent. I recently bought a coat on there and when it arrived I discovered it was cropped with 3/4 length sleeves! That was not mentioned in the listing and from the photo it all looked in proportion, so it looked like a regular cut coat.

I've sold alot on ebay over the years and I've always put measurements on because standard sizing isn't well, standard . I do across chest, across waist, across hips, skirt and leg lengths and nape to hem on dresses etc, and sleeve lengths too.

I always qualify with "approx laid flat" and have also done potential stretch measurements as well.

Despite this there have been buyers who have complained that items don't fit, which just goes to prove that you can't please everybody.

As a buyer I cross my fingers and re-sell rather than faff about with returns if something doesn't fit me. But I don't buy anything that says just a size against a picture that could be anything really with zilch other info.

I've given up selling on ebay now though due to their stupid fecking managed payments thing which is a nightmare if you are a business seller - but that's a different rant for a different thread.

But I agree with you OP - if you're a seller and you want to minimise potential returns and get good feedback, it makes sense to put measurements as well as size.

You can return items to private sellers though?

I'm fed up of buying things that don't fit and some items really aren't cheap and can't be returned.

YABU for buying them if the measurements weren't listed though.

As a private seller I always list the exact measurements, the fabric content, whether the fabric has any stretch, if it's suitable for pear shapes etc (e.g. if you wear size 10 tops and size 12 skirts, then this dress has enough stretch to fit both halves). And I never use descriptions like "knee length" or midi because it completely depends on the buyer's height - that's why I measure the actual length of things as I'm short, so "short" skirts are often knee-length on me.

I hate listings that just say "Size 12. Condition is used. Dispatched by second class post" as it comes across as lazy. I know it's generated by the Ebay app, but this is why everyone should list things from their laptop and write a proper detailed description. The app misses out a load of really important information. If you can't be bothered to list the measurements then I can't be bothered to buy from you.

I'd be willing to bet good money that everyone here who's said measurements aren't important, is of average height with a small or medium bust. Everyone who's short or tall knows how important measurements are, as do women with a large bust, or those who wear a different size top and bottom.

I'd be willing to bet good money that everyone here who's said measurements aren't important, is of average height with a small or medium bust
Nope. Large bust here, but I think if you're buying on Ebay from private sellers then you take your chances. Different materials will sit differently on different people, for example one of my issues is patterns on Jersey fabrics stretching and thinning in the bust area.
If unsure on sizing then the make website has a sizing chart and if it's critical to get the fit for spot on then I use a normal shop where I can try different sizes.

I just ask.

@VainAbigail

You can return items to private sellers though?

Most private sellers don't accept returns (and I always say so in the item description) for clothes that don't fit, or if the buyer just changed their mind or whatever. But they still have to theoretically accept returns for items not as described, or broken items etc. So what people seem to get is people buyers lying and saying it wasn't as described, or breaking things deliberately, just to get a refund.

Here's the thing: it's never happened to me, and I believe that's because I give measurements and information in meticulous detail. Giving detailed measurements isn't just to help the buyer; it's to protect the seller. The same as how sending things by tracked post is to protect the seller. If you're too lazy to list the measurements then don't come complaining when buyers start requesting refunds. The more measurements and sizing information you give, the more you protect yourself from scammers.

I absolutely agree with listing the measurements. I recently bought a skirt on eBay (very expensive make). I already have a skirt of this make in my size so I was confident to go ahead and buy without requesting the measurements. Won the bid on eBay, and although the skirt was clearly marked in my size, the waist was about 4 inches too small. Wtf??? I’ll not rely on only size labels in future. Lesson learned!

I’d just ask- and if the listing didn’t have enough time left to do that, I wouldn’t bid.

When I list items I always put measurements, fabric content etc as I’m trying to cover myself for returns/ complaints.

When I list items I always put measurements, fabric content etc as I’m trying to cover myself for returns/ complaints.

Exactly. I'll say it again: it's to protect the seller.

Or even worse, the people who list things as a 12 for example, because that's how they feel it fits, even if the label is an 18.

YABU

If you only state the size and show a picture of a label showing size 18, you are protected. The item is exactly as described.

But if you warn your buyers it is a "small fit", you are doing them a favour?

I have clothes bought abroad, the sizes are much smaller than here. My size 8/10 would barely be a UK size 6 if that. It's even more obvious with kids clothes. They might wear a size 5yrs here, I need to buy a size 7/8 from foreign brands bought there.

totally agree. messaging the seller is a pain in the neck

I sell clothes sometimes and if it's say a size 12, I will just put that it's a size 12. I don't list the measurements as most people would know if a size 12 from Dorothy Perkins would fit them. Also, even shops like Dorothy Perkins I think don't list measurements of everything.

If you want to know the measurements, send them a message.

it's to protect the seller.

measurements don't.

You can't claim that an item doesn't fit if you send a size 14 advertised as a size 14, with a photo of a 14 label.