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.

Nope. Large bust here, but I think if you're buying on Ebay from private sellers then you take your chances.

No I don't. I don't "take my chances", I just don't buy it at all. Like I said before, if sellers are too lazy to list measurements then I can't be bothered to buy. I don't send a message asking for measurements because as far as I'm concerned, if they haven't bothered to measure things then what else have they cut corners on? I'm absolutely put off any one-line listing that's clearly created on the app with no important detail. I'm amazed at how many sellers don't seem to realise they're missing out on sales because of this.

@tectonicplates

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.

That is why I don't buy clothes from eBay. Little legs, big boobs. The measurements on the whole are meaningless.

I buy bras, but like for like of what I already have.

YAB very U and it sounds like you've never sold on eBay.

As a private seller who wants to ethically dispose of bits and bobs, it's enough of a faff to take good, tidy pics, upload them, wade through eBay's completely OTT form, deal with scammers and time wasters, package up and post the item and all that just for 50p profit (after postage, eBay and PP fees) and the warm glow of knowing the item hasn't gone to landfill.

The idea of having to get out a tape measure, lay the item of clothing flat, measure each arm/waist/seam, write it down on a piece of paper, write that up in the description etc etc for 50p - you're having a laff. It's just not worth my time unless the item in qs is worth £100 or more.

I'm amazed at how many sellers don't seem to realise they're missing out on sales because of this.

Unless you are business, it's more aggravation than it's worth.
Unless you post a photo showing exactly HOW you measured and the proof of your tape measure, people will complain.

Quicker and more efficient to keep it brief.

When you sell certain brands, they go! Some brands weirdly always guarantee a bidding war anyway.

I do put measurements etc but it stems from buying and selling vintage clothes, were an old size 12 is the equivalent of a modern size 8.

I think most don't bother because it's quicker to upload pic off phone and write the most basic description.

@PumpkinetChocolat

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.

But people absolutely do this. It might be an item that came up small, or was labelled wrong in the factory, or doesn't have any stretch, or has a different hip to waist ratio to what you're used to. Additionally, sizing standards have changed over time, so of the item is over ten years old then it's especially important to point this out and give measurements, especially if you're selling something as vintage. These things cause frequent arguments which could so easily be avoided by giving the exact measurements.

You need to remember that clothes sizing has changed over the years. A size 14 from the 70s is smaller that a size 14 of today. So giving actual measurements of the garment is a very good idea.

@SebastianTheCrab

YAB very U and it sounds like you've never sold on eBay.

As a private seller who wants to ethically dispose of bits and bobs, it's enough of a faff to take good, tidy pics, upload them, wade through eBay's completely OTT form, deal with scammers and time wasters, package up and post the item and all that just for 50p profit (after postage, eBay and PP fees) and the warm glow of knowing the item hasn't gone to landfill.

The idea of having to get out a tape measure, lay the item of clothing flat, measure each arm/waist/seam, write it down on a piece of paper, write that up in the description etc etc for 50p - you're having a laff. It's just not worth my time unless the item in qs is worth £100 or more.

I've been selling on EBay for over ten years. I spend my time doing exactly that, and in return I never get time wasters.

I list measurements almost always, very tedious task when sale is only £4 and it's for charity.

I agree with OP so that's another reason I buy few clothes on Ebay. Am more of a charity shop person... and now like most people I simply have too much in wardrobe & especially in covid times don't need anything.

It's not worth my while to list measurements because I am mostly selling to make space rather than money. If it's a well known retailer, people will have an idea of whether it generally comes up large or small. If something is unusually small or large I will mention it, as well as showing size and washing labels.
If something doesn't sell I will either revise the listing, drop the price or simply chuck it in the charity bag.

All the people saying just ask. Generally speaking, sellers who cant be arsed to list measurements etc. also cant be arsed to answer messages IME.
I tend to scroll on by as it makes me wonder if they'll even bother to post the damn thing.

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?

No, no. I meant the seller who doesn't photo the label, but just lists it as size 14. Then when you receive it the label says 18,it clearly is an 18 and the seller on being contacted says, "well, I'm a 14 and it fits me." 🤔

*SebastianTheCrab
it sounds like you've never sold on eBay.

You'd be wrong there, although I rarely sell these days. I always photo a retractable tape with measurements on the photos. It saves people using item not as described, and claiming it measured differently.

Sometimes I do ask, but often people will says it's already packaged up. If they even bother to reply.

If it's a well known retailer, people will have an idea of whether it generally comes up large or small.

You'd hope so. But given that I have Marks jeans in the same style, and yet they are different sizes.

I meant the seller who doesn't photo the label, but just lists it as size 14. Then when you receive it the label says 18,it clearly is an 18 and the seller on being contacted says, "well, I'm a 14 and it fits me."

Wow. That is completely unacceptable behaviour.

No I don't. I don't "take my chances", I just don't buy it at all. Like I said before, if sellers are too lazy to list measurements then I can't be bothered to buy. I don't send a message asking for measurements because as far as I'm concerned, if they haven't bothered to measure things then what else have they cut corners on? I'm absolutely put off any one-line listing that's clearly created on the app with no important detail. I'm amazed at how many sellers don't seem to realise they're missing out on sales because of this
So if you're not buying on ebay theres no chance to take. As I said, if people buy clothes on ebay then it's a risk for cheaper clothes.

Those sellers aren't missing out because clearly there's enough people who are more than happy to buy items based on knowing brands and accepting that you win some and lose some on ebay.

It's one thing to say you're only willing to buy from people who give measurements, and quite another to look at a (usually good rated) seller and think 'seller clearly selling a range of old things, but they haven't spent hours lying each item flat, measuring several dimensions, taking photographic evidence so they must be cutting corners'. It's such a weird attitude.

But given that I have Marks jeans in the same style, and yet they are different sizes
same for me in GAP OP, but then that's why I don't buy jeans on ebay. Different denims have different stretch levels and I'm picky about jeans so I buy them from a shop and buy other items on ebay.

same for me in GAP OP, but then that's why I don't buy jeans on ebay.

Tbf, I rarely do. Just one discontinued style, that I love and know fits.
Do you think black jeans come up smaller? I've noticed this with M&S, I'll get a blue pair, love them, try on a black pair and invariably they are tighter 🤔

@SusannaSpider

same for me in GAP OP, but then that's why I don't buy jeans on ebay.

Tbf, I rarely do. Just one discontinued style, that I love and know fits.
Do you think black jeans come up smaller? I've noticed this with M&S, I'll get a blue pair, love them, try on a black pair and invariably they are tighter 🤔

This is a known thing with most clothes. Black dye causes more shrinking than other colours.

I insist on measurements from ebay sellers. If they aren't in the listing I'll message to ask.

This is after I was caught out by a seller claiming an M&S cashmere jumper was a size 12, and when the jumper arrived it had clearly been shrunk in the wash.

This is a known thing with most clothes. Black dye causes more shrinking than other colours. Good to know, thanks! Tired of buying jeans that fit only to fall down after a few days.

I always list measurements as well as sizes, because it's something I'd like to know if I was buying. Otherwise how can you know it fits? Sizes vary wildly between stores and over time.

If I'm buying and no measurements are listed I ask the seller. If they want to sell they will reply. Although I agree it's a pain when you're looking through lots of listings to have to send a lot of questions.

This is after I was caught out by a seller claiming an M&S cashmere jumper was a size 12, and when the jumper arrived it had clearly been shrunk in the wash.

I won't ever buy cashmere on eBay for this reason. Plus cashmere is often a skimpy fit anyway, especially re. sleeve length.

I didn't realise about the black dye though, that's good to know.

I bought a teapot online earlier this year - you'd be amazed at how many sellers didn't list the volume capacity.

I bought a pair of jeans that were listed as a size 8/10. I dunno what planet that seller lives in cause they were at least 5 inches too big on the waist.

I list lots so would just take even longer
I photo size label, fabric content and washing instructions
Mostly branded goods so usually easier to gauge fit
If anyone messages and asks for measurements I’m happy to oblige
Very rarely if I know something is not true to size I will say eg very small 20 would fit 16