eBay newbie - basic questions!

[Rainatnight]

I'm just about to start a massive clear out and have some decent things that should do ok (Whistles dresses, Hobbs coat, that kind of thing). Could I ask you seasoned eBayers for some help with the basics?

First, should I list a Buy it Now price or not bother?

Second, should I use myhermes or RM? Views here seem to differ... Do myhermes come and pick it up from you? That would be a HUGE advantage...

Thanks, all.

Also, there seem to be lots of auctions of clothes with no bids. Is that common? Is there a lot of wasted effort?

I list for 7 days. Never Buy It Now. I use Royal Mail and always make sure to charge enough postage, and post within two days.

Often items need relisted several times before selling. What doesn't sell one week could have several bidders on another week. Use free listing, try not to pay for listing. Don't list for less than you are willing to let it go for. You can do a search for items already sold to see what they went for.

Auction or BIN? That depends. You need to have a realistic idea of how much your items will go for? And how much do you want rid of them. I start a lot of my auctions for used clothes at £9.99...... But I'm willing to accept that for them. Don't start an auction for less than you will accept, but if it's a high ish amount, don't be surprised if you don't get any bids. Best to not sell it tho at that amount than put a 99p start and get £1.68!

Hermes will collect yes, but only specify a day not a time slot so only really suitable if you're prepared to wait in all day.

You can print out hermes labels and drop off at shops eg co-op which can be quite quick and convenient (can do it in the evening) plus you get a tracking slip. For expensive items you can pay for a signature too. I use Hermes for large items like coats as it is usually cheaper than RM but I use RM for the rest - Learn to pack tops or thinner skirts etc in a flat way and you can send as a large letter - signed for is under £2.50 then.

You can buy mailing bags and tissue on ebay so you can pack easily.
Always send tracked or at least get an individual proof of post cert if under £20.

Check item very carefully and always describe in detail including all measurements and any flaws.

When listing look at what similar items sold for first then decide how to list - as a BIN or auction (good for unusual or wanted items) end auctions at a sensible time. With BIN you can start high and reduce if no interest or relist. Sell for the season.

Send promptly and always upload the tracking number as soon as you have sent item as from now (20th Feb) ebay can use this to judge your performance as a seller - for this they look at tracking or if the buyer has clicked they received item by a certain date - performance is now judged on speed of dispatch/delivery more than the old defect system. Some people advocate choosing 2 days for dispatch time then posting within 1 day to ensure item arrives on time. I say 1 day but always send on time and add tracking to the transaction I generally choose 2nd class signed for £3.90 for most items - as I said smaller thinner ones charge £2.50 letter.

Good luck - ebay can be a good way to sell decent brands - also try Vestiaire Collective (or another similar site) for expensive designer items. Items are verified by the site so buyers are willing to pay higher prices (they do take a higher % though).

Oh and take the best photos you can and upload 12. Photograph the label and all angles and some close ups.

Thanks so much, this is all really helpful. I didn't know that about uploading tracking details. Will definitely do that.

I've decided to go with MyHermes because dropping off at a shop after work is much more realistic than getting to a post office - I don't want bad feedback for delays!

I've listed three things this morning. Fingers crossed!

And thanks, robin, for the Vestiaire Collective suggestion. I've got a couple of (modest!) 'proper' designer pieces that I could try on there.

Don't know why I'm so excited about this. Keep checking my stuff and am thrilled there are 3 people watching my Hobbs coat. Need to get a life!

I am a relatively inexperienced Ebayer and just wanted to say thanks for all these tips. Some stuff I was doing already (honest descriptions, prompt dispatch, not putting on for less than I'd sell for) other stuff is good to learn (uploading tracking no).

Just a question about Vestiaire Collective- does it work well for the seller? Do you get more for your clothes than on Ebay. I have some Agnes B stuff to sell, would i get a better price on VC?

If auction end in the evening too.

hi whataboutbob

I have sold several items on VC. You need to work out what you would happily get for the item and add on about a third on top which is the VC cut (higher by far than ebay - 10% plus 5% pp).

The pros are that as VC check and verify the item a buyer is taking less risk and will pay higher amount. VC pay all the shipping - you just arrange collection with their courier. The item stays on as long as you want and they just ask if you would like to reduce the price if it has been on for a while. You have a worldwide market of fashion lovers who want designer or high end for example I have sold Karen Millen, DVF, Moschino, Todds successfully on there. They do take High Street too eg Topshop H&M collabs, L K Bennett Allsaints Kooples etc

They have a list of brands that they accept and will turn down some things. It is easy to see what other items have sold for on the site to help you decide on price. People can send you offers too. It is good for less well known in the UK brands. It doesn't cost anything to list so worth a shot and you can still try listing on ebay too at the same time just remember to end it on the other one if you sell (iyswim) Also no feedback or returns hassle (I guess unless you send an item to VC and they feel it isnt up to description)

The downside is the site can be a bit flaky tech wise at times and I have been annoyed about someone making offers that I accepted then they don't buy the item but that has been the same item so I think it is just an odd bod. Unlike ebay accepting an offer does not mean buyer has bought the item.

There are several other of these types of sites but I have only tried VC so can't advise on the others. Happy to help if anyone wants to ask anything. I also use Etsy for vintage so can tell you about that.

btw just look up Agnes B on VC and see what they have to gauge interest and prices. People "heart" things so you can tell what is popular.

Good luck Rainatnight, hope your items do well.

Thank you! I wish I'd thought to end the auctions in the evening. Don't know why I didn't.

Evenings are usually said to be better (used to always be said Sun and Mon eves were best) but probably doesn't matter too much as long as items don't end at odd times such as 3am! Bear in mind popular tv times or special occasions - I thought it best not to end items on mother's day as I thought people might be busy.

As a buyer I am really only interested in BIN, and DC hate auctions even more than me. We will pay more for BIN rather than faff about with an auction. You can start an auction for 30 days at a high price & slowly reduce it if it doesn't sell, like a reverse auction. As a seller I always include delivery price in the sale price, too, don't want to faff about with any disputes for postage price... .but weirdly enough, I think inclusive delivery puts some buyers off. (Can't win!)

You can research prices similar items have sold for, recently, using Advanced search options.

Big thank you to Robin for all this great info. I am going to bite the bullet and also put my vivienne westwood dress for sale. I got married in it, but won't be wearing it again (not least cos I was breastfeeding at the time and can no longer fill it!). Will take a good look at VC.

Ah, I'm too sentimental to sell my Westwood and I wonder if it would make that much. Report back how you do!

Will do! If I had a daughter I'd keep it, but have 2 DSs.

Just to say if you item doesn;t sell and you want to try again, don't hit "Relist" as that charges fees - find the "Sell Similar" option and then don't amend that new listing at all - then it's free.

This is a great thread with super tips! Thanks citrus.

Thanks Citrus, great tip. Must admit I had hit that button as it appealed to my lazy and disorganised side, but I can amend.

I'm not sure hitting 'relist' necessarily charges fees? I've relisted a bunch of items and not been charged for it.

But if it takes you outwith your free listing allowance then obv you will be charged, but that would apply regardless of whether you do it via Relist or Sell Similar.

If I hit relist, it always shows 'fees: £1.99" or similar in the bottom right hand corner, so then I go back rather than accepting the new listing.

Could be it only happens for items where the start is over a certain price - I don't bother listing anything starting below £4.99.

My first things end today! My Whistles dress has gone up to nearly 40 quid - not bad for something that's just been taking up space in the wardrobe for a year.