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.

Bunnymama Totally agree. Remember seeing an ELC toy plastic rocket that sold for £96. They were nasa limited ed ones. The only thing is, i got one the next day from the ELC for £17 for my ds as they came back in stock!!!!!!! The price then nose dived on ebay!

toptrumps thanks for the tip re postage :)

greengardenpixie that's such a typical thing to happen!

Thank you for all the tips- I'm excited to raid my wardrobe and list some of my old clothes!

:) Bunny I agree with everything else you said though, and follow the same rules. Weird about just using a brief description in particular, I think I suddenly realised I was quite happy to buy from a seller who was quite factual, so why shouldn't I list the same way? Also narrows the chance of being picked up on an inaccurate description and buyers trying to quibble if you stick to the facts.

I wanted to add that I find the eBay app far, far quicker than using a computer, taking photos separately and uploading etc. You just need a decent camera phone, then you just click through the sections, add your details, pics and list. I can do a listing in less than five minutes.

rookiemater - I see your comment re used bras.... I just hope men aren't buying them for some other purpose eww!

I do have a BNWT navy blue and white spots Gorgeous Debenhams bra, it's ok but...

and I have a Shock Absorber bra that doesn't fit me but worn say 5 times??

maybe I should list those two.

I've got a last season H&M jumper that I'm not overly keen on but then again give to mum or someone or flog there, I don't know!!!

OMG just browsed as I have some new tights with red buses on them I got at Primark for 50p was browsing tights on Ebay and there are tons of Ebay private listings, for well you can guess... am almost tempted!

and the worn tights listings that give an email address and say will be freshly laundered... yeah right love.

superfly - I would say that there is a very high chance that if a used bra is fetching more than the rrp of a new bra, then it's highly likely that it's being used for a nefarious pupose!

I mean... yeah rookiemater flipping heck makes you think doesn't it?!

I know - I was a bit weirded out when she told me. At least I know if I'm ever on my uppers I can make a few pounds selling off used shoes/underwear and tights. I'd have to be pretty broke though for this to be an actual option .

It's a bit like someone I know who brought her old knickers along to sell at a car boot sale and then was really shocked when a middle aged man was expressing interest in them.

toptrumps I think I had the same realisation re description length! Funny how these things work! :)

I find things don't seem to sell very well at the moment. I keep my postage low and my things are well photographed.

I also get fed up with postage costs. I did email someone who charged me first class postage for a dress and then sent second class at 2.80 but charged £5.60.

Also is £8.90 to post a long coat reasonable as I am watching one at the moment?

I do a high BIN price with best offer and free p&p - and send everything Hermes for £2.98 if under 1kg. Fully tracked which RM often isn't as they don't bother to get a signature much of the time.

alemci the post office have changed their weight and size allowances, I recently posted off a 3/4 length winter military style coat (so proper winter weight coat and size) and separately a king size eiderdown. Both items cost £2.80 each to post second class. Even if the seller had gone and bought one brand new post bag (rather than buying bulk or reusing an old one), I wouldn't expect to pay more than £5.

However under the older rules, it would have cost over £5 to post such an item so it may be worth messaging the seller and ask if they would amend the postage or do a partial refund after posting.

You can't hide the post cost, its printed on the stamp. I'm happy to do partial refunds, if i'm unsure I've got the price correct. In fact I did just that with the above coat, I think I had charged £7.50, so I refunded £3. Buyer hadn't asked but I felt it was the right thing to do.

you can hide the postage cost if you print yourself - and the service you describe offers no protection or tracking so no good really. And charging £7.50 for a coat will put off many buyers - even if you do refund a bit afterwards

It's even more. i have messaged seller to query the cost as i would like the item.

Chrissy41 It didn't put her off, she bought the coat, and under the older RM charges it would have cost nearly that had I used brand new packaging on top of the stamp price. I took it upon myself to refund the difference as the prices had changed and I don't look to profit on p&p.

I don't send items cheaper than about £40 tracked, I get proof of postage and you get protection for up to £20 so,I'd get some of the cost back from RM, and I'm willing to take a hit rather than piss people off with high post costs. But that's my choice, I sell loads on eBay and have done for many years, and it works for me.

but I am sure £7.50 postage would have put off other potential buyers

I have sold stuff on e-bay. Some brands I don't bother selling as even though someone will buy them you don't get enough to justify the effort of packing and the trip to the post office.

Without saying it has to be clean and in excellent condition.

I sell;
Boden
Fat Face
White stuff
Jigsaw
Comptoir des cotonniers
any any 'higher'label
Stuff you can't get easily in the UK - French labels etc and Rebecca minkoff bags.

I don't bother selling;
Monsoon
M&S
Zara
Top Shop/Dorothy Perkins/New Look etc

Wildbill I once sold a jumper dress from M&S at Christmas time, it was a chunky aran knit knee-length in a size 16 (it wasn't maternity, but I bought and wore it when I was pregnant). I put it in the charity shop bag twice but eventually decided to list it on a whim. It sold for £45 no word of a lie, plus postage, it had about 35 bids on (lots of different bidders). I had bought it for only £16 in the sale. You just don't know... Monsoon stuff sells pretty well too...

A few people have mentioned posting via Hermes as it is cheaper than Royal Mail.

Can someone tell me how you organise this please? Which service do you use for the cheaper rate?

Hobbs sells really well and East. My mum is kind and gives me things to sell sometimes and they do quite well.

i sell lots of my, DH and DDs things. have had lots of success and generally manage to give myself a nice amount of 'pleasure' money for the month

when you're adding an item, in the title include name of shop (usually first word) describe item (eg black dress) then size, and then some words that describe style (eg boho, prep etc). if your items nice you can usually start at 99p and it'll increase.

PP is right though, the rise of Royal Mail prices has made it less successful, just make sure you know cost before as nothing worse than thinking it's a small item when it's not and having to pay extra yourself!!

You buy Hermes postage from their site and print the label at home. You can link to eBay so it uploads tracking automatically too.

And never ever start at 99p - why would you when listing is free at any price?

Yes! I do this once a year at Easter. I have a ruthless cull of mine and husband's wardrobe, give anything I think my best matewould use to them, a pile to charity then a pile on eBay at bargain buy it now price option that I would snap up with 2nd class postage to keep costs down. Make at least £100 each time over last few years and as much as £500 when I did a shoe/handbag/Winter coat/unused make up & perfume cull! I use the money to pay/put toward flights for weekend away. It's become my annual spring wardrobe clean.