Selling clothes on eBay- is it worth it?

[taybert]

Just that really- I’ve just had a wardrobe clearout and have got lots of nice clothes in good condition (mainly highstreet) that I probably won’t wear again so wondered about listing on eBay. I’ve listed one item, BNWT, bought for £46 a year ago and they’ve suggested a selling price of £7.60 based on similar sales. I get that if I sell a lot of stuff it all adds up but just wonder how people get on and if they do find it’s worth the hassle?

I find it's a lot less good than it used to be: things don't sell as readily or for as much.
However, if it's a desirable brand, in good condition and you start the price low you can still sell things. I find Boden, Jigsaw, White Stuff sell well and anything upmarket of those brands too. Next, H and M unless it's new, New Look etc I wouldn't bother.

You won’t make your fortune, but it is worth doing.

I tend to use a rule of thumb of about one-third new price (including postage) and less if there are any flaws.

Look at the sold prices rather than the price prediction arrow device.

You're not going to get a fortune selling clothes on eBay, but for me it is worth it. The stuff I sell would otherwise go to charity or the bin so anything is better than nothing.
I don't usually go on the suggested start price. Search for the item you are selling and change the filter to sold items only. This will give you an idea how much you can expect to get for it, so start just under that.
Charge the correct amount for postage too so that you don't end up out of pocket.
IME kids clothes sell far better than adults.

Yeah, I wasn’t expecting to make a fortune and I’m the same- the clothes would otherwise be going to a charity shop. I’m happy to give most stuff away but I had a few items that are un or hardly worn so thought it was worth a bash. I guess I was really thinking once I’ve photographed, listed, toddled off to post office etc it definitely won’t feel worth it if it’s only for a few pounds. Do people tend to set a reserve? Also, has anyone had much hassle with disputes, buyers not receiving items etc?

I generally say clothes no, but barely worn shoes and jackets and handbags, yes. I recently sold a new with tags Hush dress for £10 which had one bid. The postage was a little more than I'd anticipated and by the time I'd paid to park in town for the PO and paid the fees I got about £6.

However prior to that I sold a Radley handbag for about £65 and some Dr Martens that didn't fit for £40.

Exactly what onlyconnect said.

I ignore the new suggested pricing; a lot of the new mobile app features are rubbish and really frustrating. I hate the new "list till it sells" duration on Buy It Now and you can't amend it once you've completed the listing. You have either do the whole ad on a computer, or start in the app (which is far easier for taking photographs), save to draft then complete on the desktop version to get round it.

To answer your question, yes for me it's worth it, but only for certain brands. High end high street, low end designer, new or excellent condition. I always do Buy It Now, take really good photos in good light with lots of close ups, describe in detail and stick to facts. I'd expect to get 30-50% of original RRP depending on quality and age of the item and how sought after it might be.

I also only send signed for if over £25 (my personal limit at which I'm prepared to take a loss) usually second class, and make sure I know the weight and size of the final parcel. I tend to hoard old delivery bags and reuse them, in which case I round up the postage just to cover the eBay 10%, or order a load of bags of eBay. I hate it when people bump up P&P and use unnecessary packaging.

I do sell stuff I won’t wear again - if it is good brands in decent condition it is worth it, I find Boden & Joules stuff do well. I ignore how much eBay suggests and start it at what I would be prepared to sell for - never had to relist yet.

To me the big issue is the time, if you have time go for it, if not it just becomes a chore.

Near perfect, desirable labels. Also seasonal, I'm just about to list a load of winter clothes I cleared out in the summer. Whistles, Hobbs etc. Also see what you can fold into a large letter packet to keep postage down.

I've just started - mainly trying to shift my Cos back catalogue, together with a bit from Seasalt and a few others. Everything I'm selling is size 18 or 20, which - especially for the Cos stuff - means it hangs on the hanger like a large sack, which does limit its appeal (unless you're already familiar with Cos). Despite that the first few things I put on went very quickly (as in overnight) as I mainly took e-bays recommendations about pricing. So have put a second batch on with higher starting prices and will see how it goes. I'm charging for 2nd Class small parcel and will send them that way unless they sell for rather more than the £20 which is the amount you'll get back from the Post Office if it goes astray. I discovered you could get those big plastic envelopes which are exactly 2nd class size in B&M for very little so am using those, together with a bit of tissue paper, so total expenditure on packaging not great. My aim is to clear my wardrobe and make enough to buy a new pair of winter boots which I otherwise can't justify.

Ignore Ebay suggested prices- they just want sales any price.

I've made a bit over the years. I sell mainly high end like Boden, Jigsaw, White Company and usually start a listing for a top or jumper at around £10. I won't 'give' good quality clothes away and if they don't sell I keep wearing them.

I usually list a few items all at once and it soon totals up to around £100.

discovered you could get those big plastic envelopes which are exactly 2nd class size in B&M for very little so am using those, together with a bit of tissue paper, so total expenditure on packaging not great.

You can get these off Ebay too and they cost about 10p each. Agree that if it's a thin item you can post it for around £1.50 .

OR I save all Jiffy bags etc and packaging that can be recycled.

Take decent photos, build up a good feedback rating, list in detail and with no spelling errors otherwise the whole thing looks sloppy and puts buyers off.

I have successfully sold a fair bit. Lots of mostly Karen Millen, Jigsaw and Hobbs as well as a bit of high street (Warehouse etc). I made about £700 on 30 items earlier this year.

I always start bidding at £0.99, always charge £3.95 for second class recorded post, and I scour the Internet for the original retailer photo of the item I’m trying to sell as people will bid more often if they know properly what it looks like.

I’ve only had one idiot buyer who bought a Reiss leather jacket for £20 (so a total bargain) and wanted a refund due to a minute scuff that I’d pointed out in the ad. Everyone else has been lovely.

I scour the Internet for the original retailer photo of the item I’m trying to sell as people will bid more often if they know properly what it looks like.

That's interesting :)
I never bid for anything that is a stock photo because I want to see the actual item not one taken for a company website. I also never start at 0.99 p because you could end up giving it away. what if you think it's worth £20 and it only goes for £1?

I take photos of the item as well, not just the stock photo.

I’ve had some things go for 0.99 but to be honest, it’s either that or the charity shop. Equally I’ve had some things go for silly money like my faux fur wedding wrap which sold for as much as I paid for it!

Also, something isn’t with £20 because you think it is - it’s worth what someone is willing to pay.

I think increasingly people are doing buy it now’s. I just sold a fab Cos jumper for £5.50 on auction which is annoying. Reckon if I’d stick it up for £15-20 it would have shifted eventually

It does annoy me when people are unrealistic about the worth of an item. I checked for a particular pair of ASOS maternity dungarees and people were selling them for £35 when they are only £42 new as "only worn a few times". If I'm going to do eBay it isn't to save £7 and then pay for postage when ASOS do free delivery!

I look at my items regularly and if something is getting views but no watchers, I tend to reduce the price a bit.

I also list in batches, so can wrap and post a few items in one go.

Also, something isn’t with £20 because you think it is - it’s worth what someone is willing to pay.

Only to a point. It would be a foolish buyer who was rich enough to give away something for next to nowt. I work on the basis of selling for between a third or half of the full price for something barely worn and still in fashion.

There is a huge element of luck though too. I've listed items and got practically no viewings then 2 weeks later people are bidding away when re-listed. You have to admit there is the viewing factor which depends on so many factors,like the weather, holidays, time of listing, etc.

I sold some clothes recently. Mainly cardigans and a lightweight coat.
I was going to send the lot to a charity shop as the stuff is just sitting in the wardrobe,but I thought I'd see what happened on eBay first.

I sold everything (about 8 items) that I put on. A starting bid of 99p.

I was surprised that I got nearly £100. After fees etc it was still a tidy amount of money and much,much more than what I was expecting. None of the things were big names either.
Definitely worth it and I would certainly do it again. And just to add,I never had any hassle from anyone either.

I recently failed to sell a pair of shoes at auction for 99p and they went an hour later for £11 plus postage on Buy it Now.

I buy and sell clothes on eBay. As PP have said ignore the suggested price. You can get some of your money back if you do bundles but beware of postage costs. I prefer Buy it now as a buyer and seller, but to be fair I have sometimes paid a stupid price to get something I really wanted. You don't know how an auction will go. I'm currently wearing a Joules tunic I would never have paid full price for, probably paid between 3 and 40% of the original price and that's probably about right if that kind of item/colour usually sells well. Watch similar items to your to see.
Another thing: list the right size (I had a ridiculous situation with a seller who sold me something that was a size too big) and list the fabric composition. I avoid buying something unless I know whether it will irritate my skin, what kind of care it needs.