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Original poster

Anyone else feel frustrated buying clothes on Ebay

45 replies

NoMoreMuchin · 12/02/2021 18:15

I normally buy clothes about 50:50 new and from charity shops, and since the first lockdown I've started buying on ebay to replace the charity shops.

I don't know if I expect too much. If something is used I obviously expect it to have some signs of wear, but not to be stained, torn etc.

Today I received a dress with a biro mark on the back, last week I was sent a skirt with two shiny iron marks on it. I've just looked and I've bought 19 items in total, and 4 have had to go back Confused

I live rurally about 20 mins drive to the post office, and although sellers have accepted items back, it's still a pia for me.

I'm wondering if I should just give up altogether ..... The one thing all 4 have in common is that they were being sold by sellers who are selling 100s of items at a time, so I wonder how carefully things get checked? Or maybe I have just been unlucky do far and should persevere?

OP posts:
Mellonsprite · 12/02/2021 18:21

I’m going to give up, This week I bought a T-shirt which is a bloody crop top. It doesn’t say that in the description. No one in their right mind wants to see my bare mid rif at my age, after 3 DC too. I seriously CBA going at a post office to send it back. Also bought a cotton shirt, thinking I’d smarten up, usual size from M&S and it drowns me. I’m mulling over whether to pay to get it altered.

Jellykat · 12/02/2021 18:31

I've been quite lucky over the years, never returned anything, but i do tend to stick to the same brands, pay attention to their feedback score, and message sellers for measurements, fabric details etc if i'm unsure.

Flickoffboris · 12/02/2021 18:34

I've decided to leave well alone. Depending on the type of clothes you buy it can actually work out quite expensive once you've factored in postage. Paying £3 postage on a £80 designer dress is obviously much less painful than paying £3 postage on a t-shirt you got for a fiver.

Original poster
NoMoreMuchin · 12/02/2021 18:36

No one would thank me for going out in a crop top either mellonsprite. Interesting about the shirt from M and S, all my Christmas sale purchases from M and S went back as there 10's are massive so I wonder if its vanity sizing.

Like Jellykat I tend to buy only a few brands that I know fit me really well, and the fit has been fine, if you don't mind that there a hole under the arm or two buttons missing.

I feel like whereas I snag a hem and think, oh that's a shame I liked that dress as I pop it into the bin, other people seem to think, oh that's a shame, I'll pop it on ebay

OP posts:
lookdeepintotheparka · 12/02/2021 18:36

I've bought the odd gem via eBay but more often than not am disappointed in the quality or condition!

Now I tend to only buy new items or worn only a few times (even then some people's idea of 'excellent condition' differs from mine Hmm)

They do sound like lax sellers - I guess biro might wash out but an iron burn isn't ok!

CuckooCuckooClock · 12/02/2021 18:41

I shop on eBay for clothes a lot and 4 of 19 is what I would expect tbh. There are always a few chancers who sell crap stuff and good you won’t notice. I think that’s the risk you take with eBay. I also live rurally and it pisses me off when I have to return but I’m addicted to I’ll keep buying!

cozycat1 · 12/02/2021 18:41

Persevere! You can filter your search for new clothes only which might help.. i
Ive had some great bargains like brand new higher end high street shops. Leave negative feedback for ones you have to return.

CuckooCuckooClock · 12/02/2021 18:41

Hope not good. Fat fingers and wine

Incrediblytired · 12/02/2021 18:43

I stick to a couple of brands in styles that I know fit me. Ie fit and flare dress, oasis/warehouse in my size. It’s risky to deviate.

alltheadrenalin · 12/02/2021 18:44

Have you tried depop or vinted? Might have better luck on there

Username7521 · 12/02/2021 18:45

I find Depop quality much better than eBay.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 12/02/2021 18:53

I don't tend to risk. A little while ago I bought a Paul Smith swirly design scarf, because I love the pattern. When it came, it had a stain that couldn't be removed by washing. No mention of it in the description, but I had been lulled into a false sense of security by the mention of a pulled thread. I falsely assumed if they were being honest about that, they would have mentioned the stain Hmm So it's not just a matter of size, even my bum isn't too big for a scarf Grin

Floisme · 12/02/2021 19:04

I've been tempted because I really miss second hand shopping, but so far I'm holding out. I find it hard enough to gauge sizing and quality online when I'm buying something new - the thought of trying to do it with clothes that have been worn and washed is just exhausting.
And frankly, when I'm buying second hand, I want to have a sniff first before I part with my money.

Heartbeats0708 · 12/02/2021 19:08

I've had a nightmare this week too, unfortunately on Marketplace rather than ebay. Item listed as brand new, my size, smoke free/pet free home.
It's a size bigger, the label has been mostly cut out and it STINKS of cigarette smoke Hmm

JaceLancs · 12/02/2021 19:09

I message about condition before bidding/buying if I have any concerns or they do not have 100% positive feedback
Easier than arguing afterwards
I used to sell quite a bit on eBay and am very careful with descriptions - any genuine mistakes I give full refund and tell buyer to keep free of charge

Lilypad78 · 12/02/2021 19:16

I buy quite a lot on ebay & have had some great bargains. I do stick to brands I know & wear so I can be reasonably sure of the sizing & i read the descriptions/check the photos carefully. I don't take any nonsense from sellers. If something is marked & it wasn't mentioned that is mis-selling & against ebay policy. I ask for a refund & only return if the seller pays the return costs. If the seller refuses to pay the return costs i ask ebay to step in. They always refund then because they know they are in the wrong & don't want their accounts to be closed. If something is in good condition but just doesn't fit then I usually just relist it.

Original poster
NoMoreMuchin · 12/02/2021 19:24

@CuckooCuckooClock it's interesting your hit rate is similar to mine! It's v frustrating

@alltheadrenalin and @Username7521 last time I looked at depop and vinted a while ago it seemed to be mostly young brands, I tend to buy Baukjen, Winser, Massimo and a bit of (plain) Boden and Hobbs. I've just had a look now and there is more I'd be interested in, thanks for that

OP posts:
ILoveShula · 12/02/2021 19:41

I sell on ebay and try to describe things accurately.
If something is in a good condition, I'll say so. if it quite obviously doesn't look new, i'll say that.

I've bought things that were described as used that were immaculate, and the odd item that were ripped or tatty. I usually ask for a partial refund. I've bought more than one pair of shoes that weren't the size listed - the sellers usually deny it even if there is a size on the shoe Confused.

I try to describe the size, not easy on an item with a missing label. Measurements are better than something like 'knee-length'

If it has a biro mark or something obvious, raise an Item not as described. Ebay usually sides with the buyer.

i wish sellers would describe things accurately. I was looking for some brogues and I'm sure that half of the results were not brogues.

Username7521 · 12/02/2021 19:43

@NoMoreMuchin yeah Depop used to feel much “younger” when I joined two years ago. It also had mostly size 8&10 sizes. It’s expanded out considerably and even more so in lockdown.
You’ll get all those brands on Depop.
It is more expensive than eBay I find...

Dobedohdahdee · 12/02/2021 19:44

I only buy from eBay if something is described in detail or described as “perfect” with lots of photos.

If something just has one photo and no real description I would only buy if it was like a 99p bargain

ILoveShula · 12/02/2021 19:55

They aren't 99p bargains by the time you've paid for postage.

CuckooCuckooClock · 12/02/2021 20:13

It is frustrating. I think I have just accepted that there will be a few failures. I’ve got some really lovely finds for absolute peanuts so I am happy to take the gamble most of the time. This year I am tying to cut down though ...

LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 12/02/2021 20:15

I haven't bought from Depop, nothing has caught my eye enough.

I buy from Vinted and l find it less reliable. Lounge bottoms covered in dog hair, over charged for postage. I don't think the 'grievance 'process is as robust. But you can get bargains on there, things can sell really cheap.

TheCanyon · 12/02/2021 20:24

I only ever buy jeans from ebay, as I only have a couple shops that fit me well, but I always need them taken up as just 31inch leg.

The last pair I bought (hollister) as a 31inch leg, messaged the seller loads of times to treble check the waist measurement, she guaranteed the measurements and swore they would fit perfect "honestly hun, I bought them to fit a 8-10 too with the same measurements as you. They'll fit perfect babe". I swear to God they were at least 3 sizes too big. I DID get a friends mum to take them n at the waist, crotch, arse and made dd a purse with the excess Grin

delilahbucket · 12/02/2021 20:29

I used to get all of my clothes on eBay but I ended up so disappointed all the time I stopped in 2019. The extortionate fees for sellers mean you can't bag a bargain like you used to. Combine that with the thousands of listings for Chinese tat and it isn't what it used to be. I used to buy and sell so much on there. I even have a business on there but sales have been in decline for years and I do much better elsewhere. Such a shame, the site has been run into the ground.