A Fashionista’s Guide To Cashing In On eBay

By Emma Goganovski

Oh eBay, you beautiful enigma. Millions try to conquer you daily, most fail. To search through your billions of items brings a pain and anxiety comparable only to searching for a needle in a haystack. To search on eBay is to watch hours of one’s life disappear into a black hole of retail desperation – a method driven by madness – just hoping, PRAYING you can find that exact same Zimmerman dress in your actual size and for, like, 90% less.

Once you’ve found it after days trawling through listing upon listing: ‘That’s it!!!! Yes!!!! BUY IT NOW! Even better! I won this round eBay’, you’re on top of the world, you won! And you have just uncovered an epic retail bargain until… ‘Shipping time: 30 days…From… WHAT…China!!!? But I need this by Saturday night dammit!’ Oh and it’s non-refundable. Sorry to add insult to injury, but eBay just beat you baby. 

Also read: FIVE STEPS TO CLEANING YOUR WARDROBE

So just like in the game of Survivor, when you’re on the losing team and tribal council awaits, the logical next move would be to admit defeat and make friends with the enemy – if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em I say. Because let me tell you ladies, you can get that same hit of bargain euphoria without spending money; in fact, you can get your kicks on eBay taking everyone else to the bank and seeing some sweet profits in the process. All it takes is a little patience, a little deception (we’ll clarify that later) and a lot of strategy.

Part one of our fashionista’s guide to cashing in on eBay: What to sell

1. BE RUTHLESS


Rachel Zoe’s overflowing closet – perfect eBay candidate! (via thecoveteur)

So you’ve got a quite a good little collection of clothes and accessories to sell on eBay? Before you start a selling frenzy, it’s time for a little reverse psychology, ask yourself: ‘Would I want to buy this? Would I want to wear it for the current season? And, what is the likelihood that I would leave 0 stars for feedback when the item arrives and smells like your pet and looks like it had a good life, a little too good a life? If any of your items answer no, no and very high to the aforementioned questions then be ruthless and cull cull cull! Because in that same way you were trying to find that Zimmerman dress ‘brand new with tags’ at a bargain price, shoppers viewing all your items will be doing exactly the same.

 2. LABEL LABEL LABEL

eBay – perfect for when you’ve overindulged… Throw the rest of us a bone! (via mylusciouslife.com)

If the label of your item doesn’t have a brand name on it that at least 5% of the female population would know then step away from the miscellaneous and put that dress in the ‘Vinnie’s bin pile’ because brand cache is everything on eBay. Most times people are buying labels they can’t afford to pay at RRP or they’re buying brands they physically don’t have access to and that’s where your listing can complete the retail disconnect. And that’s not to say that you should only sell couture or high fashion brands, but it is to say that you should sell items with brands that are instantly recognizable whether it be Sportsgirl or Alice McCall or Chanel. The brand is your best friend on eBay and it’s the number one way to get eyeballs on your listing and eyeballs mean watchers and watchers mean bid and bids mean ‘MAKE IT RAIN!’

3. SO ON TREND

Know what’s on-trend (or about to be) and deliver it right back! (via Pinterest)

Fashion is fast and shoppers are fickle. We want fashions that we read about on blogs and in magazines and see on street style stars and we wanted it yesterday. Recognize trends and be creative, maybe you’ve got a gem from a few seasons ago that was a little too obscure for you the first time round but right now it’s right up Summer 2014’s trend alley. Also, consider the eBay value of what you’re buying now, especially when it comes with a hefty price tag; obviously that is instantly going to enable you to buy it (you’re welcome), but it’s also going to help you buy investment pieces that you can wear a few times and sell for a good return on investment, all the while paying current trends forward from your own wardrobe to your buyers.

Economising? Read – SAVE MONEY FOR SHOES: DIY BEAUTY

4.  CONDITION

Need I say that if the item is not in good condition then don’t sell it? Okay well consider it said. And if there are defects on the item then be a real person (deception comes later don’t worry) and point it out in your listing, include images of the defects because it will come back to bite you in the form of an eBay case and a refund.

Stay tuned for Part 2 where we talk….. STRATEGY!

Next in fashion

 

11 Comments

  • Reply yslyenom Thursday 9th October, 2014 at 12:36 am

    Great article. I sell unwanted stuff on eBay and this reminds me I have a bunch of stuff to get rid of.

  • Reply Whatthe Thursday 2nd October, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    I need so bad to clean out my wardrobe. Lacking in time these days.

  • Reply stels Saturday 27th September, 2014 at 11:50 am

    great tips!

  • Reply BellaB Thursday 25th September, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Honesty is definitely the right policy when it comes to selling on ebay.

  • Reply Jess Thursday 25th September, 2014 at 10:17 am

    eBay trawling is SO worth it. I’ve bought a Givenchy Nightingale brand new in perfect condition for half the RRP, Valentino Rockstuds for $300, Josh Goot for $65…need I say more? It’s all about watching, waiting, knowing when to email the seller ask for a buy now price, and doing your research to make sure you’re not being fooled by counterfeit. But if you have the time and the motivation, it’s definitely worth it!!

    • Vanessa Roberts - Editor
      Reply Vanessa Roberts Thursday 25th September, 2014 at 8:27 pm

      WOW – those are amazing scores @Jess!! Well done. I’m literally hopping onto eBay right now… *enter the eBay vortex*

  • Reply lovelyloves Thursday 25th September, 2014 at 9:27 am

    Wait does it actually work? And how much time do you have to put in?

  • Reply xlilda Monday 22nd September, 2014 at 10:56 pm

    Crazy amount of effort if you have THAT much clothing to get rid of.

  • Reply Crystal Monday 22nd September, 2014 at 8:12 pm

    good tips thanks!

  • Reply lovelyloves Monday 22nd September, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    I can’t be bothered and rather give everything to Vinnies

  • Reply amanda6393 Monday 22nd September, 2014 at 11:15 am

    Good lord. That’s more shoes in one row than I have in total!

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