topic general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes... in Buying

general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

peppers-tree — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 23:09:38 GMT

Whether you call them pre loved, used, second hand or any other number of phrases to describe clothes that have been worn and for whatever reason , put out to pasture, there are only a few reasons why a person no longer likes or wants their clothing... Out of fashion, doesnt fit well or design fault..Whatever the reason, used, second hand clothing is just that..

Now, I like to scrounge around for used clothing as much as the next person and love love love it when I strike a bargain, but, I am finding that only one out of perhaps 6 items was actually worth the money spent on it...Most are way overpriced, badly made or faded...eg ..purchased a pair of stretch 3/4 pants this week and when they arrived the colour instead of being black, was more like a washed out grey...

Ok you say, start a NAD process and get your money back but what about the loss of postage 2 ways ? devide this by 5 buys and what do you have .. 1 item that is very expensive..Then there are the items that ARE very expensive...Second hand clothing IMO should not cost nearly as much if not more in some cases, than the retail price...So.. What do you think ? Just my opinions people and you can give yours but please do not shoot me

dead !

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

horizon1907 — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 23:30:41 GMT

@peppers-tree wrote:
Whether you call them pre loved, used, second hand or any other number of phrases to describe clothes that have been worn and for whatever reason , put out to pasture, there are only a few reasons why a person no longer likes or wants their clothing... Out of fashion, doesnt fit well or design fault..Whatever the reason, used, second hand clothing is just that..

Now, I like to scrounge around for used clothing as much as the next person and love love love it when I strike a bargain, but, I am finding that only one out of perhaps 6 items was actually worth the money spent on it...Most are way overpriced, badly made or faded...eg ..purchased a pair of stretch 3/4 pants this week and when they arrived the colour instead of being black, was more like a washed out grey...

Ok you say, start a NAD process and get your money back but what about the loss of postage 2 ways ? devide this by 5 buys and what do you have .. 1 item that is very expensive..Then there are the items that ARE very expensive...Second hand clothing IMO should not cost nearly as much if not more in some cases, than the retail price...So.. What do you think ? Just my opinions people and you can give yours but please do not shoot me
dead !

peppers, IMO, if your not happy with what is online, the soloution to that, is don't buy online. Hit the "Op Shops" & Outlets and buy from them. You can try them on, feel them, see the colour etc.

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

i-love-my-sheep — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 23:31:32 GMT

If you open an eBay dispute as opposed to a PayPal dispute, you get a full refund including postage and the seller has to pay the return postage.

I can't really contribute much else to this discussion as the one thing I despise most in this world is shopping! Especially clothes shopping. My husband is often screaming at me "will you PLEASE go and buy yourself some bluddy clothes!". That said, if I was looking online for clothes, I would expect something second hand would be cheaper than new, except in the case where it might be something vintage that increases in value.

For regular modern clothes, I would expect to pay less. I would also expect the seller to give an accurate discription. e.g was black when new, but now is more of a grey colour, there is a small hole in the left pocket which could easily be sewn over. That way I can make an informed choice. Given how clothing sellers are one of the biggest targets for scammers, you'd think they would be doing whatever they could to ensure the buyer has no comeback.

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

phorum_junkie* — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 00:45:43 GMT

Given how clothing sellers are one of the biggest targets for scammers

Not something I have found, after over a decade of selling second hand clothes I have only ever had one buyer who tried to scam me and I lost not a cent thanks to Paypal doing the right thing in the end.

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

i-love-my-sheep — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 01:00:30 GMT

It seemed that since the MBG came in wardrobing had increased because the buyer is always right and if they say there is an issue 2 weeks after purchase (after they have worn it to where they wanted to wear it), then there is an issue. I must have been mistaken.

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

opmania — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 03:51:03 GMT

reasons why a person no longer likes or wants their clothing

1 out of fashion

2 doesnt fit well

3 design fault

4 lost weight

5 gain weight

6 moving house

7 moving country

8 unwanted hand me down from well meaning friends

9 unwanted gift worn once to christmas party just to be nice

10 dead

11 needs money {heaven forbid}

12 abundance of money spends all on clothes and wears once or twice

13 does this makes my bum look big

14 not my color

15 not my style

16 end of year sale LETS GO SHOPPING

17 how many more would you like

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

opmania — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 04:25:24 GMT

if you are only happy with 1 out of 6 purchases of pre loved clothing on ebay and you are thinking

that you have paid too much for them then you probably have

everyone sets themselves a limit to how much they want to spend on anything they purchase

and if you exceed your limit is that the fault of the seller , or yourself

The same goes for the sellers

they have an item which they place a value on to sell and they are entitled to do that as they own it

If you think that item is too expensive dont buy it simple

But dont buy an item and say after you bought it that was too expensive ,maybe you could try having that thought before you buy

allow a tiny leeway for human error and try communicating before leaving bad feedback things can be resolved

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

peppers-tree — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 10:55:57 GMT

There are no Op shops where I live... Stick to the topic please...Dont shoot me down for having an opinion... I know how the Ebay system works...This topic is about the high price of second hand clothes on Ebay.. Not what I should or shouldn't do about it....Please give me your opinions on the topic at hand..Do you agree or disagree ...?

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

peppers-tree — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 10:54:50 GMT

I didn't say I spent the high amount..Just observed it...I would never pay for something that was overpriced, new oR used.....

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

lane-ends — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 11:43:07 GMT

Price is set by demand not by what it cost originally. Especially when it is no longer available. If someone wants last years target dress because they know it fits and it is what they want they will pay more for it than designer brands that original cost many times more.

I find original cost and often whether still with tags or not often have no bearing on sellability.

Demand dictates price, sellers feedback is a good indication of their standards. Sellers who buy to sell, vet the items they buy in the first place. People just selling their old stuff dont, they sell whatever is to hand,and their judgement can be biased.

If you regularly buy stuff that is not what you expect, then you obviously have no idea what you are doing, and should stuff buying things and expecting something else.

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

fixnwear — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 12:12:08 GMT

peppers-tree,

of course you have an opinion, you are entitled to it - so are the the rest of us (entitled to one).

You knowing how Ebay works has very little to do with the price you pay for a second hand item and your opinion of it after you receive it.

And what is a "good " price is a relative thing, and with second hand items also very subjective.

Different people place different values on things - and indeed - have vastly different opinions on weather something is "overpriced" or not.

And what does being overpriced even mean?

Nothing. It means nothing as long as it's less than the same brand new item costs. Term "Being overpriced " has no meaning and no definition - can't be generalised - as it's only your opinion (again, to which you are entitled) - as I might think totally different of the same item and it's price.

I happen to think that Op shop stuff is overpriced, at least those few that a friend dragged me into - hate going there as they all stink of some horrible stale smell and the clothes are most boring and dreary motley collection - but they cost around $20 upwards, anything to even over a $100. But I do realize that's just me - and for the poor people they are most likely just fine. OMG, just realized how this sounds, it wasn't meant to sound like that - all I meant is that it's good for those sort of shops to exist so the poor people can have somewhere to shop.

And the same goes for Ebay, or anywhere else that one can spend say, 50 bucks for an item that would normally cost a $100 or more.

If I was buying this sort of stuff - that would mean a great saving, and if it doesn't look new, there are some buttons missing, maybe a hem down, I don't know, anything that needs some minor repair or whatever - so be it - still a great trade off for not having to pay a full price on something that caught my eye!

But, the most iportant factor in all this is:

Your seller - who is also entitled to an opinion - has placed a value on the item they are selling - and for the most part someone must agree with them as they are selling their items. They obviously don't have a hordes of people at the time of listing to ask for their opinions on the value - and even if they did - the answers would vary greatly - so even that would be a dead loss in accurately determining the "fair price".

And those who don't agree - they don't buy it.

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

cherry*135 — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 12:23:22 GMT

I know you didn't appreciate an earlier poster saying this, but I have the same view.. maybe online shopping for pre-owned clothes isn't for you.. it's not for me. One of the first things I bought on eBay was a ladies blouse, it didn't fit me, I gave it away.

It isn't viable any longer for sellers to sell any items at really low prices... ebay fees have gone up (doubled?) in the last few years, ebay takes 10% of the postage cost the buyer pays the seller (which they need to recoup), paypal fees go up, postage costs go up.

A pair of jeans might be sold for a reasonable $7 then add postage $12+ ( weighs over 500g) and that makes a reasonably priced item, not so cheap to the buyer.

Adult clothes in OP shops I have seen start around $7... which is comparable to ebay for same items, but no postage costs!

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

horizon1907 — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 12:44:50 GMT

@peppers-tree wrote:
There are no Op shops where I live... Stick to the topic please...Dont shoot me down for having an opinion... I know how the Ebay system works...This topic is about the high price of second hand clothes on Ebay.. Not what I should or shouldn't do about it....Please give me your opinions on the topic at hand..Do you agree or disagree ...?

peppers, I certainly wasn't shooting you down. I was merely making a point that the cost overall on ebay have basically Skyrocketed. Yes, you can find bargains, that's great, but postage & FVF's have to be paid by the seller, so $$ have risen. Maybe buy New Clothing with free shipping from some of the other sites. There are dozens of them.

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

artyandchic — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 12:59:31 GMT

I do voluntary work in an OP shop and it is not the 'poor' who do most of the shopping there, quite the opposite...........

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

springyzone — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:21:04 GMT

I've done a bit of second hand (or new cast offs) shopping on ebay in my time. Here are my observations.

Price isn't always a reflection of demand. Sometimes it is much more a reflection of where the seller is at. Having been an amateur seller at times, I can assure you the prices on ebay, at garage sales, market stalls etc can sometimes be a bit random. As in I will say to my sister-what will we charge for this? $2, $5, $10?

I sometimes look at clothes by Postie brand (party plan company where they sell in homes) on ebay.

Some items were sold almost new simply because people were having a wardrobe clean out or the item didn't fit-whatever. Sometimes at fairly low prices.

On the other hand, some of the sellers are the partyplan sellers, who need to move some of their superceded kit. Often they would ask a lot more for their items eg half price. I think they do this because a) they paid half price so they want their money back b) they have a second sales option-they can continue to have a bargain bin at the home sales if they can't move it on ebay.

So the initial impression is whoa, that is very expensive. But then again, if it is half the cost of what it used to be, plus it is new, maybe that isn't such a bad buy.

What is happening though is Postie now has its own website with last season's clothes at discount prices so ebay isn't the draw it used to be.

That is probably true of many other brands too.

---------------------------

What I look for in a sale is complete honesty. In past years i sometimes received various items (shoes or clothing) that didn't fit the description eg as new, worn only a couple of times. In one case the top was well worn, thin, with a lot of catches. Yet I gave a positive feedback. I would not now.

Maybe I am getting grumpier in my old age. I am willing to talk to a seller if something has gone wrong, but for very clearly not as described, if that ever happens again I will be a bit blunter in feedback.

I think the key is to read and re read the description and look at those photos and try to work out what hasn't been said as much as what has been said. When in doubt, ask.

If the item seems a bit dear, wait. It may not sell and the seller may relist a bit cheaper. Just don't bid if it is too expensive and I can promise you this much-in a week or so you will probably have forgotten all about what it was you were looking at.

If you think it is something you will remember and will regret not having, then bid on it!!

Re: general discussion on purchasing secondhand clothes...

redders_60 — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 04:28:21 GMT

In reply to Sheepy / Chook from a duck lover... I too hate to shop for clothing! My hubby reacts just as you said yours does! My everyday stuff is what is comfortable, clean & tidy; As I don't go out much. Jeans & a top; Cotton dress for hot days & that's me!

I do have half a wardrobe full of cocktail & evening wear, rarely worn. (30th Anniv coming up!) Maybe an opportunity?

In the past I have bought nice pre loved (or used, whatever) & NWOT or NWT clothing on ebay with much success.

I only bought where items had full measurements within the listings & had tidy looking pictures. (Not on the floor or unmade bed etc) Never a problem with purchases, & some of my favourite clothes were bought on ebay or QS. (I've a stockpile of my favourite jeans garnered from both selling sites & various sellers - the style was discontinued a few years back, but they make my bum look great! - so whenever I see the brand in my size I buy)

I must admit that since the advent of the ebay phone app I haven't bought clothing on ebay. Not even my favourite jeans!