topic Re: Newbie to selling on ebay in Selling

Newbie to selling on ebay

dianabugger — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 23:08:44 GMT

Hi,
Just wondering if any of you lovely ebay peeps have any tips for me selling on ebay? I need to sell a range of different items clothing, shoes etc and not sure how to go about it. Ive startec by ordering my satchels 3kg and 500g...if im selling a pair of jeans would the 3kg take the weight or would i jave to weigh each individual item...sorry for questions..but need to start somewhere 😊

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

egglesdtp — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 23:30:46 GMT

If you intend to sell clothes, you will need to buy (1) a set of kitchen scales which can weigh up to at least 3kg and (2) a tape measure.

You must know the weight of an item before you list it, so you can charge the correct postage. For exampe, a pair of jeans may weigh more or less than 500g, so that will make a big difference in what you need to charge for postage.

Make sure you include measurments in all your listings, as sizes vary so much between brands and even within brands, it is no good just saying something is size 14 (or heaven forbid, size L) when this is meaningless.

Take plenty of photos of your clothes - front, back and close up so people can see the texture and pattern.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

kopenhagen5 — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 23:52:09 GMT

Also register your eBay account for selling and upgrade your PayPal account to Premier so you can accept payments.

Make sure you describe any defects if they are secondhand as buyers of clothes can be extremely picky.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

rocket2retro — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 23:54:37 GMT

You will need to bookmark the Australia Post postage calculator. A 1kg pair of jeans, for example, may be cheaper to post within your own state in a box/bag than it would be to use a 3kg satchel.

I'd opt for scales that weigh up to 10 kg or more. Then you can work out the combined postage if someone bought a lot of items at once. There are a lot of relatively cheap digital scales on eBay.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

padi*0409 — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 00:04:08 GMT

If you decide to go for auctions, never ever do as eBay suggest and start at 99 cents, start your auctions at the lowest price you're willing to accept.

And be aware that if you have a "buy it now" price on an auction, that dissappears as soon as the first bid is made on it.

Also check on "completed listings" in you category to see what others have been able to achieve price-wise on similar listings.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

clarry100 — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 00:14:33 GMT

Keep in mind too that the weight of them item when you mail it includes the satchel weight and any other packaging you may use.

So an item that weighs in at 450grams on its own may well be over the 500 grams once its packaged and ready to send.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

*tippy*toes* — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 00:49:45 GMT

Welcome to selling! If you're selling clothes take photos of everything, including seams and hems. You don't have to list all the photos, just have them available and keep them for 6 months after the item sells.

Describe absolutely everything. If there is a loose thread in a hem or a scuff on a shoe, mention it. Fashion is one of the harder categories to sell in as buyers can be very picky.

Another reason to have photos and descriptions of everything is to cover yourself. Some buyers will buy something for an event, have no further use for it so will claim not as described so you are forced to refund them.

They may claim there is a stain or a pulled thread and you need to be able to prove it wasn't there when you sent it. Some buyers will go so far as to damage it and say it was like that when they received it.

Good luck with it all. Come back anytime you need to know anything. Everyone here is more than happy to help you on the right path.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

clarry100 — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 01:10:22 GMT

Excellent advice there from Tippy.

Follow these things to the letter.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

redders_60 — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 03:03:28 GMT

As stated above; Measurements are a must! All items to be measured lying flat & totally unstretched. If the item has stretch; Let the buyer know approx how stretchy in your opinion. (For tops I used to use little; no; medium, some stretch, or very stretchy in my descriptions & stated that that was my opinion only) Be careful how you word your clothing ad! - If in doubt; Leave it out! But do be prepared for a lower price if you don't put in the effort needed to sell used clothing.

Measure jeans across the waist; approx hipline; Rise (crotch seam up over the fly) Inside leg length & across the bottom of the leg ends. Outer of waist to leg end along the length is also helpful for tall or short people.

I have 3 prs of same higher end brand jeans - exactly identical - except for the tagged sizes - which are 12; 14 & 16 respectively. Bought from the same store on the same day & tried on instore. The fit is the same but the tagged sizes differ! Jeans can be difficult to sell due to packed weight for sale & size variations.

Photography - If you can afford a mannequin then tops; lingerie & etc sell better when shown on one. Never show clothing on a crumpled unmade bed or with other clothing not part of the listing to be seen! (Crop your pics!) Over the times I've seen many ads where the ensuite door was open in pics taken in bedrooms & that's not a pretty sight!

I rarely sell clothing anymore but have 3 mannequins. One sz 8 to 10; One sz 10 to 12 & a rare full figure plus size lady who is a nicely curvy 16 with a C cup bust size. I suppose Dotti; Dolly & Dorothy will appear on Ebay one day for sale!

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

lyndal1838 — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 03:42:49 GMT

And never take your photographs in the nude when your reflection can be seen in a mirror.....yes, it has happened.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

redders_60 — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 04:12:12 GMT

I forgot that one Lyndal!

Perhaps be mindful of the background in the shot when photographing should be added? Or not to photograph a shiny kettle whilst in the nude with a mirror in the pic? LOL!

In other words; For the OP; The plain white background is best; Except for when picturing white items! Be aware that black sometimes looks blueish in Ebay pics - So if your item is black - state it within the description or title box & photograph on white when you can.

As a final word from me; Always fill out the extra title description box(es) on every listing... There's nothing worse than finding a top you like - only to find no size stated anywhere! Check any description boxes that apply to your garment. & add extra details when you can.

The first 4 words of the title line are your main selling avenue & searchable descripion - Make those first 4 words count. ...Such as ... Black crochet top jumper. Then use the rest to include tagged size & style. You then get those people who are searching for a black top, jumper or crochet (which is hot right now in jumpers!- I'm wearing a top just like my description right now!) & I'm nearly 60yo!

Never pay for extras & upgrades when listing. Use your 40 free per month to your own advantage. Good Luck & Happy Selling to the OP!

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

daydreams_12 — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 04:54:20 GMT

Regarding photos - just to add to what others have said.

Please do not photograph items on the floor!!!!!!!!!

JMO but would never buy things that have been laid out on the floor. If something is worth selling/buying it deserves better than the floor.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

redders_60 — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 05:36:48 GMT

If not worth selling then consider donating to a worthy charity. Salvos; Smiths & Vinnies spring to my mind. Take your items to a local store. Never put nice items in one of those dumpster type bins or bagged pickups by your own mailbox.

I once visited a sorting centre as a supervisor with a high school aged youth group - when they have an overload all go as rags or landfill! I was dismayed by the nice items just being dumped!

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

*tippy*toes* — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 13:01:38 GMT

Mr Tippy worked at the local tip for awhile and every day the Salvo's would dump truck loads of perfectly good clothes. A lot still had tags on. Hand knitted baby clothes and blankets. Full sized good quality blankets. Right around the same time they were putting ads on the TV wanting blankets and stuff for winter. I scored lots of brand new clothes.

I never give the Salvo's the time of day after that. I live in a rural area so it's not like they're going to be overwhelmed with stuff every single day that they needed to send at least 2 trucks to the tip every day. Especially as there are 2 other charities in close proximity that don't feel the need to dump perfectly good, brand new clothing and thick good quality wool blankets in winter.Last time I wanted to get rid of a couple of blankets I took them to Sydney and gave them to a homeless man that I knew hung around where I was staying (I had them cleaned first and I also took him some food).

I'd rather sell things on here a bit cheaper and know that someone is going to take them than have someone like the Salvo's cut them up or just chuck them out. Especially if they've only been worn a couple of times.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

superscanner4 — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 00:38:13 GMT

@*tippy*toes* wrote:
Mr Tippy worked at the local tip for awhile and every day the Salvo's would dump truck loads of perfectly good clothes. A lot still had tags on. Hand knitted baby clothes and blankets. Full sized good quality blankets. Right around the same time they were putting ads on the TV wanting blankets and stuff for winter. I scored lots of brand new clothes.

I never give the Salvo's the time of day after that. I live in a rural area so it's not like they're going to be overwhelmed with stuff every single day that they needed to send at least 2 trucks to the tip every day. Especially as there are 2 other charities in close proximity that don't feel the need to dump perfectly good, brand new clothing and thick good quality wool blankets in winter.Last time I wanted to get rid of a couple of blankets I took them to Sydney and gave them to a homeless man that I knew hung around where I was staying (I had them cleaned first and I also took him some food).

I'd rather sell things on here a bit cheaper and know that someone is going to take them than have someone like the Salvo's cut them up or just chuck them out. Especially if they've only been worn a couple of times.

Wow that's rather shocking. I'm sure donors would be horrified if they knew where their goods were going. People genuinely want to make a donation, they are not throwing things away. In my area we have a new Red Cross store and I take my clothes there and they are always grateful. I gave them clothes and shoes that have never been worn, just invexpensive stuff that doesn't sell on eBay because it isn't worth the cost of postage.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

curraone — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 00:53:06 GMT

I agree, it's very disheartening what happens at those so called charity shops now.

These days If I have something warm like old blankets or towels, I take them to the RSPCA - in winter, they are very much appreciated.

Re: Newbie to selling on ebay

curraone — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 01:51:55 GMT

My suggestion would be to change your selling name to something a bit more specific: like DianasClothes