Dress Like a Star - How to Buy on eBay

I don't know about you, but buying designer clothes is a guilty pleasure. My true love is shoes and I was paying $300-$700 a pair before eBay.

Shopping on eBay completely changed my buying habits and gave me the opportunity to have as many designer shoes and clothes as I wanted - without the guilt!. I feel like a celebrity every time I go out now - at least in my own mind...

There is a learning curve though so here's a few things I learned that may help you to avoid mistakes.

• Always do your homework by googling the design/designer when you find something you like on eBay. Check price, other colours, identifying details to detect fakes, which season it was manufactured etc.


• Look at Completed Listings on the bottom left hand side of the search page to see what similar items have sold (or didn't sell) for to give you an idea of how much you will need to bid to win the item.


• Be VERY careful with sizing. Designer garments by their nature have unusual styling details that make if difficult to assess fit.


• There are some categories such as pants, fitted jackets and shoes that should be purchased with caution. I have bought all of these items, but always request more measurements that I compare against a similar item in my wardrobe.


• I work on the 80/20 rule. It is impossible to always get it right. After all we don't even get it right 100% of the time when we buy retail.


• When something isn't right, I resell it on eBay and cut my losses. With experience, my hit rate is more like 95%. When you resell you usually lose the shipping component of the price, unless you are lucky. Overall though, eBay prices for new trends are 25-50% off retail.


• When first buying on eBay, it's a good idea to bid on lower priced items like tops, to learn how to eBay. I used a $20 limit initially and worked up from there. I still rarely pay over $200 for anything and then it has to be something I'm really sure about.


• Designer items can make us lose our heads so set a spending limit up front. That last minute flurry when you think you will lose the item is usually bad news. I use eSnipe to automatically bid for me so I don't have that problem. See more about Bidding on eBay below.


• Sometimes patience is required. An item I really want may be listed several weeks after my initial search so I keep looking until I find it. Other times I find something I like even more in the interim, so keeping an open mind is also a good idea.


• My best search results come from using a designer's brand name. If you like one thing from a designer it is likely you will like other styles as well, so little treasures can pop up along the way.


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• Some of my best finds have come from clicking on items I'm interested in and then looking at other items from the same seller. Smart sellers usually have a specialised style or group of designers they sell so I often find fabulous similar items that I would not have thought of searching for.


• Remember that sellers don't always use appropriate keywords when listing their items.Try searching by colour, fabric or category to see if there are other treasures hidden away. Also searching using variations on the spelling of a designer brand can locate items that wouldn't come up in the usual search.


• I always save that seller into my Saved Sellers list, so I can set up newsletter updates or go straight to that seller when I'm looking for fashion trends. You save eBay sellers from the right hand menu under the members ID where you find the link to ask questions and look at the sellers other items.


• I usually find that private sellers ask lower prices for their items than eBay stores but they are less reliable in terms of quality and condition of the item. I still buy from both but am more careful with private buyers. I just ask more questions before I buy!


• Keep in mind that if you see an item for a very low price, even from a recognised designer, there can be problems that someone is trying to offload. Not all designs work - it can be fit or fabric so just be careful, particularly when you see many of the same item.


• I can tell a lot about a seller from the detail they provide in their listings. If there are good photos, measurements and an honest condition report along with a full description + good feedback it is usually safe to buy.


• It is handy if you know a little about shoe and garment construction when buying on eBay. i am a fair dressmaker and have worked for an imported shoe boutique(many years ago), so I assess whether items could have small alterations to make them work. It's surprising how much you can do with shoes if you know how and have a great shoe repair man at hand.

What Is eBay Watching?

It's easy to become confused when searching for items on eBay because there is so much to choose from and so many options within each category. eBay provides a great tool that is helpful to both buyers and sellers.

The eBay Watch List is always the first list on the My eBay Summary page (which can be accessed through My eBay menu at the top of any page) but can also be accessed from the All Buying link on the left hand side of the Summary page.

The purpose of the Watch List is to itemise all the selections you have made during your searches. As a buyer, the Watch List places all of your possible selections on one page to help with comparisons and bidding. It is impossible to keep track of the items you find without this great tool.

For sellers, the Watch List has a different purpose.. When you place a seller's item on your Watch List, it lets the seller know anonymously that someone is possibly interested in their item. You are not identified to the seller by the way.

How to Use the Watch List

• To save an item to the My eBay Watch List during a search, find "Watch This Item" towards the top of each listing on the right hand side. Your item is added to your Watch List without leaving the page.


• Sometimes you will find this option on your search results page where you see Watch This Item under the title of the listing on the left hand side of the page. This means that you don't have to open the page to place the item in your Watch List.


• The item stays on your Watch List until you remove it, even if you have purchased it. However any item purchased will appear on the Won / Purchased list as well.


• There is no need to restrict the number of items in your list because you can have up to 200 to watch at any given time. It's much easier to make a decision from a shortlist than to juggle comparisons in your mind. It is your choice whether to use the list for "possible maybes" or "definite maybes".


• You will receive an email if an item on your Watch List is relisted.


• A drop down menu on the right hand side of each listing allows contact with the seller to ask questions about the listing. This is a very important part of making sure that you are dealing with a reputable person and that the item is a good match for your needs.


• The drop down menu also provides access to:
  Get IM alerts
  View the sellers other items
  View similar items
  Add a note to the listing


• Keep your list organisedby removing items that are not under consideration. You may have items from a number of different searches in your Watch List at the same time so it can be confusing.

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What is Feedback and Where Do I Find It?

The one tool that makes eBay work for me is the security of the feedback system. It helps to create an environment of integrity and good behaviour on the part of both sellers and buyers.

When buying fashion it is particularly important because of the many ways items can be misrepresented. Nothing is perfect, but the system creates consequences for dishonest, lazy or bad behaviour. It is your ally in the buying process to reduce mistakes.

The feedback information is found at the top right hand side of the listing after the seller's eBay ID. To find out what other eBayers think of this seller you check two numbers that you find next to the ID.

The first is the number of feedbacks which roughly equate to the number of items the member has bought and sold added together. The percentage found below that number is the proportion of positive comments received by that eBay member from both buyers and sellers.

The higher the number in both cases the better. More feedbacks means more experience on eBay and the higher percentage announces that most are happy with this seller and it is safe to buy.

You may also see that the member is a Power Seller for instance. To become a Power Seller the member has to make a certain number of sales per month and adhere to a strict code of ethics. This is a seller who knows that doing the right thing is good for business.

To buy as safely as possible on eBay, I usually only buy from sellers with 99%+ feedback and more than 20 sales unless it is a low priced item that I'm prepared to risk. I have had very positive experiences with most sellers but that is partly because I am careful to do my homework before buying.

How eBay Feedback Works

• To find out exactly what people have said, click on the number in brackets beside the ID and you will be taken to the feedback page. There is information about the member as a buyer and a seller letting you know exactly what people have said. You will be able to read any negative comments as well.


• I make sure that when I buy or sell an item I contribute feedback about my transaction because giving honest feedback acts as a guide to other members.


• Every time you complete a transaction on eBay you have the opportunity to make eBay safer by adding your accurate feedback.


• You can add feedback by accessing your My eBay Summary - Won/ Purchased section for buyers and the Sold section for sellers. There is a drop down menu on the right hand side. Thereis a link at the top of your Summary page as well.


• Feedback is given when you are satisfied with your part of the transaction. Always wait until you have received your item in case you need to address issues with the seller.


• Feedback cannot be changed so make sure you are completely happy before commenting and be fair and moderate in your comments. There is a mechanism for adding comments if something changes but the original comments usually stand.


• If you are in any doubt about what to do eBay can help with information by selecting eBay Help from the top right hand main menu.


• Never leave negative feedback before contacting the seller to address your problem. Especially with clothing and shoes, there can be an honest difference of opinion about the condition and description of an item.


• It is in the best interests of the seller to receive positive feedback, so always address your concerns in a non blaming manner with a conciliatory attitude. Be mild in your language especially in your first contact.


• You are protected by the automated eBay Resolution Process which you use when you can't come to a satisfactory resolution with the seller. Remember that you are paying much less for the item usually so leave a little leeway in your expectations as well. On the few occasions I have used this, I have been satisfied with the outcome.


• The Resolution process can be accessed from the Won/Purchased section. You find the item in question and from the drop down menu on the right hand side (for each item) you will find the link to that process. It is very effective but eBay will ask if you have tried to solve the issue yourself first.


• It is in your best interests to handle the interaction with the seller in a civilized way because they can give you negative feedback as well if you are rude or unfair in dealing with the problem. Sellers can block buyers from bidding on future listings if they don't want to deal with them for any reason.

Feedback is Useful in the Following Ways:

• To assess the sellers track record. Always check the number of feedbacks the seller has received and the percentage of positive feedbacks before you bid.


• To assess which issues this seller handles best/worst such as shipping, communication, quality etc.


• Creates an environment where good selling behavior is rewarded.


• Provides consequences for unscrupulous operators. People will stop buying from sellers with high negative feedback scores.


• Provides a safe buying environment and encourages a spirit of co-operation between members.

To Summarise:

It can only be effective if everyone participates honestly and fairly. Spend the few minutes to leave feedback to help those who follow you with the same seller.

If you need to leave negative feedback, make sure you are stating facts to help the next buyer rather than trying to get revenge and never use unprofessional language. The feedback you leave for that buyer will also appear on your own page forever and those assessing you will see how you behaved when problems arose.

Consider using neutral feedback if your issues are less serious such as slow shipping, overcharging on shipping or bad customer service.

Go ahead and buy with confidence!

This is one of the most contentious issues for buyers because shipping is a significant percentage of the total price of an item.

The one thing I know from 500+ transactions is that many sellers guess shipping costs and many others will charge you more to make things easier for themselves especially with international shipping.

An example would be an eBay store that has bulk purchased boxes of a particular size that they send all items in, regardless of whether your item fills it or not.

There are wildly different shipping costs between different sellers. However most sellers are really helpful, especially if they know that a bid depends on fair shipping.

It is against eBay policy to profit from shipping. Sellers are allowed to add reasonable handling charges to cover packing, time to post, gas etc, but not to deliberately overcharge on actual shipping costs. Most sellers value their high feedback scores so do not cross the line.

It takes time to become familiar with shipping charges but in the beginning, all you need to do is weigh a similar item and go to the shipping / postage section of eBay. You select the country and the weight of the item and whether you want tracking, insurance etc. and you will have a good idea. Always do that research before you email your seller to ask about their shipping estimates.

Sometimes you will find that the seller has a reason for their shipping estimate and you may still bid. I have had part of the shipping cost refunded if I've been overcharged as well. An honest seller receives very favourable feedback from me.



Why, What and How

• Be very polite about your shipping question if you want the sellers co-operation, because the seller might be new to international or even domestic shipping. Many sellers have underestimated shipping in the past and are making sure they don't lose out again. Some are nervous about parcels going astray so insist on higher cost shipping with tracking.


• It can get messy if a parcel goes astray for both seller and buyer, so it is a good idea to pay for the faster shipping option with tracking for higher priced or more precious items.


• Very few sellers offer insurance mainly because it requires them to spend more time at the sending point. However in over 500 transactions I have never had a lost parcel, although I have had several take a very long time to arrive.


• Shipping internationally from the US is the most expensive and the UK is the least expensive (with the quickest delivery). Canada and the European Union are also fairly expensive. I often choose to buy on eBay UK for that reason.


• Aside from domestic shipping in the US, there are three international shipping options typically offered through USPS, the national postal service; First Class is the cheapest and slowest with no tracking, Priority which is faster with tracking and Express which is at least double the cost of First Class but takes less than half the time and has very good tracking.


• I often select First Class shipping for lower priced items and have never had a parcel go astray. Sellers won't always offer this option because there is no way to track a package after it has gone astray.


• UK shipping, which is referred to as postage, uses the national postal service, The Royal Mail. I have found this to be very cost effective and fast. Sellers offer a basic level of postage which is less costly and another called "International Signed For" which is more secure, but not necessarily faster. You have to sign for it at your end. I alway use this if offered, because it is very safe, fast and quite inexpensive.


• Combined shipping is wonderful if you are buying more two or more items from the one seller over a period of 7 days - the seller usually limits the combining period so that payment isn't delayed for items. Shipping is significantly more cost effective when combined
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• Some sellers have stated policies for combined shipping in their listings - that is my preference and this is practised by some high volume and high quality sellers like Linda's Stuff. Others have to be emailed for a quote, so always state exactly which items you are considering so they can be weighed and charges calculated. Make sure you allow a day or two for a response. Occasionally, the seller doesn't offer a quote and you have to find out when you are paying for the item. Not the best way to handle it so I often vote with my mouse!


• Free shipping sounds wonderful but nearly always infers that it will be sent at the cheaper, slower rate. Free shipping is rarely offered for eBay International shipping. However, for a domestic purchase, it is an intentional and often successful incentive to buy.