God bless eBay!
Over the years, I’ve managed to score a few nifty finds on eBay. Most for under a tenner. Many of them have been quirky dresses in brand new or barely worn condition. However, I’ve bought anything and everything from craft supplies to indian dreamcatchers (I swear it was a present!) My eBay purchase history reveals me to be a girl addicted to pretty dresses. I can live with that, after all, aren’t we all just a teeny bit in love with dresses?
Bright and early, one Sunday morning, I found myself in bed with a huge, Cath Kidston mug of cwoffee and the laptop, ready to do some research for this post. I wanted to show you what bargains are out there! So, following my own advice, I found a range of dresses that all sold for buttons…under a fiver (including post and packaging!)
My friends sometimes ask where my dresses are from and when I tell them, inlcuding the price tag, they ask me how. So, without further a do, the juicy bits…let’s go bargain hunting!
4) Shop ahead of seasons. Planning to go on a beach holiday this year? Need pretty little dresses? Well, start looking now. Only draw back is if you are planning to lose or gain weight. On the other side of the coin, need jeans for the upcoming winter? Yes, get looking when it’s forecast to be a scorcher. On the plus side, if they don’t fit, you can always sell them for twice the price come autumn.
5) Check out what else the seller is flogging. If a piece of clothing isn’t made by a well-known brand or high street chain, then it isn’t likely to be a highly searched item. I’ve snapped up a few quirky dresses on the cheap, just by quickly checking what else the seller is offering. Best scenario? If you like more than one item from the same seller. Most sellers I’ve encountered have been happy to combine postage.
6) Know when to cut your losses and admit defeat. Sometimes, it’s just not meant to be. Yes, you do have that cute, bright pink cardigan which would look perfect with the monochrome stripes of the item. But, is a second hand Primark dress really worth the price it’s just skyrocketted up to? As sad as it is, you have to know when you’re out. Ask yourself, ‘What’s my top price?’ and stick to it. Anyhow, what’s with eBay’s terminology ‘Congratulations! You won this item!’ …congratulated for typing a number and clicking a button. Clever.
7) Check out ‘Items ending soonest’ in the Women’s Category. Or the male clothing category. Choice is yours. Sure, you’ll have to sift through a pile of rubbish, but if you set your price to a limit you consider a bargain…you may find a ruby which slips through the net and into your wardrobe.
8) Never buy a used item of white clothing. Obvious really. White. Stain magnet. Urgh.
9) Don’t be afraid of asking questions. If you have the luxury of time, maybe you found an item with an hour left to go? Then ask any questions you have using the ‘Ask a Seller’ link. It’s always worth checking with a seller.
10) Never bid more than you are prepared to lose! Sure, it seems like a bargain, selling at a too good to be true price. Just consider, how much would it be worth if it were to arrive damaged or marked? Nine times out of ten, clothing arrives just fine. But sometimes, just sometimes, it may be damaged beyond a quick whizz in the wash. Sure, you can message the seller, or open a case in the resolution centre, but there’s always the chance you’ll end up out of pocket.
So, there you have it! My insider knowledge of eBay. What are you waiting for? Ready, steady…shop!
What eBay bargains have you bagged? Are you an eBay relic or newbie?
If you do follow my ten top tips, I would love to see what you bought! Please do share!
Pstttt…before I go. Check out this beauty I picked up recently:
