Cardigan Empire

Salt Lake City Fashion Stylist

How to Sell Clothing on eBay

If it doesn’t fit, flatter, and/or excite, it hasn’t earned an exclusive spot in your closet.
You are a closet CEO, if you are letting shelf warmers loaf upon racks due, you are failing to collect your efficient closet bonus. Instead of walking into a closet stocked exclusively with usable clothing, you are rifling past self flagellation, regret, and nostalgia on a daily basis. If you are interested in making your business more serious on eBay or Amazon then take a look at the Tactical Arbitrage software to help grow your business rather than just selling the clothes you already have.
Kindly relocate clothing that can’t serve your figure to a new location. Of course you can always donate or gift useable clothing, but should you require funds to hire replacements, please enjoy the following step by step guide for selling your clothing on eBay.
First in overview,
And should you wish, an extensive step by step guide:
  1. Create an eBay and PayPal account if you don’t already have one.
  2. Selling an item on eBay is a healthy amount of work, so you don’t want to waste your time listing something that won’t sell. Start by researching the market for your item.
    1. Search eBay to find similar items
      (note-if you don’t know how to search for it, neither will anyone else, and you probably won’t be able to sell it)
    2. Scroll down, scanning the left hand column for “Show Only”
    3. Check “Completed Listings”
    4. Review the list of past sales, how many others have sold a similar item? What did they sell it for?
    5. If you feel confident you can sell your item, pick at least one high selling completed listing as an example. Notice what has been done well. Try to mimic what you can.
  3. Photograph the item you intend to sell
    1. Use a dress form, hang it neatly, or lay it flat on an attractive neutral surface
    2. Opt to photograph in natural light if at all possible
    3. Record crisp, clear digital images of the following
      1. Whole item (front, back, profile)
      2. Details of pattern, embellishments, buttons, zippers
      3. Zoom images of flaws or imperfections
      4. Tag of item (including size and brand)
  4. Lay the item flat and measure it’s dimensions using soft measuring tape
    1. Neck
    2. Bust/Chest
    3. Waist
    4. Hip
    5. Bell Width (for Skirts/Dresses)
    6. Length (Inseam, Sleeves, etc.)
    7. Also note whether you think it runs small/large, long/short etc compared to similar items
  5. Login to eBay, rollover sell in the right menu bar, select “Sell an item”
  6. Enter the basic keywords for your item (brand, original product name, etc.) click search
  7. Select the best category match for your product, click continue
  8. Enter a title for your item using the keywords you think potential bidders would use to search, use every available character strategically.
    1. Reference your completed sale example item for inspiration
    2. Try to include the size, original price, name of the item, brand, color, condition (i.e. Kate Spade Melody Pleated Pink Polka Dot Skirt, Beige Champagne, Sz 0, $368, NWT)
  9. Select condition (new with tags, new without tags, new with defects, pre-owned)
    1. If it’s been worn, even once, it is no longer new. Be scrupulous with your buyers.
    2. Select remaining details about product (these will differ depending on the item)
  10. Upload pictures taken early
    1. Sort “full item” shots to the beginning of the list as the first image will be used for your thumbnail
    2. End with detail images and clothing tag shots
  11. Enter description
    1. Look to your example completed listing once again
    2. Include fabric content, wash and care instructions, everything you would want to know before purchasing the item yourself
    3. Take inspiration from product listings on retail websites. Try to find a product page for your item if it is still available online.
    4. Detail measurements taken early
    5. Offer explicit condition details and be completely honest. Note small holes, frays in fabric, stains, fades, or soiled areas. It’s better to loose a bidder than engage negative feedback from a buyer.
  12. Enter pricing details
    1. A lower starting price and lack of reserve (minimum price you are willing to accept for the item) will encourage more watchers and possible buyers, possibly resulting in a higher ending price
    2. A higher staring price and stated reserve will ensure you get a specific price
    3. Most eBay bidders are comfortable paying with Paypal, though other payment options are available.
  13. Set Auction Duration: 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 days.
    1. 7 Days seems to be a sweet spot, it gives buyers time to find your listing, but isn’t so long that people loose interest in favor of an alternative listing that they can receive promptly
    2. Try to end your auction on a Saturday or Sunday to maximize available bidders, occasionally Monday can catch working professionals
  14. Weigh your item and shipping materials then determine what form of shipping you want to offer
    1. In the past, eBay sellers would overinflate the cost of shipping to ensure a higher margin in their overall sale. This practice is discouraged by eBay. eBay exposes shipping costs in search results and most buyers will avoid overpriced shipping charges when comparing items
    2. Free shipping always attracts buyers
    3. International shipping will also attract more buyers, but be sure to set your shipping prices to cover the escalated costs
    4. Ensure you select a handling time (time in which you agree to package and ship the item following the sale) which you can meet
  15. Publish your item
    1. Once even one person has bid on your item, you will not be able to modify the listing. If any information is incorrect, you will have to end the auction prematurely and start over. Therefore, check everything carefully before listing your item. Don’t forget to check out the courier for ebay items. This will help you when it comes to collecting and getting items delivered to people.
And just as I recommend you offer prompt feedback to your buyers, please send me any comments on your strategies for relocating clothes that haven’t covered a back in months.
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End of Season Clearance: Monthly Markdown Schedule


Bethink the serendipity of meeting the perfect pretty whats-it, for 50% off the original price, precisely when you needed it for that such and such thingy.
Well cease with the ritualistic discount drumming and throw away your mark down predicting tarot cards which you wield in a futile attempt to recreate favorable deal finding circumstances.  It’s far easier to read the predictable retail markdown calendar. 

January outerwear and winter accessories
February fine jewelry, boots, and cashmere sweaters
March linen suits and separates, handbags, and spring raincoats
April silk separates, spring raincoats, and dresses
May spring shoes, dresses, and suits
June swimwear, casual shorts, t-shirts, and summer dresses
July summer shoes, drastic reductions on swimwear
August summer clearance and fall season sales
September lined raincoats, wool blend blazers, handbags, and backpacks
October leather jackets, fall suits, career, and casual sweaters
November eveningwear, fall shoes, and boots
December clearance coats, cashmere sweaters, and fine jewelry
Now you can choose to fashion happenstance whenever you choose. Simply catalog what you actually need, then plan the most parsimonious opportunity to acquire it. 
But that does require pre-shopping, a topic to discuss tomorrow.

Let Cardigan Empire search out the best seasonal discounts for you.  A complete Fashion Package: combines a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session
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