Tips for shopping on eBay and buying secondhand

As much as I love bringing home something shiny and new, nothing quite beats the thrill of stumbling across something you’ve love had your eye on for an absolute steal on eBay. I’ve been shopping the online marketplace for the last 12 years or so now, and some of my best bargains have included a much-loved grey wool flannel skirt from Karen Walker that I took home for a mere $10, a pair of brand new pebbled leather ‘jensen’ boots from Acne Studios for half the price, and some vintage denim shorts that I managed to nab for less than a dollar.

My secondhand shopping successes have come with their fair share of misses, so today I wanted to share some of my tips on how to successfully navigate eBay and online consignment stores to come away with a new wardrobe addition that you absolutely l-o-v-e.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
Whether you are buying brand new or second hand, you should always make a point of shopping with purpose. Maybe you’re after a sleek black blazer to round out your work wardrobe, a buttery leather skirt for model off-duty vibes, or perhaps you’re trying to track down a pair of YSL caged heels from six years ago; knowing what it is that you are after will help you to narrow down your search, and also serve as a guide to navigate you towards making a purchase that you actually want, rather than buying something that is an absolute steal, but that isn’t going to stand the test of time in your wardrobe.

SET UP YOUR SEARCHES
Particularly if you are looking for an archival piece, as I often am, one of the most useful tools to have on hand is the eBay (or consignment store’s) app. I set up searches for specific designers (I love to browse through listings for Karen Walker and Lover), and specific items from designers – like Chloe shoes in a size EU40. The search function filters through only the listings you haven’t seen, so every couple of days or so, I’ll drop into the app to take a peek at what new listings have popped up. I think it’s also worth noting here that patience is absolutely key. Because you’re relying on other people the world over to sell something you want, it can take time – one of my most recent eBay finds is a dress I’ve been trying to track down for seven years!

PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS
What condition is the item in? What size is it? What are the measurements? Pay attention to all these details as unlike shopping in a real store, unless the seller accepts returns, you often don’t have the luxury of changing your mind if you don’t really like the item when it arrives. Make sure you use the website’s zoom function to get a close up of the material to look closely for any marks or wear to the fabric, and have a tape measure on hand to check that the item is going to fit you.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS
Listing descriptiongs for items are completely a mixed bag; some are extensive, offering up measurements, clear condition of the item, as well as ample photographs, whereas others will use stock imagery of the item up for sale with only the size listed in the description. For that reason, I like to touch base with the seller and ask them questions, like specific measurements or for additional photographs, just to get a better overall picture of what exactly it is that I’m considering buying. Also, given that sizing does vary from season to season, and from label to label, I typically tend to gravitate more towards brands that I’m familiar with – it helps to reduce the chances of ending up with something that doesn’t fit quite right, and it also gives me a good idea of the type of quality I can expect from the item I’m buying. It’s also a great way to see whether the seller would consider a slightly lower price – particularly if you’ve noticed that the item has been relisted a few times.

KNOW YOUR BUDGET
I’ve definitely gotten caught up in the excitement of bidding on an item, and it never ends well. For that reason, I think it’s always important to set a defined budget, and stick to it. Figure out what you think something is worth, and don’t spare a penny more – I’ve found that even when I have missed out on an auction, the same item usually pops up a little later down the track and if you’re lucky, you may manage to nab it for a better price than the original listing.

SNIPE THOSE AUCTIONS
My secret weapon when is comes to winning auctions, is Bidnip. I’ve been using this service for about ten years now, and essentially it allows you to program in the amount you are willing to pay (ie. the top end of your budget), as well as the number of seconds that you’d like to place your bid before the auction ends. Aside from the fact that this stops me from checking my phone every five seconds in the minutes leading up to an auction ending, it also gives me the freedom to bid on auctions originating in the United States or Europe, that typically end during the middle of the night.

While I’m yet to buy a designer handbag second hand (a single flap classic Chanel is high on my list!), there’s a few additional tips I wanted to mention. I couldn’t recommend watching YouTube reviews enough – this should help to frame the expectation of what you should be receiving, as well as the importance of getting the item authenticated before and after you have the bag in your hot little hands. There are definitely certain items which are more likely to spawn knock offs than others, so use your better judgement, and make sure that you are always buying via Paypal as it offers buyer protection, in the instance that what you receive isn’t actually what was advertised – whether that be as a result of authenticity, markings, and the overall condition of the item.

In addition to shopping on eBay, I have a huge love for second hand consignment stores such as The Real Real (my personal favourite) and Vestiare Collective, both of which offer comprehensive returns – perfect if the item doesn’t fit quite the way you’d expect. Generally speaking, I apply a lot of the same principles, and I’ve come away with some really incredible new additions to my wardrobe over the last couple of years.

What I love most about shopping second hand, aside from the ability to find sought after archival pieces or current season items for a fraction of the price, is that you can build up a core wardrobe of quality essentials, without breaking the bank. Do you like to shop secondhand? x