I gleefully opened the package from eBay the other day, eager to see my purchase in person. Before trying on the lovely, red silk Joie blouse, I inspected it closely. There were no stains or imperfections; it looked like new. When I found that it fit me perfectly, I felt very smug in the knowledge that Joie blouses start at $150.00 retail. I paid less than $30.00!!!
Have I always been an eBay shopper? Decidedly, no. It was only when I began working with an eBay devotee that I began visiting the site regularly. In the past couple of years, I have purchased shoes, running attire for my daughter, and clothing for myself. Only one item did not work out, and I was able to send it back and receive a full refund. But without my co-worker's guidance and tips, I would have floundered.
Here is how to shop like a pro on eBay for clothing and accessories:
1. Search for items using specific words. For example, include the brand name, the style, the size, and the color you are looking for. When I wanted a Joie blouse, I searched under "Joie, blouse, silk, XS." The more specific you are, the better chance of learning whether it exists on eBay.
2. Check the seller's return policy. Make sure that you can return the item for a full refund if it does not fit you well or if it is not the item described by the seller. Some sellers are happy to provide refunds; others are not.
3. If you are serious about bidding on an item, you must check on it often. I am not always diligent and have lost out on certain garments. I like to "watch" items I am interested in but am not ready to bid on. I've also done well simply deciding to "Buy it Now" when the item is something I've really wanted but did not want to play the bidding game for.
4. The old adage, "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is" holds true on eBay. If you notice someone is selling a designer handbag you have been coveting forever, and the price is significantly lower than one you have ever seen, it is most likely a counterfeit. I'm not a huge fan of designer labels so don't spend a lot of time looking for them on eBay. What I do know is that there are many tell-tale signs when something is a fake. Go here to learn about them, and shop wisely with this information.
5. Shop often. I have written before about consignment store shopping and the importance of going often. The same is true for eBay. If someone is not selling something you want today, someone may be next week.
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