Pre-Summer Shopping? Make Room in Your Closet by Selling Old Apparel

Are you cleaning out your closet? Do want to get rid of your old clothes and make room for new ones? With a little planning, you can turn your closet into a gold mine. Millions of people are going to eBay every day to buy clothes. You can sell your old apparel to make some extra money. The key to a successful sale is creating an eye-catching listing and describing your product in detail. Follow these tips to make your eBay listing more appealing.

Preparation for Selling Old Apparel on eBay

There are several things that will need to be done to prepare your old apparel for sale.

Decide What You Want to Sell

The first thing you should do is decide on what you want to sell. It can be hard to give up your favorite clothes and accessories. Before selling them, make up your mind about what to keep and what to toss. eBay allows users to sell party dresses, tops, skirts, underwear, shoes, jackets, hats, gloves, and other products. Organize your clothes by category, make an inventory, and then assign a price to each item.

Assess Your Clothes

Assess the condition of your clothes and wash them well. Make sure they look amazing before taking photos. Iron your dresses and jackets, put them on a hanger, and check them for flaws. If there are any stains or holes, mention that in your listing. Measure each item and write down its size, brand, color, and condition. Keep in mind that a snagged seam, a missing button, a small hole, or any other imperfection can lower an item’s value. All pre-owned clothes sold on eBay must be cleaned before sale.

Research the Market

Market research is one of the most important steps in the sales process. Go to eBay and look for other products that are similar to yours. Try to find out what sells well. Many eBay buyers are searching for brand name clothes, special sizes, and barely used items. Designer goods are very popular, especially those available at a competitive price. The same goes for retro and vintage clothes as well as mid-range labels. Limited edition items are highly valued by fashion buffs. 

Check out other sellers to compare prices and figure out how much you should charge for your merchandise. Look at the most popular listings to see what they have in common. Go back to your list and set the prices for items.

Listing Your Old Apparel on eBay

Once the apparel is ready for sale, it's time to list it.

Check Out the Seller Center

Before listing your products on eBay, check out the Seller Center. Here, you will find everything you need to know about selling your old clothes on the world's largest online marketplace. This section offers helpful tips on how to prepare your items for sale, how to take amazing photos, and how to set prices. It also provides information on shipping and packing.

Take Photos

The next thing you should do is take photos of the products you're selling. Use a good digital camera or a mobile phone that takes high-quality pictures. Blurry images can make your clothes look like they're in worse condition than they really are. For best results, use the Enhanced Editing feature on eBay to improve your photos. Adjust the background, light, and appearance of your shots. Eye-catching listings with quality photos will put your items in a positive light and attract bidders. Check the Product Photos Tips for more hints on taking pictures.

Create an Appealing Title

If you want your listing to be successful, come up with a creative title. Make sure it clearly describes your products and includes relevant keywords. For example, if you’re selling a red party dress from Versace, use the following keywords: "Versace red party dress," "Versace red cocktail dress," or "red dress from Versace." Create an appealing title that incorporates these search terms.

Write a Detailed Description

Describe each item in detail. Mention its size, color, brand, condition, fabric, and washing instructions. Since you're selling clothes, list the basic measurements such as the garment length, arm length, bust width, neck width, cuff width, rise, and inseam. Make sure you specify whether the measurements are stretched or unstretched. 

Write about the fabric from which your clothes have been made. Use descriptive words such as light, heavy, rough, soft, smooth, durable, or airy. Provide detailed information about each product, such as how the item fits. Mention any imperfections that a potential buyer should know about.

Create Unique Listings

Make your listing interesting and unique. Be enthusiastic about the products you are selling. For example, a listing that says, "I'm offering a fabulous red dress that looks great with platforms and keeps you cool on the hot summer days," sounds better than "Red dress, size 10, good condition." Use your imagination to create listings that sell.

Choose Auction Format and Shipping Options

Decide where you want to ship your products and how much to charge. Consider offering combined postage discounts for small items. Choose an auction format before listing your old clothes on eBay. Determine whether you want to have a fixed-priced or an auction-style listing. Both options have pros and cons. In general, auction-style listings work better for designer items and seasonal products.

After the Sale

Getting the apparel to the buyer is just as important as getting someone to buy it. Make sure the apparel is ready to be shipped out once it is sold.

Accepting Payment

eBay sellers can choose to receive payment by credit or debit card, PayPal, Skrill, ProPay, checks, bank wire, and money order. If you offer multiple payment options, you'll receive more bids.

Communicating with the Buyer

Once you find a buyer for your clothes, it's important to contact them and stay in touch until they receive the product. Be polite and answer any questions they may have. Leave positive feedback as soon as the customer pays for their order. Thank them for buying from you. Ask them to leave feedback and rate your services. 

Are you ready to sell your old clothes on eBay? If so, post your listing today.