How to win at eBay

Nothing feels better then finding the exact item of clothing you wanted.. except finding that same item for half the price!

I myself have been an avid eBay user for years, and over time have developed a knack for finding things others would totally miss. Many of my friends don’t even begin to search on eBay for clothes as they think it’s too hard or a waste of time.

However, it’s incredibly easy to use eBay once you know what you’re doing! So, I am here to share some bargain hunting wisdom with you..

10 top tips for buying on eBay (and some pics of my fave buys)

• Know your measurements: To do this, just grab a skirt or top that fits you perfectly and simply measure the the dimensions. Knowing your size ( 8,10,12) isn’t always helpful when dealing in vintage clothing, and being precise can avoid wasting money on clothes that don’t fit!

Vintage black dungarees dress, £10

• Bid in the last few seconds: Bidding before this will drive the price up unnecessarily, and makes your competition known to other bidders. I find it best to lay low, and strike at the last minute. 

Ecote at Urban Outfitters Dress, £5

• Set an alarm: Setting an alarm on your phone 1 minute before the item ends will make sure that you don’t miss out. 

New look boyfriend coat, £20

• Look out for people “having a wardrobe clear out”: If you like an item that a person is selling, chances are, if they are selling multiple items, you will find other some nice things on their account…and you could negotiate combined postage, what’s not to love!

Whistles baby blue leather skater shoes, £30 but RRP £120

• Offer the seller a ‘Buy it Now’ price: In the early stages of an item, when it has no bids and around 6 days left to go, it’s very easy to convince a seller that their item is worth less then it is. Ask to pay £10 upfront for the item (even if it’s clearly worth more) and often a seller will agree to bag a quick sale…or sometimes they are just none the wiser their item would usually reach double this price at auction. 

Vintage Chanel logo T shirt, £35

• Save sellers with style: If you buy something you really like, it’s possible to follow the seller; whenever they upload new items, you’ll be the first to know! 

..and yes its authentic!

• Shop for summer in the winter: At this point people are desperate to get rid of their summer clothes to make space for that winter wardrobe. Take advantage of this and pick up some summer essentials for a quarter of their usual price. 

Amazing oversize vintage Adidas sweatshirt. £4!

• For general browsing: I always tend to find great items when I’m not looking for them; type a brand you like such as “Levis” into the search bar, then select “time ending soonest”, and your size. This always unearths some bidless gems. 

Vintage Levis shorts, £8

And there you have it…you’re now on your way to being eBay savvy!