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The Auction Expert Selling Guide
#5
Clothing, Shoes, &
Accessories
Clothing accounts for a large
percentage of eBay's auctions: everything from wedding gowns
to maternity clothes to high-heeled shoes from the 1950s can
be found for sale!
The Auction Expert sells many different
types of clothing and accessories, so long as they meet our
criteria:
- The item must have an estimated eBay value of at least
$50. Multiple items may be sold together as a lot in order
to increase their value.
- All previously worn clothing must be cleaned, with the
exception of very old, fragile clothing that could be
damaged by cleaning. Items that smell strongly of cigarette
smoke or other odors will not be accepted.
- Designer clothing, purses, and other accessories must
have the original designer label (or other markings) intact;
otherwise we cannot vouch for their authenticity. eBay has
strict policies against selling counterfeit merchandise; see
the restricted
items list for more information.
Items we
can't accept include:
- lingerie, sleepwear and swimwear unless it is new and
unworn with the tags still attached, or vintage (more than
20 years old) and in excellent condition
- clothing or shoes that are less than 20 years old and
have significant staining, damage, or wear
- items from moderately priced or discount retailers,
unless their original purchase price was greater than $50
- women's scarves unless they have very unusual designs or
were made by prominent designers like Hermes, Pucci, etc.
These factors are especially important when
selling clothes:
Age: Many
people shop for brand new items on eBay, but vintage clothing
is also in demand, especially pieces from the 1950s and 1960s;
also, current fashion is strongly influenced by 1970s styles,
so flare-legged jeans and platform shoes are popular. Styles
from the 1980s and 1990s don't sell as well right
now.
Style: There's always an
audience for classic, understated items like Coach bags and
Burberry raincoats. But many people are just as interested in
items that look "dated", such as brightly colored Pucci
dresses from the 1960s, or 1950s formal gowns with nipped
waists and full circle skirts. So don't throw out those
rhinestone cat eye glasses and Jackie O pillbox hats before
talking to us!
Size: Sizes vary
from one make to another, and clothing sizes have changed
significantly in the past few decades. If the size isn't
marked on your item, please try it on (if possible) before you
bring it in to give us an idea of the size.
Condition and cleanliness: If your item has
been worn before, we ask that you inspect it before bringing
it in. Here are some things to look for:
- dirt and stains, particularly on the chest, "ring around
the collar", at the wrists, and along hems of long skirts
and trousers;
- sweat stains under the arms;
- weak seams or loose threads;
- loose or missing buttons and fasteners;
- broken zippers;
- rips, tears, snags, pulls, or pilling;
- missing sequins, beads, pearls, and rhinestones on gowns
and purses;
- fading or discoloration due to age or exposure to
sunlight;
- significant wear on the soles, toes, and heels of shoes,
and the straps, handles, and bottoms of purses;
- makeup stains inside purses;
- musty odors from storage, cigarette smoke, etc.
If your item has several of these problems, it
probably won't sell (unless it's very old or rare, and
valuable to collectors).
If it's in good condition and
meets our other criteria, then feel free to call us at 1-877-SELL-4-YOU (1-877-735-5496) to discuss your item(s)
and arrange for pick-up.
Next guide: Coins &
Stamps
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