Ebay for the absolute beginner
I've been obsessed with using Ebay to interface my closet with my dream style.
Originally written in early 2023. Edited for publication in Oct 2023.
If you’re terrified of the primary colors and the terrible UI/UX design of Ebay, then you’re not alone. I knew that all my fashion heroes were finding their most prized possessions on there, but I just couldn’t bring myself to commit to the steep learning curve of becoming a good treasure hunter on Ebay. I’ve only recently had the courage to familiarize myself with the platform, and with the help of some friends- I built a series of rules for myself when it comes to shopping on there.
Let me begin by saying that I believe you need to have a strong (or budding) sense of what you like/how you enjoy presenting yourself before you jump into the mess that is Ebay. Also accept the fact that Ebay will be an uncomfortable experience. There is no styling of pieces into perfectly marketable “versions” of who you want to be- there is not even an attempt at accurate photography. However, that means that the website has its own built in deterrent for making sure the buyer market doesn’t become too oversaturated-thus driving prices up (cough Depop.)
Since nothing is presented intentionally, you have to have a pretty good vision of what you are seeking, a visual image in your head. For example, I loved a black, floor length wool coat that I saw on a woman walking down my block. Wool, like other quality fabrics retail for hundreds so I looked toward Ebay. By using a combination of keywords such as the size, color, length, and material—I narrowed down my search and found my ideal coat. Albeit, I did end up taking it to a tailor to get the shoulder pads removed, but that was $20 on top of a $30 coat, which is still less than anything I could find retail. Another important toggle for me is to filter for “pre-owned” pieces, mostly as a way to ignore the weird drop-shipper ads, but also as a pseudo-filter for “vintage pieces” (which I’m defining as anything from 2000s and prior.)
If you are panicking at this point, I would like to direct you to a few references I use to compile my wishlist. First, I usually envisage pieces I need through the active process of styling. When I put together a look, I’m often saying “oh this would be perfect if I had a midi-length brown skirt…” etc. Write those thoughts down! Because that exact item you are dreaming of exists somewhere in the ether. Next, I am looking to my favorite brands to get a general feeling of the style I’m trying to achieve. A great example is Paloma Wool. I find that most of the pieces they introduce (excluding specific prints) are iterations of something that already exists. It’s also not about the specific piece of clothing, it’s the way things are put together, layered, reworked for different looks and exercised for their versatility. This gives me a starting point for what basic layering pieces I’m lacking to be able to play with my existing wardrobe. Another reference I love are vintage resellers. One I keep finding myself scrolling through is Italian based Maj Kiosk. The owner/curator has such a keen eye for putting looks together with soft luxury pieces from times past. She also is super creative with the way a simple jean jacket can be styled, or the way a basic overshirt can be re-tied or draped for drastically different effects. One thing I’m trying to depart from however is using people or exact posts from other creators as my inspiration. Remember that inspiration should never be mistaken for a blueprint.
Despite me having dunked on the Ebay algorithm in the first sentence of this newsletter, there are some things they do well that help my search process. Firstly, if you are searching by brand, they have a recommendation bar on the top of the page with similar, suggested brands. Take for example, if I search Cop Copine, I am recommended Sarah Pacini, maybe Marithe Francois & Girbaud. Every listing also has a recommendation bar at the bottom, but I find these to be extremely limited.
Lastly, once you have practiced the skill of finding listings, remember to always add everything to your wishlist, and wait before you purchase. Most of the time, the seller will send you an “offer” the next day for a discount off the listed price. I don’t think I have ever actually purchased anything at the listed price. Even if you don’t get an offer, consider sending one as most sellers have that feature enabled. For some , I’ve sent offers of up to 50% off, and they have (to my shock) been accepted. Ebay is a game, and once you know the rules, it becomes an addictive way to shop.
I hope you have found any of my tips helpful. And good luck hunting!
Bless you 🫣❤️