A bird with too many hobbies which currently are watching live comedy, writing ethical consumerism w...
A bird with too many hobbies which currently are watching live comedy, writing ethical consumerism websites/blogs, family history, writing poetry and factual stuff and widening my travel experience.
Member since:28.08.2003
Reviews:32
Members who trust:11
There are now over 300 opinions about Ebay on Ciao and it sells a huge range of goods. Each type of item requires a different approach as a buyer and if I focussed on them all the op would take me several months. I have chosen therefore to tell you about my reccent experiment - buying clothes from EBay.
I know, it sounds like madness doesn't it. Buying clothes on the basis of a badly taken digital camera photo and a cleverly written advert that may or may not be true. Well, as you know, when it comes to being a regular on Ciao I am prepared to pull out all the stops in the interests of scientific research. I did the unthinkable. I bought other people's clothes on EBay despite those thoughts you are all having right now - "Eeewgh, someone else's jeans, you must be mad."
Due to my Slimming World success I have found myself without much in the way of casual clothes that aren't too big. I don't have stock of old clothes to sling on when I want to just chill out. All my old clothes are massive. EBay could be a good place to try and rebuild my wardrobe.
I am usually a £20-£30 pounds an item kind of clothes shopper but have recently found this a very expensive way to go on. Many of the items I was after could be bought on Ebay for around £2-£10. In the interests of a fair and broad comparison I did something even more wild and exciting. I compared the experience to that of buying seconds from Oxfam.
A brief reminder/overview of how Ebay works: Ebay is a website where sellers can advertise items they wish to sell. These may be second hand items or items that are 'bought not worn'. Buyers can bid to buy these items or 'Buy It Now' for a fixed price where available.
Buyers and sellers can give feedback on each other at the end of each transaction. There are lots of categories and I recommend that you have a good look around at each section that interests you getting an idea of the sorts of prices on offer and also to get familiar with 'warning signs' for poor sellers. Warning signs can often be:
A seller with a '0' for previous feedback A seller with a high percentage of negative feedback An item with no bids - what are other buyer's nervous about here? Items without pictures - doesn't build confidence in the likelihood of the product being as described.
The frustrations of Ebay purchasing: A great feature of Ebay is that you can select your maximum price and Ebay bids against other bidders on your behalf gradually until you or another bidder become the winner with the highest bid.It's an exciting business at times watching your bid survive all other bids. The frustrating thing is that often a product with a low start price could have high bidders who could push you well over you intended maximum price if you're in a competitive mood.
It is also worth considering how much the product is actually worth and setting a spend limit. Another little trick to watch out for - 'Low product price High Postage and packing'. Many sellers lure you in with a £2.99 price tag then whack you in the belly with a £5.99 postage and packing charge and that's got to sting!
The website is easy to use but full of warnings about your obligations - ensure you read them all. A bid is a contract!! A useful part of the site is 'My Ebay' where you can view your recent purchases, lost bids, items you are watching, favourite searches eg for Size 14 clothes. You can set notifications by email and automate many parts of your Ebay purchasing. The instructions are clear at all stages, including most importantly during the checkout where you finalise the transaction with the seller. Auctions are usually listed for a week and you can view the auctions that are about to finish and find the bidding a lot easier as you see the final level of bidding and gazump everyone else - but only if the product is worth it! Select 'Browse' then 'All Items Ending Now' from the home page for the last minute bids.
I have no comments to make about the customer service centre as to date I have not had to contact them with any issues/complaints.
Watch out for Paypal Until Paypal make their promised improvements to their UK service most Ebay sellers will charge you extra if you pay using Paypal. I use the traditional cheque in the post method.
1. '*1**BLACK FLEECE WITH GREY AROUND NECK#' £2.20 plus £1.00 Postage and Packing. The bidding started at £0.70!! After 3 bids I bagged the jumper by ensuring my bid was added in the last 5 minutes of the auction. The seller's details were on the checkout page. I immediately sent a message to the seller using the step-by-step screens. I detailed when I would send the cheque. I mailed the cheque to the seller's address displayed on the checkout page. Within 5 days a lovely jumper arrived in the post in excellent condition. I added feedback to the seller who reciprocated with positive feedback to me as a seller "fast payment good transaction thanks-item sent 1.10-03". The jumper was a generous size but as it's freezing I wasn't that fussed. A bargain.
2.'sexy halter top RED HERRING size 12 NEW' - Sometimes when you see the word 'Sexy' on Ebay it's a sellers way of hyping up a very boring beige cardigan. Either that or it's an item that would make you look like a guest dolly bird on Eurotrash - yikes! Anyway I clicked the link to find a fantastic halter neck top by one of my favourite designers. I checked out the seller fo the 'Warning signs' and got bidding. A top that retailed for £18.99 was mine at the end of bidding for £5.50 including postage and packing. I know this because it still had all the tags on. It arrived within 7 days and looks smashing - sorry Antoine I won't be joining you on EuroTrash this week!!! Good fit too.
3.BNWT- long sleeved stretch top uk sz 14 GREAT - BNWT I think means Bought Not Worn and then something beginning with T - 'Tagged'?. Usually I find these items clean, in good condition, and with tags still attached when they arrive. The photo of this wan't particularly clear but the shape looked fine. It arrived a bit later than the rest but the previous feedback the seller ha recieved warned me of this! Still, the top arrived pressed and tagged. It was good quality. The only issue with it was that it was quite low cut. I am currently hunting out a strappy top to wear underneath to avoid looking like Babs Windsor and subjecting everyone to my cleavage! £5.00 inc postage and packing.
4. Black Sleeveless Top Size Medium - Another example of the odd effect photos have on the look of an item. This looked on the photo like it may have arrived and been too small. In actual fact when it arrived it was way too big. Might get my camera out and resell it - I am interested in seeing if it's worth selling my unwanted items on Ebay. Still, win some lose some! £2.67 including postage and packing.5.Lovely Black/White/Beige T-Shirt Small/Medium - Cheap and cheerful top and only £1.99 including P+P. It's a bit bobbly but in fairly good condition. Should be able to wear it for work. Items 4 and 5 were bought from the same seller who kindly knocked £1 off the postage and packing because I bought two items together on the same day - it's always worth asking!!!
I spent around £19.00 altogether on the five items.
So...how does it compare with Oxfam?
My visit to Oxfam was pretty impressive. I purchased a NEXT combat skirt - £6.99, Wallis smart skirt £6.99 and Reebok T-shirt £4.99.
All of these items were in top condition. I was able to feel the fabrics, try the goods on and of course I new who the seller was. I was also able to see the items clearly - unlike on Ebay.
Overall Conclusions: Ebay is great for choice and also great if you know exactly what size you are in specific brands/items eg Levi 501s. If you don't know these details stick to tops and accessories or better still try stuff on in the shops then buy it cheaper on Ebay!!
You have to be more careful on Ebay as you don't know the person you are buying from. Oxfam shops are much improved in terms of getting rid of that odd Charity shop smell and also stocking good new brand names. They are a lot pricier than Ebay but make a good compliment to your Ebay shopping as you can buy the trousers/skirts to go with your posh new tops.
Ebay is good for new designers including Evisu, Diesel, Miss Sixty etc however there is the usual risk of purchasing 'fake' items as there would be in places such as Town markets etc.
Try EBay using the above advice - it might suit you well and with practise/care you could end up saving a stack of cash!
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Good op, I'm an eBayer myself! However you forgot one thing - buying in a cahrity shop helps people less fortunate than ourselves, whereas eBay lines the pockets of others (good if you're a seller then!). Nice writing style.
ariadne 28.12.2003 04:56
BNWT means Brand New With Tags. You may also notice BNWOT (brand new without tags) or BNIB (brand new in box). The "N" in an eBay acronym always stands for new though. :o)
Advantages: free, a whole huge vast and fascinating range of goods on offer, ability to sell items yourself, feedback system builds your rep as buyer/seller, well designed site, account info available Disadvantages: crooks can operate but not regularly and eBay insurance can cover some of costs lost
judithritchie 06.03.2001 ·
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Oct 12th, 2003
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