Do you ever buy clothes only to find them still hanging in your closet, tags on, a few months down the road? Maybe you even wear the outfit once, only to shove it into the back of your closet and forget it after the evening is over. Jean talks with a self-described fashion addict named Elissa, who says she has a serious shopping problem—in fact, she had to put a dresser in her living room just to house all her clothes. To help Elissa out, Jean welcomes eBay power seller Sharon Greenwald. Together, they tackle Elissa's finances and her closet in an effort to recoup some of what she's spent as a slave to fashion, and they offer these tips:
Jean assures Elissa that the process of getting rid of things—whether that means cleaning out your closet or a filing cabinet—can be a cathartic and rewarding experience.
Anything that has tags should be evaluated and taken back if the store's policy allows, Jean says. You'll be able to recoup the entire value with the receipt, something you probably won't get on eBay.
Sharon says that Elissa can reasonably expect to get $30 or $40 from a $100 dress bought this season at the mall. Smaller sizes tend to sell for less than larger ones, she says.
Pictures are everything on eBay, Sharon says. Photograph clothing on a mannequin or dress form and make sure the photos are clear.
Put the size, brand name and any special traits in the header of the item's listing. Many people shop on eBay by size only, Sharon says.
Sharon recommends auctioning the item for seven days. She says eBay research has proven that items sell best on Thursday and Sunday nights.
Price items low so that the bidding gets more frenzied. Sharon says that if she starts a designer jacket at $59.99, it will eventually sell for $400 or $500.
Consider using a service that will sell your items on eBay for you. Sharon says she gets a 40 percent commission on the items she sells and subtracts the eBay fees off the top, which are about 2.1 percent.
