https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ebay-or-consingment Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 08 May 2026 03:33:10 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ebay-or-consingment#post-122327 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:14:40 +0000 rae 122327@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you have an ebay account, you can search for items similar to what you want to sell, then check the "completed listings" box (scroll down, on the left) to see the prices that others are getting for items like yours. That way, you can gauge how much you would get on Ebay and see if the work of shipping would be worth it to you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ebay-or-consingment#post-122324 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:09:36 +0000 marianna 122324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>eBay is great if the item is a big brand name. I just sold two designer bags on eBay and made way more than I listed the item for. Also, with eBay it is almost like running your own business -- you can determine how long you want the auction to run, etc. You also have the power to advertise how you please. Items sell best when there are many good quality pictures and a good description too.</p> <p>Craigslist is also a good option, but people always bargain. I just sold a Michael Kors for $100, and an old replica Chanel for $60. Again, "hot" items will sell, you just have to be flexible on the price. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ebay-or-consingment#post-122311 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:41:19 +0000 Maya 122311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't read the other responses but this is my reaction:</p> <p>-If something has a well known brand name attached to it, particularly any premium denim labels, go with ebay. You have to imagine what people are going to search for on ebay, and whether or not they will know the worth of your item. Built By Wendy is an expensive boutique in NYC...but if I put a BBW cardigan (for example) on ebay, it probably won't fetch that much money. People won't be looking for it because they have never heard of it, and if they are just searching for cardigans, there is no reason for them to spend a lot of money on a brand they have never heard of. You may only end up getting $12 for a really expensive item. I once put up a pair of Joe's Jeans Provocoteur jeans and got $107 for them, which was not shabby at all.</p> <p>-OTOH, if I give my BBW item to a consignment store, where they can see the quality for themselves, and shoppers can see the quality and try it on, it has a better chance of selling for a reasonable price. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ebay-or-consingment#post-122276 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:18:51 +0000 Rose 122276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! Thanks so much for the quick, detailed &amp; helpful responses!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ebay-or-consingment#post-122249 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:34:38 +0000 garmenta 122249@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As other posters have mentioned, eBay can be more lucrative, but there's work and also risk involved. Another thing to consider about consignment is whether you'd want to use your proceeds to buy stuff at the consignment shop. Some consignment shops give you a better deal if you take store credit. If you're thinking in terms of refurbishing your wardrobe rather than recouping your money, that can be a consideration too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ebay-or-consingment#post-122246 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:31:13 +0000 MNsara 122246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've used consignment stores for some of my premium orphans and the main advantage for me is that they take them off my hands immediately -- even out of season when they are nice enough. </p> <p>The biggest disadvantage for me is that you do not typically recover much cost from of any item and if the item does not sell, my place donates it. I am free to come in and reclaim any items whenever I want, they have given me the dates it will start selling, get marked down, and get pulled for donation, in case I want to pick up my unsold things. I haven't done that yet, out of sight out of mind has worked really well for letting go. . .</p> <p>Another venue to consider is Craigslist. Listing an item is free to list and sell (I think ebay rasied their Final Value Fee and it can be a surprising amount), and you usually deal with local people. If your clothes have popular brand names, it might be worth a try while you think more. . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ebay-or-consingment#post-122200 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:28:48 +0000 agrace 122200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great topic - I am interested to hear other people's experiences. I've had some great experiences selling on ebay and then times such as this past week when some shoes I had listed did not sell at all (new with tags) which is annoying but it is my fault for probably listing in the wrong season (sandals in Jan) and not doing enough pictures. </p> <p>Things like Seven jeans and really higher end name brand stuff seems to do pretty well if you take the time to look at past listings and take some cues from how they listed. Example: 'White Seven Jeans size X' would garner some interest because people do very specific searches on ebay. Lesser known brands or more mass produced stuff like Gap does sell but it seems pretty hit or miss to me. </p> <p>I think it might be worth giving ebay a try especially since now you can list 5 things for free every 30 days. If you do a 7 or 10 day listing with your items and really try to make them nice listings and then they do not sell you could then consign them and know that you had tried the alternate route first. Sometimes ebay is all about timing too. I was trying to sell sandals, when I know that selling sandals in January is not the best time. If I were savvy, I would wait until late Feb/ March/ April to put them on. The same may or may not be true with some of your items - those white sevens, for example, might sell a little better in the warmer months but you could try your luck now and see. </p> <p>That is personally what I would do. I find that consignment stores simply will not make you as much money because they typical are only going to give you 40 % - 50 % of the earnings and most of them have it in their agreement that they will go through a sales cycle where at the end the items will be marked down as much as 75 %. Also, a lot of places I've encountered say that if after the items are left and holes or stains are discovered they will be automatically donated. </p> <p>So I'd make sure to be really clear on the agreement with any consignment store. That said, they want to make money and will try to sell the stuff at the top price. A local consignment store I like realistically put a line on their website that said 'You won't get rich consigning'. It helps me to remember that. I look at it as a way to recoup some of my costs which is important for me. </p> <p>I've not sold a ton on ebay but I've sold a little, so if you have any more questions I am happy to help with my very limited knowledge! Also, they have a great help section and the live chat option which is endlessly helpful. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ebay-or-consingment#post-122196 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:18:09 +0000 chewyspaghetti 122196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since you don't already have an ebay account with feedback, it will be harder to sell on ebay. I'd say go check out your local consignment options. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ebay-or-consingment#post-122192 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:58:37 +0000 garmenta 122192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As someone who's done both--sold on eBay and through consignment--here are some of the pros and cons, especially for a newbie.</p> <p>Consignment<br /> Pros: Once you take it over there, they deal with it. If it sells, you get money.<br /> Cons: They may not take it, and even if they do, it may sell at a discount, or not sell at all. Keep in mind that they'll set their price at 25-35% of original retail, of which you'll get a percentage, so you won't make your money back.</p> <p>eBay:<br /> Pros: You can set the base price you'll accept, and if you're lucky, you'll make more than that. (You might make your money back, but you might not--that's the risk of an auction!)<br /> Cons: You have to pack it and ship it, which is a bother.</p> <p>It comes down to whether you want to make some money--then the eBay route would be better, despite its extra work, or whether you want to clear out your closet and by the way, make a little extra cash--which would point you to consignment. </p> <p>Hope that helps! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ebay-or-consingment#post-122185 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:30:20 +0000 Rose 122185@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi, I have a few really nice wardrobe orphans that I would like to sell. Let's just say I am learning a lot from ylf. These pieces are mainly pretty new, excellent quality, worn 1 or 2x and I can not really afford to give them away, which is what I typically do with my wardrobe orphans. For example: white 7 for all Mankind Jeans worn once (purchased last June from ShopBop and hemmed for heels so I don't can't return them), a BCBG LBD, several pair of Christopher Blue pants, two pairs of Lucky Brand Jeans, etc.<br /> I was thinking consignment shop for these items, but wondering if I should try Ebay? I have never tried to sell anything on Ebay, does it take a lot of time and effort? What do you all suggest?<br /> Thanks.. </p>