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Buying used online: mixed results

Liesbeth

Veteran

As I mentioned in a previous post, for the lastcouple of weeks I've been browsing reselling platforms (local ones, not Ebay). I'm drawn to this from a sustainability point of view and because of lower prices for higher quality obviously. I finally placed an order with a French girl who seemed to share my size and style, for a lightweight down jacket and a printed cardigan.

The jacket I like: I was looking since last year for a style like this in a special color like burgundy or plum (not the Uniqlo palette). Only complaint is that it's a tad tight in the chest so tbh, I wouldn't have kept this at full price. But I think it'll scratch my puffer itch for a while ;).

The cardigan looks good to me, but the sleeves are very tight - weird cause I already have pretty narrow arms. The fabric is also stiff (merino-acrylic blend which doesn't say much), which makes the drape good but exacerbates the sleeve problem. Not sure what to do here as I really wanted a cosy throw over anything cardigan. I might try to stretch the sleeves when wet... or should I just put up for sale again?

All in all not a disaster, but it's made me realize again this kind of shopping has a low success rate per definition. Even with all your tips (for which thanks again!) the aforementioned problems would have been hard to predict...

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20 replies

Latest reply was from cat2

nemosmom

Veteran

Shopping secondhand online is SOOOO tricky! I like it as a relatively inexpensive way to audition pieces that are a bit outside my normal wheelhouse, but I have to get TONS of measurements from sellers. It also is a great resource if I am on the hunt for a specific piece from a previous season that someone may have become tired of.

I like the cardigan on you - how much wool is in it? It certainly wouldn't hurt to try to stretch it while wet. And if that does not work, the stretching shouldn't mess it up so badly that you can't rehome it.

Minaminu

Veteran

Love the cardigan! Is the puffer jacket from Comptoir des Cotonniers? Fab colour!

Roxanna

Veteran

I've recently started using Poshmark more in Canada as it has stepped up its volume of merchandise, and I've found the same thing. A cardigan described as 'slightly itchy' was in fact unbearable, even after the conditioner trick posted here. Another one had clearly been shrunk.

BUT I did get a luxury bag in pristine shape I could never otherwise afford, as well as a duplicate of a scarf I loved that isn't sold anymore.

So it is good depending on what I am looking for - I am proceeding with caution moving forward.

Anonymous

The cardigan looks especially nice, but sorry about the not right fit for both pieces.
I think the only thing I thrifted online was my batik fire spinning skirt from sn Etsy shop. It fit, luckily, but wrinkles a lot!

kkards

Veteran

Yes, I’ve spend some time shopping the online 2nd hand stores, but have yet to pull the tigger, because online shopping is hard enough, but with 2nd hand, since you don’t know what the items been thru, its even harder.
I do like the puffer, a lot, the color is FAB

Joy

Veteran

Both pieces look wonderful on you. I find that the color selection is better buying used, but sometimes can look off on the screen. If a flash is used, black can look grey or even metallic.

cindysmith

Veteran

It can be stretched while wet

https://www.oliveknits.com/how-to-block-a-sweater/

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Yes I agree,second hand online shopping is very tricky.l think that I would stick to things that don’t rely on fit like scarves and bags.l like the look of the cardi on you very much .

avicennia

Veteran

I admire you for trying — I don’t have the courage. The cardigan is lovely.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Puffer looks great and sweater is worth trying to stretch. If possible try to go for stores that will allow returns. Also, I would suggest looking for "professional" resellers rather than people just getting rid of their unwanted stuff. They are more likely to be careful about not misrepresenting their items, better at disclosing flaws and more experienced in giving accurate measurements.

Bijou

Veteran

Wow - this shopping is hard. Both items look great on you, but with a cardigan, you really want it to be comfy as that is the whole point of it. I hope the stretching of the arms works as it is a great piece and would be impossible to tell this flaw without actually trying it on.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the look of the cardigan, but it's not quite what you want. Looks fab, but doesn't feel fab. You can try stretching the sleeves. Worth a go!

RobinF

Veteran

I have tried Thredup here in the US with mixed results and then they shortened their return period so I stopped trying.

I like the puffer on you but it does look a little snug in the chest. Great color.

Marlene1

I have only been successful buying second-hand online when I am looking for something that I've already tried on at a consignment store. I may need a size up or down and of course, consignment stores usually do not have a range of sizes. Otherwise, I am leery on buying anything non-returnable that I haven't tried.

SarahD8

Veteran

The puffer is a great color on you! And I think it's definitely worth trying to stretch the sweater arms.

I'd say you did quite well for a first outing! If you decide that you want to explore online secondhand further, I do think you have to accept that there will be somewhat of a learning curve. With more practice you'll get better (not perfect! witness my recent whining about being unable to get a good fit in sleeveless tops) at spotting the issues like too-narrow arms that standard measurements don't always capture. When we shop in store (or even online when returns are easy), we don't tend to analyze the specific proportions of a garment very closely so it takes time to train one's eye. I bet if you took a sweater that fits the way you like and took a photo with it laid flat, you could see how the arms "should" look to get the fit you want.

bj1111

Veteran

i am obsessed with the realreal. the 2 week return window is enough for me. only get with tags or "excellent" condition.

honestly, i've bought jewelry with them and have been really happy. have to know the current retail price to know if you're getting a good deal.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Sorry it took so long to get back. Work has been non-stop and at nights we've been bingewatching 'Little fires everywhere' (WHAT. AN. AMAZING. SHOW!)

Thanks nemosmom, I would hate to mutilate the cardigan by trying to stretch it but most here seem to think it a good idea so will try :).

Minaminu: yes! I've never tried the brand before as they're outside my price range, but some bloggers I used to follow were heavily into them.

Roxanna, looks like a state of mind, to take the misses with the hits...

Suntiger, another thing that's impossible to find out online!

kkards: absolutely. This site I used does charge a tiny sum for 'buyer protection' so if you really feel you've been misled by the described state of the item you can get your money back.

Joy: good remark. Yes, it's easier to find this shade of burgundy second-hand right now than it is new.

Thanks for the link Cindysmith!

Cardiffgirl, that's another option. Though for bags I have found out the hard way that I need to see a bag and try it on IRL to know if it's right or not. Apparantly I'm very picky about my bags ;).

avicennia, if you like, you can try something really cheap. I only bit the bullet here because I spent 40 euros in total on these items. It will only sting a bit if I have to put them in the donation bag unworn now.

Shevia, good idea. I so miss the one cool second-hand store that was in my neighbourhood. Professional sellers are also increasingly present on these platforms though, I think.

Bijou, exactly. I'll try the stretching but will cut my losses if it doesn't work.

Thanks Angie for validating my doubts ;).

RobinF, you are so right, you have to find something that works.

Marlene1, if the selection is there, that sounds like a great strategy.

SarahD8, thanks for that insight. Looks like I'll have to decide if I want to go further on this road and learn the lessons (the hard way :p) or keep paying full price for new :).

bj1111, looks like that works for you. Too bad I don't know of any platforms here that offer comparable returns.

Minaminu

Veteran

Liesbeth, I thought so! I was eyeing that puffer jacket from CdC, they issue it every year in different colours and sometimes they even do a reversible puffer jacket (2 colours for the price of 1!). I think the shape and colour is gorgeous on you and should protect you well from the wind. I agree that their pricing is very high, thank goodness they do good sales!

Liesbeth

Veteran

Minaminu, this one is reversible too! I don't know if you can see it in the pic: the one side has a matte bottom half and the other (not shown) is completely shiny. Subtle, but I'm happy with this color! If you try the jacket do check if you don't experience pulling when lifting your arms.

cat2

Veteran

I have not had good luck with second hand knits. I tried pieces from a brand I know to be almost indestructible and one piece arrived with the waist stretched out and another had been mistreated during the cleaning process and had a weird sheen.