Your best tips for shopping resale sites pls! - YouLookFab Forum

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Your best tips for shopping resale sites pls!

LJP

Veteran

Well I guess I don't want your worst tips, haha, but I'd love to learn more about shopping resale sites . I don't really have the time for thrifting at this still-working full-time stage of life and I have long wished I knew more about how to successfully shop sites like Poshmark, TRR, etc. I read so many posts from women who find designer/higher end pieces at what's-affordable-to-me prices but every time I look at Poshmark I'm seeing someone's old and worn Steve Madden boots . Obviously there are filters to use, but what if I don't have anything very specific in mind?

I'm all ears for any tips, thoughts, ideas, recommendations etc!

Thanks in advance:).

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25 replies

Latest reply was from LJP

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Here...I shop at Poshmark and get most of my clothes there. I rarely look for designer, but I will look for quality sometimes--Naturalizer, J Crew, Gap, Talbots, etc. I usually start with a category--black parka, cotton bucket hat, etc.

A tip I got from an employee there is to stick with active sellers--those are the ones that pop up first in search. If you find something you like, but the seller has not been active six months, they might not respond.
I also limit my search by price--like $10-$20, or whatever. (I might be the ideal customer for Poshmark, because I get items that are easy and familiar. If you want very current trends, they are there, but you pay more.)

I use the "like" button quite a lot, and often when you do this, the seller will offer you a deal.

Flexibility and realistic-ness are good qualities to have....

and finally if you like an item, often a seller has a discount if you buy two or three. If you have the time, it is quite fun to peruse their 1,000+ offerings. I get unexpected things this way--earrings, chinos, whatever.

I bet you more than half of the wardrobe I have up now on YLF is from Poshmark. Here are a couple of recent fun (and practical) finds--Naturalizer pumps and Reebok colorful sneakers.

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Ket

Veteran

I concur with Carol's excellent advice! Roughly 30-50% of my wardrobe consists of purchases from Poshmark or eBay. Occasionally I get a dud and I resell it or donate it. Mostly, I've been happy.

It's helpful to know how a brand generally fits you. It's easier to know which size to search for. I typically search for brands I know and love.

If you add an item to a bundle, the seller will also sometimes give you a sale or deal, especially for 2+ items. Sometimes I leave items sitting in a bundle and wait for sellers to offer special sales like 50%, best offers, that sort of thing.

Don't be afraid to make an offer when it's available, or even counter a seller's offer. As long as it's not a lowball offer, a lot sellers are motivated and will accept.

Know when to walk away. I could spend a LOT of time and money on resale sites. Tons of variety, deals, etc. It can be really wonderful.

Some people do have issues with receiving items that aren't in condition they were advertised as. You can report it and usually get your money back. So far, I haven't had an issue with condition of item being misrepresented.

SarahD8

Veteran

These will be mostly Ebay tips. About 80% of my wardrobe is from Ebay. I am not focused on designer stuff, but I do think there are good deals there on more high-end items. I don't know how their authentication measures compare to those of sites like TRR though.

Never buy anything without measurements listed.

Preferably measurements actually shown with a yardstick on the item in a photo.

Never buy anything without pics of the actual item (i.e., if only stock photos I don't buy).

I prefer Ebay to Poshmark -- at least in the app, Poshmark doesn't let you save very many searches. On Ebay I just set up a ton of very specific searches -- i.e., if you are shopping for pants, you can limit by size, inseam, rise measurement, etc., but you can include multiple sizes. So you can cast your net as widely or as narrowly as you want.

Yes to making liberal use of the "like" button/watch list -- on Ebay too, sellers will often send you an offer.

If you find something you like, hit the "show me similar items" button. Often you'll find the same item, sometimes even in the same size. I think this is useful because (1) you can identify which seller is offering the best deal, and (2) by comparing pics of the same item from different sellers, you might be able to develop a more accurate view of the actual color and cut of the item.

The real challenge is to develop the skill of seeing what is actually on offer rather than what you want to imagine is on offer.

Stay away from Ralph Lauren brands. (Self-interested advice since I am on a RL kick.) (OK I'm kidding, I hope you take that as the joke it is meant! Secondhand RL can actually be a screaming deal.)

Kate

Veteran

When it comes to resale sites, for me, not having a specific item in mind is a danger zone I don't want to go to.

I'm more of a seller than buyer, but when I do use a resale site for purchasing, I'm looking for something very specific as to brand, style, color, and size. Like Madewell Arc jeans in their canvas color, size 8. And sometimes I want to know how old the item is, since if the item was carried for several years, measurements can change over time as manufacturers use different fabric runs from year to year. Got burned that way once on a pair of Athleta shorts I was looking for. Had to resell those and start over.

I think if I just looked for a particular designer or an item, I would be inundated with items, and that's fertile ground for me to end up with something I do not like, or want, or need.

I can't speak to the more upscale sites, like the RealReal, since I don't use them.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Rubbing my hands together. I will first refer you to this old thread because I think it is still relevant.

One big change in my buying (and selling actually) game has been the use of google lens. It has been around for a while but I find it has improved or maybe I just have become a better user. Anyway, I use it to do reverse searches and get better information on items for sale on resale sites. There are a few apps that supposedly do this for you but I don't find the results better than google lens. Anyway if the item is current you can often find reviews and better fit information, and if it is older you can often compare prices.
Agree with Carol and Ket about Poshmark - most sellers will accept a 20% lower offer if not more.
Ebay is great for commodities (heavily distributed items) and vintage Levis if you are in the market.
All said I mostly shop TheRealReal. Not everything on the site is designer and they offer all sorts of tools for bargain hunters (sort by lowest price for a designer or type of item you like, heart the item and keep track of price drops, and so on). Their measurements are inconsistent but I find their photos quite clear and zoomable.
I would be happy to go and on but maybe let me know if you have specific questions.
And let me know if you want tips for shopping in actual thrift shops too!

Roberta

Veteran

I often save a particular search on eBay, even if it doesn't turn up anything on the first go-round. I would get an alert if the item appeared. This has been very useful with less available brands like Boden and Desigual.

I also have had fantastic luck with coats and jackets. They tend to be durable and little worn items for some reason, and I have found at least half a dozen excellent quality coats online for amazing prices.

Shoes are tricky. I have had some good results, but also some items that I just could not wear. Our feet are very different and very hard to please. I always look for items that have a return policy.

I did some serious browsing for my sister-in-law this summer, who had a black tie wedding to attend and didn't want to buy something new. Poshmark was a terrific source for a fancy dress that had obviously only been worn once or twice, if that.

Finally, I have found eBay a wonderful source for discontinued, brand new with tags, bras. Sometimes they show up on the original little plastic hangers!

Irina

Veteran

TRR is not friendly to Canadians - duty plus a delivery fee prevents me from even trying.

I don’t buy a lot second hand and my experience is limited to Poshmark where I also sell my own clothes, shoes and bags.

I buy only brands that I know. I don’t like to take chances with unknown quality.

I filter by brands and size. Sometimes, by New with Tags filter.

I always use provided measurements or request it. I check the fabric content and ask about the condition of the item.

Once I get my order, I thoroughly examine an item before accepting the order. If it has been grossly misrepresented - not new or damaged, for example, you can dispute it. Poshmark is fair about it. Doesn’t happen often but it did a couple of times to me. Be aware of that.

JAileen

Veteran

I’ve bought lots of things on Poshmark - mostly things that were too expensive or unavailable at retail, such as Eileen Fisher and vintage Coach bags. I’ve also bought a bunch of scarves. The Metropolitan Museum of Art had Hokusai’s Great Wave scarf, but I never bought it because it was too expensive. But I found it on Poshmark, never used, and not expensive. When I started swimming last year, I needed a parka that wouldn’t be wrecked by chlorinated water. I found a new North Face parka with a fleece lining for one third the retail price. I wore it every day I swam last winter. Granted, on the very coldest days I needed to layer a hoodie under it, but I love that I don’t have to worry about it, and that I didn’t pay a lot for it.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great advice from all! Thanks for sharing

I have three things to add, FWIW:

CHECK THE FINE PRINT for return policies. I've been bitten in the bottom twice with "Final Sale", and did not know - items wrong and not returnable. Not cheap either. Poshmark is FINAL SALE!

Personally:

TRR is a site I no longer look at. You are out US$25 for shipping and items are seldom returnable. I've had zero luck, unfortunately. I am unmotivated to keep trying.

I like to set the search for "new with tags" when I shop secondhand.

Lisa

Veteran

I have only shopped a couple of times online. I stick with new with tags items, brands I know fit me well and what size I am in them, and items that have photos of the actual item (no stock photos).

RobinF

Veteran

I have been shopping on Poshmark for a few years now and I would say have had about a 75% success rate, I would guess half have become regulars in my wardrobe. I don't buy expensive items because of the no returns policy but I like that I can try brands that are pricey for me new. I like that I can get the exact measurements but that doesn't always guarantee the right fit. I have also received several items with a very strong perfume smell (why?). I can't tolerate that, it gives me terrible headaches. Luckily it usually washes or airs out.

I would agree with a lot of the advice above - stick with brands you know you like, look really well at the pictures (I have made the mistake of thinking it might look better in person - not the case). I generally am looking for something pretty specific because there is a lot out there and it can be overwhelming.

Marlene1

My best Ebay tip is to set a filter for "returns accepted." Poshmark only accepts returns for items that are damaged or misrepresented, so I only use Poshmark for items I'm duplicating or have tried in person. I sell on TheRealReal but rarely buy because the shipping charges are prohibitive.
I often find an item in a thrift or consignment store and just need one size up or down. I can often find that on Ebay.

elena

This is timely, because I just ordered from TRR for the first time in a decade. I need a dress for a wedding and took a little look around, found loads to save, then moved on to tops. Wow! I’ve been looking for tops for early fall type weather: light weight, long sleeve, print, cotton, cool colors, not too fussy. I’ve resorted to re-wearing the very few old ones I have because there’s been nothing in the local stores. But there are zillions of perfect things on TRR, mostly European brands that would be out of my price range new - Etoile Isabel Marant, Ganni, BA&SH, etc. I’m very excited about this - it’s opened up the possibilities for my wardrobe quite a bit.

I’ve also done a fair bit of shopping on EBay, and once in a while on Poshmark. Typically I’ve purchased items I already know will fit, like duplicating a pair of jeans or sneakers I already own.

As far as tips: filter as much as you can, save everything you think you like, look at the suggestions for similar items, look at measurements and photos carefully. Also filter for condition. On TRR, I will only consider the top 2 condition choices: excellent and pristine. On EBay, I generally look for new with tag or like new items. That’s just a preference of mine, and I don’t mind paying more for items in perfect condition. I’m also reluctant to buy items that require precise fit, like jackets, although I’m considering just finding a good tailor. I tend to err on the side of things being slightly too large rather than risking them being too small.

Finally, on EBay and Poshmark, sellers will often offer a discount when you save an item, so wait a bit before you buy.

Hope this helps - happy shopping!

LJP

Veteran

Thank you all, this is very helpful. I have to laugh at the comments about shipping and returns (esp on TRR) : here in Canada we are quite used to this and it's almost universal now to pay for shipping unless you are spending over $150 ish. Simons (on items not stocked in their warehouse ) and Uniqlo charge for returns ! For example, a consignment store in Edmonton I stumbled upon has a pair of Doc Martin (I know! Who AM I ??) sandals I'm considering and they charge a flat rate of $20 to ship to me. It's just our reality now.

Anyways, I forget about eBay as a resource and thanks for reminding me to consider it . I have to figure out how to filter out items shipping from the US .

Jaime - interesting that you recommend eBay for vintage Levi's . I've always imagined myself in a pair - but I about fainted at the cost of some of them!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Lisa I hear you about the shipping cost - I think living in the US changes your perspective on that. Anyhow, regarding vintage Levis, I am basing my assessment on comparing some I have found in real life to their ebay value. It turns out things like 90s 517s (for example) are not as rare or pricey as one might imagine from the internet. But you would have to find the pair you want and then find it cheaper because the fit of Levis is all over the place.

Sal

Veteran

Good tips so far.

I do some online shopping on a site in NZ called Designer Wardrobe. And on the equivalent of Ebay here.

For me I look only at things that are easy to fit

- handbags obviously
- coats and blazers
- loose or easy pants

I stick to brands I am familiar with in terms of quality or sizing.

Of my current wardrobe the following pieces were purchased online second hand. The lilac cardigan was the only "miss" - too short and too wide on me - I donated it in the end. I also purchased some boots that were too hard to get on and off - loved how they looked but I was not patient enough to lever my feet in. I would not do shoes again unless I knew the brand better.

The waistcoat was $20 and probably would have been $50 new - but I was happy with the cost for a chain store brand. The green pants were probably also half price - $200 cost but about $400 new (Alamais - Australian high end). The bags have been good deals and I will probably buy my next bag second hand as well.

I do look for items in very good to excellent condition.

I haven't sold a lot this way - but I know friends that do this.

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Debbie

Veteran

This has been very helpful because I found somethings on Poshmark but was wondering how to make sure I received a fair deal.

lyn67

Veteran

What a great thread-I am also very interested on asking something about Poshmark (see below, if you can help).
I was hunting for this exact thing but in black (and size XL-for my wide shoulders) original price $45,90.
https://www.zara.com/us/en/poi.....=480179748
and I found it BNWT on Poshmark!! Yeay!!
https://poshmark.com/listing/Z.....45a965fbb6
It is a size smaller (Lmay also fit!) but for $69 (???)
I unfortunatelly missed to buy the top when it was available in our Zara store (and meanwhile it also went off stock-even discontinued in black? on the webpage, too)- so I went all nuts about trying to hunt it-and will still consider but is this a practice on Poshmark to sell BNWT items on 1,5 of their original price?
This is not even a designer piece and FYI I will also have to pay for shipping overseas to the EU:-(()...).

Irina

Veteran

lyn67, let me put it this way - a seller can ask whatever they want. In my experience, it is difficult to sell on Poshmark a new with tags item for what I paid originally. I always loose some money. Offer what you would like to pay.

LJP, One other thing - check a seller when considering something to buy. If you see a number of items in their closet is in thousands, this is a business. Meaning, a seller doesn’t know their items that well, unlikely to take good care of it and might not have enough information.

LJP

Veteran

I joined a Poshmark Canada Facebook Group and now regret it . The posts are insane - and all they do is complain about how annoying buyers are . I may have to leave it , lol.

lyn67

Veteran

Irina:-)of course-they can ask whatever wanted, just wanted to learn if this is a common practice there----but I just found out I cannot even register the Poshmark from the EU, so will skip anyway!:-)
LJP/Angie: I wanted to edit my comment above, more exactly to erase the 2 links posted---but I can't do this- -- the EDIT comment option is missing by me now...(sobbing). Can somebody help?

LJP

Veteran

I clicked on the wheel thing beside your post lyn67 only to discover it "reported the post", which I did NOT mean to do . Good grief. Sorry.

lyn67

Veteran

Oh-understand:-), then waiting for Greg(?) to help erasing my links...

Roxanna

Veteran

Hey Lisa, I'm not on here much anymore, but wanted to share my two cents, in case it helps.

I was a big Poshmarker for a few years (not selling, but buying.) I stopped, though, and deleted the app from my phone, when I realized that I ended up donating 80% of what I bought.

Here's why: from flat pictures, I couldn't tell an item's true colour, fabric or fit (and these are all BIG things for me.) I bought a fabulous Theory blazer - but it was too warm a caramel shade and made me look sick. I bought an amazing EF cardigan - but didn't realize that the shape was cocoon and it felt dated. I bought a J Crew matching set - but the silk was too boxy and never sit right. And on and on.

Also, I would see something dropping in price and immediately jump on it 'before someone else nabbed it' - leading to bad decisions.

I'm much better at Value Village because I really need to be able to see things - and see them on me - to understand if they work. Now, VV has gone vastly downhill and I'm not getting the amazing designer labels I used to - but I get occasional retro and handknit finds that I like. Not worth it for you, though.

I would suggest sticking with consignment - I know you are picky like me, and I feel like it might help you to see an item in person to truly judge if it fits into your lifestyle.

LJP

Veteran

Hi Roxanna! Nice to hear from you :). This is what happens with the clothing I buy from a reseller here in Wpg. She thrifts then cleans/presses/spruces up pieces for resale. Almost everything I have purchased ends up being donated .