posted on September 16, 2000 09:22:13 PM
I recently lost weight and have some plus size clothing to sell. I get the feeling that these sell very well on ebay but I have some concerns. Mostly I'm worried that buyers will want to return items that don't fit. Sizes vary so much, I can't imagine buying clothes online. Do you get a lot of people wanting to return items and how do you deal with it?
posted on September 16, 2000 09:31:11 PM
I sell some plus size clothing. I just measure them carefully - all over the outfit. So far, nothing has come back because it didn't fit. I would certainly accept the return if the buyer had size problems with the article.
posted on September 16, 2000 09:36:42 PM
I've been selling plus-size clothing on eBay for nearly a year, and in all that time I've never had a return. The single most important thing you can do to assure similar results, IMO, is to give accurate and complete measurements. Not just the stated size, but any measurement that might possibly affect fit. I've bought lots of things for myself, too, and only had to return one item (because the measurements were inaccurate).
For jackets, that would include bust, waist (if fitted) and hips, jacket length from back of neck to hem, and sleeve length (specify whether you are taking an inseam length or from the outer shoulder).
Pants: waist, hips, length (either inseam or outseam). Mention elastic in the waist if there is any. Same basic measurements for skirts.
I don't do this, but you could specify in your TOS that there are no returns unless the item is inaccurately described or damaged. Since you've provided all the measurements, it's up to the buyer to make the right choice about whether or not it will fit her. Good luck!
I primarily sell vintage jewely on ebay. However I have found it is also a great place to sell the items in my closet that have outlived my interest. I am a plus size and have had a great response to my items. I also have found some super plus size deals. I know that the one thing I look for and offer to my buyers are complete measurements. I especially look at the hip measurements when I am buying. I find a lot of buyers omit this and this is my real problem area and one I really need to know in order to make an informed choice on an item. I would agree with the previous post, offer all the measurements you possibly can, check you item closely and describe any defects such as a pull or fading. I provide detailed measurements and will not sell any clothing item that has any defect and may not be considered wearable and I have not had any returns. In order to prevent disappointment when I buy I rarely bid on an item that just states the size. Good luck and happy selling!!!
posted on September 17, 2000 10:08:19 AM
I mostly sell vintage clothing but sometimes friends n' family give me clothes to sell or I sell my own that I am tired of. Plus size goes over very well. Lots of plus size clothing comes from two stores, Lane Bryant (which sells under a lot of different names, especially Venezia) and the Avenue. People who shop at these two stores know their sizes at those stores (yes, sizes do vary even within the stores, but in general they serve as a good benchmark in my experience). So be sure to mention that this is a Venezia shirt in a 22/24 or a pair of pants from the Avenue in a 18/20, or whatever, because that will give someone who has bought that brand before, a good idea of the fit. On all other brands, I give measurements. (actually I give measurements on all clothes, but i don't get as detailed about it on the Lane Bryant and Avenue stuff.) good luck and be sure to put the brand and size in the title, many people search on 18/20 or Lane Bryant or Avenue.
posted on September 17, 2000 10:38:32 AM
Please give *all* measurements on *all* clothes. Even with recognized brands, it can be mis-marked. I only go by measurements - I ignore stated sizes. If it doesn't have measurements, I won't bid. And I don't take the time to write the seller - it's not just the time, but often my back button doesn't work and I have to re-do the search and then page through to where I was. And if you have a dress that's two layers, measure *both* the inner and outer layer. I had a case where the measured the outer layer only (and I didn't realize it) and the inner layer was too small.
posted on September 17, 2000 12:19:31 PM
When selling women's clothing, I would measure carefully. Sometimes I would list item as slightly smaller than it actually is, since I believe many women believe themself to be smaller than they actually are.
I recently sold a size 9 Patagonia jacket. It fit me just fine, but it was bid on by a woman wearing a size 16 who believed herself a size 9. She accused me of sending her a children's jacket.
posted on September 17, 2000 12:22:30 PM
I wear/buy/sell plus sizes and know that for *me*, I need the mid-thigh measurement and the upper arm measurements, too. I've been stuck too often with clothes where the waist & hips are fine, but the manufacturer assumed my 26/28 butt was attached to size 16 legs! (Then again, on some people, it is, and they are looking for pants that don't flop around!)
Anything that would affect fit is worth measuring. Also, on elastic waists, put the "at rest" measurement and the "fully stretched" measurement. Not all elastics stretch the same.
I also mention in my ads if something runs small/big to my eye and the other sizes I *think* it would fit. As a buyer, I hate missing something just because the marked size wouldn't have met my search, but the measurements would have.
posted on September 17, 2000 12:53:39 PM
Last year, aftr 2.5 years of ebaying, I lost 40 pounds. 15 in the spring, 25 in the fall, in the summer I let the chips (those are choco chips to you) fall where they may.
I did it by getting away from my computer & walking 40 minutes a day & doing atkins. I took the summer off but have only gained back 3 pounds.
Back to atkins in the fall (summer has a lot of social obligations).
I sold my fat clothes on ebay. Much to my astonishment I made a LOT of money selling them. Rule of thumb, measure EVERYTHING!
Quality sells, and so do measurements. I made something like 2000 dollars on the clothes I would give to goodwill. Diet BONUS!
posted on September 17, 2000 03:44:09 PM
I have sold plus size but do not list measurements because I am disabled. They still sell. Name brands are what sells ie Ralph Lauren.
posted on September 17, 2000 03:56:18 PM
Regarding the size-16 lady who thought she could fit into a size 9...if you list all the measurements and she buys it anyway, then it's HER problem, not yours.
I had some fun earlier this summer when I picked up a Liz Claiborne silk blouse at a thrift shop that was labeled as a size 4. It was huge-looking, even on the hanger, and when I got it home and measured it, the bust was 42-44". I sold it to a VERY happy lady who probably was only too happy to let that size tag hang out.
posted on September 17, 2000 05:47:02 PM
I sell clothing on eBay too, although not plus size. My rule of thumb, and that's about 2.5", is to measure everything from stem to stern. I know it takes a lot of time and effort and sometimes I think I would like to sell something else besides clothing, but I guess I'm hooked on selling clothes. I just love it. But do measure. My TOS says that I don't accept returns unless I have mistated or mislead. I have had only one return in over a year and I think it's because I do measure even if there is a size tag. A lot of designer stuff varies from one size to the other, but after all these are auctions and most buyers are getting a great deal on clothes even if they don't have the benefit of going off to a try-on room to check things out and how they fit or look. As a buyer of clothes on eBay I have only been disappointed a couple of times in things I have bought that didn't fit right. But...I have turned around and resold them on eBay so I really didn't feel like I lost out on anything.
posted on September 17, 2000 05:50:53 PM
we sell quite a bit of plus size clothing, plus size ladies know what they can wear, and who makes the clothes they like to wear, most will list the items back on ebay when they do not fit..
every 20 seconds in america a woman is giving birth:SHE MUST BE FOUND AND STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.................................................................
I forgot to add that the size 16 woman felt that MY measuring tape was wrong as well. HER measuring tape showed a different number. I think she may be an equestrian used to measuring in hands (as in horses).
