New Ebay Seller...

Tristahx

Tristahx

Registered Guest
I have a 1950s / 1960s coral pink dress that other than a couple stain and some seam tears (easily fixable) is in good condition. I am thinking of auctioning it on ebay but am wondering what other ebay vintage sellers/buyers think? Any tips for when I post it? How often do you run into buyer issues? I have never sold anything on ebay before and have read some horror stories and dont want to lose the dress to a scam....
If you would like I could post pictures when I can access my computer tomorrow, id like to know how much I should ask for it and if anyone may be able to tell me anything about it...
 
Since the pictures are HUGE, I have uploaded them to photobucket and they can be viewed here: (deleted by Admin)
 
Hello, we prefer not to click to outside links for photos. Please either resize your photos or you may try to upload and they should automatically adjust to a maximum size here - use the thumbnail option. Thank you.
 
For pricing, the best advice we can give is to research asking prices and sold prices online of other like dresses from the same era. Condition will play a role:

I have a 1950s / 1960s coral pink dress that other than a couple stain and some seam tears (easily fixable) is in good condition.
Click to expand...

And, as one of our members, Jonathan, stated in another thread:

...and also venue matters. The price goes up and down considerably according to the venue through which it is sold. For example, you don't get eBay prices at garage sales, and you don't get store boutique prices on eBay...

Any tips for when I post it?
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You may refer to our Code of Practice and Best Selling Practices for tips on how to list a garment and instill buyer confidence:

http://vintagefashionguild.org/vfg-code-of-practice
 
Hi, Tristahx. I'm new to eBay as well, but I've learned from a pro. You have to be careful to avoid getting scammed. If there is a dispute between you and a buyer then eBay will normally side with whoever has the higher feedback score. For instance, if you have a feedback score of 20, you sell a very nice designer coat to someone who has a feedback score of 800, and then the person says they "never received" the coat....well then eBay will probably side with the buyer and you are simply out of luck. Also, you have to be careful of international buyers who "never receive" the package. You can avoid these kinds of problems by stating in the eBay listing that you will not accept international buyers with low feedback scores, make sure you insure anything over $100, and if shipping domestically make sure you use USPS 2-3 Day Priority Mail because it is much easier to track your packages that way. Take good pictures in diffused sunlight, be sure to accurately describe any problems a garment may have (little holes, stains, etc...), and research the best you can online. The VFG has a great label and fabric resource guide. Also, I have a tailor who is this older Italian woman. She really knows her stuff and has really helped me in pricing some of my more rare vintage stuff. Try to find someone like this. It is always better to have someone with more experience look at your garment in person. (It's hard online to really "see" the garment.) Good luck!
 
If you are new to eBay, it really doesn't matter if they scam you and eBay decides you don't have to refund them - they will still leave you negative feedback, which will most likely damage (if not completely destroy) your future sales (if you have sold loads, you'll have a good feedback score and this will matter less). You can't leave negative feedback for buyers, so you can't respond effectively. You are best off realising that (a) at some point you are going to have to refund someone for something even if you don't agree with it, and (b) for anything you can't afford to do that for, either sell it through a different venue or at least demand signature confirmation upon receipt, and insure the package through your mail company. Also, make sure you block bidders from 'sketchy' international destinations - I actually go further and block bidders from any international destination where I am not closely familiar with the local customs, import duties and mail service. If someone demands you mail something in a way you aren't comfortable with, don't cancel the transaction (that relies on them, and they can still leave you negative feedback), just don't send them an alternative invoice and leave it until your unpaid item assistant opens a case against them for the unpaid item. The result is the same, but then they can't leave you negative feedback. (bunch of hard earned lessons here!).
 
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