When choosing a platform to sell, e-commerce sellers have to consider a lot of factors. Does the platform have a strong customer base? Does it help the online store gain traction? When trying to sell in Australia, eBay is one such platform that’s top of the list. eBay is a global online marketplace where users can buy and sell a wide variety of items, including clothes. With over 142 million active buyers, eBay is a great platform for selling clothes to a large and engaged audience.
There are many benefits to listing your clothes on eBay. First, eBay offers you a variety of features and tools for listing and selling, The different listing formats help sellers portray what they sell through multiple formats like photos and videos. eBay also extends the ability to accept a variety of payment methods and a buyer protection program that attracts shoppers to the platform and multiplies the opportunity for conversions. Second, eBay is a relatively inexpensive platform to sell on, with fees that are generally much lower than the fees charged by other online marketplaces.
This article will discuss the best practices for how to sell clothes on eBay, as well as the selling fees on eBay. By following the tips in this article, you can increase your chances of success when selling clothes on eBay.
Best Practices for Selling Clothes on eBay
While connecting, engaging and selling is the primary goal of every seller on eBay, identifying the best way to grow and accelerate your revenue is a major differentiator. Especially in the apparel industry, selling on eBay requires leveraging platform features, optimising the storefront and creating compelling product listings. So here are all the insider tips and best practices you need to answer the question “how to sell clothes on eBay and make money.”
Research your niche
Selling clothes on eBay can be a lucrative venture if done right, and one of the key steps to success is thoroughly researching your niche. Here are some essential aspects to consider:
- Understanding Popularity
Before you start listing your clothing items, it’s crucial to research which types of clothing are in demand. This involves keeping an eye on eBay trends and identifying popular styles, seasons, and categories. Pay attention to seasonal changes, fashion trends, and even cultural events that might influence clothing preferences. You can use eBay’s search features to see what’s currently selling well in the clothing category.
- Determining Pricing
Pricing your clothing items competitively is essential. Research the pricing of similar clothing items on eBay to get an idea of the market value. Take into account the condition of your items, their brand, and any unique features they may have. The daily deals tab on eBay lets you take a look at all the top deals of the day. Find out how your competitors are pricing their products and what’s trending amongst buyers on the platform. eBay’s completed listings feature can be a valuable resource for determining the final selling prices of similar items.
- Brand vs. Non-Brand Clothing
When it comes to selling clothes on eBay, the brand or designer label can make a difference in terms of pricing and demand. High-end designer clothing often commands a premium, while generic or unbranded items may sell for less. Consider your target audience and whether your niche includes designer clothing, vintage pieces, or everyday apparel. Tailor your listings and pricing strategy accordingly.
- Market Research Tools
Utilise eBay’s built-in tools and external resources to streamline your research. eBay’s Terapeak and Seller Hub provide data on what’s selling, how much it’s selling for, and the competition in your niche. Additionally, you can explore third-party research tools and platforms like Google Trends and Google Keyword Planner to understand broader market trends.
- Customer Feedback and Reviews
Don’t overlook the importance of customer feedback and reviews. Review customer comments on similar clothing listings to identify common likes and dislikes. This feedback can help you optimise your product descriptions, pricing, and customer service.
Clean any preloved items
When you’re selling preloved clothing items on eBay, the condition of the items plays a crucial role in attracting potential buyers and achieving higher prices. Cleaning and presenting your clothing in the best possible condition is essential. Here’s how you can do it:
- Wash and Iron All Items
Before listing any preloved clothing, it’s imperative to wash and iron them. This not only ensures that the items are clean and fresh but also presents a more professional and appealing image to potential buyers. Make sure to follow the care instructions on the clothing labels and use appropriate detergents and settings. Iron out wrinkles and creases to give the clothing a polished look.
- Dry Clean Special Items
Certain clothing items, such as those made from delicate fabrics like suede, silk, or other high-maintenance materials, should be dry-cleaned. Dry cleaning ensures that these special items are treated with care, and it can help preserve their quality and value. Mention in your eBay listings if any items have been professionally dry-cleaned, as this can be an attractive selling point.
- Repairs and Alterations
Inspect each preloved clothing item for any visible damages, loose threads, or missing buttons. Repair minor issues to make the item more appealing to buyers. Be transparent about any imperfections or alterations in your product descriptions. Honesty can build trust with potential buyers.
- Odor Elimination
Ensure that your clothing items are free from any unpleasant odors, such as smoke or pet smells. Hanging the items in an airy space, using fabric fresheners, or even steam cleaning can help eliminate odours.
- Proper Storage
While not directly related to cleaning, storing your clothing items properly can prevent dust and damage. Use garment bags or hangers to keep your items in good condition until they are sold.
Take the best pictures possible
Great product photos can make a significant difference in attracting potential buyers and boosting your sales. When it comes to selling clothing on eBay, a picture-perfect listing helps your product stand out. Here are some key tips for taking the best possible pictures:
- Contrast Dark Items with Light Backgrounds: Place dark clothing items against light backgrounds and vice versa. This creates a strong contrast that highlights the details of the garments. This contrast helps potential buyers see the clothing more clearly and makes your listings more visually appealing. You can use plain, light-coloured walls or backdrops to achieve this effect.
- Utilise Natural Light or Adequate Lighting: Good lighting is essential for capturing the true colours and accentuating the details of your clothing items. Whenever possible, use natural light, as it provides a soft and even illumination. Position your items near a large window or in an outdoor setting to take advantage of daylight. If natural light is not available or insufficient, use artificial lighting sources like softboxes or diffused lighting to achieve well-lit photos.
- Capture All Components: To provide potential buyers with a comprehensive view of the clothing, take photos of all relevant components, including:
- Embroidery and Details: Highlight any embroidery, embellishments, or unique features on the clothing. Close-up shots can showcase the craftsmanship.
- Labels and Tags: Capture clear images of the clothing’s labels, brand tags, care instructions, and size information. This adds credibility and transparency to your listings.
- Front and Back Profiles: Include images of both the front and back profiles of the clothing. This allows buyers to examine the design, fit, and condition from different angles.
- Use a High-Resolution Camera: To ensure that your photos are sharp and detailed, use a camera with a high resolution. Most modern smartphones offer excellent camera quality for this purpose. Set the camera to its highest resolution and ensure the lens is clean for clear and sharp images.
- Steady Camera and Tripod: To avoid blurry photos, use a tripod or steady surface when taking pictures. This helps maintain a consistent and level perspective. If you’re using a smartphone, consider using a tripod attachment or a stable surface.
- Editing and Cropping: After taking photos, consider using photo editing software to adjust brightness, contrast, and sharpness if needed. Crop images to focus on the clothing and its details.
- Multiple Angles and Close-Ups: Provide potential buyers with a variety of angles and close-up shots to give them a thorough understanding of the clothing’s condition and design. This transparency builds trust with your customers.
Listing tips
When creating your eBay listings for clothing, it’s important to follow these tips to optimise your chances of success:
- Select Your Category
Start by choosing the most appropriate category for your clothing item. Selecting the right category ensures that potential buyers can find your listing more easily. Be as specific as possible to increase visibility.
- Write Succinct Descriptions
Crafting clear and concise descriptions is crucial. Use descriptive and search-friendly titles that include the brand, size, colour, style, and any unique features of the clothing. Buyers often use specific search terms, so ensure your titles are relevant and accurate.
For example, “Women’s Blue Denim Jacket, Size M, Brand New” is a more effective title than a vague one.
- Decide Between Selling Formats
eBay offers two primary selling formats: auction-style and fixed price. Consider which format suits your clothing items best:
- Auction-style: This format can create excitement and competition among buyers. It’s suitable for unique or rare items. Set a starting price and auction duration, and let buyers bid. However, keep in mind that there’s a level of uncertainty in terms of the final selling price.
- Fixed Price: Fixed price listings allow you to set a specific price for your clothing. This is a more predictable option, and it’s great for items with a clear market value. You can also offer the “Buy It Now” option for buyers who prefer immediate purchases.
List Your Item at the Right Time
Timing is critical when listing clothing items on eBay. Consider factors such as seasonal relevance and trending styles.
List clothing items at the right time of year. For example, winter coats and sweaters should be listed in the fall, while summer dresses should be listed in the spring. Align your listings with the current season and upcoming trends.
Pay attention to fashion trends and what’s currently popular. List clothing that’s in demand to attract more buyers. Research current fashion magazines, social media, and online fashion forums to stay updated and find new and refreshing ways to market products on eBay.
Select a shipping service
When it comes to shipping clothing items to your buyers, it’s essential to make the process as efficient and cost-effective as possible. Here are some key considerations for selecting a shipping service:
- Select Flat-Rate Mailers
Consider using flat-rate mailers offered by shipping carriers. These mailers allow you to ship items at a fixed cost, regardless of weight or distance. They are convenient for smaller clothing items that can fit within the mailer’s dimensions. This can save both time and money for both you and your buyers.
- Provide Shipping Cost Based on Location, weight and packaging
To offer transparency to your buyers, it’s important to provide shipping costs based on the buyer’s location. eBay provides options for calculating shipping costs based on the buyer’s zip code or country. This way, your buyers will know the exact shipping cost before making a purchase, which can reduce cart abandonment.
- Accurate Weight and Dimension Estimation
To determine the shipping cost, you need to have accurate weight and dimensions of the package. Use a postage scale to weigh the clothing item. This will give you an accurate weight. Moreover, measure the length, width, and height of the package. This is crucial for carriers to determine shipping costs, especially if you’re not using flat-rate mailers.
Moreover, estimate the weight of packing materials, including the shipping box, padding, and any protective materials you use. Add this weight to the item’s weight for a total package weight.
Locad offers efficient and reliable fulfillment and shipping services that can benefit eBay sellers. They can handle warehousing, packing, and shipping on your behalf, streamlining the process. If your business grows and you need assistance with logistics and fulfilment, consider exploring Locad’s services to enhance your eBay operations.
Post-sale undertakings
There are largely three things that a seller should list with regard to post-sale tasks. Moreover, make sure you list these out when posting your product.
- Payment Processing
Utilise eBay Managed Payments or PayPal for convenient and secure payment processing. Offer various payment methods to cater to buyer preferences. Most importantly, communicate your accepted payment methods in your listings to avoid failed transactions.
- Packaging
Invest in quality packaging materials such as boxes, poly mailers, and bubble wrap. Use protective measures like tissue paper and garment bags. Once you’ve packaged your products, clearly label packages with addresses and necessary shipping labels. Also, consider custom packaging for a branded unboxing experience.
- Printing Postage Labels
Use online shipping platforms for printing postage labels. You can also use shipping software for automated label printing and order integration. Make sure to print labels with tracking information for easy monitoring. Use eBay’s postage discounts and shipping options to cut down your overall shipping costs.
Leave the buyer a positive review
Leaving the buyer a positive review is a fundamental aspect of successful eBay selling. Not only does it serve as a courteous gesture, but it also helps build your seller reputation.
When a transaction concludes smoothly, take a moment to provide your buyer with a positive review. Highlight their prompt payment, clear communication, or any other positive interaction throughout the sale.
These reviews not only encourage trust and future purchases but also encourage buyers to take time and review the product they purchased and their experience with you. This helps you increase your seller ratings and improve credibility within the eBay marketplace.. Remember, a strong seller rating can attract more buyers and lead to continued success in your eBay clothing-selling venture.
Selling Fees for Clothes on eBay
When selling on eBay, it’s important to understand the various fees associated with your listings. These fees can vary depending on your seller status and the services you utilise.
- Listing Fee: Individual sellers are charged a fixed listing fee of $0.30 per order. This fee is applied regardless of the sale price or the category of the item. eBay Store subscribers can list up to 250 items per month for free. Once this limit is exceeded, a fee of $0.30 per listing is applied
- Insertion Fee: An insertion fee is applied to individual sellers, amounting to 13.4% of the sale amount up to $4,000, plus an additional 2.5% of the sale amount that exceeds $4,000. eBay Store subscribers are subject to an insertion fee that amounts to 11.9% of the sale amount up to $4,000, with an additional 2.5% of the sale amount beyond $4,000.
In addition to the basic selling fees, eBay may charge the following additional fees:
- Promoted Listings: Sellers can opt for promoted listings of clothes to increase their items’ visibility. Promoted Listing fees are incurred as a percentage of the sale price when a buyer clicks on your ad and subsequently makes a purchase within 30 days.
- Seller Currency Conversion Charge: If your registered address is in Australia, a currency conversion charge of 3.3% (including GST) may apply when converting funds to your local currency.
- Payment Processing Fee: eBay charges a payment processing fee of 2.75% of the sale amount plus an additional $0.30 per transaction. This fee applies to payments processed through eBay’s payment system.
Closing Thoughts
Successfully selling clothes on eBay requires a strategic approach that encompasses thorough research, meticulous item presentation, effective listing techniques, and streamlined post-sale practices. Understanding the dynamics of the clothing market, pricing strategies, and the significance of high-quality imagery can help you attract more buyers and enhance their sales potential.
Paying attention to cleaning preloved items, taking appealing photographs, and selecting the right shipping services contribute to building a positive shopping experience for customers. Moreover, comprehending the nuances of eBay’s selling fees and considering additional costs ensures that sellers can manage their business operations effectively and maximise their profitability on the platform.
