How to Buy Clothes on Ebay

Before you start thrifting online there are a few tricks of the trade you should know that will save you time, money and frustration. The first and probably most important thing is to know your measurements. Where ever you live, most drug stores and other places to pick up sundries you can find yourself a decent tape measure for under two dollars. You'll need to write down your bust, natural waist, low waist and hip measurements.

Why?

Because, as we all know there are no standardized measurements and when you shop online you can't try on a garment before buying it. Also as we'll get to later knowing your measurements means you'll be able to know if you'll fit into a stretchy garment. But first let's get back to those measurements.

Other measurements that are handy but not necessary to have are rise and inseam. Take your absolute favorite best fitting pair of pants to get these. To measure the rise measure from where the seams meet in the crotch to the top of the waistband. Generally I like to measure over the fly to get the most accurate measurement. Next take that same pair of pants you love and measure from the bottom hem of the leg, up the inside to the crotch to get your desired inseam. This method allows you to measure by yourself in case you don't have help. If you want your actual physical inseam recruit a partner in crime and have them measure from your ankle to your crotch.

The other measurements I mentioned are fairly common ones. If you're thrown by the mention of low waist, what this means is where lower rise pants will fall. Generally a bit below your natural waist or, you can measure your body at the point where your favorite pants fall to get this measurement.

Once you have your measurements written down somewhere safe let's move on to searching. For ease I'll be using Ebay as an example of places to thrift online, however a quick search on google with the terms, "clothing+auctions" can yield you quite a few interesting results. We're all ready let's start shopping.

Go to Ebay and in your search box type jeans. I'll warn you right now you'll come up with an astounding amount of results. Next I'll show you how to narrow down your options. Click "womens jeans", then look at the left hand sidebar at the drop down menus. Select (remember later on you can search for whatever you like, this is just an example) your style as bootcut, then under size type select "misses", next select size "14" then click the show items button.

Still a lot of results but it's a good place to start.

Next let's think about price. What are you looking for? Super low price? A particular brand of jeans? All of the above? First let's tackle price.

At the top of your results you'll see the word price, click that and all your results will reload lowest to highest, then if you click it again highest to lowest. We can work with whatever you prefer.

Now that your choices are sorted by price you can scroll and look at what you've come up with. One thing I like to do is scan the page for brands I know and like already. Go ahead and choose a listing.

While looking at listings there are specific things I like to look for. First of all is the condition of the garment. You can't always tell in a photograph and the terms sellers use can be confusing. Some of the things you might see a seller say are: Bnwt, this stands for brand new with tags meaning that this garment is how it came from the store with tags intact. Bnwot, stands for brand new without tags, new from the store but without the tags. Like new generally means that a garment is in very good to excellent condition.

You will also see listings with various used qualifications. When looking at used garments you will probably want something that is gently used, used in good condition etc. Use your own judgment as to what you want.

If you find something you like but are not sure about the size that is the time to look for or if need be ask for measurements. To save yourself money and frustration don't buy things that won't fit. Shopping for the body you might have or the body you want to have is heart breaking and wasteful. If a garment is stretchy look for listing that include the stretched and unstretched measurements. When it comes to things like stretchy shirts skirts and pants, knowing those two measurements can mean the difference between a great find and missing out.

When you have a garment that is stretchy, there is the possibility you can fudge the sizing a little. If you usually wear an extra large in shirts and find a size large you like, don't hesitate to ask the seller if it appears that a garment has enough stretch or room to fit you might be surprised.

What can you expect from a good seller. A good seller will be quick to respond to questions you might have, and make sure their listings are clear as to what they expect, what payments they accept and if there are any special notices about shipping and the like.

Always when dealing with a seller for the first time check their feedback. Also read the about me pages. When you're satisfied go ahead and bid. Many sellers include buy it now prices, which means you can buy an item without waiting for bidding to end. However once bidding has started most auction sites won't let you buy it now once bidding has started. So if you see an item that you really want, go ahead and take it.

After you've won your item most sellers will email you payment instructions. To keep your reputation as a buyer a good one, always pay within a reasonable amount of time or in the specified time frame of the seller. Also if you do need an extra day or so don't be afraid to ask. Some sellers are willing to work with you in emergency situations.

The only thing left to do is wait for your item to arrive, love it and leave your seller feedback. Voila, cheap new clothes.

Next time, I'll bring you some more tips for thrifting online and ideas of new exciting auction sites to use. Stay tuned!