Selling unused items from your home is a great way to make extra money for the holidays.
I think the easiest place to start is your bedroom closet. Anything you haven't worn in at least one year should be considered. Dress shirts for men and women are easy for beginners. Choose 2 or 3 to try listing.
Good brands to try:
- Banana Republic (men's or women's)
- Brooks Brothers (men's or women's)
- Facconable (men's or women's)
- Ralph Lauren (men's or women's)
- Ann Taylor and LOFT (women's)
- Foxcroft (women's)
- Jones New York (women's)
Check the shirts over carefully for stains and damage. Small stains, like a few drops of coffee or a pen mark are OK. Pit stains and large holes are not.
Make sure the shirts look neat and tidy, iron if needed. If the shirt is light colored, throw a dark sheet over the back of a door before hanging the shirt over it to photograph. If the shirt is dark, throw a white sheet over the door. Items with simple plain backgrounds sell for more!
Take clear pictures in natural light with at least 6 megapixel resolution, avoid using the flash. Take a picture of the front, the back, a close-up of the pattern (if not a solid color), and a close-up of the name/size tag.
If there is any damage (pinhole or tiny stain) take a close-up photo of the damage, I like to point with a pencil in the picture so it is obvious. Disclose the condition problem in the "Item Condition Description" box and price lower that for the same shirt in perfect condition.
I suggest if you are new to eBay, try listing these items for a 7-day auction starting at $12.99 with free shipping (your shipping cost should be about $3.50 for First Class Mail). Items at auctions get much better visibility, and until you have an established selling history you will need that extra boost.
If you don't pay to have an eBay store, you can also add a "Buy it Now" price for free. If someone chooses this option, the auction ends immediately and sells for that higher price. Try $25 as your Buy it Now price for everything except Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers, set them at $35.
Choose a simple title, something like "Brooks Brothers Mens Dress Shirt Size 16 34/35 Blue No Iron". Fill in the item specifics you are prompted for (brand, size, fabric, pattern, etc.). Write a simple description with the facts about the item. Include things like French cuffs or standard cuffs. Spread collar or standard collar.
Give the following measurements in inches and centimeters.
Men's:
- Chest, measured armpit to armpit laying flat and doubled
- Length, measured from back of neck to bottom
- Sleeve, measured from center back to end of sleeve
- Neck, measured around inside the collar (may already be on size tag)
- Click for men's dress shirt examples
- Bust, measured armpit to armpit and doubled
- Waist, measured at the natural waist (usually dips in) and doubled
- Hips, measured at the widest part across the bottom, and doubled
- Length, measured from back of neck to bottom
- Sleeve Length, measured from shoulder seam to end of cuff
- Click for women's dress shirt examples
Hint: You will rank higher in search results if you have 1-day handling, accept returns for at least 14 days, and if you offer free shipping.
Now the hard part - Waiting!
Most bidding on eBay auctions happens in the last hour, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't get bids right away.
When it sells, the money will be deposited in your PayPal account. You can print a shipping label right inside eBay. I wrap shirts in tissue paper before putting into a waterproof shipping envelope, attaching the label, and dropping it off at the post office or mailbox!
Please let me know if I can help answer questions in the comments below.
If you would like to take a class to learn how to sell on eBay, my next class is scheduled for November 16th at 1400 Bar & Grill in Alameda. Register here.
Sandi Garcia is "Social Sandi", an Education Consultant trained by eBay. I travel around the country to help teach sellers, and have taught at eBay Headquarters in San Jose, in Tucson, and in Atlanta in 2013.
