I love scouring eBay for vintage finds, but I know for many people it's a daunting and scary prospect. However, scoring on eBay is a thrill, and if you've never done it, I pity you. Not only can you snag truly one-of-a-kind stuff there, but usually, you get it for a mad bargain. So, in the hopes of inspiring a new legion of eBay hunters, I'm presenting my ground rules shopping the site.
1) If you're cool with digging for buried treasure--like me--don't be afraid to search something as vague as "vintage, 90s." If you're less patient, type in exactly what you want, i.e. "black, body-con dress" or "floral blazer." And only search under the "clothing, shoes & accessories > vintage" category. (Some sellers use the word "vintage" to describe cheesy, new stuff a la Forever 21, so this will weed them out of your results.)
2) Make sure you're NOT looking at an item that's been pinned on the model or mannequin. If you are, what looked like a fitted peplum skirt might be a tent. The majority of good vintage purveyors on eBay make it clear on their page that they never pin their clothes in pictures.
3) Look for at least four pictures of any item--from the front, back, sides and a close-up. You wouldn't buy a dress at a boutique without turning it around on the hanger to see what the back looks like, or taking a close look at the print of the fabric. Don't do it online, either.
4) Pay attention to seller feedback. I wouldn't be cool with buying from someone whose rating was less than 98-percent positive.
5) If the seller doesn't include information you want--like exact measurements--ask for them. Most of the time people are happy to answer your questions via e-mail. Also remember that as a buyer, it's your job to read the item description carefully to look for info about any holes, stains, or missing buttons.
6) Know that if something sketchy happens, you'll almost certainly be able to get your money back with an e-mail or two. Both eBay and Paypal will help you out if a seller never sends you your item or if something you bought was misrepresented.
7) Realize that once in a blue moon, you won't love the way something fits or looks in person. And that doesn't make it the seller's fault. In that (rare) case, get thee to a tailor or just give up and go to Crossroads or Buffalo Exchange. Consider it a small price to pay to the eBay gods.
8) Keep tabs on your favorite sellers. I've got a list of about 10 eBay-ers I follow because I know they get a steady stream of items in my style and sizes.
9) DO NOT bid until the last ten minutes of an auction or you'll only serve to drive up the price. And decide on the highest price you're willing to pay before you make an initial bid. It's easy to get caught up in the gambling aspect and end up paying twice as much for a pair of boots than you intended--just because you want to win.
If you follow these rules, I promise you'll rarely be disappointed. In vol. 2, I'll be giving you a rundown of my favorite eBay sellers.
