Despite their diminutive size, baby clothes are not cheap. As babies grow so quickly, clothes often become too small long before they go out of fashion or become worn and tired. So what should parents do with outgrown baby clothes? While some may choose to store them for future babies, this takes up a lot of cupboard space, and there are no guarantees of a sibling being the same sex.
A good idea is to sell on used baby clothes through an auction site such as eBay, where good quality items fetch reasonable prices. The money can be put toward replacements in larger sizes, or simply added to the family coffers to be spent as needed. Below are some top tips for selling on eBay which will help parents get rid of some of those outgrown items.
Start Selling on eBayBefore listing any items on eBay, parents should have a thorough sort out and decide which items will be sold and how. For example, items that are damaged or stained should be disposed of. Eye-catching outfits and designer items may sell well individually, whereas everyday essentials can be grouped into bundles or job lots for ease of selling and sending.
Taking Photos for an eBay Listing
When photographing items for an auction listing, it is important to present the items in their best light. Some tips for photographing baby clothes are:
- Items should be washed and ironed before being photographed.
- Use a clean uncluttered background to photograph items.
- Lay out special outfits and individual items to show how they will look on (for example, if an outfit includes a shirt and gilet, put the gilet over the shirt before photographing.)
- Job lots of similar items such as T-shirts or vests should be laid out in an overlapping pattern so that part of each design is visible as well as the quantity being obvious.
- Take close ups of interesting details/patterns to include in the listing, and also of labels in designer items.
Creating an eBay Listing for Baby Clothes
Parents want to know what they are buying for their babies, and to trust that it is coming from a quality seller. The following tips will help to ensure a universal appeal:
- Write an informative title including the style, size, colour and brand, use capital letters for maximum impact.
- For individual items or outfits describe in detail, pointing out features. For bulk bundles keep descriptions brief for essentials and detail only special items that might stand out to the buyer; saying “10 x short sleeved white vests with motifs” is fine even if each vest features a different motif.
- Using a hosting site, such as Auctiva, can keep costs down as additional pictures are free. Also a themed background in a baby design can be added to give the listing a professional feel.
- Sellers with pets or smokers in their home should be honest about this, leaving it out will only lead to negative feedback – likewise if a home is pet and smoke free this should be listed as a positive selling point.
- The gallery picture should be one that best illustrates the item. Do not use a detail for outfits, and picture the whole bundle for job lots.
- Schedule listings so that they end in the evening on a weekend for maximum buyer exposure.
Pricing for Online Auctions
Online buyers are usually looking for a bargain so sellers should think carefully about pricing each listing. A low start price will attract bidders, but if an item is particularly special a Buy It Now price might ensure it reaches its full potential. Postage costs should be realistic, no one should aim to profit from postage. If selling a large bundle it is a good idea to detail the weight in the listing to explain the high postage to potential buyers. An offer of postage discounts for multiple buys can encourage people to buy more items from a single seller.
After Listing Items on eBay
After the listing is created items should be carefully packed away in airtight bags or boxes to avoid contamination by atmospheric smells such as home cooking or a log fire. Sellers should monitor their account on a regular basis in order to answer any questions. Once items are sold they should be securely packaged and sent as soon as possible, a small note to the buyer is a great personal touch, and including contact details on this can help with buyer confidence if there are any unforeseen problems.
Selling online is Rewarding
Selling baby clothes on eBay can be fun and rewarding. Parents know items will be loved and worn again, and the extra cash will come in handy for those growing up essentials.
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