TFM Fashion

The Best eBay Purchases I Ever Made

If you read my blog, you know that I am a firm believer in investing in high-end pieces to make the rest of your outfit look expensive, even if it’s from that cheap boutique that you’re kind of embarrassed to shop at. You know, the one where you hide the bag inside other bags from more expensive stores when you go shopping. You know you’ve done it before.

So while I do believe in buying expensive pieces, I almost always find those pieces for less online. More specifically, I find them for the best prices on good old eBay. Some people aren’t believers, and while I did a whole tutorial on how to find stuff on eBay like a pro, I thought I would put together a little compilation of my recent favorite finds, just so you can see my personal savings for yourself. These are the best eBay purchases I ever made.

1. Herve Leger Bandage Skirt: Retail $950 – eBay $200

Herve Leger on eBay

This skirt was originally listed for $275, and I loved it. I own a couple of the lower-end versions from BCBG, but even those are about $140. I sent the seller a message letting them know that if the skirt did not sell at their asking price, that I would gladly pay $200 (shipping included). I had a deal, and I friggin love this skirt. I threw in a pic of me wearing said skirt just so you can see how much I friggin love it. It had all the tags attached and was brand spanking new. How is it possible for them to sell it for so cheap, you ask? Don’t ask questions. Enjoy your expensive skirt.

Herve Leger eBay

 2. Equipment Button-Down: Retail $210 – eBay $57.89

equipment shirt eBay

I wear button-down shirts like it’s my uniform. I get so much wear out of them that I don’t feel so bad investing in better quality shirts. J. Crew makes nice ones, but Equipment is my new weakness. Their shirts are well made and well tailored, but I still think they are out of their minds to charge over $200. For this reason, I check eBay – and guess what? I pay less than half the price – almost 1/4 of the price actually. Just as in the prior situation, I have no idea how they are able to sell it for so cheap. It could have been a remorseful purchase (didn’t lose those extra lb’s or the color looked terrible on them). I really don’t care. I just enjoy my expensive shirt.

 3. Louboutin Very Prive’s: Retail $845 – eBay $300 

Louboutin eBay

I admit, I have a weakness for Louboutin’s. It generally doesn’t fit into a frugal lifestyle, but I’ve always saved up for these gems, and I’ve always bought them on eBay. I had my eye on these for a while – they were sold out everywhere in my size, but I knew the metallic would go with everything and they were worth keeping an eye out. Some people would never consider buying used shoes, and for the most part I agree. Shoes that have been worn a lot can often form to a persons feet, and since your feet are not like their feet, the shoes end up doing damage – or even worse may compel you to remove them in a nightclub – which should never, ever, ever happen. These beauties, on the other hand, were very lightly worn. I could tell by the condition of the bottom of the shoe that very little red had worn off, so they were likely only worn a couple times and some rich person was cleaning out their closet. SOLD.

4. Helmut Lang Leather Jacket: Retail $795 – eBay $99.99

Helmut Lang eBay

This was another amazing eBay purchase. I had been wanting a light colored leather coat, and Helmut Lang does jackets the best. I had been checking up on eBay and got super lucky that no one else had bid on this with only hours left to go. I’m assuming that this is because the condition was listed it as defected – but as you can see from the picture below, it really isn’t that noticeable and was absolutely worth the $695 in savings.

Herve Leger eBay

eBay Search Tips

* Use StuffAlert.com to set up an alert for what you’re looking for, and the site will alert you when something matching your search is listed.

* Be specific with your search. If you want a black helmut lang leather jacket S (for size small) – search exactly that. If you can only afford less than $400, then indicate that in your search, and then save the search so that you can easily search it again the next time you’re online. If nothing comes up for your specific search, remove the color to have more options – sometimes sellers won’t add those details to their headings.

* Don’t be scared to ask the seller if they are willing to sell to you for a reasonable price under the list price if their item does not sell by the end of the auction. Just send them a personal message – they almost always reply either agreeing or with a counter offer.

* Don’t be scared to buy used or without tags if the item is listed as in excellent condition, and the photos reflect that as well. Usually if the item arrives in a condition that is not represented, you can return it to the seller or file a claim with eBay to have your money returned.

* Watch your item and bid at the last minute. The eBay app makes this even easier to do on the go. The last thing you want is to get stuck in a bidding war and overpaying for a used dress you could have bought cheaper new. We get excited. It happens.

 

Do you have any good eBay success stories? I would love to hear them!

 

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