How to Buy the Right Plus-Size Clothing at Thrift Stores to Sell on eBay for a Profit
Selling clothing on eBay is a great way to make money selling online. If you know what to look for at thrift stores and garage sales, you can greatly improve your chances for making higher profits. Selling designer plus-size clothing is a great way to do this, but it is important to know what to look for, some of the brands not to pass up and some of the items to avoid.
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Instructions
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Go to your nearest local thrift store or a national chain store like Goodwill or The Salvation Army, and find the plus-size clothing department. Usually, this is only found in the women's clothing section, but if you can find a store with a big-man's section, that is also a great place to source inventory. If you do not have access to thrift stores, you can adapt these action steps to garage sales as well.
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Start in the plus-size shirt section; this is the easiest place to source items to sell for a profit on eBay. Generally, the larger sizes sell for more. Look for 3X to 5X items, but it is OK to purchase 1X on up. Grab items from name-brand designers such as Ralph Lauren, Eileen Fisher, Jones New York, Tommy Bahama, Michael Kors, Anne Klein, etc. Avoid labels that are store brands or those that are inexpensive to buy originally. Shoppers on eBay are looking for a bargain and tend to spend much more for designer brands.
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Move on to the other plus-size areas in the store, including the dresses, blazers and skirts. Pants should be avoided because they tend to not sell as well and they require much more time and detailed measurements when listing them on eBay. Keep in mind the same strategy mentioned above: higher-end brands will earn you more money. Avoid low-end and store-brand items.
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Check all the items in your cart carefully when you have finished shopping. This is the time to do the three-point check: 1) Are all the buttons/zippers/snaps present and working? If not, do not buy the item. 2) Is the item free from spots and stains? Closely check the collars, the armpits and the tummy area for spots and stains. If there are any, do not buy the item. 3) What is the condition of the material? Look for any piling (small balls of fiber stuck to the item, caused from friction on the fiber), check for wear or thinning of the material, and see if the seams are still sewn tight. If there is piling or the fabric is thinning, do not buy it.
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List the items on eBay when you return home. It is best to iron or steam them first, so they look their best when you photograph them. Always use a tape measure so you can detail measurements of the clothing item in your eBay auctions, including the length of the item, the bust (if applicable) and the hip measurement (if applicable). Use the brand name and the size in your title. For example "Ralph Lauren plus-size shirt top blouse 3X linen" would be a keyword-rich title that would attract buyers. Be honest in your description; do not say something is new if it is not. Your buyers will appreciate this, and it will build your credibility as a successful seller.
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Tips & Warnings
Check the thrift stores in your area at least once a week for new items. Ask the thrift store about their sales; usually they offer a certain color of tag at a percentage off per week, which is a great time to stock up on inventory.
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