Is there room for the unique fashion seller?

PatZ,

I don't think anyone really knows what is going to sell and what isn't going to sell on ebay.

As a collector, I'm not a bargain hunter. And there's a lot of collectors on ebay. If you're selling a commodity, than you're mostly selling to bargain hunters. The more your items are "unique" and "hard to find", the more you move away from bargain hunters, and towards higher closing prices.

There is a spectrum of items on eBay - they range from commondities that people buy wholesale and then resell on ebay to unique one of a kind collectibles.

If you're a reseller of wholesale items, you compete on price and how well you describe the item.

If you're at the other end of the spectrum, then you're competing on the quality and uniqueness of your item.

The better in both areas, providing you describe and photograph the item well, the better that you will do.

I'm one of those people who lives a long way from "civilization"--so I buy things that I need rather than take a long trip. And things I just plain want, too! You probably have some potential customers in the same situation, although I don't wear the large sizes myself.
Good luck!
--Christine

PatZ, being a Big Mamma and Bossy Woman (just ask my kids) - I'm always looking. It doesn't matter if it's in town - which is one place I hate to go - or the internet.

I search for quality - what type of material is used? Single stitch? Double stitch? Made with soft colors or loud prints? Is it something I am going to have to hem myself? A good enough description should tell me these things. Some people may not know the difference between flannette and regular flannel, so you may want to compare the material to something that a person uses every day.

The better the description, the bigger the chance that someone may buy. Do a good job - you will wind up with repeat buyers and possibly even off auction requests.

Some people get VERY picky when buying clothes that a person has made versus the store bought item. Some people prefer the handmade to the store bought.

Be sure to add how long you've been making these kinds of things. I'm more apt to buy from someone who has several years of experience rather than someone who's only been doing it for a year or so.

It's very hard for me to find clothes. I'm short and heavy and I don't like prints. There's definitely a market for it. There is no doubt in my mind that you can do well as long as you're doing what you love to do. You'll have a good product and the market to make it.

Good luck. I'll be looking.

Six inches Lord, that's all I need!

quote:

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Originally posted by Crafty Creations:
There is no doubt in my mind that you can do well as long as you're doing what you love to do.

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COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE!

Wow, that is encouraging to hear and some really good advice. I will talk about experience --- years!! Should that be done in an About Me? I haven't done one yet.
I buy many of my fabrics from eBay so I am concerned as a buyer and a seller. Of course I want the best price, but I am primarily looking for the special, difficult to find fabric and the Internet as well as eBay can be a great source.

pwz;

You should appreciate the honesty of Crafty's response. I did.

Although I did not mention Crafty by name I had to laugh at owning up to being a Big Mama and a Bossy Woman as well. I certainly am. And she gives some very good straightforward advice.

Crafty obviously knows exactly what she is looking for. Bossy Women are like that, and that kind of attitude is so necessary for the woman who wears my designs. That attitude may be necessary for success on eBay as well.

PatZ