I’ve shared a decent amount of Facebook Marketplace tips, but rarely have I touched upon tips for shopping my second favorite secondhand site – eBay.
It’s been around longgg before Facebook (since 1995) and I’ve personally been a member for over 10 years. I signed up while I was looking to upgrade my blackberry to an android circa 2009 and have since shopped for and purchased the following items on eBay:
- new and refurbished goods (i.e. Dyson products, iPhone)
- Art – I have a blog post dedicated to how I search for art on eBay because there is so much abundant, original art for cheap
- Furniture (locally)
- Vintage decor
- Mirrors
- Vases
- Vintage dishes, plates, glasses, etc.
- Lamps
- High-end fabric and drapes (more on that in this post)
- Rugs (new and vintage)
- Handbags/shoes/clothing
I think there’s a common misconception that eBay is an archaic platform where old men partake in bidding wars over baseball cards and scammers are looking to take your money and run for the hills, but that’s not the case at all. To me, it’s a treasure trove. You just need to know how to use it.
I found this antique landscape art on eBay that fits perfectly in our main bath
SEARCHING & FINDING
Unlike Facebook Marketplace, there’s no algorithm. But like FB MP, there could be thousands of items to comb through depending on what you’re shopping for. And people actually know what they’re selling (for the most part), so it’s easier to find what you’re looking for.
On the contrary, you have to know what you’re looking for on eBay. When you open FB MP, you’re served up items that are relevant to you based on what you save/search for, whereas with eBay, you need to type in search terms that are at least somewhat similar to what you’re looking for. It’s a double-edged sword.
Sometimes if I don’t know exactly how to describe an item I’m looking for, I’ll search what I *think* it’s called, and the results will usually give me more clues/verbiage that more accurately describe the keywords I should be using.
I found this vase after searching “vintage white vase” Only $14!
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BID ON ANYTHING
…if you don’t want to. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I purchased something that I bid on. I only search for “Buy it Now” because I hate bidding wars and need immediate gratification.
USE THE BEST OFFER BUTTON
You can also search for Best Offer only. I like when an item has “Best Offer” because that means you can negotiate the price with the seller.
But there are usually less items that have “Best Offer.” See how the above Schumacher fabric search had 1,861 results when I searched and selected Buy It Now? Let’s see how many results when I select Best Offer…
Only 679. It’s really personal preference how you want to search for listing type. But selecting “Buy It Now,” does include all items that are also listed under best offer, so I usually just select Buy It Now.
SET ALERTS ON THINGS YOU’RE LOOKING FOR
Search for an item, then click “Save this search”
Then select whether you want alerts on phone or over email
You can set as many searches as you want!
CHECK SELLER REVIEWS
eBay has gotten really, really good at removing fraudulent accounts, but I usually just check the seller reviews before purchasing anything. If they have at least 10 positive ratings, I’m comfortable with buying from them. If they have hundreds-thousands of positive reviews, you are golden.
And luckily, eBay is the liaison between buyer/seller protection, so if something does go wrong, you can submit a case and they will work to fix it (unlike Facebook Marketplace).
BEFORE YOU PURCHASE ANYTHING…
Check the return policy. Each seller sets their own policy. Most of the time it’s 30-day returns, but buyer pays return shipping.
SHOPPING LOCAL
I usually check this option if I’m looking for furniture/things that would cost too much to ship. I’ll search for an item, and just like FB MP you can select how far you’re willing to travel under “Item Location.” I usually search within 50-75 miles of my zip.
You could always look anywhere in the country and get a quote from uShip for shipping. Some sellers offer shipping of larger goods but I’m sure shipping would be cheaper via uShip. Always get a few quotes!
BUYING & SHIPPING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
I recently purchased a Bowood bedspread on eBay for our bedroom, which was located in the UK.
Under shipping, it says “Ships to United Kingdom and many other countries.” Since she offered to ship to the US, I made an offer. But first I triple-checked the currency exchange on the amount I was offering + the shipping cost on Google by searching GBP to USD.
Also, when you’re buying from other countries, DOUBLE-CHECK THE DIMENSIONS! Especially when buying overseas, because they use a different metric system. An example:
The mirror I wanted for above our bed needed to be a really specific size, and I found this one which was also located in the UK. I double-checked the dimensions because 13″ x 13″ wasn’t making sense based on the photos. So I googled mm to inches, and it turns out the mirror is actually 21 inches high x 8.5 inches wide. It turned out to be the dimensions I needed but always double-check or message the seller to confirm anything you’re unsure about.
FIND OUT WHAT SIMILAR ITEMS HAVE SOLD FOR
I’ll show you an example on my mobile eBay app.
Search for an item (I searched Lee Jofa drapes), then go to “Filter.” Scroll down and check “Completed Items”
Look! A pair of large, GORGEOUS althea drapes sold just a few weeks ago for ONLY $510!!!
This is a good way to see what similar items have sold for to determine whether you’re getting a deal or not. $510 on those drapes is robbery. An absolute steal.
SHOPS I FOLLOW
Pacific home: I stumbled upon this shop in 2019 and have a whole IG highlight on how amazing it is (eBay Rugs). They sell new but manufacturer-damaged rugs at a discount and with most of the items, you can’t even see the damage (but always look closely at photos). If there’s obvious damage, furniture will likely go over it anyway 😉 Most of the items are “Best Offer” and I bought a 9×12 Safavieh Jute rug for our living room for $160!
Bucks County: They usually have some great furniture listed if you’re local to PA but if not, you can pay freight or get a quote from uShip. And again, most of their items are “Best Offer” so there’s room for negotiation
Rug Source: I’ve purchased one or two rugs from this shop over the years. So many beautiful options (and tons of positive reviews)!
SHOP MY RECENT eBAY FINDS:
This post on eBay is so helpful! Thank you. I really enjoy your IG and blog. I have developed a real love for design over the past several years and I learn so much for people like you. Thank you for sharing all of this:)
Lori, thank you so much for the kind words! I am so happy you have found this post to be helpful. eBay is really the best! Enjoy the rest of your week! 🙂
Hi. Is UShip only for someone selling an item? I’m interested in a service that allows me to set up a pick up and delivery (to myself) if a seller agrees:) thank you
Thank you for dispelling some of the myths I had around ebay. I was recently on the hunt for new blue and white vases and noticed ebay had options but I was worried about buying because I didn’t feel like I knew enough to buy from this site.
thanks for reading Sharron! good luck with your search 🙂
These tips really put me at ease, I caught myself looking into eBay but didn’t know where to start. Going to use your guidance and go shop right now! Thank you Alisa!
yay! Glad to hear that Cassandra!
Very well written and so helpful! Thank you for reminding me of a site that I used to go to all of the time but have forgotten about.
Love Ebay, amazing post!!!I have off topic question though lol: bathroom hardware. Should it be all from one brand or collection, any tips? I like a hook from Restoration Hardware, towel ring from Perrin & Rowe etc. How to make everything look cohesive please help. Should there be some shape in common (hexagon, circle or not sure).
Super helpful, especially the tips on accepts offers, and local – I hadn’t been able to figure that out. I’ve only been purchasing on ebay and FB for about a year, and it’s been super fun, but I’ve noticed a couple of things. First, some items are cross-posted and priced differently. For example, the Schumacher fabric you featured above has been on FB for awhile – and priced at ~$11 more per yard. It pays to cross check in both directions, because I’ve found the opposite on some other goods – esp yard goods.
I recently learned a lesson on china. I have bought some amazing, high quality antique china pieces for unbelievable prices on Ebay and FB, and I recently bought what the seller posted as salad plates, but turned out to be bread and butter plates. She did not post measurements. Now I know – ask about measurements if they don’t include them. I still love the plates and the size is very functional, and I’m keeping them, but they aren’t what I thought they’d be.
Thanks again for the tips and the courage to dive into these options (I have so missed thrifting during isolation).
I have definitely seen some cross posting between eBay, Facebook, Etsy and Chairish with some of the items I see online, so it is definitely important to do some cross-checking. I’m currently looking for China on eBay now 🙂 Thank you for sharing Ruth!
FB Market drives me crazy and I love Ebay. And people seem to have forgotten about ebay or they’re scared.
People post on FB ” a vase” with one picture . You have to pull every bit of info: how tall is it? How wide is it? Any chips? Can you turn it over and see what’s on the bottom, does it say where it was made? Why would you even try to sell anything in such a lame fashion???
Ebay people are ninja, allll the information you never thought of and lots of (usually) good enough photos.
You posted some good shops! Thanks.
I think this article provides a lot of knowledge for those who don’t know how to shop like me. thank