posted on September 13, 2000 09:12:17 PM
Hi -
Three questions for you. I sell primarily clothing but would like to know your opinion on the following:
#1 - Where do Plus sizes start at? I want to gain the most lookers on my items but what size is the beginning of the Plus size category?
#2 - We are having a very hard time photgraphing any item with pin stripes in it. Doesn't matter the color they come out with the lines blurred - do you take these pics outside?
#3 If a customer came back to you this week and said an item that was paid for July 7 had not arrived - what would you do? I inquired as to why I was hearing about it now after approx 60 days - she said she had been out of the country until now. What do you think?
posted on September 14, 2000 06:08:08 AM
#1) I'm no expert, but I believe "Plus Sizes" refers to anything larger than Misses 18, i.e. 20W and above.
#2) Can't answer that one. Depends on what type of camera you're using. I've seen sellers add a scan of a swatch of the fabric, when the pattern/color won't come out in the picture.
#3) Did you use Delivery Confirmation or some other proof of mailing? If not, you're in kind of a bind. Suggest to the buyer that you will initiate a "Lost Mail" claim, which will start a USPS investigation to trace the package. This is kind of "shading the truth", but I've heard that if the buyer has really received the package and is scamming the seller, the perceived threat of a USPS investigation and possible mail fraud charge will cause the missing package to be "found". I've also heard that if the package truly is lost by the USPS, they do quite often find it once the Lost Mail Claim is filed. If the package isn't found, you're probably going to end up making a refund. The 60 day limit may save you from getting a negative and Ebay fraud claim, but it won't protect you, if the buyer chooses to charge you with mail fraud or do a chargeback on her credit card and you have no proof of mailing.
posted on September 14, 2000 06:40:01 AM
I've always considered size 16 and above in the plus size range, although I've seen size 14 and up in the Plus Size category. I once asked a customer of mine who bought size 14 clothes which category she looked in, and she said that she looked in both categories.
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
posted on September 14, 2000 06:55:35 AM
Hi there, I am plus size and I feel they start at 16 and up. On ebay, one seller starts plus size at 12, what is she/he? a size 5. On that item I really felt insulted! Lane Bryant usually starts at 16 so there you are safe and won't offend anybody.
posted on September 14, 2000 09:51:40 AM
Plus sizes can be found as low as 14W. They have a different cut and fit than a regular 14 and can be found in such name lines as Elizabeth and Ralph Lauren for Women.
posted on September 14, 2000 09:56:51 AM
Thank you for your assistance. I truly appreciate it
On the missing item - I do have insurance so will refund in full - just wanted your opinion on buyers who come back without any prior communication 2 months after paying.
On plus sizes - I am so glad I asked. I believe I have listed 14's in plus sizes but wanted to make sure what was correct. I think I will stick to 16 and over and if anyone is doing a general search for 14's will get regardless of category.
Pics - trying to take outdoors today. Irregardless of mens suit, toddler clothes, womens sweaters - if there are any lines or pin stripes they always come out blurred - or wavy etc.
posted on September 14, 2000 10:01:07 AM
Try shooting or scanning the pinstripe fabric at a 30 degree angle. This seems to take out, or at least reduce, that blinding moire effect.
posted on September 14, 2000 10:02:23 AM
I'm also "plus-sized" and I consider it to be 16 and above. That's where many clothing stores start/stop the different sections. When I hit a size 16 after having my first child, that's when I stopped being able to shop in many of the "regular" sections in most stores. I also admit to being mildly annoyed when an eBay seller lists something as "plus sized" when it's a 14 or under. I had a good laugh recently when a teenager told me that they liked the Gap because the Gap had "great prices and clothing for larger-sized people"... lol. Larger meaning over a size 12, I guess. I also look for "XL" as plus sized, unless it's a Jr. XL. I'm borderline at a size 18/20 and with stretchy stuff or knits I can wear an "XL" or even a large in tops and dresses, depending on the brand, so I check both categories and search for all of the above terms when shopping on ebay for clothing.
Re: pinstripes... I haven't found a solution for this. If you do, let me know. I've taken pics outside and inside, same effect. I do mention in my auction that it's an unfortunate effect of photographing pinstriped items, and it doesn't seem to hurt bids: most shoppers know what the problem is. I've even seen pinstriped items on "professional" clothing store sites that look the same way, so it seems to be universal.
posted on September 14, 2000 11:06:05 AM
In regard to the plus size issue --
There are certain sellers who apparently despise plus sizes so much that it is reflected in their auction listings ... in particular, I remember one seller who listed some very nice 4X size lingerie, with the comment that she couldn't imagine why anyone that size would buy such a thing, and she couldn't imagine what it would look like, but here it was for sale ...
I made a note never to buy anything from that person!
Have you all ever noticed this basic lack of respect for the plus sized buyers on Ebay from other sellers?
El
"The customer may not always be right, but she is always the customer."
posted on September 14, 2000 11:10:32 AMin particular, I remember one seller who listed some very nice 4X size lingerie, with the comment that she couldn't imagine why anyone that size would buy such a thing, and she couldn't imagine what it would look like, but here it was for sale
Now why would someone put that comment in their own auction? Talk about shooting yourself in the foot...
posted on September 14, 2000 11:08:36 PM
Thank you to all for the assistance! Greatly appreciated
My hubby played with pics tonight and found a solution!! Same light etc. but while loading them he enlarged them from the standard 33% to 50% and voila - no more blurring - perfect shots.
Now just need to make sure on pinstripes to take the pics farther back so they look good when enlarged.
