posted on July 22, 2004 12:18:52 PM
You guys are a wealth of information. So glad I found all of you!! I am overwhelmed with fall and winter clothing. When can I start listing and when will sales start to pick up?
Thanks a bunch!
Teri
posted on July 23, 2004 12:54:40 AM
I love this place. Just when I start wondering about something, or am in need of some answers....here it is in the message board.
I have collected mass clothing from various members in my family, from babies to elderly styles, and sizes. I have had them for a long time, and just not gotten around to listing them. Lots & lots of good clothes for school, and it sounds like anytime now is good for listing them. I thought around the middle of August, but after reading what you say here, I think I will try to list sooner. Also with many folks on a tight budget, they might like to have more time to get ready.
I was also wondering on how to best display clothing for taking pictures? I wish I had a mannequin (forgive me if that isn't spelled right) but I don't have one of those. Suggestions for taking good pictures of clothing? And what is the best method for shipping clothing?
Thanks in advance,
Pattie
posted on July 23, 2004 02:48:20 AM
For Pattie:
I do not sell clothes but I buy clothing all of the time. I personally would use those plastic shipping bags and maybe wrap the items in tissue paper.
When taking pictures make sure the items are free of wrinkles. It such a turn off to see rumpled clothing. Make sure your lighting is good. Since you do not have a a display model you could always hang the item on a hanger.
posted on July 23, 2004 03:35:47 AMI love this place. Just when I start wondering about something, or am in need of some answers....here it is in the message board.
Yes... we are Dr. Phil, Oprah, Dr. Ruth, Dr. Laura, Kim Komando, Charles Shaw, the Keebler Elves, Tim Russert, Roger Ebert, the Delphi Oracle, and the Nestle's chocolate houng Dog all rolled into one!
posted on July 23, 2004 06:28:06 AM
Hi Patti, I sell clothing, mostly vintage. I find the tyvec mailer provided by the post office a great way to ship, it is light weight and durable keeps the shipping price down. I always put the item in a new bag fold and then tape, even when I ship in boxes it protects the garments from rain if something happens to the outside packaging.
reenie
I don't get even....I get even better Jimmy Hoffa
posted on July 23, 2004 11:28:40 AM
"are Dr. Phil, Oprah, Dr. Ruth, Dr........."
You folks are GREAT! Got up feeling lousy, read the posts, and they brightened my day!
Our son is recovering from brain surgery and radiation, my husband is disabled from several diseases, and the heat is supposed to be almost 100degrees today....but you started off my day with a good feeling, thanks.
Now back to business...when it comes to pressing clothes, what a pain! Has anyone tried any of the steam type things, forgot what they're call, where ya can hang them and run the steam over them for the wrinkles? There are lots of different ones out there, but not sure if they really work good or not. Would be faster though.
Well got to get some laundry going before the heat sets in here....
Thanks Dr. Phil, Oprah, Dr. Ruth, Dr.....
posted on July 23, 2004 12:55:44 PM
There are some personal steamers on the market. I've never tried one, sorry, but I have noticed wrinkled clothing for sale and it's a turn-off.
I have to say what turns me off even more than wrinkles, though, are the itty-bitty pictures people are putting in their auctions. Damn but they're tiny. If you're using the one free eBay picture and photo-ing the entire garment, nice details that could sell the piece will be all but invisible.
Actually, as a buyer, tiny pictures are my biggest peeve all over eBay. I wish sellers would stop optimizing their images for folks with dialup.
posted on July 24, 2004 06:14:58 AM
Hi, When I want to take out wrinkles on clothing, (even my own, I hate to iron clothes!)....I put them in the dryer for a few minutes with a damp wash cloth and a dryer sheet...Or with a damp wash cloth or towel with fabric softner on it..take them out quickly and hang them up, do not let them lie in the dryer and cool or yah get more wrinkles......works for me..Good luck...Judy in the Boondocks.
posted on July 24, 2004 10:51:10 AM
I always iron the items that can't go in the dryer. It's actually a very relaxing activity for me. I just pop the TV on and start ironing for several hours. You'd be surprised how quickly it goes.
Before I got a store mannequin I used a sewing dress model for display. I found it very cheap (under $10) at a thrift store in town. Sometimes I still hang items up on the door.
I purchased the large plastic wrap (poly vinyl film wrap) from Costco. I wrap everything in that before shipping in either the priority tyvek envelope or a plain brown envelope depending upon the weight. Sometimes it will go in the priority boxes.
posted on July 24, 2004 11:05:53 AMaroundtheworldtreasures I have also been VERY interested in a larger steamer system. Although, we don't sell "used" clothing, one of my husband's web sites does handle women's caftans, and naturally when photographing them, there are fold lines, which to this point I have either taken the caftan and hand ironed it for photographing, or removed the "fold lines" via my graphic program. I don't think on "used" items the graphic removal would be a good approach, as it takes time, experience, and a top notch graphic's program, and if you are planning on selling a zillion different items, which means a zillion different pictures, then graphic adjustments are too time consuming.
I have seen the larger steamers from about $150 to over $2,000 (at a convention).
One of the wholesale suppliers who I purchase tissue paper, and ring boxes from also handles a variety of steamer systems, and I am very tempted to try one.
I HAVE SEEN one being carried at SAM'S which I may try, since it is easy, available, and more easily returned if it doesn't work for the applications we need.
I agree with the other poster who said "wrinkles" are a turn off.
If you call this 800 number you can request a catalogue, and see the steamers available through this company, which seem very reasonable to me. In their catalogue they also carry all types of store displays, boxes, specialty jewelry boxes, bags, tissue paper, packing items, etc. etc.
1-800-823-8887 or you can visit their site on the WWW at:
posted on July 24, 2004 03:36:19 PM
I sell mostly clothing, although I just had a run on Furby's. I hang most of my clothes on doors and take 2-3 pics(print, tag, full length, 2 pcs, etc..) I iron or sometimes send to Cleaners(if I know I'll get my money out the sale) I ALWAYS tell measurements, chest, waist, length, inseam, etc.. Cuts down on questions from buyers. I ship Priority. Boxes are free. If I can fold small enough, I ship in flat rate envelopes(buyers love the rate despite the wrinkles). Otherwise, I ship in boxes. All sizes. Order from usps.com FREE. I usually put garment in a plastic bag from Walmart or other stores, leftover from shopping. If I think it'll move around too much inside the box, I stuff with newspaper(again FREE-after I read it). I always wrap shoes and stuff box. My feedback says good things about my shipping, so they must like what I do. Again, you all are a wealth of information and I thank you!
I'll start digging into my boxes for those school clothes.
Teri
