Here it comes…the shopping trips to buy school supplies…now where in the world did I put that list??  Then we run over to the local mall, trudging from one store to the next (through too many stores to think about).  Here we are looking for school clothes that are reasonably priced and provide that special “look” for fall.  Unfortunately, the day will cost you 6-8 hours and the “Look” will cost three times as much as it should.  Sadly, the clothes are too often made of poor fabric won’t last 6 months of regular use!

As if that news wasn’t bad enough, there is the inevitable shock of seeing just how little you got for the big money spent in the new clothes market.  Yep, there will be high credit card payments due from now until well after Thanksgiving – what about the Holidays??

Oh, and that special “look” you were looking for?  You will see it coming and going past you daily because EVERYONE is buying the same thing from the same racks in the same stores.  Everyone is picking through the racks heavily loaded with the same items in any size -- in short, someone elses idea of what you should love.  That’s someone’s "style" -- but it's not yours.  If you know who you are, want or have an individual style, want to save money and look great -- eBay is the place for back to school shopping!  Put the credit cards away, load up your PayPal account and start shopping!  

Your individual style can be anything ranging from the classic “Preppie or Prep School" look of the classics to the darkest “Goth” look and it is out there on eBay right now - new or gently used.  If you are an older teen or an adult – you already know what you like – now you just have to pull it together, using your own discerning taste instead of buying looks that are spoon fed to you through mass marketing.  By all means, peruse the magazines to check out the styles and color combinations that both flatter and fit your personal style.  Then let your fingers do the walking through eBay.  To start, click "Buy" on the top of the home page and then simply type in the brand name you love, the size you wear in that brand and click "go."  Before you will be hundreds of options to look through in search of great pieces for back to school.

If you want YOUR style (and for a whole lot less), try the gently used clothing market!  There are so many important reasons to consider buying gently used clothing today.  Among the most important reasons are:

- Gently Used is the most prudent use of available clothing dollars, (especially if you are a student, or are otherwise on a limited budget).
- You have expensive taste without the Trump income,
- You actually care about the environment and the condition of the earth
- You have a growing family and/or are just plain sick and tired of credit card bills. 

Developing and putting together your own style couldn’t be easier in the gently used clothing market.  There is a much wider variety of styles and colors to choose from every day.  Got a color you love and it is hard to find this season?  eBay is the answer -- your favorite color is always available. 

Are you a fan of vintage looks or real designer pieces?  Do you look best in empire waist or straight leg slacks?  Yep -- they are there!  In the gently used market, you can get clothes from almost every decade from retro bell bottoms to true hipsters and back again.  You can also afford the true designer looks from the fancier vintage clothing shops too, online.  Nothing can help you pull together your own unique style like the gently used clothing market on eBay.  You can find styles and cuts that fit, and the best quality fabrics, regardless of what the manufacturers are or are not touting this year.  You can find colors that flatter and that you enjoy, rather than being the only ones available. 

Stretching your hard earned dollars without accumulating massive credit card debt is especially important when your first priority is to live well --but within your means (that is, to have little or absolutely no credit card debt for consumables).  The least understood economic fact is that sale purchases payed for by credit cards over time are no bargains.  A $40 dollar shirt, paid over time with interest compounded monthly can easily cost you TWICE or more that what you think you paid.  That interest piles up fast.  The average American family carries as much as $35,000 in credit card debt today.  The net result of that kind of debt is that those who carry it are one accident, illness or lay off away from loosing everything.  Oddly, much of the credit debt we have today tends to be from living above one's true means.  Chasing fashion with a credit card doesn’t have anything to do with style.  Style is personal, created by you and makes you feel good not guilty, fullfilled not overwhelmed.  Buying without thinking or chasing the prevailing fashion is not true style.  So, if you want to get out of debt -- or stay out of debt – and put a great look together that belongs to YOU for a price you can afford -- the gently used clothing market on eBay is the best way I know.  Even if you CAN afford to shop regular retail, it still makes little sense to do so when you can get so much more, without the debt. 

It is also critical to understand that to buy gently used clothing (recycling) is actually environmentally responsible.  The pollution stream created to manufacture the goods you buy in the gently used market has already occurred.  As with all production on earth, clothing production comes with a pollution stream related to it.  It begins with the use of water and pesticides for growing the material that will become the fabric and continues through the process of harvesting the crops, processing the fabric and producing the finished product. All processes involve large amounts of water and chemicals (which eventually wind up back in our water and on the land -- with predictable results).  This pollution stream is not recreated when we recycle clothing items.  Environmentally conscious?  Consider recycling by selling the quality clothing you no longer need or want, and purchasing in the gently used clothing market whenever possible.  If you are a smart shopper, who knows a great bargain when you see one...and are mindful of our footprint on mother earth – and the earth you will leave to your children, eBay will prove to be a true buying adventure to benefit the entire family!

Another distinct (and yet often unaddressed) advantage in buying gently used clothing is that it makes economic sense in America.  Today, we worry about American jobs that have hemorrhaged from the country for decades.  Along with our jobs going overseas, our hard earned dollars follow too.  Today, the largest proportion of US money in history is leaving our nation for foreign shores.  This is largely due to the purchase of goods and services buying consumables from India, China and other nations as well as thaqt finding its was to the world's oil producing nations.  As our unemployment rates skyrocket, it is frightening.  From an economic standpoint, it is important to understand that every dollar spent with a US eBay seller is a dollar in commerce that remains home in the US. 

Convinced?  Well here is yet another advantage to shopping eBay-- go ahead, choose the pricey brands that you have always dreamed of wearing.  You can afford them in the gently used market place!  If you have never bought pricier clothing items -- go to a local mall and try on the best of the best.  Make a note of brands, sizes, styles and colors that flatter.  If you like the feel or wear of a particular fabric, make a note of its make up (example: Sweater: 45% wool 55% acrylic or jeans 97% cotton and 3% lycra).  Be sure to list sizes, colors and styles that you think are best.  Go ahead and indulge in Ralph Lauren or Abercrombie and Fitch -- these items are actually reasonable as gently used clothing on eBay!! 

Once you know what you like, and the fabrics you prefer, you can develop your clothing needs list, only purchasing what you need now and planning for what you need to meet future or special requirements including season changes, holiday or special occasion (i.e. Black Tie/Formal Christmas party, junior or senior prom, or cousin Amanda's fall wedding).  Plan ahead for weight loss if you are dieting or have recently had weight loss surgery.  Your clothing needs list will keep you on target, creating maximum savings while reminding you to get what you need, when you need it.  You get to save gas too!!

If there is a down side to shopping in the gently used clothing market, it may be that you don't find exactly what you want the first time you visit Ebay or you need to get it for less.  Persistence is key -- you really can get anything you want, for the price you are willing to pay if you use some of eBay’s smart tools to search regularly.  In fact, Ebay will search for you.  Set up eBay automatic searches for the items you want to find right now.  The computer will scan the system regularly and email you when the item you requested is listed (be specific in your search including brand, and size).  Using the saved search functions assures that you can eventually find all your "must haves" -- and at a price you are willing to pay. Millions of new and gently used clothing items are listed weekly.

Then there is the BIG question, “OK now I am considering purchasing gently used, how do I know I will like what I receive?"  Assuring that you are thrilled with what you get is surprisingly easy with a minimum of effort.  You can help yourself to a positive purchasing experience by following these four important pre-purchase suggestions:

1.  Read the advertisement carefully.  Most sellers try hard to supply all essential details, calling out any issues that may be a problem for the future owner.  Good sellers write good ad copy to avoid misunderstandings, a buyers possible disappointment and the resulting negative feedback.  A seller's reputation has more meaning than ever before on eBay so they protect it.  If the item has an issue listed in the ad, ask yourself if you can effectively deal with it, such as making the repair to a hem, replacing a button or zipper?  If so, go for it (it will likely be a super deal).  If not, give the item a pass.  Please remember that opinions are subjective.  So, if in doubt about anything in the ad, send the seller an email in "My Messages" to ask before you bid.

2.  If you have questions about the item, ask them early.  Most sellers are not online 24/7 so you need to provide ample time for them to answer you before the auction ends.  Is the picture not clear?  Ask the seller for another and provide a standard email address (you cannot attach pictures in eBay messages).  Once you receive the picture, you can also save it to your desk top (right mouse click, click "save as"...<name picture>.  The larger or natural picture format is usually easier to view  If you have photo software you might be able to lighten the picture to better view the detail also.  The best sellers want you to make an informed purchase and will provide accurate information to avoid post sale problems.  Your side of a positive interaction is to ask for the information you need to be an informed buyer. 

3.  Look at seller feedback before bidding.  No one pleases everyone, every time.  However, sellers with a great deal of positive feedback (98% or greater) are very likely to be honest, hardworking sellers who generally please customers, and are likely to please you too.  Hi numbers of feedback indicate a sellers experience in pleasing customers and experience does count.  Nuggets of truth are found in the feedback -- so read a few.  If "Fast shipping" is oft mentioned, you will likely receive your items in a timely manner.  If "just as described" is there, the seller probably writes good descriptions that you can count on. 

4.  Try to buy from sellers who guarantee your satisfaction and/or offer a reasonable return policy. Yes, that dedication to customers IS out there and available from sellers who sell gently used clothing and accessories (I am one of them).  The best sellers know that when it comes to gently used clothing, condition is always subjective (that is, in the eye of the beholder).  Having your satisfaction guaranteed assures that your opinion will count and that the seller will work with you to make sure you are happy with your purchases.  The best sellers have an acceptable return policy with either refunds or exchanges permitted.  This pro-customer attitude from sellers will assure that you are always able to get your money's worth from the transaction.  As a seller, offering guaranteed satisfaction goes a long way toward encouraging sales and communication with your customers (and avoiding negative feedback).  Over time, guaranteeing your customer’s satisfaction also assures that you will develop a strong base of loyal and  returning customers.  They come back simply because they feel safe spending their money with you. 

5.  Finally, buyers -- if you do receive an item that is not what you expected, do as Ebay suggests.  Get in touch with the seller quickly and attempt to work out a settlement BEFORE leaving negative feedback.  ALWAYS check your temper and any thought of being rude or accusatory at the outset.  A bad attitude or impatience going in, puts a seller unnecessarily on the defensive and/or makes them angry.  Neither attitude leads to anything positive for you or them.  When contacting a seller, simply state the facts of the problem.  There is plenty of time to leave negative feedback later, should it be necessary.  Feedback is an important currency on Ebay.  Serious Sellers will work with you to avoid problems and serious buyers will check it before buying from an unfamiliar source.  In the event that you do need to involve a third party in a dispute with your seller, it is always best to follow Ebay's and PayPal's well established dispute process (Please note that PayPal’s dispute process is only available if you used PayPal in your transaction).  PayPal is the best way to assure a good outcome is achieved -- and in a timely manner. 

6.  While shopping with a seller, visit the sellers store if they have one (cick the little red door next to the Ebay ID).  Look at any items with Best Offers available in the store.  See something you like?  To take the best advantage of combined shipping!  If a seller has a great combined shipping rule, multiple purchases can greatly reduce the shipping costs.  Most sellers will work with you to wait through two or more auction cycles to combine ship also.  The best sellers offer a low “per item” cost for each additional item shipped.  That is, the first item costs $5.95 to ship and all other items added to the order cost only $1.  With the selection of 5 or more items from a single seller, the seller winds up paying some or much of the shipping costs for you!  So, don’t overlook a seller’s eBay Store and Best Offer merchandise.  Whenever an item is listed with the option to make a “Best Offer,” be brave and try it.  A typical good Best Offer is $2 - $3 dollars below the asking price.  However, items that have been on offer in the store for a longer period of time may be available for half (or less) of the asking price.  If in doubt, email the seller and ask if the offer you have in mind would be accepted.

Now that you are excited about a new way to shop for back to school -- Please visit my auctions (PEPPER120851) and Store "The Write Place," where a great deal is only a mouse-click away!  I happily combine shipping from auctions and my store – I like to save, why wouldn’t you?  I also stand by everything I sell with a satisfaction guaranteed return policy and I personally measure each item I list! 

Happy eBaying!

Pepper