In the last few years buying gently used items has taken off!  College students really helped the trend.  It's hard to pay tuition, rent and countless other expenses then hit the mall and spend $125 on 3 Tops.  Buying gently used clothing gives you the luxury of getting designer or name brand items at an enormous discount. 

Last year my neighbor found out she was expecting.  She has 3 other children.  The youngest of the 3 is 15.  Yikes!  What a surprise:)  I have a contact who specializes in everything "baby"  I told my neighbor and she said "but it's not new" and I said "it's new to you"  We hopped in the car and took a ride.  She was stunned at the savings.  Car Seats, High Chairs, Playpens, Bibs, Blankets, Onesies, Sleepers and Clothes.  We stocked up and now she's hooked, buying things for herself, husband and all 4 kids.

Moms are another popular group of buyers.  Raising a family (as we all well know) is a huge expense.  Mom's have always tended to put themselves last  Now with Ebay, Thrift and Consignment Stores they don't have too.   They can wear the trendiest styles, have the name brand items and not spend a fortune.  There is a need for this secondary market.  An example is a professional woman, maybe a paralegal who has been out of the work force for the last 5 to 10 years raising her family.  When she makes the decision to go back to work she needs a whole new wardrobe.  That is an overwhelming expense.  Parents can be more flexible with their kids.  It's much less painful to pay $5 for the must have Tee Shirt than $35.

 

I have a dear friend who is a fashion consultant.  She dresses people for a living.  Many of her clients buy something, wear it one time and pass it on to her.  One of the (many) benefits of this friendship is I get a call saying "I'm coming down this weekend and I have some great stuff for you!"  The drawback is spending the weekend hearing "that's not a good color for you" or "that top makes you look flat chested"  Luckily I have thick skin:)  There are plenty of people out there who wear it once and are done with it. There are some who get the item home, realize it doesn't fit quite right don't have the time to return it.  Then there are the people who take outstanding care of their clothing and that even after having it for a year it could still be described as "like new"

 

Even if you are of the mind set "cost doesn't matter" you can benefit from buying gently used clothing.  Remember that white J Crew dress your husband spilled red wine on?  That was a great dress but they don't make them anymore.  Your favorite pair of Jeans that you are considering duct taping together because you just can't find them anywhere!  

Plenty of people aren't looking for the designer label.  They could be searching for something unique.  You can type "silver and yellow top with rhinestones" into a search and possibly get a hit or 10.  Post to Want it Now someone may have exactly what you are looking for.  There are more options now so take advantage of them

Where to start?  Ebay is very convenient.  You can look at 100 different items on your lunch hour. Clothing, shoes, handbags, earrings right at your fingertips.

Now it's a matter of trust.  Are you ever really going to see that J Crew Dress?  Is it going to have a huge hole if you do? A big black ink spot?  The general rule of thumb is merchants/sellers want you to buy their items and they want you to come back.  There are a few that are here and then gone but for the most part it's a safe place to shop with lots of great people and great products.  Be safe and protect yourself.  Check feedback. It's a great way to find out what type of experience other buyers had.  It gives you peace of mind to read "item just as described!", "fast shipping" "great customer service" and so on.

Ask questions.  Is the description not clear?  Are you wondering what the back of the top look likes?  In general sellers want to help you.  They can clarify things, send pictures or whatever you need.  If they don't, you probably don't want to buy from them.  If a seller is difficult before the transaction is complete, imagine how they will be after. Sellers are human and they make mistakes if it wasn't in the description they probably just missed it and will try to make things right with you.   In time you will get to know the sellers and their merchandise.  You will know who carries your favorite brands, always describes the item perfectly, has the best prices, is always easy to deal with and so on.  Next thing you know you will be wearing that Bebe dress you love, the Banana Republic top you adore, that cute little American Eagle Skirt but you will have gotten all 3 for the price of 1:)  And hey, facts being facts:  It's New to You!