HEY - when you're finished reading this, read my guide

Selling Shoes on Ebay -- AND WHY I DON'T DO IT ANYMORE. You'll be glad you did!

 

Or, if you're thinking of selling shoes, be sure to read Sellers - Protect Yourselves from PayPal Buyers Scams.

I wrote this guide after a fake eBay user bought a pair of Prada shoes with Buy It Now.  I never got paid for the shoes. So, do you really want to sell shoes on eBay? If you do, here are some DOs, DON'Ts, and other things to consider.   

    Gorgeous Prada shoes ...  bought by a fake eBay'er.

Why did I choose to sell women's shoes? Because shoes ALWAYS WORK! Men come and go, food can play mean tricks on us, friends can be fickle - but a new pair of shoes can solve most of life's problems. 

Selling shoes on eBay is fun for me. I'm at a "certain age" where sensible shoes (read: ugly and fuddy-duddy) are recommended. If someone out there in eBay-ville buys a gorgeous pair of shoes from me, then I'm happy, too.

   Elegant Jimmy Choo shoes - always popular and pricey!

Now for some DOs, DON'Ts, BEWAREs, THINGS TO THINK ABOUT, and WHERE TO FIND SHOES: 

DO:

• Use the word "shoes" in the item title, even if you're selling boots or sandals. Sometimes people will do a generic search, like "Prada black shoes", even though they're looking for sandals. 
• Give very specific shoe measurements from the inside of the shoe: the width at the widest part, the length from toe to heel, and the heel height. If you can't get an exact measurement, say it's "about x inches wide", and err on the side of caution. It's better for shoes to be a bit too large than to be too small.
• Describe the color of the shoe. Sometimes it's hard to tell what the color is on a monitor. Use descriptions like "tomato red" to describe the color.
• Describe the fabric, whether it's leather, silk, man-made material, or whatever.
• Describe what the sole is made of. Expensive shoes will almost always have leather soles. Include a picture of the sole or at least a description, like: PRADA  MADE IN ITALY.
• Describe any smudges or marks on the soles. Many shoes are tried on in the store, but haven't been worn outside.
• Tell what the retail value is, or at least a close estimate.
• Tell if the shoe comes in it's original box, if the box has a lid, and if there are dustbags (I never heard of a dustbag until I sold designer shoes!).

  This picture shows the MISSONI  logo on the leather sole, which reassures the buyer that the shoes are authentic.

DON'T:

• Don't use your own foot, or anyone elses, to model the shoes. This is my own personal hang-up. There are eBay sellers who do just fine modeling shoes on their own feet, but maybe they could sell even more shoes if they left their feet out of the picture.
• Don't accept personal checks for higher priced items - they aren't a sure thing. PAYPAL and Money Orders are the best to get paid for more expensive shoes.
• Don't get locked in to selling just a few brands. Last year I sold dozens of Prada shoes and I thought I was in heaven - until  my source dried up! Stay open-minded to lesser name brands, especially if you can get them for a great price.

  My hang-up - I don't want to see whose feet have been in my shoes.

BEWARE:

• Of selling suede shoes - they often rub against each other and take off some of the suede, leaving slightly shiny spots. Dustbags are fabric bags that slip over the shoes to prevent them from rubbing against each other (now you know what a dustbag is!).
• Of selling white or very light color shoes. They can pick up smudges and scratches that aren't easily seen.
• Check closely for defects or marks. I once bought a pair of designer clogs to sell; after I got home I noticed that there was a pencil mark on one of the clogs. I couldn't remove the mark and had to return them to the supplier.
• Of shoes that don't exactly match in color or in pattern - they can be "seconds".

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

• Use the "Require Immediate Payment" option of Paypal if you are selling shoes that are expensive. It might turn off some potential buyers, but at least you won't get stuck with someone who buys and doesn't pay. There's no extra charge for this option.
• Be willing to ship to foreign countries. Lots of overseas buyers have currencies that are strong against the U.S. Dollar, and they love to buy designer shoes . . . BUT. . .
• Consider making sales to foreign countries "No Returns Unless Item Has Been Misrepresented". Language differences can cause problems. I felt obligated to take back a pair of shoes from a buyer in Taiwan because she didn't understand the size description. Major hassle!

HAPPY HUNTING, OR HOW TO FIND SHOES:

• Regularly check discount shoe stores, like Rack Room Shoes or Nordstrom Rack..
• Go to department stores, especially during sales, and check the clearance racks.
• Go to consignment shops and thrift shops. Thrift shops sometimes turn up great bargains, like the pair of Manolo Blahniks that I found for $25.00 and sold for $88.00 - rare, but it can happen.

 Most important - have fun, and happy hunting.

If you enjoyed this guide at all, please vote YES below.  I'd really appreciate it.  Have a great day!

Feel free to email me if you have any questions.