8 Tips For Finding The Latest Trends For Less On eBay

My blog post was written as a part of my collaboration with eBay. 

I’m a total shoe addict. From luxury labels to designer dupes, I can’t get enough. While I have my tried and true favorites, there’s nothing I love more than a new pair of kicks. This season there are so many new shoe trends I’m loving, from chunky-heeled mules to chic sneakers. Out of all of the quirky new shoes to steal the spotlight this season, I can’t seem to get enough of ornate and velvet booties. This bold trend is the easiest way to add a pop to any outfit – and while this style may not last through every season, these booties are an absolute must-have for Fall.

Since I spend most of my days online researching the newest fashion trends, I’m always coveting new styles – but it’s important to remember to budget and not get carried away by the latest and greatest. One way I’ve been able to wear the newest trends without breaking the bank is with eBay. While a lot of the merchandise on eBay is second-hand, over 80% of the items for sale are brand new – crazy, right?

I’ve been shopping on eBay for as long as I can remember, and I’ve also sold a lot of my own items on eBay over the years. It’s a great source for snagging designer pieces, great deals on new trends, and finding unique styles to amp up your wardrobe. That being said, if you’ve never shopped on eBay before, it can be a bit intimidating at first. If you’re not looking for something super specific, you may find yourself scrolling through thousands of items in hopes of finding something chic. Unlike major department stores, you may have to filter through some not-so-trendy items, BUT if you use my tips below it will help you score the best items – including the ones you never even knew you needed!

8 TIPS FOR FINDING THE LATEST TRENDS FOR LESS ON EBAY

1 – Shop The Events – One of my favorite places to get a little shopping inspiration is from the eBay shopping events. eBay highlights the top trends OR seasonal must-haves, so you can easily find trending items. I found these boots from the “Step Into Something New Event”, and I love them already!

2 – Search For Brands You Know And Love – One of the trickiest parts of ordering clothes online from any retailer is determining the right size. By shopping brands you already have in your closet, you can easily find the right size. Plus, it’s a great way to stock up on additional styles from your favorite designers. I’ve been wearing these Mother jeans all season, so I snagged another pair off of eBay in a darker wash this week for only $30 – talk about a win.

3 – Rebuy Old Favorites – Following with the last tip, I love rebuying old favorites. If I fall in love with a pair of shoes, I have a tendency to wear them to bits. In which case, I can generally find another pair on eBay for a fraction of the cost! True story, I’ve gone through four pairs of my nude Baldan wedges (worn here), and I just found another replacement again this summer! They were originally $850, but I found each replacement for around $100. Since I knew my exact size and style, it was easy for me to rebuy.

4 – Explore The Seller’s Other Items – If you find an item you love, click the seller’s profile to see the rest of their items. Chances are you share the same personal style, and her former closet will be your own personalized shopping experience. (Bonus: if you’re shopping for designer shoes, you can scroll through an entire shop of your exact size!)

5 – Be Specific – Make your search easier and less time consuming by being specific about what you want to find. Searching “velvet boots” will give you THOUSANDS of results – and most likely a lot you won’t love. Make it simpler by searching a trendy brand you love and add color and size, example: “Steve Madden Blue Velvet Booties sz 7.5”. This will pull up exactly what you’re looking to find immediately and will save a lot of time and effort.

6 – Buy It Now – If the seller offers Buy It Now and you think the price is fair, go ahead and buy it now. It will speed along your shopping process, plus you can immediately have the item delivered at an exact date. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about betting it out with another buyer in hopes of winning. From my experience, the auction price generally ends up around the same price at the original Buy It Now rate – if you want it, snag it.

7 – Research The Seller – Check the store ratings, shop from established sellers, and read their reviews. This is the most important tip to remember when shopping on eBay. If you’re buying something, especially something with a hefty price tag, shop from established sellers. Have they made a lot of sales? Do they have a lot of positive reviews? Are most of their items authentic and similar to the styles you’re purchasing? If the answer is yes to these questions, you can count on a smooth shopping process!

8 – Check The Returns Policy – Ok as a seller, it’s tempting to sell items with no returns (if I’m cleaning my closet, do I really want the chance of an item coming back?), but offering returns allows the shopper to have a fair shopping experience and guarantees satisfaction. When you’re shopping on eBay, be sure to pay attention to the returns policy. If you order a pair of boots that are a half size too small, it’s nice to know you can send them back and try again. A returns policy also guarantees the item you receive is exactly as described.

Whether I’m looking for ways to wear the newest trends or looking to refill my closet with quality basics, I can always find something I love on eBay. As I mentioned above, I love shopping from designers I already know and love. It’s a guaranteed way to stock up on my favorite brands, while saving a lot of money! Some of my favorite brands to shop on ebay: Steve Madden, Mother Denim, Show Me Your MuMu, Flynn Skye, Vince, Free People, Theory, and Sam Edelman.

So next time you’re scrolling through Pinterest and fall in love with a specific item or new trend, be sure to search for it on eBay. I guarantee you will find what you’re looking for at a fraction of the cost!

Have you shopped on eBay? Tell us about your experience, tips, or favorite items you found in the comments below! Xo