Having a hard time finding exactly what you’re looking for when shopping second hand online? Here are my top tips.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I DO NOT personally own all items linked. Before linking, I try to read reviews, but please read reviews and size guides, and consider these mindful shopping tips before purchasing 🙂
Shopping second hand is a great way to find retired styles, or even current styles, at a lower price. Plus, it’s more sustainable. There is so much available on the second hand market, chances are, you can find exactly what you are looking for – if you know how to shop second hand online.
As someone who has been making an effort to shop second hand first over the last year, I’ve learned a lot about shopping second hand online.
I used to have a hard time finding exactly what I was looking for or would make impulse purchases and end up with items that did not meet my expectations, but over the past year, I have learned so much. Here are my top tips for shopping second hand online.
Shopping Second Hand Online:
1. Know where to look
The first step for shopping second hand online is knowing where to shop. My personal favorite places to shop second hand online are Poshmark, eBay and The RealReal, but there are so many options to choose from.
2. Figure out the name of the item you are looking for
If you are looking for a specific item, knowing the style name and brand makes it much easier to find it second hand online, and easier to compare prices.
3. Do a Google search for what you are looking for with the keyword “used” at the end
My favorite way to find pieces I am looking for second hand online is to start by searching for the item in Google with the keyword “used,” and then browsing through the shopping tab or images section (because images are usually linked to items for sale). I find that searching via Google and adding the keyword or used filter often brings up more accurate results than searching in the resale platform’s search engine.
4. Use reverse image search
Did you know that you can use the Google Chrome app to reverse image search for items you’ve screenshot? Or that several resale platforms, like eBay, Poshmark and Etsy, also have reverse image search features on their apps?
If you don’t know the name or brand of the item you are looking for, or are having a hard time finding it available second hand online, utilizing a reverse image search may help!
5. Use key descriptive words
If you are looking for a certain style, but not necessarily an exact item or particular brand, using keywords that describe the fabric, style, details or aesthetic of the item can be a game-changer.
Here are a few examples of descriptive words that may help refine your search, depending on the item: cargo, utility, ruffle, cold shoulder, asymmetrical hem, linen, satin, leather, bell sleeve, balloon sleeve, cropped, flare, one shoulder, flutter sleeve, crew neck, knit, midi, high-low, pebbled leather, sheer… you get the point.
Pro-tip: If you are searching on eBay, you can also subtract keywords you are looking to avoid. For example, if you do not want the item you are looking for to be black, add “-black” to the end of your search.
6. Utilize filters
No matter what resale platform you are shopping on, utilize search filters such as size, color, brand, quality, style, etc.
Pro tip: if you are shopping on Poshmark, the app automatically sorts by “just shared,” but changing the sort to “relevance” will show the most accurate results!
7. Read the description
It’s easy to get excited when finding something second hand online and want to hit purchase immediately, but slowing down and reading the description is important because several resale sites do not allow returns. Reading the description will give you a better understanding of how the item fits and tell you what, if any, flaws the item has.
8. Read the measurements
One of my biggest gripes with shopping second hand online is that you can’t try the items on. One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made when shopping second hand online is not using the measurements accurately. I’ll see an item and imagine it fitting one way, then when it arrives, it’s completely different than I imagined (and often non-returnable). Because of this, it is essential to ask for measurements if you are unfamiliar with the brand or aren’t sure what size you need.
Bonus points if you can find a way to try on the item in person before purchasing.
9. Read seller reviews
To avoid having an undesirable experience while shopping second hand online, make sure to read the seller’s reviews, ratings or comments on previously sold items. This should give you a better insight on how quickly your purchase will be shipped, and the condition it is likely to arrive in. Many platforms will work with you if your item is not received in the expected condition, but it’s much easier to take precautions before purchasing.
10. Compare prices on multiple sites
My personal pro-tip for finding the best price when shopping second hand online is to use more user-friendly platforms to discover items, then search for those items on other platforms to compare prices.
11. Make offers
Always utilize the offer button when shopping second hand on sites like eBay or Poashmark. You never know, the seller might accept! With that being said, don’t lowball the seller. It’s just rude.