An essential guide to buying secondhand items online

From Depop to Poshmark to individual sellers on platforms like TikTok, vintage clothing and other secondhand goods are available for sale on basically every platform — if you know where to look for them. And don't sleep on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and even good ol' Craigslist as options for great deals on solid secondhand finds. 

Before buying clothing, shoes, or even jewelry online, take your measurements. Use a measuring tape and write them down, so you'll never have to wonder whether or not a coat or pair of shoes will actually fit. 

If you find a piece you love on Poshmark that seems a little pricey, look elsewhere. If you see lower prices, you may be able to negotiate a deal with the seller, or you can just buy the item on eBay. Your price-matching searches could reveal that you've scored a killer deal, and that's also welcome news. 

If you see an item on eBay that looks cool, but the photos are blurry, don't be afraid to ask the seller to provide more. You'll get a better sense of the item's condition and also suss out whether or not the seller is trying to hide a specific flaw. 

Unique vintage pieces and one-of-a-kind finds are just that — unique! If you see a piece that's rare or uncommon, don't wait too long to buy or someone else will snap it up. 

Resale platforms like eBay and Poshmark allow buyers to "bundle," or select multiple items, often at a discount. Before you click buy, browse through the seller's other items for sale to potentially find another great piece while saving on shipping. 

Platforms like eBay and Poshmark allow buyers to make offers on items they want, and frequently, sellers will accept even lower offers in order to get a piece off their shelves. Don't be afraid to send an offer that's just slightly less than you're willing to pay, either — this is a negotiation, after all. 

If you're searching for a specific vintage piece or in-demand dress, set a Google Alert or eBay Alert to keep a close eye on when the rare piece you desire goes on sale. You can also use these alerts to keep track of pricing trends. 

If you don't know what NWT (new with tags) or GUC (good used condition) mean, now's the time to learn. Check out this guide for an extensive list of acronyms commonly used on eBay and other platforms, and don't be afraid to ask the seller for clarification if you're not sure what something means. 

Descriptions on sites like eBay and Poshmark can tell you a whole lot about the condition of your item. Read the description closely, and make sure you're okay with any flaws or imperfections in the item before you order. 

That said, sometimes sellers don't disclose all issues with the items they're selling, and that's not fair to buyers. If you receive an item that is dirty, damaged, or smells bad, file a claim through the platform's support channel for a refund or replacement. 

Barring any undisclosed damage, you probably shouldn't expect returns or refunds on platforms like Depop and eBay. Some sellers accept returns, but if you're not sure about an item, make sure to check the seller's return policy before clicking "buy now." 

If you're dying for a Gucci bag but don't have the cash to drop more than $1000 for a purse, consider buying vintage. Many new trends have existed in prior iterations in decades past, and you can score a timeless piece on the cheap simply by looking back a few years. 

Speaking of luxury goods, if you're purchasing a pricey piece, consider looking for an item that needs a small repair, like replacing a broken zipper on a handbag or shoes that need a new sole. These repairs are often inexpensive, which means that you can often score a super-discounted deal on a new-to-you designer piece. 

Unwanted smells and mothballs can all be unwelcome surprises when you buy an item online, so make sure to ask the seller about any odors lingering in clothing and other household goods if the description isn't clear. 

Even the best platforms have scammers, and sometimes those scammers will ask you to pay outside of the platform (like sending cash via PayPal for an item on Poshmark) in an effort to avoid the platform's fees — or simply take your money. If someone asks you to send money via PayPal or Venmo instead of buying directly on Poshmark or eBay, that's a big red flag that you might be getting scammed. 

Even lower-ticket items can be counterfeited, but it's especially common among designer goods, sneakers, and even cosmetics. Compare listings for designer handbags or Nike sneakers with the item on the brand's official website to help determine if you're buying the real deal or a well-done fake. 

Shopping for secondhand items online can certainly score you a deal, but if you see an item that's priced substantially lower than comparable pieces, it's possible that the listing is a scam.