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Ebay is a great place to shop for vintage clothing. But it is definitely a buyer beware market.

To shop on Ebay you have to have an idea of what time period of vintage you want. Do you want last season's designer clothing, or do you want what was hot in 1970? There are great bargains to be had on Ebay, but you need to know how to decipher between the good, the bad, and the ugly.

1. Read the description thoroughly. It should tell you what brand the clothing item is, the measurements, and the condition.

2. Check the shipping prices before bidding. Many retailers on Ebay will offer items for one penny to $0.99. While that might sound like a great find, the shipping might be $29.95. This means they are putting a reserve price on the time secretly. Ebay is against overpricing shipping, so if you see this report it.

3. Look at the pictures carefully. If the picture is not that great email the seller for a better picture before you bid.

4. Check the seller's feedback and when they joined before bidding. If they have no feedback, or just joined Ebay, bid at your own risk. They may be a fake or just new, but I have had several problems with sellers like this who have stolen money.

5. Realize that not all sizes are the correct size. I purchased a vintage 1960's dress sized 12, but when I received it I was disappointed to see that it was more like a size 6. When in doubt ask the seller to provide exact measurements in inches to help you decide if it will be the right size.

You will find many bargains on Ebay, but you might have to sift through fifty pages before you find the right item. Give yourself a few hours to really look before deciding on what to bid on. A great feature on Ebay is the Watch List. You can use that to compare items you see along the way before you actually bid

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Searle.
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