Shopping on PM is hard

[somany]

I think maybe 1 in 10 listings has measurements.  I think PM should require the Bust/Chest Measurement for tops and shirts; they would sell a lot more items.  

[Desire]

That might actually be worse. The younger crowd that sells there probably doesn't have a clue on how to measure properly. Everything I've ever looked at there seems to be geared towards them.

My DS's girlfriend wants to start selling on Posh, she was asking me about it last weekend, wanted to look at some of my ebay listings and how I did them. She didn't seem to like anything to do with measurements, in fact, she seemed sort of surprised that it was even necessary. Said that when you buy clothes from paper or online catalogs, there are never measurements, why should buyers expect them on ebay or Posh?

I really didn't have an answer to that. I've heard over and over on the boards that many will pass over listings with no measurements, so that was the answer that I gave her. Plus, that it might help in not getting the item returned for non-fit.  But are there returns accepted on Posh and Tradsey that go back to the Seller?  I've sold only a few items on those sites and never had any return requests.  I think Tradsey just takes the item back and sells it themselves or if under $50.00 it's absolutely no returns on those items. 

[denise15601]

Posh does not allow returns for fit. I have been on it for a year and haven't had any problems. But like on eBay, I have very detailed descriptions and measurements for all clothing, except for infant and childrens...since they seem to be universal and kids grow so fast that sizes change for them constantly.

[chapeaunoir]

DS's girlfriend actually is incorrect - there ARE measurements in online/catalog clothing - they all have size charts with measurements. That's all we're doing, providing the same measurements the clothing catelogs have - it's inconvenient and poor salesmanship to be forcing our buyers to hunt down size charts to see if something we have fits. There are all sorts of reasons they give for no measurements on the posh forums - most boil down to laziness IMHO. On eBay it's "I'm not spending hours and hours with a measuring tape" and when I point out that it takes probably a half minute to a minute for the most complex garment, they go silent.

[Desire]

Chap - Sorry but I don't agree with your analogy.    

I was talking about actual measurements not being on catalog items, not size charts online or in the catalog, if you re-read my post.  As we all know those size charts are just a guideline as a size LARGE in one style top will have a different measurement than another style top in the SAME brand. I have 4 J.Jill tops I just measured this week in Size XL and every one of them has measurements differing by 2-6 inches in bust and hemline sweep, which is a big difference.  Two will definitely fit 1X and one of them is a feminine fit that will be snug for a size XL, and will fit a normal Size L better.

Also those size chart measurements are usually for your BODY measurements as they show you how to measure with a tape pic around body parts. They are NOT for the item itself.  Sellers on ebay give actual garment measurements on listings, not body measurements on their listings.  Big difference and can get quite confusing. For that reason I usually put a blurb on my measurements that they are the garment measurements, not your body measurements.

So those size charts are sort of useless if a buyer needs exact measurements of an item to see if it will fit properly or if it's a tight fit.

[somany]

I purchased 4 items across ebay and PM in the last couple of weeks, and they all fit because I stuck to the measurement that I know I need. There are a few other tops that I would consider if I knew the measurement. I put a like on a couple on PM to bookmark them, and, of course, I got an offer on each of them. I don't know whether to accept or not until I contact them about the measurement. It's just an irritant, albeit a first world problem.

[chapeaunoir]

Desire - I was going by this:  Said that when you buy clothes from paper or online catalogs, there are never measurements, why should buyers expect them on ebay or Posh?

I interpreted the 'measurements' to be any kind of meaurements, including sizing charts (though some outfits like Cryoflesh give garment measurements). Even if they're body measurements, it still gives some kind of guide, versus no measurements at all, especially on a site that allows no fit returns. So she's right insofar as most outlets go that there are no individual measurements, but there is still something there for the buyer to compare. 

ETA: I guess how I feel is that in the secondary market, which is relatively new compared to the primary sales market, we need to make our own rules for best practices, rather than follow someone else's rules which may not really apply. 

[val2525]

QVC and HSN include garment measurements. Catherines sizing is fairly consistent based on style/cut. They are the only retailers I buy from where I'm pretty sure I won't be returning something for fit. Avenue and Woman Within sizing is all over the place, does not even match their size guides, and I end up returning at least 50% (if not more) of what I buy. So I don't buy there any more.

I've had VERY good luck buying on eBay from sellers who provide measurements.

Younger buyers don't seem to mind mailing returns back. I do. I don't like wasting the money on return shipping costs.

[chapeaunoir]

This is an area where I think we can go one better and stand out from the crowd - I'm not worried about the isolated individual who cavils about 0.5" measurement in order to return something for free - the point is that they want a free return, not the 0.5", so they're going to find SOMETHING wrong and give it a shot, so the popular argument that if you don't provide measurements they can't use that against you doesn't really wash with me. It's better to base one's decisions on the positive majority than the grinchly minority. But if people don't to do measurements they won't and that's all there is to it, and not everyone seems to need them.

[kritter]

I was looking around ebay for sweaters tonight because I am sadly lacking in winter clothes.

The ones without measurements I just backed out of. I used to ask for measurements but don't anymore. I just move on.