Describe wear honestly when you sell
Short answer: Write what is wrong and show it in a picture. Hidden flaws cause returns, poor reviews and more work than they save, while an honest description makes the sale go faster.
Write what is wrong
The rule is simple: write what is wrong and show it in a picture. Hidden flaws cause returns, poor reviews and more work than they save. A buyer who gets what she expects comes back, and a disappointed one often writes it in a review that others can read.
What you should mention
Mention lint, thin spots, stains, loose elastics and missing buttons. Mention everything a buyer would be disappointed to find when the parcel is opened. Go through the garment from top to bottom, and check the underarms, collar, crotch and seams especially, where wear usually shows first.
How you write it
Short and concrete. A small hole under the left arm is better than nicely used, because the first sentence tells the buyer exactly what she gets. Avoid words such as lightly used or a few signs of wear, which can mean almost anything. See also bamboo long sleeve t-shirts for men.
Show it in a picture
Take a close-up of each flaw so the buyer can judge for herself how big it is. A picture says more than a long text and removes doubt that would otherwise lead to questions in the messages. Put something next to it, such as a coin, so the size is clear without words.
Avoid fancy rewording
Words such as vintage, patina or with character often cover up wear. A buyer sees through them quickly, and it can cost you trust. Write instead what is wrong, in concrete words that cannot be misunderstood. Honesty does not look like weakness, but shows that you know your clothes.
What you get out of it
You get fewer returns and buyers who come back. An honest description may cost a little on the price, but it costs no time afterwards, and it is the deal that closes fastest. See bamboo pants for women and bamboo tops for women, where fit and wear often matter a lot.
The price can follow the flaw
If you mention a flaw, you can lower the price a little so buyers see you have thought about it. That is often enough for a buyer to choose your listing over another one with hidden flaws. A slightly lower price is better than an expensive return, where you lose both money and time.
If the flaw is very small
Mention it anyway. The buyer sees it when the parcel is opened, and it is better that she saw it in the listing first. A small flaw that is mentioned is no problem, but a small flaw that is hidden can become a big irritation. It is more about trust than about the flaw itself.
Answer honestly when someone asks
If a buyer asks about wear, answer directly and send more pictures gladly. Say so if you do not know something instead of guessing. A quick, honest answer gives the buyer confidence, and it often decides whether the deal happens. Do not hesitate to decline to send something you cannot stand behind.
Frequently asked questions
Does mentioning flaws lower the price?
A little, but it costs less than a return. An honest description also brings better reviews, which make it easier to sell the next garment you list.
What if the flaw is very small?
Mention it anyway. The buyer sees it when the parcel is opened, and a flaw written in the listing causes fewer disappointments than one discovered afterwards.
Should you photograph every flaw?
Yes, if it can be seen. One close-up per flaw is enough, and it removes doubt that would otherwise lead to questions in the messages and slow the deal.
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