How to Shop EBay like an Editor

By Chioma Nnadi,Vogue

Vogue Market Editor Jessica Sailer isn't one to buy on impulse. She's the kind of shopper who considers each investment with extra special care. "My rule has always been to put the thing I love on hold at the store, and then I have at least until the end of the day to figure out just how much I want it," she says. "If I'm still thinking about a dress hours later, then I know it was meant to be."

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It's partly why the frenzy of an online auction has never appealed to Sailer. According to her, it's too easy to get sucked in: How do you gauge your need for something new without being consumed by the thrill of the chase?

Indeed, with the sheer volume of product on sites like eBay, from discounted deadstock to vintage collectibles to the counterfeit red herrings, the experience has become increasingly overwhelming in more ways than one. But when it comes to tracking down the looks of seasons past-that handbag, dress, or pair of shoes that got away the first time around-it can be invaluable. For Sailer, that must-have piece was a pair of Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière wedges, shoes that had eluded her four years earlier. The opening bid was steep-more than twice the original retail price-even though they'd clearly been worn (unlike designer handbags, shoes plummet in value once they step onto the sidewalk). In an unorthodox and not necessarily suggested eBay maneuver, she took matters in to her own hands and contacted the seller to negotiate a more reasonable Buy It Now price. "I understand what it means to have an emotional attachment to something," she says. "But I also know what those shoes were really worth."

Stating her case and budget in no uncertain terms, she successfully managed to cut the asking price of the shoes by more than half to win her prize. To save on an astronomical international shipping fee, she cleverly had the shoes sent to a friend local to the seller in London, who would be crossing the pond a few weeks later and paid $10 as opposed to the hundreds of dollars that an expedited package coming from overseas can cost. Despite her eBay success, Sailer still prefers a traditional brick-and-mortar store over the virtual experience and would never rely only on eBay when it comes to renewing her look each season. For those key pieces that she's been missing, however, the online auction marketplace has become a very important tool. "It's one thing to scoop up a piece a day or so after leaving the store," says Sailer, who now has her eye on a Prada dress from several seasons ago. "But it's particularly satisfying to get the thing you've been wanting for years."

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With Sailer's story in mind, here are five tips to shop eBay like an editor:

1. Be specific: To save time scrolling through pages of fashion, keep a wish list of must-have items and store it on your cell phone or computer. If you wouldn't compromise on the size, color, or fabric in the store, don't make the same mistake online.

2. Do your research: Knowing your fashion history will help with shopping for major fashion labels; consider buying something from an earlier season. Tomas Maier-era Bottega Veneta bags aren't cheap, but one from before his tenure at the house may have the same signature intrecciato leather weave but should be more reasonably priced.

3. Jump on a trend early: As soon as a collection is posted on sites like Vogue.com, get a head start on the trends by looking at vintage versions of what's feeling new. Chandelier earrings are set to be big for spring (Dolce has good ones) and are a very easy eBay get.

4. Ask for more photos: Not every seller knows the power of taking the perfect product shot, so don't be deterred by a poor set of images. Contact the seller for more options if you feel that you've found what could be a diamond in the rough.

5. Use your network: Keep international shipping costs to a minimum and have your purchase sent to a friend local to the seller.

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