The dos and don’ts of buying on Lacemarket

Buying and selling on the secondhand market, especially on Lacemarket, may seem intimidating or overwhelming. There’s no need to panic! Read on for some basic etiquette while buying and selling on Lacemarket.

1. Do ask questions if the listing isn’t clear.

   Sellers want you to buy their stuff, so if some part of the listing isn’t clear, ask more questions! Lacemarket sellers are generally happy to tell you more about what they know about a piece.

2. Don’t message someone who purchased an item you want in a past auction.

   More than one person I know has been messaged about an item they’ve purchased, sometimes years ago. If an item isn’t for sale DO NOT MESSAGE STRANGERS ASKING IF YOU CAN BUY IT. This is extremely bad manners and super rude!

3. Do request additional photos if you want to see damage or condition more closely.

   EGL fashion buyers are pretty sensitive to damages, so if you want to see the condition of an item, don’t hesitate to ask for additional photos.

4. Don’t panic if an item arrives with undisclosed damages.

   It happens sometimes: an item arrives with undisclosed damages. Don’t panic! Take stock of the damages. If the damages include something that can be fixed with cleaning (something like odors or stains), get a quote from a local cleaner. If the damages include something that must be repaired, like buttons, threads, or other sewing problems, see if a local tailor can give you a quote. Take these quotes to the seller, let them know about the damages, and ask if they’d consider giving you a partial or full refund for the damage. Many sellers are happy to resolve issues this way (and most are apologetic). If they won’t budge, look into PayPal’s buyer protection and escalate the problem as needed.

5. Do make reasonable offers on items that have been listed for more than 2 weeks.

   While lowballing someone is a turn off for sellers, making reasonable offers, especially if an item hasn’t moved for a week or two is okay. I usually make an offer about 20% lower than the listed amount, unless the item is wildly overpriced. You’d be surprised how often this works! If the seller declines, thank them for their time and move on.

6. Don’t be rude if someone rejects your offer.

   Some people want a specific amount for their item and won’t budge if you make an offer. That’s okay too! Just thank them for their time and move on.