Creating Listings for Used Shoes on Ebay

[MDC Galleries & Fine Art]

Hi all:
We have had several tubs of both men’s and women’s shoes in our storage area for two years and are just now getting to those to list. I had bookmarked many SL postings about the details of what to include in the listings, what not, how to describe, etc., etc. But through the months and even years the ideas, opinions and tips to sell shoes online here on the Forum [an old blog] have changed drastically. With Ebay also changing it’s requirements several times.

So, now the challenge to create our listings for men and women’s shoes needs what? What would the members here currently suggest as to what should be included and what is now not needed when listing used shoes to sell?

I now see most sellers only duplicating the title in the description area. Putting all sizes and color in the item specifics areas only. The condition [sole and heel] wear in the condition areas and that’s about it. Jay even saying not long ago that the photos are now doing most of the selling along with price to the young cell phone crowd.

Wife and I just stopped to pose this question before we create a monster here. I started to do inside toe to heel length, outside sole width, heel height, USA, EUR, UK sizes, so on and so forth. Wife finally said is all of this really needed now with the new Ebay changes and that is when we stopped and decided to ask all of the long time experienced sellers here at SL what really is all that is needed now. I think someone said just what the inside of the shoe says and say used and worn on the bottom and that is it. I know Dan is a believer in minimal information. So any lists of what to include, what’s not needed and what is a good slimmed down listing format for shoes of all types?

Thanks in advance to anyone who wishes to chime in on this topic. Mike Collins at MDC Galleries in Atlanta

• This topic was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by MDC Galleries & Fine Art.

[Suzanne in TX]

Mike, I’ve adopted the minimalist method of listing myself and love it. My sales haven’t seemed to suffer at all. For shoes, I always have at least 7 photos showing shoes at all angles and up close of all tags or markings + any flaws. I fill out all of the information in Item Specifics, so my description is usually just the title unless the shoes have some special features I need to point out, like extra shoelaces, removable inserts, weatherproof, waterproof, steel toes – then I might bullet these out. You can also add special features to the Item Specifics, but that’s not so easy on the eBay App (I list on my iPad), so I just describe it. I only include the equivalent Euro or U.K. Size if it is already on the shoe. The reason I don’t do for all is because it can vary from maker to maker. For instance, I wear a US Size 7.5 in ladies, which should be a Euro size 38.5. But in Birkenstocks, I take a 37, which is listed as ladies Size 6. As far as flaws go, I almost always say there are minor scratches and scuffs on leather shoes and wear to soles/heels just to cover my butt – even if shoes look new. Also mention if there’s wrinkling at toes. On Sandals, I usually also describe the footbed – is there an evident Toe/Foot imprint? Hope that helps a little! Shoes are great to sell.

[Terri]

I’m probably the only one who will post here saying that I include length and width insole/footbed measurements and heel height. Takes me about 30 extra seconds and I’ve actually had people write and ask a question based on the measurements given so some people do pay attention.

For fashion boots, I also include the shaft height (measured from arch to the top of the boot) as well as the calf circumference (measured on the inside around the top of the boot).

The only time I include the EU size is for shoes that are only sized EU (i.e. Dansko clogs, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo). Since Ebay forces you to put a US Size in the item specifics, even when there’s only a EU Size on the shoe, I look up the manufacturer’s size equivalent chart and choose the appropriate US Size. When there’s a range, like there is for Dansko shoes, I put the smaller number of the range in the item specifics and I put both sizes of the range in the title (39 8.5 9)

Like Suzanne, I take a minimum of 7 photos if the shoes are pre-owned.

1. View from the top with shoes side by side
2. Side view of one shoe
3. Eye level view of toes of shoes where they meet the outsole
4. Eye level view of heels of shoes where they meet the outsole
5. Photo of insole showing brand
6. Photo of printed size inside of shoe
7. Photo of outsoles

If there are any specific flaws, I take a close-up shot of the flaw.

A large percentage of my overall sales are from shoes/boots.

I don’t share my store name on a public board, but if you’re interested in taking a look at some of my shoe listings, let me know how to contact you.

[Jay]

If you provide more info it can’t hurt. Vintage shoes often need measurements because the sizes might be different.

When I buy shoes on eBay (and I have), I like to see a lot of photos and the shoe size. That’s it.

So like Terri says, it’s most important to provide photos of every angle and let me decide if they’re on good shape.

[LAwoman]

I started buying shoes for myself way before I started selling them. I get so frustrated when the insole length is not in the listing AT LEAST. Usually when I message the seller they either don’t get back to me, or send me the outsole length having no real idea what I’m talking about. I like to have those details in all my shoe listings (and heel height for heels). Mens shoes and boots I add widest part of sole (outsole) otherwise I get asked for this a lot. All boots shaft and heel height.

[Mylittlecheech]

I just list the size and take a enough photos so people can know exactly what they are getting. I also try to show close ups of the wear on the soles.

@Lawoman, I never measured insoles before, I’m gonna start after I saw your post. Can I ask…do you use a regular tape measure to do that? I tried measuring insoles before but stopped because I found it difficult to get the tape measure inside the shoe without moving around, and the whole process felt a bit wonky.

[pythonesk]

I never could figure out how to get an accurate inside shoe measurement. It just seems so easy to get wrong, and another thing to make INAD easier for the buyer. And the outside width seems unhelpful since many shoes have outer soles that are wider than the inside of the shoe, e.g. wingtips. I buy shoes on ebay too and I find that a lot of sellers don’t put up enough photos. I especially am looking for shoes with a wide toe box and if you don’t get a photo looking straight down at the top of the shoes it’s very hard to tell how wide the toe box is. Just my 2 cents.

[LAwoman]

Use a metal tape measure.

Don’t forget to get the measure of the widest point on the outsole (balls of feet)… when I get lazy and leave it out I get that question often. Oh, and circumference of boot (top opening where your foot goes in) and riding boots need a calf measurement. 😉

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