eBay

bigdeals.etc · ‎07-17-2019

What's your take on this? This is a relatively popular question I get from potential buyers, I'd say once every couple of weeks. I cringe when I get this question because my listings have size charts with measurements (inches and cm). Some listings additionally have this size chart as a photo as well.

I get the feeling that these buyers who ask the question 1] did not look at the size chart, 2] buy according to size label (like Small, Med, Large, etc) and not by measurements, 3] don't know their own measurements (too lazy to find out or simply don't want to know), or all of the above.

Because I feel the size chart can answer their question for the most part. So if my assumption of these buyers is correct, then they have potential of coming back to return the item compared to someone who don't share these traits. I'm wondering what I should reply to these buyers. Up until now, I've just been telling them to refer to the size chart and compare. I haven't monitored the percentage of sales conversion on that though.

For those of you who are thinking "hey, you have free returns so what is your problem then?" Just because I honor free returns, doesn't mean I encourage it. Otherwise I'd advertise "Free 30 day rentals!"

18704d · ‎07-17-2019

Well, if true, if they don't even bother to measure themselves..

then yes, even your measurements dont' help you as a seller.

I was thinking of this as a response:

"My clothing runs exactly equal to the measurements I have listed. Thanks"

or something like that..

but again,

if they don't even bother measuring themselves...?

?

Lynn

Lynn

You love me for everything you hate me for

.

castlemagicmemories · ‎07-17-2019

Retailer web sites, like Penney's and the like, often list the measurements and then have a rating by buyers that shows if it is running small, large or true. Possibly this addresses any discrepancies between the stated measurements and what the garment actually usually is. There are often variations in a line of clothing for the same item. I prefer a certain brand of jeans and out of 6 pairs, that are supposed to fit,only two do. I have learned that this is because many pairs may be cut with the fabric layered on top of itself and so the ones at the bottom will have slightly different measurements than those on top. I suspect that this is where your buyers are coming from in asking that question.

Perhaps saying that the measurements shown are the actual measurements of the garment would help and be sufficient. IDK Your call!

bigdeals.etc · ‎07-17-2019

Yea today a buyer asked me that for one of my listings. I replied to them rather quickly referring to the size chart and they said thanks. Then an hour later they sent another message linked to a different listing (which also has a size chart) asking the same question. I wonder if that is just an automatic initial message this buyer sends to sellers... like a way of saying "hello".

On a related topic, I recently had a buyer who messaged me "Hi I normally wear a Large, so should I buy an XL here?"

bigdeals.etc · ‎07-17-2019

Hm, yea you have a point there. Yea I noticed times that retailer web sites don't really have the greatest size charts. Usually I think that's because they try to just have one chart to cover all of their clothing types. Like for instance one size chart for ALL TOPS... t shirts, sweat shirts, hoodies, tank tops, dress shirts, polos, puffy pirate shirts, etc.

castlemagicmemories · ‎07-17-2019

Some just have one chart, but the ones I was referring to had a chart for each item. Possibly because different measurements would apply for length, say, for a short coat as opposed to a long coat.

sandylandshoppe · ‎07-17-2019

Most size charts from manufacturers or department stores are not a chart for a specific clothing item, they are charts detailing body measurements. The body measurements are then lined up to a specific size, for example a chest measurement of 44 and a waist of 35 may be charted as size 16 or XL.

So it may not be clear that your charts are really garment specific vs. body measurements. I would tell perspective buyers to measure a similar garment they own and fits well, and then compare to your chart for best fit.

yuzuha · ‎07-17-2019

It's a legitimate question, as sometimes sizes can vary even within a single brand.

For example, I have two shirts from Talbots that are size Small, and they fit me perfectly. I bought another Talbots shirt from the local thrift store, also size Small, and that thing hangs on me like a tent-- it's WAY too big. It is not sized at all like the other two shirts by Talbots that I own.

castlemagicmemories · ‎07-17-2019

It could have been mis tagged.

yuzuha · ‎07-17-2019

Possibly, but that was what was on the tag that was sewn inside the shirt itself. It's not the first time that has happened, either: I have two pairs of pants in the exact same style from a particular manufacturer, just in two different colors, and one pair is a full inch longer than the other.

bigdeals.etc · ‎07-17-2019

@yuzuha wrote:
It's a legitimate question, as sometimes sizes can vary even within a single brand.

For example, I have two shirts from Talbots that are size Small, and they fit me perfectly. I bought another Talbots shirt from the local thrift store, also size Small, and that thing hangs on me like a tent-- it's WAY too big. It is not sized at all like the other two shirts by Talbots that I own.

But an inch should never change. And that's what's shown in my size chart.

fluffywhip78 · ‎07-18-2019

Do your cloths come from the same manufacturer? if so, do you have a shirt that was returned and opened?

You can have someone you know try that returned shirt and let you know if it's snug or not (if it's a size you don't wear).

bigdeals.etc · ‎07-18-2019

@fluffywhip78 wrote:
Do your cloths come from the same manufacturer? if so, do you have a shirt that was returned and opened?

You can have someone you know try that returned shirt and let you know if it's snug or not (if it's a size you don't wear).

I don't limit myself to one size. Because like people have said here and in other posts... There is no consistent size standard anymore. I'm a Med in some brands, Large in others, and even XL in some. I know my measurements though.

There's also preference. Some like tighter or looser fit than others. So someone can say an item fits small when another person with the exact same measurements can say it's big.

dhbookds · ‎07-18-2019

I have some sympathy........people buy your type of items by SMLXL........yet brands vary....so a Large in one, may be an XL in another. Also......the measurements usually state "chest" 25" (adult large).......well, no it's actually 50" AROUND the chest...... the old 36-22-36 ideal female would croak to read an 18" "chest"...... some use a "pit to pit" instead of chest/bust which does make it clearer, but still suspect.

As you said, best to tell them to measure a T shirt that's comfortable to compare....but then too, I wonder how many actually own a tape measure........