A good item with a bad listing sits unsold. Buyers search with specific words, scroll quickly and decide on the first photo. A clear, honest listing sells faster, gets fewer questions and leads to fewer returns. Here’s how to write one.
Titles: write what buyers search
Put the most important words first:
Brand + item + model or style + key feature + size
- Good: Barbour Bedale Waxed Jacket Olive Tartan Lining Size C40
- Weak: Lovely green jacket great condition
Tips:
- Use the model name or number if there is one — it’s what keen buyers search for.
- Include size for clothing and shoes; buyers filter by it.
- Leave out filler like “lovely”, “wow” or “L@@K”. eBay titles are limited to 80 characters, so every word should earn its place.
- Don’t add other brands to catch searches (“not Barbour”). It’s misleading and can break marketplace rules.
Photos: the first one does most of the work
- Natural daylight and a plain, uncluttered background.
- First photo: the whole item, straight on, filling the frame.
- Then: back view, labels (brand, size, composition), model numbers, close-ups of fabric or detail, and every flaw.
- For electronics: show it switched on if it works, and photograph the serial or model plate.
- For sets: lay out every piece so buyers can see it’s complete.
- Clothing works as a flat-lay, on a hanger or worn. Depop buyers in particular like styled photos.
Descriptions: honest and scannable
Keep it short and structured:
- What it is — brand, model, colour, material.
- Size and measurements — for tops, pit-to-pit and length; for trousers, waist and inside leg. Measure flat, in centimetres or inches, and say which.
- Condition — plainly, with flaws listed and photographed.
- What’s included — boxes, chargers, manuals, extra pieces.
- Postage or collection details.
Describing condition honestly
Use clear words and be specific:
| Term | What it should mean |
|---|---|
| New with tags / sealed | Never used, original tags or packaging |
| Like new / excellent | Used very little; no visible marks |
| Good | Normal signs of use, no significant damage |
| Fair / worn | Visible wear, marks or small flaws — described and photographed |
| For parts / not working | Faulty, damaged or incomplete — say exactly what’s wrong |
For electronics, always say whether you’ve tested it and how. “Untested” is honest; “working” when you haven’t checked isn’t. Never describe an item as genuine or authentic unless you can prove it.
Keywords
On Vinted and Depop, add relevant keywords to the description — style, era, fabric, occasion — for example gorpcore, 90s, vintage, wool, festival. Keep them accurate. Stuffing in unrelated brands or terms can breach marketplace rules and annoys buyers.
Pricing
- Base your price on recent sold prices, not asking prices.
- Leave room for offers on Vinted, Depop and Poshmark — list a little above the price you’d accept.
- Know your floor. The resale value calculator shows your break-even price after fees.
- If it hasn’t sold in two or three weeks, refresh the photos, improve the title, or lower the price.
Answering questions and offers
- Reply quickly and politely — fast answers often turn into sales.
- If someone asks for measurements or more photos, add them to the listing too.
- Counter low offers with a reasonable price rather than ignoring them.
Using AI-drafted listings
When you scan an item, Resale Checker suggests a title, description and keywords you can copy into Vinted, eBay or Depop. Treat it as a first draft:
- Replace every placeholder such as [size], [measurements] or [tested/untested] with real details.
- Check the identification — the AI can get models or eras wrong.
- Describe condition yourself. The AI only sees your photo and what you told it.
- Remove anything you can’t confirm, especially anything about authenticity or working order.
A few minutes of checking makes the difference between a listing that sells and one that gets returned.
