As a savvy shopper, I rarely buy anything at full retail price. I’m also not a ‘trendy’ person, so I buy things that will last for years, focusing instead on style and construction. Add those two together, and there are some excellent online deals to be found on Ebay, Etsy, and at second-hand stores.
Want icing on the cake? Look for items that are out of season. Ebay remains the premier online marketplace for secondhand goods, although there are other sites that are nipping at it’s heels. Ebay doesn’t know any seasons, so take advantage. Here are a few finds that I’ve been watching, and the price when I pulled them for this post.
Ralph Lauren Wool Pheasant Packer Coat – this bad boy is only $119 or best offer. Seems like a great alternative to a heavy winter overcoat. Stay sporty, even in formal situations…
I absolutely love the Viyella wool/cotton tartans. What I’m not a huge fan of are the brown buttons. I’ll tell you what, $16 with free shipping works well for me. I’m happy to update the buttons myself on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
As #MrsRCS says: ‘cashmere makes everything better’. And a $12.50 buy-it-now price tag on this J. Kilburn grey v-neck sweater hammers home the point. Can you really have too much cashmere?
I’ve been killing it on the secondhand market (Ebay is a huge part), stocking up on hunting and fishing gear. This Orvis Trout Bum half zip fleece is a prime example of what our mailman is dropping off. This one is on the market for $8.87. Can’t beat that with a stick.
Red Wing boots are a must-have for any guy. Use them for a day working in the yard, hose them off, and polish them up for a date. These Pecos are on the market for $49.99 with zero bids and ten hours left (when I pulled it for the post). Talk about a great deal…
Buying on Ebay is not for everyone – I’m the first to admit it. For those that are good with it, here are a few pre-buy and post-buy tips:
Pre-buy:
Don’t buy anything without good pictures.
Make sure the seller is reputable – check the feedback.
Always check the measurements – if they aren’t there, ask for them.
Make sure every question that you have is answered. Fit/condition/history/etc. Spend your money well.
Post-buy:
Always wash, clean, condition whatever you buy. This should go without saying.
Fix what needs fixing. Replacing buttons, shoelaces, or a polish makes a huge difference and ensures that you will enjoy your purchase.
Find a good tailor. You should have one anyway.
There you have it. What do you look for in the off season?
Can’t agree with you more. Spend more time shopping on eBay than I do in real stores anymore. Have made some great finds recently including Alden, Oxxford & Gloverall. Even scored a few pairs of amazing old school FootJoy Classics.
I always scoop up atleast one Barbour jacket. Recently picked up one of their Waxed Down vests for a fourth of what I saw it going for at Orvis. eBay is the best.
Those RW Pecos are an excellent find. My eBay play isn’t a play at all. I keep active searches for Lacoste knit shirts in my size, Patagonia shorts in my size, Russell boots, Rancourt loafers, Quoddy, Brooks Brothers suits/sport coats in my fit and size, and several other searches. Neck ties from Ben Silver and BB are big for me right now too. I never pay retail for anything.
Good suggestions about pics and measurements. If a seller doesn’t respond to questions, move on because they either don’t know or don’t care and both are bad. Make sure you know the sellers shipping and returns policy too.
Great post!
I agree. Love eBay. I probably jump on there daily. I’ve also had some success flipping some items. Of course I don’t mess with it if I don’t know anything about it but I’ve flipped a few quality men’s pieces by buying them and doing some reconditioning myself. Recently I grabbed a vintage Ralph Lauren lizard belt with a nice brass plaque buckle for $12. If anyone needs a size 30 Lizard strap I’ll send it to you as that hasn’t been my size since 7th grade. But the buckle itself was worth it. A little bar keepers friend and some engraving and it will be a lifetime piece. Also snagged some Allen Edmond tassel loafers that were maybe worn twice for $50. There’s always a lot of overlooked stuff that just wont get offers or bids you can steal. Also, try searching for misspelled items. It’s a goldmine. Whatever is on my wishlist that’s a big purchase or classic piece I like to check there and see what’s available.
My best eBay score was a pair of unworn 23k Randolph Aviator II’s last spring for $45 shipped. This article now has me searching for spring/summer sport coats I should’ve been looking for 6 months ago