We don’t often feature shoes sold on eBay, but when we do, it’s when a style is sold out everywhere else, hard to find, or just plain too cute to pass up.
eBay is an American multinational e-commerce corporation based in San Jose, California
However, we did notice that along with all the comments that oohed and aahed over the Christmas boots were comments that asked whether it’s safe to buy shoes off of eBay.
To answer the question, yes, eBay is generally safe. To give you further peace of mind, here are seven things you can do yourself to make your eBay shoe shopping an even more rewarding experience:
1. Scrutinize Every Detail in the Listing Description
Carefully read every word in the shoe description. Is it the exact shade of blue you want—navy rather than royal blue?
Are they the correct size? Do they come in the width and heel height that you want? Are they NIB (Brand New in Box), NWOT (New Without Tags), FC (Fine Condition), or just EUC (Excellent Used Condition)?
eBay listing for the limited edition sneakers from rapper Drake’s own October’s Very Own x Air Jordan line
A good description should include plenty, if not complete, details about the shoes. It shouldn’t read like it’s scripted and shouldn’t be lifted from the shoe manufacturer’s website.
Don’t hesitate to ask the seller if information is missing from the description.
2. Insist on Real Photos: Avoid Listings with Only Stock Images
eBay is where you want to know what you’re getting, so the listing should have photos of the shoes from different angles. This is mandatory for shoes listed as used, secondhand, or worn once.
The photos should show the shoes’ damage, scuff marks, and worn-down areas so you can decide if they are acceptable at the price listed.
Natalia Vodianova holding the Prada Mary Jane wedges she donated to the Celebrity Shoe Auction 2013 to benefit a charity called Small Steps Project
Avoid sellers who only use stock photos, but take a good look at them before dismissing them altogether.
You never know; the seller might be a professional photographer, an art director, or have access to top-of-the-line cameras, lighting, and a studio.
3. Be an Expert on Your Desired Shoes: Check Details Carefully
You must know your stuff if you are hunting for a specific pair of shoes, particularly designer ones. Do shoe sizes from that brand typically run small or large for you?
Is the red sole that shade of red in the picture? Do the shoes come in the colorway shown in the listing?
Marcia Cross scrutinizing a shoe on display at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills, California, on March 6, 2010 (Credit: I Heart Studio / Will Alexander / WENN)
You must also know the retail price the shoes typically sell for—if the marked-down price on eBay sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
You can ask the seller directly if the shoes are authentic or seek the help of authenticity experts, many of whom also offer their services on eBay.
4. Review Seller Ratings and History Before Buying
Before looking at the shoe listing, you should probably check the seller’s feedback and history. Imagine falling in love with a pair of shoes only to discover that the seller has less than stellar feedback!
The rule of thumb is to stick to sellers with at least 99.7% positive feedback, who have had at least 100 transactions, and who have been selling for at least a year.
Do look through those feedback writeups; you’ll find that some aren’t really positive, and some aren’t negative either. Also, check if the seller has a history of selling shoes or even the shoes you want.
5. Understand the Seller’s Return Policy Thoroughly
The seller must offer a solid return policy for shoes. We all know the struggle—even shoes from the same designer, brand, and size can sometimes fit differently, which is even more likely with shoes from different brands.
When buying shoes on eBay, you should expect to have the option to return them if needed.
Trying on shoes in person can help avoid sizing issues when buying online, making it easier to compare fit and comfort before purchasing on eBay
If you want to be sure about the size, you can ask the seller for the exact measurements of the shoes, which you can compare with those you already own.
If the shoes are in a style currently being sold, it might be worth your time to visit a shoe store and try them on in person. This will allow you to compare prices and find out if the price on eBay is really a fair deal.
Checking if the seller has a good return policy goes without saying that he/she should also have good payment and shipping terms.
Guaranteed authentic, worn-once Jimmy Choos for $200: a great deal? It sounds like it is at first, but not once you read that the shipping is $100 and the shoes will take more than a month to arrive from halfway around the world.
6. Choose Safe Payment Methods for Extra Protection
eBay sellers nowadays offer numerous payment options, but as much as possible, stick to using PayPal or your credit card through PayPal.
This way, you’re completely protected against fraud through PayPal’s Purchase Protection and eBay’s money-back guarantee.
If you find a fantastic shoe deal from a seller who doesn’t accept PayPal, ensure the price is an amount you’re willing to risk. Do numbers 1 to 5 on this list before bidding or buying.
If you do, chances are you won’t even need the added protection. Stick to safe, tried-and-tested payment methods as much as possible or until you become a more experienced eBay shopper.
7. Take Proactive Steps for a Safe Buying Experience
If you come across listings of counterfeit shoes or those that read like outright scams, do your part as an eBay shopper and report the item/s.
If the shoes you purchased look very different from the ones in the listing, are defective or damaged, or didn’t arrive, do contact the seller immediately so you can resolve the issue.
Please make sure that all your correspondence is through your registered email address on eBay so that everything is officially recorded.
Kris Jenner carrying multiple Chanel bags following a shopping spree at Selfridges in London, England, on April 23, 2013
If the seller takes time to respond (seven days to be exact), don’t take your time, too, to open a case and file a claim for coverage under PayPal’s Purchase Protection program.
These are just some proactive steps to make your eBay shoe shopping experience safer for you and others.
Don’t miss this fun video from Amy-Rose Walker that shows what happens when you purchase fake Yeezys from eBay. Not surprisingly, the quality is awful.