Here's how I ended up with the EF harem pants that everyone was writing about a few years ago when they were first introduced.
I was going to write reviews of the various resale sites. For the "full picture," I decided to try the selling angle--at Twice Clothing. This is my story.
Selling at Twice: I sent in 7 things, including two pairs of shoes because they offered an extra $5 credit for shoes. These were unworn havaianas, so I knew they would be taken. If you send stuff in, you risk having items rejected. You can get items back, but it is a use it or lose it proposition. Either you take the offer (including having rejects sent to charity, which is a good thing) or have everything sent back for a $4.95 fee.
If I were sending in anything of high value (which I myself would not do, not that I have anything of high value), I would send it alone for the above reason.
I only sent in items that had already been rejected by the Buffalo Exchange, so I was willing to lose everything in the experiment. You must check your items to see if they are on the accepted brands list. They took 5 items of mid-value and I got $21 in cash or $23 in credit. Plus $10 in credit on the shoes. The amounts were in-line with their calculator. The things they rejected were nice, but there is no arguing with their evaluation.
I decided that for ease, I would take the credit. That decision was a mistake for me. I kept checking the site to try to use the credit. Of course, I didn't see anything I liked. Turns out having credit makes me rather agitated.
Finally, I saw a pair of THE Eileen Fisher harem pants. They were 28 plus 5 in shipping--that would use up my entire credit. I've always wanted to try these on, so I figured it would be worth it for that alone. I also rationalized that I could sell them on Ebay (which I absolutely hate doing, so this was probably wishful thinking on my part.)
Much to my surprise, I love the harem pants! I will take them to Europe this summer. I only hope that Miss Em doesn't mock me too much when she sees them. She is prone to devastating critiques of my choices. She's always--or usually--correct in her assessments.
As you can see, you get a ridiculously low price for your items. This is also the case on Thredup, a competing site. It seems that you get between 10 and 15% of the eventual selling price for things they take. The spread is much better at the Buffalo Exchange, where you get 50% of the selling price in credit or 30% in cash.
The plus side is that i tried something I never would have tried "at regular prices."
Will I buy again? Probably not, I'm afraid. While engaged in my obsessive effort to use up my credit, I noticed that the prices on items for sale are not consistent, but go up and down--and sometimes up again. I find this annoying. One Eileen Fisher jacket was $59, then $42, then $46, and is back up to $59 again. They probably have a complex formula. Still, prices going up and down and up--well, that's enough to take the site off my list (thank heavens!)
Will I sell again? If I have enough piled up that i don't care about, I might send in a bunch to get Miss Em some credit. I like to take things to the Buffalo Exchange for the social interaction. And I always like to donate. Sending to Twice would be a low priority.
Anyway, I am now the proud owner of EF harem pants. No way will I wear them to work. They will attract too much commentary (much derisive, I am sure). In Paris, I will just blend in. They are very comfy and I can cross my legs in them--unlike the experience of some reviewers.
No, I will not post pictures.
Credit makes me feel a bit antsy as well. I guess I worry I will forget about it or it will expire.
ReplyDeleteI was in Thailand not long ago and there were many Thai fisherman pants (essentially what the EF harem pants are) being sold to tourists. I tried on a pair hoping I would look hip and funky, but they may have been the most unflattering thing I've ever had on. On the other hand, they looked great on the many people I saw wearing them and I am guessing you fall in that category as well. :)
I've had v. good luck selling on Vestiare. Unloading my collection of designer goods has been interesting.
Thanks for the Twice review!! I don't seem to have the patience for online selling anymore but prefer to dump a large bag at the local(ish) consignment store. I had to Google those pants but they are super cute!!
ReplyDeleteThe harem pants are way too fashionable for me, but my kid Link would adore them!
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