Thread: determining swap meet prices

Hi Ladies,
How do you decide what to charge for your costumes when you sell them?

You can start with your original cost and deduct a certain amount for wear, but what is that amount? And what is the factor for the economy right now? Do you think that you should be able to get what you paid for a costume if you never wore it? What if you wore it twice and it has no sign of wear, what do you charge?

For a different perspective, do you as a buyer have target numbers in your head for different brands? I know I do. I see a Bella and I know it could be between 600-1200. If it's $600, I seriously think about it. If I see a Pharonics for $400, again, I get real serious because I think that is a good price for that brand. Of course that doesn't take wear and condition into consideration.

I have one costume (the red/black Hanan that I listed a few weeks ago) that I would like to sell, but I'm not in a huge hurry. It's happy in my closet for now. But that is what made me think about this topic. Mostly, I am just interested in hearing what others think is appropriate.

Thanks!
Sandra

I think it depends on a few factors. Wear & tear, size, how attached you are to it, how custom/special it is, and original price of course.

I take a cold eye and compare what others are selling for. Not the original price when posted...but the final sale price. It must be my real estate training. Recent past sales indicate the currrent market. Any item is only worth what someone is willing to spend in order to posses it. Buyers set the value, not sellers. Thats cold, but thats true. I think a seller is obligated to do some market research before she posts an item for sale..if she wants to sell, not just post for sale.

I've never bought or posted on the swap meet, so this my be slightly off topic BUT...

It seems that most sellers try to get very close to what they purchased the costume for in the first place. And I often wonder WHY a buyer would pay close to full price for a previously worn costume that they will likely have to alter at least a bit when they could purchase a brand new costume in their exact measurements (yes, yes I know even those brand new cossies usually require some tweaking). Just something that has perplexed me for a while.

Instant gratification!

Originally Posted by anala

Instant gratification!

Haha! Now THAT is true!

On top of instant gratification, purchasing an "in-stock" costume (whether it is from a vendor or on the swap meet) removes the uncertainties of custom order.

Originally Posted by GenevieveOfAtlanta

I've never bought or posted on the swap meet, so this my be slightly off topic BUT...

It seems that most sellers try to get very close to what they purchased the costume for in the first place. And I often wonder WHY a buyer would pay close to full price for a previously worn costume that they will likely have to alter at least a bit when they could purchase a brand new costume in their exact measurements (yes, yes I know even those brand new cossies usually require some tweaking). Just something that has perplexed me for a while.

It's been very rare that I have ordered something from one of the big vendors (Dahlal, Audrena, Bellydance store) that didn't leave me dissatisfied in some manner--either it arrived and it was different from what I ordered, or it arrived and it was obviously the wrong size, or it arrived damaged, or it took over six months to arrive. If you buy from Bhuz, you know what you're getting, and you know you're going to get it quickly. Plus, being able to see photos on a body that is similar in size to your own really helps. Finding a "body double" (someone who is the same size as you) on Bhuz is a really convenient thing!

Originally Posted by nimah

It's been very rare that I have ordered something from one of the big vendors (Dahlal, Audrena, Bellydance store) that didn't leave me dissatisfied in some manner--either it arrived and it was different from what I ordered, or it arrived and it was obviously the wrong size, or it arrived damaged, or it took over six months to arrive. If you buy from Bhuz, you know what you're getting, and you know you're going to get it quickly. Plus, being able to see photos on a body that is similar in size to your own really helps. Finding a "body double" (someone who is the same size as you) on Bhuz is a really convenient thing!

I can see how that kind of experience would definitely leave you burned. I've had good luck ordering in-stock from Dahlal by e-mailing her what I'm looking for and my size, and having her e-mail pics back of the actual pieces she has that fit the bill. I did have a nightmarish custom order from a non-"Big Three" vendor, so I can relate.

I guess the times I've looked through the swap meet it seems that I find a lot of stuff that I'm not interested in then a few things that are my style but not my size or are my size but not my style. And that's frustrating for me. It's the reason I don't tend to shop at places like TJ Maxx much, despite the good prices...I have to dig and dig and dig and dig to MAYBE come up with something I can wear. And if the swap meet doesn't even have the bargain basemen prices to entice me, it's just not worth the digging to me.

I am really glad it's able to fulfill other people's needs though. :) It just doesn't appeal to me.

Originally Posted by GenevieveOfAtlanta

I've never bought or posted on the swap meet, so this my be slightly off topic BUT...

It seems that most sellers try to get very close to what they purchased the costume for in the first place. And I often wonder WHY a buyer would pay close to full price for a previously worn costume that they will likely have to alter at least a bit when they could purchase a brand new costume in their exact measurements (yes, yes I know even those brand new cossies usually require some tweaking). Just something that has perplexed me for a while.

Frankly, I wonder this too! I can buy an in-stock costume from a vendor right now, and if it doesn't work out I can return it, or at least exchange it. If I buy from an individual and it doesn't fit or flatter me, I'm stuck trying to re-sell it.


They say when you drive a new car off the showroom floor, it instantly depreciates by 50%. Costumes hold their value a little better; I look to pay roughly 70-75% of the retail value of a new costume for a lightly used one. I might pay more if it's in mint condition, a very unique style, etc. but the seller would have to be someone I really trust. I'll expect to pay less if the costume has had multiple previous owners, shows any real wear and tear, or has other issues.

Originally Posted by GenevieveOfAtlanta

I've never bought or posted on the swap meet, so this my be slightly off topic BUT...

It seems that most sellers try to get very close to what they purchased the costume for in the first place. And I often wonder WHY a buyer would pay close to full price for a previously worn costume that they will likely have to alter at least a bit when they could purchase a brand new costume in their exact measurements (yes, yes I know even those brand new cossies usually require some tweaking). Just something that has perplexed me for a while.

Well, if you custom order a costume, you generally have to wait 4-6 months to get it. Then, it may not be the size you specified. Sometimes a #4 pharonics bra isn't exactly like another #4 pharonics bra. Or maybe the color isn't what you expected, because the designer ran out of the old teal chiffon and the new kind is washed out and pale, or closer to baby blue. Or the sequins aren't right -- a burgundy costume I once had had irridescent sequins with a mint green glint that I never liked...

Then you either have to send it back and wait another 4-6 months, suck it up and deal with the issues, or sell it and go back to square one.

Buying a slightly used costume avoids most of these issues, if the photos are good and the seller provides accurate measurements and cup dimensions. Its a much more efficient way to acquire costumes to me.

I ususally look at how much I paid, how much wear there is, if I did any reparative work/added more accessories/increased the value some how.

I usually buy pharaonics (ok, always buy pharoanics) and generally expect have come to expect the following (note: this is only what i've experienced)

$500+
This costume is either very new or never worn. In new or like new condition and does not need any repairs, should not smell, should come with all original accessories

$400 range
This costume has been worn but still has lots of life left in it. There may be some small pulls/snags in the lycra or chiffon and maybe and stone or 2 is missing. The accessories should still be in tact. The beads may have started to lose some color. This costume may need a wash/vodka spray down

$300+
This costume has life left but has been worn which is evident by the fabric and sometimes smell. Frequently is missing accessories, needs some rhinestones replaced, beads have lost some color, lining may need refreshing. Needs a wash (especially if it's had more than one owner)

$250 or less
Usually has been loved to death but can still be worn. May be a project costume that needs a total overhaul to bring it back to life.

That's a great breakdown, Anya!

I think you can skew that range a little higher for Bellas and Sims, a little lower for Emans and Noussas.

Hannans and Sahars come in two different levels to begin with. And Pharonics is now offering a lower priced line as well, I think.

Anya, that was what I was looking for, but I didn't know it. Anyone else care to share their thoughts on other brands?
thanks!

welcome :)

I find that Sims and Bella's really tend to keep their value

$600 +
New or like new or really unique one of a kind, if worn the dancer takes meticulous care of her costumes. This may also be for really unique costumes as well. There should be no smell on the costume and lining should be like new.

$500-400 range
Has been worn and style might be a little bit older/common/less unique - Owner may have done altrations/surgery to the costume which might require work on your end. Lining might need to be replaced if worn quite a bit.

The "lineage" of a costume can matter, too. Personally, I paid $300 for a seriously old pile of beads because they had been worn by my dance idol. After I came to my senses, I sold it for $125.
There are some Bhuzzers who generally don't have to wait long for their stuff to sell. I'm not sure how much of that is Bhuz popularity/reputation and how much is that they might just be selling more costumes.

eEveryone is right with pricing. Besides the costume is leaving your home and you are giving it a new home. Waiting long to sell, it depends on if anyone is interested in what you are selling. If its a real good price trust me it will be snatched up real quick.

Alrana

Originally Posted by SandraDances

There are some Bhuzzers who generally don't have to wait long for their stuff to sell. I'm not sure how much of that is Bhuz popularity/reputation and how much is that they might just be selling more costumes.

I think there are certain Bhuzzers who rotate a lot of gorgeous high-end costumes, so they're well known and the minute you see they've posted something, you just *have* to look! They have a 'following' of other dancers who know their stuff will fit, and a reputation for maintaining their costumes well and representing them fairly/honestly.

There are some Bhuzzers who put stuff out there with a high price tag and are patient enough to wait, reducing it a little at a time as necessary.

And then there are us impatient folk who want to sell quick, like ripping off a bandaid. We price ours at the lowest we can stand just to get the horrible process of parting with our babies over with!!

My stuff often sells within 10 minutes! Not always, but probably 60% of the time**. Partly because I'm a common yet hard-to-find size, partly because lots of people here know me off-board & the rest suspect I'm not going away any time soon, and partly because when I put stuff up I usually price it cheap in order to be get it over with fast!


** Haven't tried to sell much in the new economy, though...I doubt that's true any more!

the new economy

Is that what we call this now? Not a recession but "The New Economy" Sounds like an Aldos Huxley novel.

Originally Posted by anala

the new economy

Is that what we call this now? Not a recession but "The New Economy" Sounds like an Aldos Huxley novel.

..l;, and ,f:: Recession seems like an understatement, but I don't know what to call it.