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| Pictured: Marni for H&M coat listed for almost $400.00 on eBay. |
Initially, like many fashion followers, I was very excited about the launch of Marni for H&M last week. My excitement quickly faded when I realized, like most working people around the world, that I was going to have to work and wouldn’t be able to devote my entire Thursday morning to waiting in line at my local H&M store. So of course, I took a look over the weekend at eBay, because that’s where most of the H&M for Marni collection is now listed for sale. The metallic pattern top I wanted, that H&M sold for $79.99. is selling for well over $150.00. The patent leather jacket is obscenely listed at a “Buy It Now” price of $399.00. I have to ask, what is the point of having these budget collections, when the stores become dangerously crowded, and the stuff ends up on eBay, and it’s no longer budget-priced? I can go get something from the Marni high-end line at Saks or Neiman Marcus for some of these prices, and score some rewards points for another purchase. The 3,000 plus Marni for H&M items on eBay join the approximately 2,000 plus Jason Wu for Target items still listed on eBay. It makes me wonder why the retailers don’t sell some of their collections themselves on eBay at their retail prices and stop the hoarding and in-store insanity. Selling on eBay might also stop their websites from crashing.
Retailers spend months hyping these lines, then they end up on sale at inflated prices on eBay, and I think more and more consumers find the inflation offensive and don’t buy them. Then, those items that didn’t sell on eBay end up back at the retailers, and usually it’s 45 +days later and so they are exiled to the clearance racks ala Missoni for Target. Everyone looses, but especially the original seller, if they have to take them back, then sell them for a loss.
What do you think readers? Would you buy Marni for H&M at a steep eBay mark-up price?
Since 2008, Mary Hall has been the author of 
4 Comments
I think that until the retailers set up some sort of “buying limit” in stores, this will continue to happen. A precedent was set by Missoni for Target: that vultures can make a quick buck by buying up as much in-store inventory as possible on the first day, and then resell it at a profit on eBay. If I were a designer, I would mandate a clause in my contract with Target or H&M (or whomever) that there be limits on the amount consumers can buy. Because as a designer, I wouldn't want my collection ending up on eBay at inflated prices.
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whats the point of getting a deal, if people are going to sell it on ebay for double the amount. i posted on my blog just recently how everyone went crazy for the Jason WU line, a lot of people where re-selling the items as well, but i ended up going to the Target mall in queens and there was a lot of items left and they were 30 percent off! do your research and call the H&M and ask if they are selling the line before ebaying it. i understand everyone wants to make a dollar, but its so horrible that these people are ripping them off, i understand maybe selling the clothes for $20.00 more, but $200.00 dollars more is nuts! plus h&m should know by now that these items are going to be high dmand so why not get more in stock!