Yep. We've seen the tariffs. And the inflation. And the fact you didn't get the raise you deserve.
Saving money and being thrifty has never been more in style, and shopping sites like eBay, Poshmark and the like are the norm for getting great stuff within your strangled budget. Especially when you want to avoid Temu bras or paying anything close to full price for your expensive bra size.
So is it OK to buy bras and lingerie from eBay or similar sites? Let's talk.
These platforms definitely offer a vast selection, typically at lower prices, but they come with risks and icks that can make it not worth it.
If you have bought from those marketplaces before and have had great experiences, that's great! But if the last time you bought a bra there was months or years ago, let us catch you up on the situation.
Why Consider Online Marketplaces for Bras and Lingerie?
Online marketplaces have become almost trendy-thrifty destinations for budget-conscious shoppers or those seeking unique, hard-to-find pieces. Here's a few upside positives:
Affordable Prices: You can save a ton of money compared to in-store or brand-direct websites. New and pre-owned bras and lingerie are listed at a fraction of retail prices, making it easier to afford high-end brands or experiment with styles.
Access to Rare or Discontinued Items: These platforms are great for finding vintage lingerie, discontinued bra styles, or limited-edition pieces from brands no longer in production. Aficionados or those with specific size requirements may find exactly what they need.
Discreet buying: Not everyone wants their bra and lingerie purchases to be anyone else's business. The reasons vary here, but eBay and Postmark keep credit card statements looking PG and most shipping is plain and not telling of the contents. In our experience, this is actually the #1 reason buyers have for choosing these marketplaces over other options—anonymity.
But is it worth it? Everything is a trade-off, and there are certainly several concerns to be aware of here.
Above are real listing photos from October 2025. Be honest with yourself, is this really where you want your next bra coming from?
Reasons to Avoid Buying Bras and Lingerie on Online Marketplaces
When shopping for intimates on sites like eBay, Poshmark or Mercari, the challenges mostly stem from issues with individual sellers rather than the platforms themselves. But the problems are real and can create real frustration and disappointment (and some serious ick factor).
Anyone Can Be a Seller
There is little to no vetting that takes place before someone starts selling on reseller platforms. There are no standards for quality, storage, etc. that would ensure there's some standard of cleanliness and professionalism. They can be...anyone. Which should make you cringe.
Shipping Time Varies Widely
Usually you can see an estimated window of delivery, but too often sellers ship after that, further delaying the delivery. Most use 3-4 day shipping, but that is added on to their handling time which can be up to 14 days. We will ignore the scores of overseas sellers who lie about their location until you buy it and discover it's coming overseas in a shipping container.
Sellers Can Sell Almost Anything
There are a few limitations on what can be sold, but you have to ask yourself if buying your next bra or lingerie piece from a seller that also sells pet food bowls and car parts gives you confidence in your purchase experience. Knowledge is huge when it comes to bras, so specialization is basically table stakes here. Someone who sells everything may not even know what flaws to look for in order to mention them, leaving you with surprises on delivery.
Return Frustrations and Game-playing
This will make or break any commerce platform, and while these sites do give the option for sellers to allow returns, most don't. You have to wonder why they want you stuck with your purchase. Returns often are a game of exploiting platform policies, which goes both ways. Returns should be simple and free as is the standard for online shopping in 2025, but you can't assume it on eBay or Poshmark.
Lack of Real Customer Service
Questions are part of the shopping experience, and being able to get quick, honest and helpful answers is so important. Sending messages to sellers may get you an answer, but too often you'll be ignored or, even worse, blocked. Most sellers do not like messages and see any and all as a "red flag" for an abusive buyer trying to set them up. This becomes even more true if you have a post-purchase/delivery question.
Inaccurate Sizing Information
Sellers may mislabel bra sizes, misunderstand them (some brands' tags are only in UK sizing) or fail to provide accurate measurements, leading to ill-fitting purchases. Unlike standardized retail, individual sellers may not understand sizing nuances or just be flat out incorrect.
Hygiene Concerns
Pre-owned bras and lingerie may not be properly cleaned or sanitized. Even if a seller claims an item is “like new,” there’s no guarantee it’s free from bacteria, odors, or skin irritants. Washing and drying bras properly is very time-consuming, which is not something very many resellers care to do.
Worn-Out Materials
Bras, new or used, often have stretched elastic, worn-out underwires, or weakened fabric that compromises support and comfort. Much of this comes from age and improper storage. Sellers may not disclose or even be aware of the extent of wear, leaving buyers with subpar suprises.
Inconsistent Condition Descriptions
Sellers might describe an item as “gently used” when it’s heavily worn, stained, or damaged. Vague or overly optimistic descriptions can mislead buyers about the true state of the garment. The solution to this would be a return, but that's a hassle that you don't deserve.
Lack of Fit Guarantee
Unlike specialty retailers, marketplace sellers rarely offer fit advice or guarantees. Bras and lingerie require precise sizing, and without expert guidance, you’re gambling on fit and spinning the "can I return this" roulette.
Inadequate Packaging
See the cover photo for this article? I test-ordered a bra to see what I got, and while it did arrive, it was shipped in a grocery sack with a label. Granted, it did arrive. We've also received them with trash bags, sandwich bags and just tissue paper as outer packaging.
Shipping materials cut into a seller's profit, so it's common to skimp on these and send bras in poly bags (or grocery sacks, apparently). Sellers may ship delicate lingerie in flimsy packaging, leading to damage during transit. Crushed bras or bent underwires can render your next bra unusable, with little recourse for the buyer.
Feedback Issues
If you have an issue with a buyer and decide to leave negative feedback for them post-purchase, that negative feedback is visible to other sellers. Most sellers will research buyers to guess if they're a "problem buyer" before accepting offers or selling to them at all. It is common for sellers to view buyers who leave negative feedback—even when justified—as red flags and not worth the trouble. They'll instead ignore them, cancel a sale or block them altogether.
So yes, your justified and honest negative feedback will impact future purchases and experience (and, ironically, disproportionately with the better sellers). It's an issue when a buyer has to weigh being honest and warning other buyers against having that held against you by sellers in the future. Many won't leave negative feedback for that reason, leaving other buyers to find out for themselves that a seller is problematic.
Drama-rama
Tensions among sellers, buyers and the platforms are at an all-time high. Sellers are fed up with bad buyers, fee increases, shipping costs and falling sales. Buyers are sick of being scammed, cheated and blocked. Platforms are caught between prioritizing buyers' or sellers' and typically choose buyers, leaving sellers holding the bag and pissed off.
It's an absolute jungle of drama. While you may be blissfully unaware, your question or purchase happens in the middle of it all. A lost package message or question to a part-time reseller who has had two packages lost in the mail and a scammer buyer in the past week is a spark on a tinder box. The reality of online reseller marketplaces is drama saturation, even if you're zero trouble.
Navigating the Risks: Tips for Safer Shopping
All these risks highlight the challenges of relying on a mixed bag of individual sellers, who may lack the expertise, dedication, or care of dedicated retailers. If you choose to shop for bras and lingerie on eBay or Poshmark despite the risks, there are ways to protect yourself:
Research the Seller:
- Check seller ratings/feedback (especially if and how they respond to negative feedback). Look for consistent positive comments about accurate descriptions and fast shipping.
- Look at what other items they sell to gauge how knowledgeable they are about bras and lingerie.
- Check how long they've been selling. New sellers might be friendly, but they may be inexperienced with the platform and following the policies.
Research the Item
- Check all the photos of the listing (hopefully there are more than 2-3).
- Are they good photos that show they care?
- What's in the background of the photos that might not be great?
- Where're the photos taken? No one wants a bra laid on a bathroom floor or outdoor deck/grass.
- Look carefully at every section of the bra with particular attention to:
- Wires: Could be bent or poking through
- Cups: Could be creased or damaged
- Lace: Could be torn or loose
- Hardware: Bent hooks and broken adjusters are not OK
- Look at the item specifics and description sections. Little to no info or AI-written descriptions are hallmarks of low-effort sellers. Low-effort isn't necessarily bad, but it's never good.
Ask Detailed Questions: Contact the seller (keeping in mind the above note on communication) to confirm sizing, condition, storage and cleaning methods. Ask about how the items is shipped if it's not mentioned. Request additional photos if the listing images are unclear. If they don't respond or block you; you dodged a bullet.
Check Return Policies: Prioritize sellers who offer returns, even if limited, to reduce the risk of being stuck with an unsuitable item. There are two types of returns: Buyer pays return shipping and seller pays return shipping (i.e. "free returns"). If it says "Returns not accepted," run away.
Sanitize Pre-Owned Items: If you buy used lingerie, wash it thoroughly with gentle, hypoallergenic detergent to ensure hygiene. This goes for new (NWT and NWOT) and pre-owned items. There's no telling how it was stored or who tried it on before you got it.
Why Specialty Retail Might Be a Better Option
At this point, you might see the value of specialty retailers dedicated to intimates. And we'd agree with you. So should you buy your next bra or lingerie piece on a reseller marketplace? Our take is "no." While they may be great for discontinued washing machine parts or ultra-rare trading cards, leave the bras for someone else.
Whether shopping for new or pre-owned bras and lingerie, retailers who focus on bras and lingerie prioritize customer experience before and after their purchase.
We are proud to be among those specialty shops, and would love to be your favorite for quality and affordability. Reach out to us anytime you have questions or if there's a way we can help you.
Get in touch with us HERE.
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