Start with the item in front of you

Write a short fact sheet before drafting the description. Record the item type, visible maker or brand, label text, color, dimensions, and what is included. Keep the item and its notes together with a simple inventory code, especially when several similar pieces arrive in one haul.

Separate observations from conclusions. A mark on the base is an observation; attributing an unmarked vase to a particular maker is a conclusion that needs support. Leave an uncertain material or date unconfirmed. A useful listing does not need a confident answer to every question.

Photograph the details a buyer would inspect

Use a plain background and consistent lighting so the item is easy to see. Check the photos against the object for color and visible wear. Keep any props clearly separate from what is being sold.

  • Show the whole item, then its back, sides, and underside where relevant.
  • Capture labels, maker's marks, model numbers, closures, and included accessories.
  • Add a close view of each flaw and a wider view that shows its location.
  • Record measurements in text; a photo beside a ruler can provide supporting context.

Describe condition with specifics

Replace broad phrases such as 'great condition for its age' with observations. For clothing, check seams, fasteners, cuffs, lining, stains, and repairs. For hard goods, inspect edges, bases, missing parts, and signs of wear. State what you checked and avoid implying that untested functions work.

An illustrative condition note might read: 'Small chip on the underside of the rim, shown in the close-up. Light scuffing on the base. No lid included.' The note tells the buyer what to look for without suggesting that a photograph alone explains everything.

Make the title identify the item

Lead with the words that describe what you are selling. Add useful, verified details such as brand, item type, size, color, or material. Do not fill the title with unrelated brands, repeated adjectives, or unsupported claims like 'rare' and 'authentic'.

For a labeled denim jacket, an illustrative title is 'Blue denim jacket, size M, button front'. Use the actual label size and add measured dimensions in the description. If you can substantiate the brand or era, include it where helpful; do not guess to make the title sound stronger.

Answer the practical questions

Build the description from the fact sheet: what the item is, its important measurements, its condition, and exactly what the buyer receives. Explain how a measurement was taken when that changes its meaning, such as a jacket's chest width measured flat.

Check the price, delivery or pickup arrangement, and any marketplace-specific fields separately. Requirements vary by platform and category, so review the current listing form before posting. A reusable checklist helps you remember the work; each unique item still needs its own inspection.

Do one final comparison with the item

Use this same review for a draft you write yourself or create with listing assistance. Swiftora offers listing assistance for secondhand sellers; your inspection remains the reference for the final listing.

  • Do the title, photos, condition notes, and selected fields describe the same item?
  • Are the units, measurements, included parts, and known flaws clear?
  • Have you removed claims about age, maker, material, or function that you cannot support?
  • Can you locate the item and its notes when a buyer asks a follow-up question?