Example scenario · illustrative, not a real seller
An example jacket description opens with "Smoke free home!! Fast shipping." The rewrite opens with brand, size, three measurements and the one flaw, so a buyer can decide in three lines.
What you’ll get
- What eBay, Poshmark and Amazon say a description needs.
- A six-part order.
- Condition wording that tells buyers something.
- What to say about missing items.
- A before-and-after rewrite.
Buyers read the top and skim the rest
A buyer opens your listing with one question: is this the thing I want, in my size, in a condition I'll accept? If the description opens with "Smoke-free home! Ships fast! Check out my other items!", the answer is buried. Most buyers won't dig for it. They'll go back to search and open the next listing.
The fix is a consistent order: the facts that rule an item in or out come first, details next, and housekeeping last. This guide sets out that order, using guidance from eBay's Seller Center, Poshmark's November 2026 listing guide and Amazon's reselling article, checked November 8, 2026.
What the platforms say a description should cover
| Source | Guidance |
|---|---|
| eBay Seller Center, "Create great listings" | Include the item's brand name, style and model numbers, along with any unique qualities |
| Poshmark blog, "A Seller's Guide to Crafting Listings That Sell" (Nov 5, 2026) | Cover the essentials first: measurements, fabric content, fit notes and condition; honesty about flaws belongs in the description |
| Amazon, reselling article | Go beyond the condition tier; note what's included, how the product looks and how it functions |
Different wording, same idea: identity, fit and condition come first.
The order
| Position | What goes here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identity | Brand, item type, model or style name, model number | Confirms it's the right item |
| 2. Size or fit | Tagged size, measurements, dimensions | Rules it in or out for the buyer |
| 3. Condition | Overall condition, then each flaw with its location | Sets expectations, prevents returns |
| 4. What's included | Accessories, cables, boxes, manuals, and what's missing | Prevents "not as described" |
| 5. Details | Materials, features, testing done, era or year | Supports the decision |
| 6. Housekeeping | Shipping notes, bundle offers, household notes such as pets | Useful, but not deciding |
Step 1: Open with identity
The first line should repeat the essentials from the title in plain language. For a jacket: "Patagonia men's synchilla fleece pullover, navy with green trim." For electronics: "Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-cancelling headphones, black, model WH1000XM4." eBay's guidance specifically mentions model numbers. The model numbers guide covers where to find them.
Step 2: Give size and measurements next
For clothing, the tagged size plus two or three key measurements. For furniture and homeware, height, width and depth. For electronics, any size variant. Poshmark's guide puts measurements first among its essentials. The thrift clothing measurements manual shows where to measure.
Step 3: State condition plainly
Start with a short overall statement, then list each flaw:
"Good used condition. Light pilling on both cuffs (photo 8). Small mark on the back hem, about 1 cm (photo 9). Zip works smoothly."
Avoid stacking adjectives like "great, gently loved, amazing condition"; they don't tell the buyer anything. The condition descriptions manual has wording for common issues.
Step 4: List what's included and what isn't
Amazon's reselling article recommends noting what comes included. Be equally clear about what's missing: "Includes headphones and USB-C cable. Original case and box not included."
Step 5: Add supporting details
Now add the information that helps a buyer who's already interested: fabric content from the label, features, how you tested it, the era for vintage. Poshmark's guide suggests adding a little life here, such as how the piece drapes or what it pairs with, as long as it's accurate.
Step 6: End with housekeeping
Shipping timing, bundle discounts, and household notes go last. If your home has pets or smoke, say so. Platforms often treat odor complaints as a listing-accuracy issue, so disclosure protects you.
A worked example
In this chosen example, the same description before and after reordering:
Before: "Smoke free home!! Fast shipping. Really cute jacket, barely worn, great condition. Measurements available on request. It's a Madewell jacket, size S. Has a tiny mark."
After: "Madewell corduroy shirt jacket, camel, women's size S. Measurements flat: pit to pit 20.5 in, length 26 in, sleeve 23 in. Very good used condition. Small light mark on left cuff, about 0.5 cm (photo 7). No other flaws found. 100% cotton corduroy per label. Button front, two chest pockets. Ships within one business day. Smoke-free home; one cat."
The second version answers identity, fit and condition in the first three lines.
Step 7: Reuse the structure
Save a template with the six headings for each category you sell. Filling in a template is faster than writing from scratch, and it makes every listing in your shop read the same way. Keep the wording fresh for each item, though; copied boilerplate descriptions often contain details that don't apply.
Common mistakes
- Opening with shop slogans instead of the item.
- Leaving measurements "available on request".
- Describing condition with adjectives instead of specifics.
- Forgetting to say what's not included.
- Copying a template description that mentions the wrong features.
Answer the deciding questions first
A description that confirms the item, the fit and the condition in its first three lines lets buyers decide quickly, and that's what turns views into sales. Everything else can follow.
Worked example · hypothetical, not a real seller
Keep the example in view
| Position | What goes here |
|---|---|
| 1. Identity | Brand, type, model or style |
| 2. Size or fit | Tag size and measurements |
| 3. Condition | Overall, then each flaw |
| 4. Included | Accessories, and what’s missing |
Before the next transaction
With JavaScript and browser storage, only checked-step IDs can stay on this device. No buyer details or amounts are saved.
Practical questions
What should the first line of a description say?
What the item is: brand, type, style or model. eBay recommends including brand name, style and model numbers.
Where do measurements go?
Right after identity. Poshmark’s November 2026 guide lists measurements first among the essentials.
Should I mention pets or smoke?
Yes, near the end. Disclosure helps avoid odor-related complaints.
Is a description template a good idea?
Yes for structure, but rewrite the details for each item so the template never claims features the item doesn’t have.
Do this next · one concrete move