August 20, 2020

Best Place to Sell Clothes Online

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You can spring-clean your closet and make extra cash by selling your clothes online. Find out how to maximize your earnings with the best sites and apps.

Most of us don't wear half the outfits hanging in our closets. When was the last time you touched those jeans that no longer fit?

If your items are in good condition, you can turn old garments into quick money. Just take out your phone. Selling on apps (and setting your own prices) will usually get you more cash than depending on a local consignment store.

Keep in mind that many sites charge fees and some apps are easier to use than others.

To help you get the most out of last season's fashions, check out the best apps for selling clothes. Plus, stick around to the end for tips to help you close more sales.

Should you sell used clothes online?
Selling gently used clothes online is worth the time and effort. Many apps make it easy to list secondhand items and set prices. However, if the pieces are very worn down and damaged, it might be better to try donating.

1. eBay - For Selling Anything

There's a reason the original #girlboss, Sophia Amoruso, got her fashion start on eBay. You can sell practically anything on the trusty platform.

Sellers have two options: 'Buy It Now' lets you set a non-negotiable price but auctions allow buyers to place bids. Sparking a bidding war could get your old duds sold for a lot more than your initial price.

Plus, eBay is also known for relatively low commission rates. You get to keep 90% of the selling price.

Fees

  • First 50 listings are free every month for individual sellers
  • Sellers must pay for shipping

2. Depop - for Edgy Streetwear

Does your personal taste march to the beat of its own drum? If that's you, consider taking your quirky and unexpected wardrobe to Depop. This peer-to-peer social shopping app is known for unique vintage and streetwear styles.

The app's interface is similar to Instagram. You just need to snap a picture, and add a caption and product details to sell. Buyers can search by clothing item or brand names.

Fees

  • Charges a 10% flat rate fee on every item sold
  • No listing or subscription fees

3. Facebook - for Selling Locally

Facebook buy and sell groups are organized into certain locations. You can cut down on shipping costs by catering to nearby buyers who can come and collect your items. Another big advantage is that you can sell clothing in bulk or single items.

But the Marketplace doesn't specialize in fashion so you might not get the biggest returns here.

Fees

  • Completely fee-free

4. Etsy - for Vintage or Handmade

Etsy is a must for crafty entrepreneurs with upcycled garments and one-of-a-kind pieces. Think t-shirts with custom prints, homemade jewellery or embroidery.

The site's niche is independent creators doing what they love. So make sure your store showcases your passions and artistic side to connect with your customers.

Tip: Listings are active for four months, or until they sell.

Fees

  • $0.20 listing fee
  • 5% transaction fee, 3% + $0.25 payment processing fee

5. Tradesy - for Luxury & Designer Items

Got contemporary high-end taste? List your items on Tradesy.

You can use the luxury marketplace to buy and sell pre-owned bags, shoes, clothing and more from top designers. You can sell directly from your closet in minutes and post unlimited listings.

To sell your item, you'll be asked to set your price and choose a preferred shipping method.

Once your listing sells, you'll ship directly to the buyer and your earnings are available as credit to use on the site or to transfer into your bank account. Tradesy will process shipping and returns for sellers.

Fees

  • Flat commission fee of $7.50 for sold items less than $50
  • 19.8% fee for sold items of $50 or more
  • Free listings

6. thredUP - for Least Effort

If you're too busy to sift through that pile of clothes, check out thredUP. You can send off your clothes in their free "clean out kits" by mail.

The company sorts through your garments and pays you based on the selling price it assigns to each item. They'll do the heavy lifting of photographing and marketing every item to help them sell quickly.

Just note, due to their strict guidelines, they can only accept about 40% of each clean out bag. thredUP prefers brands like Everlane, Patagonia and Reformation.

Fees

  • No fees

7. Poshmark - for Brand Name Clothing

On-trend fashionistas should consider Poshmark. The online marketplace lets you shop and sell gently used items through the app. The company also provides you a prepaid shipping label to deliver your items.

The app works a lot like Facebook. Users can join communities, "like" items and ask sellers questions directly on the listing. Others can also "follow" your closet if they admire your style.

Fees

  • Flat rate fee of $2.95 for sales under $15
  • 20% fee for sales above $15

Best Second-hand Stores to Sell Used Clothes
If you're not too concerned about maximizing profits, check out consignment stores near you. This is better if you just want to clean up your closet quickly.

Other Apps for Buying & Selling Fashion

Each aesthetic has its own audience. If the bigger sites don't fit the bill for you, check out these smaller online marketplaces.

TheRealReal - For high-end pieces, TheRealReal is your best bet. The luxury consignment company favors brands like Alexander McQueen, Balmain, Chanel and more. They have a tiered commission structure: Insiders earn 55% of the selling price, Icons get 60% and VIP sellers make 70%.

ASOS Market - Take advantage of ASOS's huge global customer base to hawk your vintage and independent fashion pieces. For each sale made, you'll pay a 20% commission fee.

Vinted - Vinted features a more clean-cut style. Think new and gently used boho dresses from Free People, chic Zara blazers and cozy UGG boots. There are zero selling fees so you keep everything you earn.

Swap.com - If you have a family, Swap.com is the perfect place to sell maternity and kids clothing, toys and more. They charge a flat fee $11.90 fee for listing your items. The fee is deducted from your earnings. You can earn up to 70% of the item's sale price.

Kidizen - Kidizen is a marketplace for moms to find the latest styles for their kids. You can connect with other moms with a shared sense of style.

LePrix (formerly SnobSwap) - LePrix is great pre-owned, authentic designer wear. There are two main ways to make money: consign (in-person) with a Certified Boutique Partner near you or request a Free Consignment Kit online. You'll get a prepaid shipping label to ship and sell.

Note: Joining LePrix is free but their seller's fees fluctuate. If you want a more straightforward commission structure, skip this option.

Mercari - Similar to eBay, you can sell clothes as well as household items on Mercari. Listing items is free but the selling fee is 10% of the listing price. Your earnings are the listing price minus the selling free and shipping (if you offered free shipping).

Material World - If you don't like waiting for your items to sell, go with Material World. They'll make you an upfront offer in credit or cash (via PayPal). Material World has strict guidelines and only accepts clothing in excellent condition.

CafePress - Got a few funny taglines or cartoons under your belt? Just upload your original designs to sell customized apparel on CafePress. Once someone buys your design, CafePress will handle production and delivery. You're paid after the item ships. The payout is 10% of the retail price paid by the buyer.

RedBubble - Another option for creative graphic designers is RedBubble. Selling your work on multiple platforms can get your more exposure, and more sales. Plus, their commission rate is pretty flexible. Artists earn an average margin of 17% of the retail price.

Zazzle - Creators shouldn't limit themselves to just a one or two platforms. Zazzle lets you sell custom t-shirt designs and they'll handle printing and shipping.The standard Zazzle commission rate is 15% per sale. You can get paid via PayPal or check by mail.

Craigslist - This is the OG of online selling. You don't need to worry about seller fees or shipping but you do need to meet the buyer to make the sale. Craigslist is good for local sales and getting rid of lower quality clothing that other sites won't accept.

Instagram - For this option, you don't even need to download a new app. Just advertise your threads on your personal Instagram account. Use the hashtag #shopmycloset to set up your store and get inspiration. You take bids in the comments or DMs, and get paid on PayPal or Venmo.

How to Sell Your Clothes Online Successfully

Some sites like thredUP and Material World will do all the work for you. But other places require some marketing skills.

You're almost ready to Marie Kondo your closet and set up shop. Here are a few tips to make sure you get the biggest payday possible.

  1. Upload high-quality product photos - Increase your chances of a quick sale by shooting the item from all angles on a good camera. Don't forget lots of natural light. It also helps to photograph someone wearing the garment so potential buyers can visualize fit and style.

  2. Realistic pricing - For that $180 jacket, you might only rake in $23. It's still better than letting it collect dust for zero dollars. Consignment thrifters are generally bargain hunters so be prepared to haggle.

  3. Write accurate production descriptions - Be sure to include brand, color and price. You need to be specific about the measurements and condition. If your size 6 dress pants run small and feel more like a 4, let them know. Happy customers means more money in the future.

  4. List popular brands - Certain brands are more in demand than others. To get the biggest bang for your time, focus on well-known brands first, before marketing no-name items.

  5. Find a niche - Do you gravitate towards athleisure, business casual or preppy? Everyone has a particular style. Define your aesthetic to attract others who dress like you. They'll be much more likely to buy.

  6. Provide good customer service - Seller ratings are important. Be upfront about any imperfections in your item, such as stains or tears. And respond to messages and questions promptly. Plus, throwing in a handwritten thank you note is a nice touch.

  7. Think about seasons - Timing is everything. Listing a cute bikini in July is going to sell a lot faster than a heavy winter coat. If you're selling internationally, consider your audience's climates.

  8. Factor shipping costs - Lastly, check postage prices and include that in the selling price. If you're not careful, you can lose all your profits on shipping.

Bottom Line

If that worn leather jacket isn't bringing you any joy, then sell it. You can turn cleaning out your wardrobe into a lucrative and eco-friendly side hustle. Plus, you're helping your garments find new, loving owners.

Do you prefer being your own boss and setting your own prices? If so, then patience and good marketing is key. And the right platform to sell depends on your niche and aesthetic.

You can still get paid even if you don't want to deal with sales. Use online trade-in kits and the company will handle the rest. Oftentimes, you will get paid upfront. However, you might not make as much cash as selling it yourself.

Amber Kong is a content specialist at CreditDonkey, a personal finance comparison and reviews website. Write to Amber Kong at amber.kong@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.


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