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Decluttering your closet can be more than just a project around the house. Selling your clothes and reducing waste can also be an opportunity to earn some extra cash and contribute to sustainability.
If you need money fast, try selling your used clothes that are still in good condition. However, there’s no guarantee when or if you’ll sell certain items, so plan what to do with the extra cash once you have it. Here are some tips to help you get started, including the best places to try to sell your items.
Where can I sell used clothes online for cash?
There are several online platforms where you can sell used clothes online. Selling your used clothes online can save you time since you don’t have to wait around in person to buy or trade in your clothes.
Online platforms can also help you connect with potential buyers in your area. Some even pay shipping costs to send the clothes to them.
Here are some options to consider:
- ThredUp is a popular online consignment and thrift store. You send a bag filled with your clothes, and they do the rest. They handle the heavy lifting by photographing, listing, and shipping your items. There are no upfront fees. You’ll only pay $14.99 per 30lb bag once your items sell.¹ This fee is deducted from your total earnings and will be waived if your earnings do not reach at least $14.99.
- Vestiaire Collective (formerly Tradesy) specializes in high-end women’s fashion. The company handles returns and customer service, making it a breeze for sellers. You list your item and set a price based on the seller insights provided by the website. When an item sells, you’ll receive free prepaid shipping labels and earn the full price of every sale.²
- Depop is a fashion marketplace app that makes it simple to sign up for and list your clothing items to sell. You can take up to four photos per item and set your listing price.³ Depop charges a 10% fee when your item(s) is sold. You may also have a transaction fee through PayPal or Depot.⁴
- Etsy is a popular marketplace known for its handmade and craft items, but you can also sell used clothes. You can even create your own branded storefront to showcase your style. Etsy does charge some fees, including a listing fee of $0.20 per item and a payment processing fee for online sales.⁵
- Facebook Marketplace is a great option to sell items locally and avoid shipping fees. You can create listings for free and reach potential buyers in your area. Plus, you can join local buy/sell groups to expand your reach. You can opt for local in-person pickup or offer to ship the item to customers for a fee.
- Poshmark is a social marketplace for selling and buying used clothes. Known for its community, users can follow each other, share listings, and attend virtual shopping parties. When you make a sale, Poshmark creates a custom shipping label to send the item to the customer.⁶ For every sale you make under $15, Poshmark takes a flat fee of $2.95. For items you sell for $15 or more, the company takes a 20% commission.⁷
5 secondhand stores to sell your used clothes for cash
When the thought ‘where can I sell used clothes for cash’ pops up, realize you have several options that may likely be in your local area. Traditional options like thrift stores and buyback stores are some of the best places to start when you’re looking to get rid of unwanted items and make extra money fast. Most places can give you an answer the same day, allowing you to leave with cash in hand.
If they don’t buy your items, the store may offer to donate them for free. These are some popular options:
- Clothes Mentor specializes in gently used, name-brand clothing and accessories for women. They offer cash on the spot for items that meet their current inventory needs.⁸ To improve your chances of selling your used clothes, make sure your items are clean, in good condition, and current.
- Buffalo Exchange is a trendy resale shop that buys and sells fashionable and vintage clothing. They offer cash or store credit for items they accept. Buffalo Exchange will pay you 25% of the price and resell your items, or you can choose to get 50% of the selling price as store credit.⁹,³.
- Plato’s Closet caters to teens and young adults by buying and selling gently-used clothing and accessories. They have several locations and focus on trendy styles that are in good condition.
- Uptown Cheapskate buys and sells stylish, gently used clothes and accessories for both men and women. They offer cash or store credit for accepted items. You can check their website for details on what items they buy.
- Once Upon a Child specializes in buying and selling used children’s clothing, shoes, toys, and baby gear. If you have kids, this can be an ideal place to resell old children’s clothes since the store sells sizes from preemie to youth 20.¹⁰
How to sell used clothes in 3 ways
Whether you have a lot of clothes or just a few items, selling your stuff can be time-consuming and requires a lot of effort. Breaking the process down into a few simple steps can help dispense your items for sale quicker and increase your chances of getting paid.
- Set rarely-worn clothes aside: If there are items in your closet you haven’t worn in a while, consider selling, including pieces that no longer fit or align with your current style. Don’t forget off-season items and clothes in storage since those boxes may contain things you can sell.
- Look into the reselling market and set price ranges: Research reseller sites and set reasonable price ranges. See if other sellers list similar items and note the condition of their clothes to help set competitive prices and attract potential buyers.
- Choose the right site or place to sell your used clothes: With so many options to sell your used clothes, narrow it down depending on your situation and weigh the pros and cons. For convenience, you may decide on a few secondhand stores nearby. If you prefer to sell your clothes online, try Facebook Marketplace and another platform to see where they sell first.
3 Tips for selling used clothes and making extra money
The downside of trying to sell used clothes is that some upfront planning is required; plus, there is no guarantee that your item will sell online or that a secondhand store will buy it from you.
Still, here are a few things to improve your chances of selling the item quickly and for a reasonable price.
- Take high-quality pictures: Make sure your photos are clear, well-lit, and showcase the item’s best features. Photographing on a plain background or using a mannequin or model can also help improve the quality of your photos and allow shoppers to see the clothing more clearly. Take pictures (with a camera or smartphone) during the day near a window for the best lighting; you may even want to consider taking photos of the item from multiple angles. If you want to explore other simple ideas for making money with your phone, there are several ways to do so.
- Share relevant information, such as brand and size: Buyers need to know exactly what they’re getting. Detailed descriptions may reduce questions and help avoid returns. When possible, include the brand name, size, color, and general condition. Also, describe any flaws or damages accurately and provide additional measurements to limit the chance of the buyer requesting a return.
- Promote your listings and local sales if needed: If you’re selling online, use social media and other platforms to promote your listings and attract potential buyers. Share high-quality photos of your items and use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience. To get rid of more items at once, you can also promote an online garage sale in local neighborhood groups or events sites.
Cash in your used clothes and declutter at the same time
Selling used clothes can be a fun and profitable way to declutter your home and earn extra cash. You don’t need any experience or special equipment to get started. Go through your closet and check clothes in storage to see what you can sell.