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Why It’s Not So Easy To Sell Clothes Online
We’ve all had that moment when we clean out our closets and think about taking everything to a thrift store. But what if you could actually make some money from it or even start a new side hustle?
Selling clothes online may seem daunting with all the different apps and platforms, not to mention the scammers. However, it can be a rewarding experience. I’ve sold items from my closet over the years with varying success. While I’m not a pro seller, I love thrifting and want to share my perspective as a beginner online seller!
Best For Beginners To Sell Clothes Online
Poshmark is a peer-to-peer marketplace for new and secondhand styles.
Poshmark is recommended for beginners because it’s easy to get started and offers a wide range of categories beyond just clothes.
Pros: Poshmark is available as an app and a website. You can complete all the steps right in the app from taking and editing photos, listing items, and printing a mailing label. The interface is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. Listings stay live forever with no fees to post or relist.
Cons: For all sales under $15, Poshmark takes a flat commission of $2.95. For sales of $15 or more, Poshmark’s commission is 20%. There is no private messaging feature if you need more contact during a sale. Sellers don’t have very robust profiles where you can learn more about them, this can make earning trust with your customers difficult.
Best For Consigning Clothes
ThredUp is an online consignment and thrift store where you can buy and sell secondhand clothes.
Not everyone has time to list clothes online for sale. That’s where consignment stores come in handy! ThredUp is a great choice because they send you a bag, you fill it with clothes, and then you can mail it back to earn some cash. It’s super easy!
Pros: Anyone in the US can request a bag, fill it up with on-trend and seasonal items, and then mail it back with USPS. ThredUp is pretty open to what they accept. If an item is not accepted, ThredUp can take care of donating it for you on your behalf instead of sending it back to you.
Cons: Items are listed for consignment so you only get paid when they sell. Payouts range between 35 cents and $2.45, including designer and NWT items. Waiting for items to sell can take a few months, and then an additional week or two for each payout.
Best For Handmade and Vintage Clothes
Etsy is a global online marketplace for selling, buying, and collecting unique items.
If you’ve ever searched online for a gift for someone who seems to have everything, you’ve probably checked out Etsy. It’s a great place to discover a wide variety of items that you won’t find anywhere else.
Pros: Etsy is available as an app and website with a simple interface for listing and communicating with customers. Etsy gives you a storefront that you can fully customize and include information about your business.
Cons: Many Etsy sellers complain that their listings are only seen if they pay for ads. And then there’s a listing fee of $0.20 for each item you post, plus an extra 3.5 percent on top of that. Which means you don’t get to keep every dollar you make. Not to mention the fees for credit card payments or PayPal. The secondhand market is very saturated and competitive.
Best for Unique Clothes
Buffalo Exchange is a “buy, sell, trade” chain of stores in the US.
Another great way to consign from home is the Buffalo Exchange “Sell By Mail” program. Buffalo Exchange is a chain of stores in the US where you can sell and shop. It stands out because it offers an online program, unlike many other consignment stores.
Pros: Anyone can easily request a bag and have it shipped to their house to fill up and send back via USPS. The process is rather quick with payments happening promptly.
Cons: Your items aren’t listed on a website but rather sent to a specific store to be resold. They’re much picker than a program like ThredUp with most items not be accepting. The payout is low, but if you opt for store credit, you’ll get almost double the amount. (Which isn’t helpful if you don’t live near a Buffalo Exchange) They’ve vague about telling you what they bought.
More Resell Platforms To Consider
Other platforms to consider where you can sell your clothes online.
This post doesn’t even begin to cover the different platforms or methods of resale available to you. It just outlines a few options that I’ve personally tried in the past and have some experience speaking about.
You could consider other peer-to-peer apps like Depop, Mercari, eBay, Vinted, Carousell, or Tradesy.
You could take the process into your own hands and post sale listings on Instagram or Facebook. (Following the proper guidelines, of course.)
You can consign with other big names like TheRealReal.
You could even host live sales through District, Whatnot, TikTok, or CommentSold.
Whatever you decide, remember to read the fine print on the platform, keep an eye on your finances, pace yourself to avoid burning out fast, and enjoy the journey of learning.
We may not all be cut out to sell clothes online, but there’s no harm in giving it a try to see if you enjoy it!
