Sell Used Clothing

Selling used clothing can be a successfully, profitable endeavor by doing your research, repairing your clothing and keeping your resources open. You can get rid of old clothes and get money for new clothes. Look under for more information.

Steps

  1. Research the used clothing stores in your area. "Clothing-Used" & "Clothing-Vintage" in the yellow pages are good places to start. Call them and find out what products they are currently taking. (Example, fall, juniors, girls, name brands, on hangers.) If they aren't taking ask when they start.
    • "Vintage" stores usually prefer clothing over 20 years old. This is a great way to profit from your families fashion disasters from the 70's. Talk to your parents and go digging in the attic.
    • "Contemporary/used" clothing stores usually prefer clothing currently in-style or less than a couple of years old. Some are locally owned and very reasonable to sell to. Others have very strict guidelines for what they purchase including sizes, style numbers and colors. You may have your Bebe jacket rejected and they may only offer you $5 per top.
    • Consignment stores sell your clothes for you for a commission. Like the other stores they may only take in certain seasonal items at certain times. Call ahead. These stores are great for getting rid of formal gowns, bride's maid dresses, etc. You and the shop will agree on a price and they call you when it sells to collect your money. If it doesn't sell you can opt to get it back.
    • If you have clothes that are nearly new, then many cities in America have a Junior League "Nearly New" store. They are willing to pay a lot of money to get clothes that are basically new. This would be good for that hideous sweater from your aunt. Call ahead to find out their collection policies.
    • Note: Thrift stores re-sell donated goods. You won't be able to sell them clothes but you should see if someone has donated items you can buy cheaply and sell elsewhere.
  2. Repair your clothes prior to selling. Stains, holes, missing buttons, and rips will not get your items sold regardless of how fantastic they are. Buyers look for clothing in new & like-new condition. Most stores are not interested in selling ripped clothing.
  3. Launder and iron everything. It always looks better on the hanger than it does folded in a bag. Add a little spray starch to keep the collars shaped. If you have it available you should haul the items in garment bags, still on the hangers.
  4. Expand your product base by taking hand me downs from friends, shopping yard sales in hip neighborhoods. (Go to the next town and show yard sales in the ritzy neighborhoods.) Talk to your parents about their older clothes. Once you get them involved and they make money you'll have a great support team. Chances are they have tons of old clothes of theirs and maybe some of your baby clothes they can sell.
  5. You don't just have to go to a store in your town. If you have permission from your parents or you have your own credit card, you could go on Ebay. That will open your things up to a larger group of people. And then you do not have to worry about someone seeing you selling your things. That could be embarrassing. Just consider the shipping, handling and trips to the post office.
  6. Go on a road trip. If you have hip clothes and the local stores can't take anymore, don't give up. Drive {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} to the smaller towns down the road. Make sure you call and know where they are and what they're taking. They may be all over your collection, especially if those brands aren't available at their closest mall.
  7. Also if you have clothes that you think your family or friends would like then try selling it to them. Do not give a high price, maybe about 1/2 of what you paid. But that might help you get rid of a whole lot of clothes. If you have cousins who dress similarly you could be able to arrange a trade.
  8. Take what's left and try to sell it at a local flea market. You may only get a couple of bucks but it's better than giving up. This is also a great way to get rid of items the other stores rejected or anything damaged. You can also sell old shoes and dad's old leisure suit.
  9. Once you've attempted to sell at all of the above resources you should then look towards a charity to get rid of what's left.. Charitable tax deductions can make you more money come tax return time.



Tips

  • A list of stores you could try selling your things to;
  • Always be kind to the shop owners or buyers.
  • Develop a friendly relationship with store workers. They may give you inside information.
  • Make sure that your used clothes are in (at least) decent condition. This means no tears (unless this is how you bought them), and no stains. Think of how you would feel if you got this item in this condition for the first time-no cheating by thinking how it was at the store upon buying it.
  • Ebay
  • Creating a partnership with a friend or a fellow fashionista could be good.
  • Nearly New
  • Vintage stores
  • If you go the extra amount and add a pretty flower onto those jeans or a pair of shoes to go with those earrings, then more people are likely to buy your things.
  • Goodwill (only takes donations but will give you receipt for your taxes)
  • Online yahoo auction
  • St.Vincent De Paul (Australia)
  • My Clothing Bay (Australia only at the moment)

Warnings

  • The contemporary re-sale shops won't offer you much for your items. Expect a few dollars per item even if it still has the price tags attached.
  • Read through the ebay sales and shipping process

Things You'll Need

  • Collection of unwanted clothes
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Hangers
  • List of local business that deal in used clothes
  • The information about what those stores require
  • Garment bags for transporting
  • A piggy bank for your newfound wealth

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