Are you looking for a way to make a little extra cash? One of the ways to get quick cash is to sell things you no longer need — and that includes clothes.
The good news is that you can sell clothes online without too much trouble. There are plenty of websites that allow you to clean out your closet and make money doing it. Here’s what you need to know.
5 Best Places to Sell Used Clothes Online
Selling used clothes for cash or store credit online can help you reach more potential buyers and get a better price for your items. A garage sale might not be the best option when you’re looking for top dollar. Here are six of the best places to sell used clothes online.
1. ThredUp
If you want something simple and easy, ThredUp is the place to go. It’s the largest online consignment and thrift shop.
Order a “clean out” kit and send your gently used clothes in. Someone else will sort them and decide which items to accept. You’ll be offered money based on the selling price, and some items might be available on consignment. You can also choose to have the company donate items it doesn’t accept to charity on your behalf.
Be aware, though, that certain brands are preferred. So, if you don’t have a lot of high-end stuff, you might not get much money — or even have your clothes accepted.
2. Poshmark
With Poshmark, you have to do quite a bit of work. You need to offer styling tips, attend in-app “events,” and generally be a part of the community. However, you do set your own sale prices (Poshmark takes a cut), which can be advantageous.
The more involved you are, the more likely you are to get the price you want for clothing and accessories. They also send you a pre-addressed, prepaid shipping label once your item sells.
3. eBay
If you don’t have a lot of high-end or designer clothes and accessories to sell, eBay can be a good choice to sell clothes online. You can list your items, including in sets. You have more control over the listing, even though eBay will take its cut.
4. VarageSale
Use this website to sell clothing (and other items) online to people in your locale. You don’t have to wait for people to come by your house with VarageSale. Instead, you reach them where they are — online. Once you have a deal, you’ll have to set up an in-person meet to make the exchange. Consider a public place where you’re more likely to be safe.
5. Instagram or Facebook Marketplace
It’s even possible to sell your unwanted clothes online using social media. People take photos and post items for sale on Instagram or Facebook Marketplace. With these two sites, you don’t have to worry about seller fees. Just make arrangements in the direct messages, collect the money, and send off the clothes.
Consider Selling Other People’s Used Clothes
Another way to make money is to sell other people’s second-hand clothes. If you know people interested in getting rid of their own items, you can buy them at a low cost, either directly or at a garage sale. Then, you can use websites that sell clothes as a way to make a profit on the clothes you bought.
This can be especially useful if you know friends and family cleaning out their closets in an effort to KonMari their lives. Sort the clothes into designer brands and non-designer, then determine the most effective way to sell them online. You might be surprised at how much you can make by making it a point to sell what others are getting rid of.
Another tactic is to offer to sell used clothes on behalf of others and take a percentage. Offer to do the legwork in exchange for a cut. Just make sure your cut takes into account the cost of using online resources to sell the old clothes.
With this approach, you could even get your own side hustle going and create room in your budget.
Sell Custom Clothes Online for Cash
You don’t have to rely on your closet to make money selling clothes online. If you’re into designing clothes, you can create your own storefront and make money that way. The following websites make it easy to design and sell clothing:
CafePress
As long as you have a graphic of your design, you can use CafePress. You can customize t-shirts, pajamas, hats, sweaters, and accessories using CafePress. When someone orders your design, the website handles the whole thing, from printing it and shipping it. You receive payment once the item ships. It’s a simple way to design your own clothing and sell it without having to create the actual items yourself.
Bonanza
Set up a booth with Bonanza and sell your items. You do have to prepare them yourself, so you need to either make them or have them made elsewhere. The price for selling on Bonanza is cheaper than setting up an Amazon store, so that can be advantageous if you’re designing your own clothes. Realize, though, that customers can negotiate with you, so be prepared for some buyers to make counter-offers.
RedBubble
Similar to CafePress, you can design clothing and have someone else take care of it. RedBubble will take care of everything from shipping to customer service. You just need to create and market your custom-designed clothing items. You can also design accessories, so consider that as well.
Tips for Selling Clothes Online for Cash
Whether you sell used clothes or are interested in selling fresh designs, there are a few things you can do to be more successful. Here are some of the main strategies that will help you make the most of the situation — and be more likely to get top dollar:
- High-quality images: Rule number when selling clothing online is to take a lot of high-quality photos that showcase what you’ve got. Take photos from multiple angles and use good lighting. Use natural light if you can.
- Provide details: Shoppers want details. Include brand, size, color, and other important information. If the item is a designer brand, make sure to highlight that.
- Be honest about condition: Your photos should show the condition, but you also want to be honest. Don’t say something is in excellent or “like new” condition when it’s in good or fair condition.
- Be realistic about pricing: Regardless of what the item is, you need to set a realistic and reasonable sales price. You aren’t going to get back what you paid for an item. Do a little research to get a feel for what items for selling for. A general rule of thumb is that you can get about one-third of your original price for used clothing in good condition.
- Offer unique designs on original clothing: If you’re selling your own designs, make sure you have something unique. You need photos, details, and realistic prices, but you can sell clothes online for more when you can demonstrate the uniqueness of your original designs.
Don’t assume that you’ll just be able to get the money flowing when you sell clothes online for cash. It takes a bit of effort to get things set up and going. However, if you have a plan, you’re more likely to be successful in the long run. You could even use these strategies to get beyond a paycheck-to-paycheck life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I determine the price for my used clothes?
Consider the brand, condition, and demand for the item when determining the price. You can also check out prices for similar items on the website or app you are using to sell.
How do I take good quality photos of my used clothes?
Make sure the clothes are clean and pressed before taking photos. Use natural lighting and a solid color background to make the items stand out. Try to show any unique details or features of the item.
How do I write a good description for my used clothes?
In the description, provide information about the brand, size, material, and condition of the item. Mention any unique features or details. Use keywords that potential buyers might search for.
How do I package and ship my used clothes?
Fold the clothes neatly and place them in a clean, sturdy box or mailer. Use bubble wrap or tissue paper to protect any delicate items. Print a shipping label and attach it to the package. Take the package to a post office or shipping carrier to have it mailed.
