Each season we’re all guilty of purging out closets and making room for the latest fashion trends. But instead of putting last year’s clothes in a box, why not make some money off of clothes that you no longer wear? These days there are all sorts of sites and apps that make it easier than ever to sell your clothes the right way.
If you need money now, selling your clothes is a great opportunity to bring in the cash you need. No matter if you choose to use thredUp, Poshmark, or even eBay, there are some things you’ll want to know before jumping into selling your clothes. Here’s what you need to know so that you maximize your profits.
Know the Clothing Marketplace
There are dozens of websites where you can sell old clothes, shoes, and accessories. Top sites include thredUP, Poshmark, Craigslist, and even Amazon. Before you list your clothing on a website, make sure that you understand what each marketplace is used for.
For example, if you have luxury clothing to sell, you’ll want to consider using The RealReal or Poshmark. But if you have common brands like Lululemon or Old Navy, you can easily get away with selling them on the broader and more general marketplaces.
Write Catchy Detailed Listings
When listing clothes online, you always want to provide detailed listings so that customers know exactly what they’re buying. You want to describe what you’re selling in terms of:
- Size
- Brand
- Color
- Overall condition
- Any wear and tear
To stand out from the crowd, you could also offer styling suggestions, which is a great way to market the item. A frame of reference makes it much easier for a shopper to determine if a piece of clothing will look good as part of their wardrobe.
Since so many people so sell many articles of clothing, make your listings unique. Offer specific details and use words that make the buyer confident (and eager!) to purchase from you.
Price Appropriately
There’s no one right way to properly price clothing. Your best bet is to thoroughly research what similar items are selling for and base your price off of those numbers. On the other hand, you can also price clothing based on demand, uniqueness, and versatility. If you’re selling an item that is hard to find and is trending, you can likely get away with asking for more than you would normally.
While you may have a set price in mind for each item you want to sell, you’ll also want to be open to negotiations. Sometimes sellers will offer you a price just to see what type of seller you are. Be kind yet upfront and how low you’re willing to go below the list price. The key is to not be negative, as this will scare off a customer for good.
Photos Matter
We live in a world that revolves around Pinterest and Instagram worthy images. If you want to eventually become a power seller, you’ll quickly learn the importance of taking good photos of each of the items that you want to sell. Cute and eye-catching images are the best way to grab a shopper’s attention.
When it comes to taking pictures of clothes you want to pay special attention to lighting and styling. Always take photos in a well-lit room so that the true color of the product can be shown. Taking pictures on a wood background will bring out a more yellow tone. Neutral tones and natural light are the best for taking crisp clear photos.
You’ll also want to ensure clothes are neatly laid out or put on a hanger. Be sure to get rid of any wrinkles before taking any snaps! You can even take photos of how you’d style the specific shirt or pair of pants.
Offer Smart Shipping
No one wants to order clothing, only to have it show up at their doorstep in a dirtied and ripped shipping envelope. Take your clothing shop to the next level by focusing on how you ship items. Depending on if you plan to become a long-time clothing seller, you may want to invest in branded packaging. Otherwise, it’s more important to focus on choosing a shipping option that keeps clothing protected from dirt, grime, and the elements.
Aside from what you ship items in, how you ship is also important. Consumers want to buy things and quickly receive them. Ship as soon as a buyer makes a purchase and always offer tracking numbers so that packages can be tracked.
Knowing the ins and outs of selling your clothes will help you to make the most money. Be sure to keep these tips and tricks in mind so that you can put extra cash in your pocket.