Don’t Throw Away Your Old Clothes. Sell Them Instead

No matter how much better you vouched to be about buying clothes you didn’t need or won’t wear, there are probably a few pieces in your closet right now you’d be willing to part ways with — for the right price. No, not all of your garments will fetch three, let alone five, figure amounts, but no one’s stopping you from trying. A little bit of time, access to a camera, the wherewithal to know who made your clothes and what you originally paid for them, and you’re in business.

But, keep in mind: first and foremost, reseller websites and platforms, consignment sites and thrift stores exist so others can capitalize on discounts on designer items, mass market mainstays and other deals. For sellers, they promise extra income, even if you’re forced to part ways with something below retail. It’s also important to know that certain selling methods yield way less money than others. Also, there are avenues that don’t offer immediate payouts.

The research is half the battle; then it’s setting up your “shop.” Below, there’s a breakdown on the percentage of the sale you take home, which services charge fees, which cover shipping, what to sell to each and much more to ease you through the process.

Reseller Websites and Platforms

Grailed

Grailed

Grailed is an online resale platform for menswear exclusively. The site accepts clothing from all brands and offers easy-to-use categorization tools to attract interested buyers. The categories are Core (commercial brands and vintage), Sartorial (classic men’s suiting), Hype (streetwear) and Grailed (exclusive, rare or downright impressive pieces).

What they take: 9%
What you keep: 91%
Fees: 2.9% + $0.30
Who pays for shipping? You do
Do you set your own price? Yes
Do they authenticate listings? No
Who takes the photos? You do

StockX

StockX

StockX focuses on footwear but has steadily expanded its scope to include streetwear, sports cards, gaming consoles, watches and bags. Items can be listed and priced by the seller but all sales must be confirmed by StockX’s team of authenticators. “Asks” or “Buy Now” values can be set so sellers can avoid bidding wars if they’re in need of quick cash. No matter how it sells, you ship the item to StockX and they forward to it the buyer.

What they take: 9.5% (9.0% at 3 sales, 8.5% at 30 sales, 8% at 100)
What you keep: 90.5%
Fees: 3%
Who pays for shipping? They do
Do you set your own price? Yes
Do they authenticate listings? Yes
Who takes the photos? They use retailer images

Depop

Depop

Depop skews Gen-Z, playing host to plenty of early-90s, Y2K, and even more recent stuff from sellers on the… younger side. As such, don’t come selling your high-end menswear when it would be better off on other platforms. But, if you persist, don’t be surprised if you fetch at least one interested party. It’s a big site — 20 million users as of mid-2020.

What they take: 10%
What you keep: 90%
Fees: 2.9% + $0.30
Who pays for shipping? You do
Do you set your own price? Yes
Do they authenticate listings? No
Who takes the photos? You do

Etsy

Courtesy of Etsy, Abitto

Although boardwalk-like T-shirts covered in sarcastic quotes dominate the listings here, there’s still plenty of vintage on Etsy. If you have something camp, kitschy collectible, or custom, try it here. (Especially if you did any of the reworking yourself!) Higher-end items might be better serviced on other sites, though.

What they take: 5%
What you keep: 95%
Fees: $0.20 listing fee, $0.25 payment processing fee
Who pays for shipping? You do (discounts available through Etsy)
Do you set your own price? Yes
Do they authenticate listings? No
Who takes the photos? You do

eBay

Courtesy of eBay, blackcloudnetwork

Of course, eBay is on this list. The site may be the oldest on here — it was founded in 1995; the same year as Craigslist — but it still works well for those interested in offloading some of their belongings. Try selling your collectibles, vintage or sought-after classics (military styles, discontinued favorites, etc) before bringing your run-of-the-mill mall stuff.

What they take: 12.55% (0% on sneakers >$100.00)
What you keep: 87.45%
Fees: $0.35 insertion fee after 200 listings
Who pays for shipping? Shipping is included in selling price
Do you set your own price? Yes
Do they authenticate listings? Only sneakers, watches and bags
Who takes the photos? You do

Mercari

Courtesy of Mercari, Tempting Selections

You know the feeling of being sucked into a thrift’s semi-strange assortment of used stuff? Mercari, to me, operates with that moment front of mind. Simply dubbed “Your Marketplace,” there’s something for everyone here — and there seems to be a person for every product. If you have a bunch of solid stuff that doesn’t quite reach the designer threshold, listing here proves easy and, from what I can tell, effective.

What they take: 10%
What you keep: 90%
Fees: 2.9% + $0.30, $2 for instant transfer
Who pays for shipping? You do (negotiated rates exclusive to Mercari sellers)
Do you set your own price? Yes
Do they authenticate listings? Yes (for a fee: $5 on items over a certain price, $10 for a certificate)
Who takes the photos? You do

Poshmark

Courtesy of Poshmark, baazarlord

The top brands on Poshmark are Nike, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Polo and Jordan. Think big name but at a bargain. Bring your gently used general release sneakers, designer splurges and sports apparel and anything else you’re willing to work to get sold.

What they take: 20% ($2.95 for sales under $15)
What you keep: 80%
Fees: None
Who pays for shipping? They do
Do you set your own price? Yes
Do they authenticate listings? No
Who takes the photos? You do

ASOS Marketplace

Courtesy of ASOS Marketplace, un:ik clothing

Although ASOS Marketplace caters more to independent retailers and indie brands, evident by their seller perks and membership fees, you can make quite the storefront for your used shirts, jeans and sneakers. If you liked customizing your Myspace page or enjoy uploading custom images for your Instagram Highlights, head here.

What they take: 20%
What you keep: 80%
Fees: $20 monthly member fee
Who pays for shipping? You do (negotiated rates exclusive to Mercari sellers)
Do you set your own price? Yes
Do they authenticate listings? No
Who takes the photos? You do (a dedicated account manager can answer questions and assist)

GOAT

GOAT

As a platform, GOAT focuses on sneakers. However, sellers are permitted to offload outerwear, streetwear and other garments and accessories, too. Think hype things you waited in line for, or limited edition drops you were ahead of the curve on. Get a gist of what others are selling and in what price range and go from there.

What they take: 9.95%
What you keep: 91.05%
Fees: $5 seller fee
Who pays for shipping? They do
Do you set your own price? Yes
Do they authenticate listings? Yes
Who takes the photos? They do unless your item is “used”

Vestiaire Collective

Vestiaire Collective

Vestiaire Collective is an online consignment store that sells vintage, jewelry, bags, lifestyle goods, men’s and women’s clothing and footwear. They accept fashion brands like Cos and Zara, sell stuff from labels like Levi’s, Woolrich, Carhartt and Champion, but wouldn’t accept something from J. Crew or Everlane, if that makes sense. Higher-end designer items do well here, but our guiding rule is the bigger the brand name the better.

What they take: $17 for items under $50, 10% for $50-$250, 15% for $250-500, 20% for $500-$10,000, $2,000 for $10,000+
What you keep: 80-90%
Fees: Authentication fee ($9.99 for items $0-$350 in value, 3% for $350-$1,000 and $29.99 for items $1,000+)
Who pays for shipping? They do
Do you set your own price? Yes (with suggestions)
Do they authenticate listings? Yes
Who takes the photos? You do

Consignment Shops

The RealReal

The RealReal

You’ve probably seen The RealReal’s commercials on YouTube by now. Some sort of indie, electronic tune set over dancing models in sequins and wide lapel suits. The consignment site sells only the highest-end luxury, spanning pants and grooming products to bags and watches. Popular designers include Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford, Prada and more top-level labels. Send them your most expensive items. Listed products, the platform explains, typically sell within three days of posting.

What they take: 15-60%
What you keep: 40-85%
Fees: $15 per item
Who pays for shipping? They do
Do you set your own price? No
Do they authenticate listings? Yes
Who takes the photos? They do

Thrift Stores

Buffalo Exchange

Buffalo Exchange

Buffalo Exchange boasts locations in 17 states. (See which here.) Selling here is fairly typical for most thrift stores — well, at least for ones that source the items they sell instead of accumulating inventory through unsolicited donations. Right now, appointments are required but typically last no longer than 30 minutes. You arrive with the items you’re seeking to sell in tow, washed and untouched for the last 24 hours in a box or bag. The clerk sorts through it, assessing the condition of each item and offers you final value redeemable in cash, check or store credit. They seek in-season items — if you’re selling in summer, sell them shorts — but will buy most popular items.

Payment method: Store credit, cash or check
%: 25% cash or check, 50% store credit
Maximum number of items: 50

Plato’s Closet

Plato’s Closet

Based on my count, there are 475 Plato’s Closet stores in the US and Canada. There, they’ll take the kinds of things you’re too busy to bother photographing and listing. You won’t get the best value off bigger buys gone bad here, but you can capitalize on things online buyers refused to cop: standard-issue collegiate or professional sports merch, Abercrombie, OBEY, Patagonia, H&M, Under Armour, stuff you bought from Urban Outfitters and beyond.

Payment method: Cash or store credit
%: 30% of store’s sticker price
Maximum number of items: None

SELL NOW

Don’t Need the Extra Dime? Donate Your Used Clothing

If you’re someone who’s dedicated time or till to your wardrobe, selling the pieces you don’t want one by one might make sense. For others, it’s too exhaustive a process for the few dollars they’ll get in return. Plus, there are plenty of folks in need who’d benefit from receiving the clothing at a reduced cost, perhaps even free of charge. Yes, Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet and a few others on this list, because you can set the price as low as you’d like there, lower the point of entry for potential patrons, but accessibility issues remain — like high-speed Internet. (14% of households earning less than $30,000 a year do not have Internet access; 9% of those making under $50,000 don’t, Pew reports.)

Unless you’re driven to sell because you could use the extra dollars, too, in which case reselling clothes could become a profitable side project, donating does the most good. Not only does someone get a gently used jacket or pair of jeans, but it helps excess material from entering landfills. Plus, you can itemize and value all of your donations. Just stash the paper receipts until tax season.

• American Red Cross Green Drop

• One Warm Coat

• Planet Aid

• Vietnam Veterans of America Pickup Please

• Goodwill

• Salvation Army

Read More

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  How to Shop for Vintage Clothing Online

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