The truth about reselling your old clothes (sssshhhh)
How to avoid frustration and maximize your wins
Having performed so many closet cleanouts recently, it’s clear that most people don't understand the difference between what clothes qualify to sell and which have to be donated, or even, thrown away. Even though I try to minimize your clothes turnover, having you try on everything before officially saying goodbye, we find out, inevitably, that a few items don't work for you anymore. And here's where the major misunderstanding lies: the “Adios!” pile👋.
I bet your last closet cleanout went like this👇
The Goodwill bag ends up in your entryway or your car for so long that you start complaining about having to drop off your donations to everyone who sees your trunk (but you never do). One friend, trying to be helpful, boasts about how much money they made selling “all their crap” a while ago to [add a name of a thrift store shamefully close by] and you realize that this bag of unwanted goods is now your lottery ticket… Only to get to the second-hand shop and have to wait for an hour in a line of people wheeling carts and trash bags with the same get-quick-rich scheme as you. When it’s finally your turn, the buyer looks at every single micro stain, forensically breaking down every time you washed something incorrectly, and decides not to take in so many of your fugly items. You completely wasted your time. Suddenly you feel very possessive of the items that you didn’t even care about to keep in your closet and curse under your breath as you repack the plastic bags in your truck.
So, what's the catch? Buy-sell-trade stores like Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads, which are spread across America, are for-profit businesses that will only take in inventory that will sell well and quickly.
Wait. Gabi, why are you skipping Depop, eBay, or Poshmark and focusing exclusively on buy-sell retailers? Self-advertising platforms are dominated by bots and professional resellers promise a larger payout, but are way more work. Unless you have a large following to bring to your online store, the odds of your items sitting there for a while are very large. According to my experience, the 50-80% cash payout is often misleading, as most items won't sell and the time you are waiting around, the item may go out of style and you miss the opportunity to resell them altogether.
I put together 6 reselling tips to save you a lot of time, shame, and back pain. You’re welcome.
After a closet cleanout, you need at least three separate piles
So, now let’s screen your resell bag.
Resell items have to be exciting
Second-hand shopping is often not based on needs, but on impulse buys. How can I know if my garments have that IT factor? Your attraction is a great north. Pick GREAT items you're very excited about, but don't fit, you haven't worn in a while, or even, you might love, but you'd prefer to trade in for something else instead.
Current Styles
It does not mean only trendy or even trending. Quality basics like a North Face snow jacket or timeless Levi's Premium 501 denim have been in style forever and probably will continue to be. Even for vintage items, it’s important to understand what's current. Yes to 90s windbreaker jackets, no to 80s suits with shoulder pads.
Crossroads has an online selling guide you can refer to before going.
Excellent Condition
Has it been worn too many times? If it still has a tag, refer to the style. Why have you never worn this? No stains, no wash wear, no pilling (little fleece balls), no smells (wash all items before selling!), with all buttons and working zippers. An exception is special vintage items like single stitch collectors t-shirts that customers would still buy even with condition, but don’t get fooled - it will still be priced accordingly.
Brand
Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer. Why would you buy Shein or Forever 21 second-hand, knowing that you most likely will be able to find it new for under $5?
Known brands with average-high selling prices tend to do best. Customers find these tags and instantly think it’s a “find”. Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People are common takes for these stores.
What about high-end or luxury splurge regrets? I believe you can earn more selling on the RealReal, but Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads, and similar stores will most likely also sell your items as long as they are current and in good condition.
You may be thinking.. what a letdown, I don't have anything that fits this criteria. Probably your very worn jeans won't cut, but that family gift that wasn't quite your style or those sneakers that you wore once and hurt your feet will be great on someone else. Don't sleep on jewelry and shoes.
Bring small, clean, nicely folded batches (NOT in a trash bag!)
Showing that you were selective also makes the clothes stick out. No one likes treasure hunting a pile of yuck. In a way, it’s like showing up well-dressed for an interview. it’s not a requirement but it will make a great impression. The less clothes you take, the more attention the buyer will pay to each item. You can also ask questions! With a giant batch, you probably won't be able to have a conversation about each garment - which leads to a better understanding of the store and bringing an ever better batch next time.
I once found a Tory Burch tote in my alley, right by my garbage bin. After sitting there for a few days, I picked it up to inspect it. It was in great condition and with a loving letter from the owner to pass it on to someone special - but sometimes the circumstances speak louder than the product itself and I ended up donating it.
Let’s talk money
I'll be clear: Reselling your clothes is NOT a way to recoup your investment. You will NOT make your money back. Selling to Buffalo, Crossroads, or similars is nothing but a way to make a quick buck, or ideally, a great way to save money the next time you buy clothes. Reselling is not a lottery ticket and will never be. Your clothes will be tagged at a much-discounted price.
Oh, what about pro clothing resellers? I met many and a very small exception turned a profit - normally by selling a big bulk of clothes or luxury items sourced internationally. If you were one of these people you would know.
Here's what separated the girls from the women, the men from the boys. Your choice at checkout between being paid in cash (25%-30% of the retail price assigned) or store credit (50-60% of the retail price) is what will define if you're making a good or bad deal. Each store has a different policy, but roughly, you will get twice as many dollars in store credit as in cash, so I highly recommend taking the gift card.
Learn from my experience this week
Using Buffalo Exchange in LA as an example, I took 3 average reusable shopping totes of stuff and they bought in a good 3/4 of what I brought, a take percentage way above average. I was offered $153 in cash or $305 in store credit, plus a $20 gift card. Most of my items were from Farm Rio, Urban Outfitters, or Anthropologie - brands second-hand customers are often interested in.
A lot of sellers opt for cash, uninterested in spending on clothes, or especially in used items. I have been that person, especially in moments when I just really need the cash. $153, like they offered me, can go a long way. My experience, however, proves that the odds of these notes being lost in Starbucks coffees, parking meters, and impulsive "now I deserve to treat myself” purchases are high.
325 dollars in Buffalo goes a long way. I could have bought a pair of Louboutin pumps, a Coach bag and Ray-ban Sunglasses. Not bad at all. Even if you would never consider buying second-hand, explore, maybe you will surprise yourself. Remember that all clothes can always be washed. Thrifting is a great sustainable practice that you can do good and also save you a lot of money.
Don't expect to sell everything
Even after doing this for a bit, I still left with one almost full bag. Don't have the expectation the store will buy everything, in fact, I have never seen this happen. You can drive to different stores in the neighborhood to compare and contrast prices and the general interest in your specific clothes. If in doubt, don't hesitate to call ahead and ask the store about ballpark pricing and top-selling brands/styles.
Good luck!
Bonus tip: Arrive arrive before they open and be the first one in to ditch the line.
Amazing tips! Thank you. I learned so much.