Adapted from a story by Elisabeth Leamy for The Washington Post.
U.S. households spend at least $1,700 on apparel each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and it’s a lot easier to shell that money out than it is to recoup it. You won’t strike it rich selling used clothes, but it is possible to get some nice spending money out of them. Fortunately, there are more options than ever, both online and in person.
Online direct
Several websites allow you to set up your own “boutique” and sell your clothing directly to consumers.
• Grailed: Grailed is one of a handful of sites that specialize in men’s clothing — in this case, young, hip men who like fancy hoodies, sneakers and such.
Grailed commission: 6 percent, plus Paypal costs.
• Poshmark: Poshmark is an app and website where people can buy and sell clothes to one another. You upload your own photos and set your own prices. You accumulate followers and can then alert them to new items they may like.
Poshmark commission: $2.95 for items under $15. Otherwise 20 percent.
• Vinted: In addition to selling clothing direct to buyers, you can swap with other Vinted members by marking your listings with a swap symbol.
Vinted commission: $0.70, plus 5 percent.
Online cash/credit
Some online stores will pay you outright for your clothes.
• Material World: Material World sends you a prepaid mailer. You then send in your excellent-condition designer clothes, and the site evaluates them and makes an offer.
Material World pay: You are paid in site credit or with a Bloomingdale’s gift card.
• ThredUp: This site began by specializing in children’s apparel and has now added women’s clothing. ThredUp sends a prepaid bag for you to fill with clothes. The site takes care of photographing, pricing and listing the items. If your clothing is “on-trend, in-season and in great condition,” ThredUp pays you for it upfront. If your clothes are in great condition but offseason, the site consigns them and pays you after they sell.
ThredUp pay: 5 to 80 percent of the anticipated selling price. (The more valuable the item, the higher your percentage.)
ThredUp commission: 20 to 95 percent of the selling price. (The more the item sells for, the lower ThredUp’s commission.)
• The RealReal: This site takes only luxury brands. You can choose between in-home pickup and free shipping. The RealReal authenticates and photographs your items and then sells them via a “flash sale” that lasts a limited time.
The RealReal commission: 55 to 85 percent, depending on the selling price.
In-person cash/credit
Several chains will pay you on the spot for clothes or give you store credit.
• Buffalo Exchange: This used-clothing chain has stores in many states, plus the District. Walk in and a Buffalo Exchange employee will price your items on the spot.
Buffalo Exchange pay: 50 percent of the anticipated selling price in trade or 30 percent in cash.
• Clothes Mentor: You can tell the used-clothing business is hot because here is another chain with stores across the country. Clothes Mentor has 147 stores in 29 states.
Clothes Mentor pay: about one-third of the anticipated selling price.
• Uptown Cheapskate : Trendy clothing and accessories are in demand at these stores in 21 states.
Uptown Cheapskate pay: Cash on a case-by-case basis or 25 percent more in trade.
In-person consignment
Bricks-and-mortar consignment shops tend to be mom and pop operations, and they are plentiful. Check out Consumers’ Checkbook for suggestions in your area.
Regardless of which method you use to sell your clothes, you’ll make more if they’re in great condition, freshly laundered or dry-cleaned, and well presented.
Bottom line: If you really want to get the most money for your old clothes, you should shop around for offers just as hard as you shopped for the clothes in the first place.
Elisabeth Leamy hosts the podcast “Easy Money” and is a 25-year consumer advocate for programs such as “Good Morning America” and “The Dr. Oz Show.” Connect with her at leamy.com.
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