Possible YLF Clothing Swap--Thoughts and Ideas? - YouLookFab Forum

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Possible YLF Clothing Swap--Thoughts and Ideas?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hi Everyone!

We kind of got a clothing swap conversation going on another thread, and Angie asked that we start a new thread to discuss this. This is our tentative plan (copied and pasted):

Angie said: I really want to start a YLF clothing swap spirit. How can we do this?

Tanya: Well, could maybe have a new part on the forum " For swap" or something where we could post photos of things we are offering to the YLF community, and then people interested in them could reply.

Ana: I like Tanya's idea of the swap tab, and we could model it on some other clothing swap site, like this one:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/swapshop/

I also found this "How To Swap" posting from Kasmira's blog (I hope she doesn't mind me linking to it here):

http://whatiwore2day.blogspot......-shop.html

And there are others out there. I think also that you'd have to be willing to post an e-mail address for swap, so that we wouldn't always have to bother Angie to connect us via the blog posting. Also, I think if it's a true swap, maybe there has to be an equal swap? Say, Tanya has something up for swap, and I'm interested in it. So, I'd e-mail her good photos and details of the things I'm willing to trade, and she can look over the stuff, and if she's interested, then we can do a swap. If I have nothing she wants, then I'm not sure what to do. I guess it's a no go situation. The only other option is I guess I'd have to offer to buy it from her, but I'm not sure if there are any legal/tax implications to that. I guess it would be similar to buying something off e-bay.

Also, we could maybe make posts like, "Looking for X for swap" and if someone has something like that, they could contact me about a possible exchange. Again, I could send photos or links to what I have and see if there's a match.

This could take a while to get going, and also there might be some bugs to work out, but I do think it's possible.

--->What do you all think of this? Anyone have any ideas on logistics to get something like this going?

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Nicole

Veteran

I think it's a great idea and I would def. be interested in participating.

Maybe if a swap isn't available, but someone is interested in an item, they could just pay for shipping. Personally, I'd much rather pass an unworn item along than to let it linger in my closet.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I think I already have a few things put together for the YLF clothing swap. It's a lot easier to be ruthless when you may be able to swap it for something that works better!

Patience and Sarah, I also got some things together for our swap, too.

Kyle

Veteran

I'm interested, too!

Nicole

Veteran

Ana, would it be reasonable (and possible) to just have a swap tab here and anyone interested in participating could have their own thread. It would be up to the individual to edit articles that have been swapped out of commission. Or maybe it could be categorized by size and item? Like size 8 dress pants, Size 6 jeans, size 8 shoes etc. If you have something to offer you post it to the associated thread, and when it's gone, you close the thread?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

That's a possibility, Nicole. I like the idea of each item having it's own thread. People's stuff might get lost in the posts though, and we might get confused as to who's thing we are talking about--ie, "I really like the blue top," but maybe there are 2 blue tops, etc.

I was looking at how other sites do it. Another idea is to have a photobucket/myphotoalbum album dedicated to your swap items. Post the link to your album, and people can leave comments under each photo of the item if they are interested. That way you could manage it on your own more. Or, alternately, we could have the swap tab, and each item could be it's own thread, and then people who are interested could post under that thread. There are whole systems and websites dedicated to this swap thing, so I think it could get complicated very easily.

One other thing I wonder is if we can keep the Swap Thread posts from appearing in the "Recent Conversations" tab, because I could see how that could get really cluttered and people's questions might get lost.

Alecia

Veteran

I think it's an intriguing idea. BUT, I will say that it sounds like a lot of work and that would be a disincentive for me. Plus I have a group of girls locally that get together and do clothing swaps occaisionally. So I would likely save stuff up for those because it allows for trying on and such.

Here's another idea, what about YLF-sponsored real clothing swaps in our area? Ok, I don't really know what that would look like. It's just a brainstorm.

julijuli

I love the idea of an online clothing swap, but I' not sure I'd have anything that anyone else would want to swap for! I do think it sounds like a lot of work and what if you ship the item to someone and they try it on and it just doesn't work for them? I think it is more helpful to have an 'in person' swap because you can try things out. That said, I did read an article somewhere about a woman who put together clothing swap functions and it sounded very fun. Everyone brought their swap items a couple of days ahead and she sorted them out into groups by size. The only rule was that you had to contribute to the swap in order to take things home. After the swap was over, any leftover items were donated to charity. I was thinking of something like this on a *much* smaller scale!

http://www.clothingswap.org/index.htm

Antje

Veteran

I tend to agree with JuliJuli, and imagine that an online swap is challenging. You just never know whether something really works before you try it on, which makes it complicated across the distance. I love the idea of a local clothing swap in the various cities. I once organized a small one with a group of friends - maybe 12 women, I made mimosas and little bites to eat, and put up tables and racks for the clothes. We had a blast, and I came away with a few "new" pieces I loved, while enjoying my own discarded clothes finding good new homes with friends.

julijuli

Antje I love the idea of doing that and if I was going to host something I definitely would want it to be a 'manageable' number (12 - 15). Maybe we should chat about putting something together?

Antje

Veteran

YEAH! I'd love to organize this with you, JuliJuli. Do you still have my email address from our previous YLF get-together mails? If not, send me a message to antje-ylf@live.com, and we'll take it from there.

julijuli

Antje - I will email you today and we can get it going!

marianne

JJ and Antje, please keep me posted. I can put together a few things, mostly accessories, but probably less than 12.

julijuli

Marianne - the more the merrier in terms of items - I was thinking 12 - 15 attendees would be manageable.

Lena

Hmm, I'm not sure I'll have a lot to contribute because I did a sweep two years ago. I have several items I got as gifts that I never wore, and I'd love to give them to somebody who can get better use out of them.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hmmm. I still have my thinking cap on.

Ariadne

Veteran

I like this idea. I think it would work better if the person receiving the item ust paid for shipping, as opposed to having to do a one-for-one swap. I think the likelihood of you having an item available to swap that the person with the item you like wants is very low.

Chances of the item fitting would be hit or miss, but very careful measurements could help a lot.

Maya

Veteran

I'm with Brianna. If you need to get rid of something anyway, it shouldn't be necessary to get something in return for it. I'd rather have my clothes find a happy home with a fellow YLFabber than be fondled by dirty teenagers at a thrift store, where I wouldn't get anything in return anyway.

If an item doesn't fit for whatever reason, I think it's okay, assuming the "buyer" is only paying for shipping. Even with accurate measurements, it's impossible to tell if a piece will be flattering or not without trying it on, so there is always that risk and we should all go into this with that understanding.

One piece I have brings up a dilemma for me though. I have posted about these before: A lovely pair of black velvet Theory Max C pants. They still have the tags on. I never wore them because they are a size 0 and don't even come close to fitting. But since they are new I find it hard to just give them away. The original price is $250. How would we handle situations like this? I have considered putting them up on ebay, but the bad economy hasn't been kind to ebayers, and I don't think I'm really going to get what they're worth.

Antje

Veteran

Maya, I had the same question about higher priced items. I'd also find it a little hard to just give them away, considering I'd get decent money for them if I brought them to a consignment store. This only affects a couple of items for me, though (e.g. an evening dress); with most of my other items I'd just be happy to see them on someone else whom they suit better than me.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I think with any clothing swap, you probably wouldn't swap anything that you wouldn't otherwise just give away. If it's something you'd rather sell, or give to a friend, then I would probably just do that instead, and not include it in the swap. I look at it as a fun way to get rid of stuff I really don't want, and possibly getting something useful in return. But if it doesn't work out on my end, no big deal--I'll just pass the item on, or add it to my swap pile.

Antje

Veteran

That makes sense!

Maya

Veteran

Good point Ana. I think this could be a fun idea, and I have definitely envied a lot of pieces that people are putting on their "toss" list.

...And heck, I'm always looking for a bargain.

Here are some tentative "rules" to follow:

-This is not a marketplace for selling clothes, but for purging unwanted clothes from your closet and passing them on to someone else.

-All posts should include all applicable measurements (of the clothes, not you, although if you're comfortable posting your measurements that might be helpful), and a picture (preferably on a body but not necessarily)

-Hopefully this goes without saying, but nothing gnarly like used underwear and worn-out bras...or anything stained/torn/unwearable.

-Whoever is interested in each piece is responsible for the shipping cost. Maybe through Paypal?

-Everything goes on a first-come-first-serve basis

-If anyone has a question about the item, please answer it promptly.

-There does not necessarily need to literally be a swap (as in an even exchange). This forum is meant to get rid of clothes that you wouldn't want to keep anyway, so it isn't reasonable to expect something in return.

-If the clothes do not fit or aren't flattering, it isn't the responsibility of the person donating them. Sometimes things don't work out, and since you're only paying for shipping, it shouldn't be a big problem. Just re-post the item and maybe someone else will take it off your hands, or donate it.

Any other additions or objections to what I have written? Please share.

shana

Veteran

What a great idea! I definitely have some items that are in excellent condition but either don't fit me or my lifestyle anymore. I would much rather give them to one of the board members than take them over the goodwill like I usually do. I have often thought about consigning some of the nicer items - but honestly, it's just too much work! I like the idea of just having someone pay for shipping rather than worry about a true swap.

Nicole

Veteran

I much prefer the "pay for shipping" than swapping item for item. The spirit of this idea is to pass on things we'd be getting rid of anyway.

I like Maya's idea of using paypal for shipping--how do I do that?

Ariadne

Veteran

Maya, that sounds perfect! Thanks for typing that up.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sounds fabulous. The ideas are getting better and better. Thank you for restarting the thread, Ana.

In the spirit of re-purposing our wardrobes, let the swap posts begin