Questions for those who resell clothing

I have a few things from my closet I've decided to let go, and I'm wondering if I might actually be able to resell them. I looked at some of the websites for consignment shops, but it looks like most of what they resell is pretty high end, and nothing I have is really high end.

Some examples are a pair of pretty braided leather kitten heeled mules from Coldwater Creek that I never wore, along with a pair of leather midcalf boots that I wore once.

I've sold other items on ebay and through Craigslist over the years, but have found that often it's not worth the time or money for me.

Should I even try to get money out of items like this or do I just donate them and enjoy the warm fuzzy feeling that someone out there is going to find something awesome at Goodwill soon?

15 years ago

General

10 replies

Latest reply was from NK

Rosie

Veteran

I know EXACTLY what you're going through... take a look through this thread:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....v-donation

I basically ended up selling a few nice purses on eBay and will sell some good clothes there, too, but the rest I donated. I found the consignment shops difficult...and figured I would get more selling the purses than consigning.

15 years ago

Active Member

Wow! Thanks for the link, Rosie! Lots of useful info there.

I think I'm just going to end up donating stuff. I tried out 'thrifting' a few months back and was kind of disappointed that I never found anything amazing or new with tags like so many other people seem to do. Maybe me donating stuff will be like good karma and I'll end up finding something cool the next time I try?

15 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Some resell shops are designer only, but you might check around a bit more. I just consigned some items, and they took almost everything. If it's Old Navy or something in that tier of stores, they probably won't. But Calvin Klein, MK, JCrew ... those are all good. Not everything has to be Armani!

15 years ago

Active Member

Thanks, Laura. I think if anything, this is making me realize once again I should invest in nicer items and buy fewer things!

Although, if I didn't spend much on something in the first place, I guess I shouldn't be disppointed when I can't get much out of it later!

15 years ago

Anonymous

Consignment shops are all different. I took a load down to one shop and most of it was turned away. I took the very same clothes to a different shop and they took all of it. Most of my stuff is mid-level stuff that is in excellent condition. I hang on hangers and make sure all the wrinkles are out and buttons done up so they look pretty.

But really it seems like what the shops take is what is selling at that moment. If you bring in an armload of white button fronts and they already have a big stock of white button fronts then they won't take more. Take them to a different shop and you may have more luck there.

Speaking of which.....I need to get this latest batch down to the shop this week!

15 years ago

agrace

Active Member

I just posted something in kind of this same topic and Rosie's referral to that other thread has some great thoughts too. I've done all three things - ebay, consign and craigslist (even clothes on craigslist) and so far, consigning comes in at a distant third for me. Maybe because like you are saying, I don't have exceptionally high end stuff and also I don't get to control the pricing too much. Ebay and Craigslist, I set the price.

If your stuff is not going to get more than say, $4 for a shirt on ebay, then you are right about deciding if it is worth the time (and money!) to take a picture, post it, maintain it, box it, ship it and so on on ebay.

You might think about craigslist. I was suprised but I sold what is called a 'lot'
(in this case about 35 pieces of clothing) of clothes for $200 on CL last year. They were maternity clothes and I just put about 4 pictures on and got a lot of inquiries. That seems to work well especially if you have a 'lot' you can sell.

I hope that helps!

15 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

If you have a Clothes Mentor in your area, it might be worthwhile to bring your items to them. They are different from most consignment shops as they pay up front for items. Their website lists mainly upper-end items, but the ones in my area (mpls, mn) take Kohls, NY&Co., Macy's, etc....they also pay well for some jewelry, belts, shoes, purses, etc....good luck selling/donating!

15 years ago

Active Member

I checked, and no Clothes Mentor. Bummer, because I think that would be a fun place to shop!

I put a couple of things up on Craig's List right after I posted last, but I haven't heard anything since.

Maybe I'll try the 'lot' thing. Thanks for the tip! I have several pairs of shoes, and maybe it would be more worth it to somebody to buy 5 pairs of shoes that way.

I also made my peace with a few items and put them in a bag to donate.

15 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

FWIW - I have used a consignment shop for a few years to help let go of perfectly good clothing. I have recently started asking for a printout of my account with the check and it has been an eye opener.

This shop gives you 45% of what they receive for an item. After a certain number of days it goes to 50% off, and 'x' number of days later it expires (or something like that).

A few better items will always sell at the full price

Lots more sell when 50% off

They do not pull expired items off the floor (and I NEVER have picked them up) but if they sell when expired (and they DO sell) they get the total $ and I get nothing

Overall, I am happy to get these things out of my life and move on (with an occasional check from them), but lots of things bring me LESS than I might pay for it at a garage sale. I am always free to go back and search out my unsold/expired items, but who needs that extra work. . .

15 years ago

Active Member

Wow. I didn't realize that's how it works!

I keep reminding myself "out of sight, out of mind". If I don't want to feel those twinges of guilt that comes from seeing stuff I never wear, I just gotta get rid of it, and any way I can!

Thanks for the all the advice!

15 years ago

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