Best Practices for Selling Clothes + Tips That’ll Make You Money

Sharing is caring!

The classic question – “Do you think I could sell this?” It comes up in every single closet decluttering session with my clients (no kidding.) There’s often a look in their eyes; a mixture of guilt and hope as they await my response. I usually say something like, “It all depends on what’s most important to you and how you plan to sell it.” That response is met with a look of confusion and concern, to which I smile and assure them we can walk through the entire process after making a “sell” pile.  We need to consider best practices for selling clothes on-line or in a consignement store.

If you’re currently sitting at the base of a giant mountain of clothes asking yourself what you were thinking, it may be hard to know where to start. I get this question on an almost weekly basis and there are many factors to consider, so let’s break it down into simple steps. I’ll briefly unpack the process to help you make the best decision and hopefully some extra cash!

Questions to ask yourself before you consider selling a piece of clothing :

1. Is this item damaged in any way (ripped, stained, missing buttons, etc)? If so, no deal. Let it go.
2. Is this a recognizable brand name item? If you bought it at the mall, discount store, or large online retailer and it’s not a reputable brand, let it go. 
   • There are a couple exceptions to this rule that I’ll touch on soon.
3. How old is this item? If it’s not on trend within the last 2-3 years, let it go. It doesn’t matter if it still has tags on it. Buyers want clothes that are currently in style and in season. 
   • Top level designer pieces and handbags can occasionally be a different story. A quick Google search can help you determine if there’s a market for your item. 

Online vs. Consignment

Now that you’re better sorted, you need to decide how you’ll sell your items. The two key priorities to consider are how you want to spend your time and how much money you want to make. I’ll share the pros and cons of each scenario.

Selling Online

Pros

• Items usually sell faster if priced appropriately.
• You make more money.
• There are more companies to work with than you might find locally.

Cons

• You must maintain and store all your items until they sell (that means your house is still cluttered).
• You’re in charge of creating listings, taking photos, corresponding with potential buyers, packing, shipping, and following up in a super timely manner. 

Selling at a Consignment Store

Pros

• The clutter is out of your house immediately.
• No customer relations.
• No sales or shipping responsibilities.
• Sit back and collect your money when an item sells.

Cons

• Consignment stores are quite particular and won’t take items that aren’t in amazing condition. They are especially limited now because of Covid.
• They give you a smaller commission (usually 30% or less).
• They don’t always give you cash upfront. You may be responsible for calling to see if you receive a future payout. 
• They usually will only take 50 items or fewer at one time.

Tips and Best Practices for selling clothes That’ll Make You Money

You’ve decided how you want to sell your items and now the actual work begins! I know what you’re thinking, “This all sounds too overwhelming.” I hear you, but it doesn’t have to be. Just focus on one step at a time, follow the workflow, and you’ll do great! You can download a free printable for each selling scenario below. Each checklist helps you get through this process efficiently and helps you get the best ROI.  If you want more free printables be sure and drop by I Speak Organized.

Insider Tips for Success

• Sell to your network first. I’ve had clients post to their Instagram and Facebook pages/stories with items they want to sell and have major success. This is a circumstance where brand isn’t as important. Friends and followers that already know you and have a relationship with you are more likely to become a buyer, anyway. You can post a haul of 15-20 items for $50 and watch it sell! No commission, and no hassle. You might even persuade a friend to pick it up at your house. 
• Choose one or two companies to sell with and donate the rest. It’s too overwhelming to keep track of listings on multiple websites or consignment stores. Choose a company that suits most of your needs and develop a relationship with them. Every company operates a little differently, so get familiar with how they work to maximize your efforts. 
• If your items aren’t from recognizable brands but the styles are current and in excellent condition, consider bringing them to a consignment store like Buffalo Exchange or Plato’s Closet. 

Selling Online | Best Practices 

• Prep the item for a photoshoot. Iron or hand steam as needed. Hang the item using a clean, solid background. You can also model the item if you’re comfortable doing so, and buyers appreciate that.
• Take high quality photos. Lighting is key, so make sure you have access to lots of natural light. Take photos of the whole item front and back, tags to confirm size/brand, and closeups of any special features. Bonus points if you use a background remover app to edit out distracting surroundings. I like to use an app like Snapseed or Canva to remove backgrounds and brighten up the photo. 
• Take detailed measurements. Buyers won’t be able to try on the item, so you need to provide accurate measurements. Buyers may also request additional size information so it’s best to have this upfront so you don’t have to worry about it later. 
• Write a clear and accurate description for your listing. I often will search the manufacturer’s listing and use similar language in mine. 
• Check for messages daily and respond to inquiries promptly. Don’t let more than 24 hours pass before responding, as that can damage your seller’s reputation.
• Gather packing supplies. Did you know USPS has FREE shipping supplies? Order what you need ahead of time and have it delivered directly to your door. 
• Use tissue paper, dust covers for shoes, cases for glasses, and pad items that could get crushed in transit. Bonus points if you include a cute thank you note to the buyer! Your local dollar store will have many of these supplies.
• Pack and ship an item as quickly as possible. If there’s any delay, be sure to alert the buyer immediately. As long as you communicate effectively, people are very understanding. 
• Follow up with buyers, address issues, and thank them for their purchase. This will improve your reputation, and your listings could appear above other sellers in the future.

Selling to Consignment Stores | Best Practices 

• Call the store in advance. Most places are currently accepting clothes by appointment only and have safety protocols. They’ll also tell you which brands they take, what season they’re currently accepting, and how many items you can bring at a time. 
• Make sure you have extra hangers and totes. Luxury consignment stores usually request you bring all your pieces on hangers for them to sort. Most other stores request items be neatly loaded into totes and untouched for 24 hours.
• Launder and press items as needed.
• Follow up with the staff about payment if needed. 

What to Do When Some Clothes Don’t Sell

Some clothes won’t interest buyers and you need to consider other options to declutter. Many clients I work with feel obligated to sell their things out of guilt. It’s difficult to come to terms with spending so much money on something that you never wore or forgot about. 

The money was gone the minute you bought the item, and that’s ok. We’ve all been there. Others can benefit from your generosity when you choose to donate, and it is by far the easiest way to get clutter out of your house. 

There are several local and national organizations that take clothing donations. Many have drop boxes or donation centers, and others will help you reuse old parcels to ship your items. If you have clothing and shoes that are too damaged to donate, don’t toss them. Get in touch with an organization like Planet Aid of Zappos for Good to recycle them. 

Be sure to check out the resource links below for selling and donation options. Also remember to download the seller’s workflows so you’re ready to exchange those items for cash. As always, happy decluttering!

Online Options

Consignment Options

Donate Options

About Melanie

Notes from DownshiftingPRO

In 2021, I have begun to pivot content features on the blog, I have chosen to highlight organizing content. After taking a poll, many wanted more content with a focus on downsizing, organizing and conquering the clutter. In doing so, I have turned to professional organizers in Canada and the US to create guest posts for my readers. I admire their work and hope you will stop by their website for a fuller perspective on what they do best – keep people organized. I hope you enjoy the series.