Kim Kubsch
Once you have purged your clothing items out, separate them into three categories.
Sell Individually: Brand names and highly sought-after pieces that someone may search for specifically. Examples include designer handbags, expensive coats, limited edition dresses, and hard-to-find shoes.
Consignment: Mid-range brand names and good-quality pieces that are still in season and on trend.
Donate: Cheap brands of clothing and accessories or those that are not in very good condition.
Prepping Your Pieces to Sell
Be sure someone would want these used items. Make sure they’re clean, smell fresh, don’t have any frays, and look as good as new. Iron them so they look crisp in photos.
Photo Tips to Make Your Pieces Look More Desirable:
1. Hang clothing on a sturdy hanger on a nail/hook on a solid white or cream wall. Use double-sided tape to make the clothes spread out if needed.
2. Lay down the pieces and put a measuring tape down to visually show the width or length of the item.
3. Don’t use artificial lighting. Turn out the lights, and photograph near a window in the afternoon when your house gets the best light.
Next, choose your selling platform and write your listings. Look up either the exact items you’re selling or something very similar so you can get a feel for what others have sold them for. You can also get ideas on how listings should look and what you should include.
Some platforms for selling clothes for cash are eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Tradesy.com, ThredUp, The Real Real, Poshmark, Etsy (for vintage clothing only), and Swap.com.
Most consignment shops also sell on their website. Keep in mind that you only get paid if your items sell. The commission rate you earn is higher if you choose store credit rather than cash.
The Actual Selling Process
The three main elements include price negotiating, packaging, and shipping.
Dealing with Hagglers
Whether you are selling on a platform like Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp, you may experience some form of price negotiations. Pricing your items 10 to 15 percent higher than what you would actually accept gives you wiggle room when someone offers less.
Packaging Your Sold Items
Package the items like they are a gift. Fold clothes in the neatest way possible.
Shipping Your Sold Pieces
Some platforms have required shipping practices that you will have to follow. A lot of them provide the labels for you to print and designate certain carriers.
Shipping via USPS Priority Mail is a solid option, since they provide tracking numbers. They are crucial for both you and your buyer. USPS has Flat-Rate Priority Packages. If your items fit in their box, it ships for one flat rate fee.
In Summary
• Purge first, before even thinking about cash.
• Adjust expectations for earning potential. Often, the ROI (return on investment) is 10 to 20 percent of original price.
• Donate anything that won’t reap a good amount of money.
• Research and choose a platform to sell on.
• Wash and steam/iron all the clothes you want to sell.
• Take a variety of photos.
• Write a detailed listing.
• Price 10 to 15 percent higher than the price you’ll accept to allow for negotiating.
• Package sold items like you’re sending a special gift.
• Use USPS Priority Mail for affordable and trackable shipping.
To learn about Kim’s free 30-minute downsizing consultation, call 480-720-8566 or email [email protected].