Sell Your Clothes Online

If you’re like most people, you’ve got a closet full of clothes you never wear anymore, not to mention a few dresser drawers and a box or two in the basement. You could just bag it all up and trundle off to the nearest thrift store (preferably one that supports a charity), but with a bit more effort, you could turn your unwanted clothes into cash by selling them online. This takes some persistence and ingenuity, but it’s worth trying.

First, evaluate what you have – take your unwanted clothes out, hang them up where you can see them, and look them over carefully. You’re more likely to make money on clothes that are reasonably up to date, and of course, they should be clean, free of stains and holes, and in good repair. Wash anything that looks or smells like it needs it, and do some ironing, too – those wrinkles will show up in your photos and can be a turn-off to potential buyers. Don’t bother trying to sell anything that looks like you would wear it to the car wash.

Now you can photograph your clothes – use a digital camera and zoom in on designer labels and noteworthy styling details. Recruit a friend or two to help you model the pieces – your customers will want to see how the clothes look on a person as well as on a hanger. Obviously, you need to make sure the clothes fit (and flatter) the models. This is particularly useful if you have off-label clothes – if the designer doesn’t automatically make the item a hot commodity, your photographs will help. Photograph each piece from at least two angles so your buyers have a variety of views, and try to assemble outfits from items that work well together. Label each item with its brand, size, original price (or your best guess) and your asking price.

When it comes to pricing, you be the judge – but be reasonable. You won’t get the full purchase price, even if you’ve never worn the piece and the tags are still attached; for all but the most mint-condition and in-demand items, ask for less than half the purchase price. Set your prices but be flexible; online shoppers are looking for a bargain. Selling for a lower price is preferable to keeping something you don’t really want anymore – a few dollars in your pocket is better than an unworn sweater in your closet.

Once you have your photos taken and your clothing labeled and organized, it’s time to post your items online. You can do this even if you have no online sales experience – start with craigslist.org, a free, user-friendly service with city-specific sites. Other sites to try include ebay, lycos classifieds, oodle, and ioffer. You’ll need to register and set up a PayPal account to use many of these sites – if you have a lot of things to sell, it’s worth the effort and is more secure than just hoping your buyer actually puts a check in the mail. Post your pieces on more than one site for maximum exposure, and include direct contact information. You should set up a dedicated email account for this – check it at least twice daily to keep up with inquiries. People will lose interest in buying your clothes if they can’t contact you easily.

Finally, be patient. You won’t necessarily sell the whole lot in a week – sometimes it takes a while. Repost your items every week or so, rearranging the photos and lowering the prices a bit. When you get a long-distance sale, respond promptly: package the item carefully and mail it out the next day (or as soon as the payment clears PayPal). This will help your “seller rating” on many sites, boosting buyer confidence in your merchandise. Keep trying, and as your closet shrinks, your wallet will expand.