Tips for Selling Your Clothes for Money at Consignment Shops
I’ve always been a lover of thrifting shopping. Secondhand shops are a wonderful place to discover styles you may not normally try and items are always on sale for less than the brand-new price tag. As I explained in this post a couple years ago, it’s also a valuable way to live a tad more sustainably. Consignment shops are also rewarding places to earn money from clothes you no longer wear. It’s a genuinely positive feeling and helps us fashionistas reinvest in ourselves and our closets. A big move, a new season, downsizing, a job promotion, or just because–they’re all logical reasons to take the dive and sell some clothes in your closet. Here are a few tips from me, a self-proclaimed thirft pro.
Clean Out Your Closet the Right Way
As someone who has professionally helped people organize their closets and shop for new wardrobes for years, there’s a real science to doing this closet cleaning effectively. I outlined my rules for cleaning out your closest here. You’ll note that not every item you clean out should be sold. Your consignment items should be in good condition and feature name brands for the greatest selling success. Donate or trash other items. Set yourself up for future sucess by organize the remaining clothes along the way.
Find Out Where to Sell
You can sell your items in person or online. Every store and app has its own rules that determine how much you can earn and what items the store prefers. If you’re a regular consignment shop customer, then you know how each store has its own personality. I frequently sell to multiple stores at a time so I have a greater chance to earn cash. Some stores will like certain items and others will not. Find the ones that fit your style.
For in-person selling, you want to make sure you call to arrange a time to sell. Most consignment shops are requesting appointments since COVID. This post outlines all of the places you can sell and shop in Richmond, VA.
You can also sell online, which is a little more independent. I love the experience with Thred Up personally. Depop has become really popular with bloggers I follow. This article outlines a few more online selling options.
Find Out HOW to Sell at the Consignment Shop
Every store should have a list of brands they prefer to shop from consignment sellers like you. If they don’t have a list then do some research yourself. By that, I mean, go shopping! See what’s on the racks. Try to understand the general aesthetic or style they’re working toward. Some brands are more punk, others are more preppy, others are filled with workwear, and others are a blend. The better you can match their style with the items you bring in, the better luck you’ll have,.
Decide What You Want: Cash or Credit
Almost all consignment stores will offer you the option to earn cash or credit to shop. Cash is great if you don’t want to shop at the store where you’re selling. If you are looking to shop to upgrade your wardrobe, then you can accept credit. Store credit is always going to be a larger amount, so you can reinvest it smarter. I suggest only accepting credit if you really love or need something. It’s more financially and environmentally sustainable. That being said, I’m a professional shopper and I use the store credit about 70% of the time.
Leave Your Ego At Home
These are small businesses and they have a bottom line to make. They’re also trained retail experts. If they don’t think they can sell your clothes, then believe in their expertise. If they don’t take your item, it’s not a personal dig, it’s just not something they can sell. Sometimes they also have too many of the same item. It costs them money to store and dispose of those clothes, too. Have fun with this! If it stresses you out, then it’s not a hobby or additional income stream for you.
A Few Thirfted Outfits
Hey! This is Norma, Baggio Consignment’s owner. I want to thank you for including Baggio in your list of consignment stores in RVA. I’ve change my business model since the pandemic since the pandemic started, last year.
I want to invite you to come over for you to experience the new way of doing business at my little venture. Would you like to come over sometime next week? Is Thursday afternoon good for you?
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Kind regards.
Norma