Where Can I Bring Old Clothes for Money?

Selling old clothes offers a way to declutter and earn income. Instead of discarding unwanted garments, resale provides a beneficial alternative. Many platforms and businesses specialize in buying or facilitating the sale of pre-owned clothing. Understanding these options helps determine the best approach for your items and financial goals.

Exploring Different Selling Venues

Local consignment shops are a common option for selling pre-owned clothing. These businesses display and sell your items on your behalf, taking a percentage of the sale price. The seller typically retains ownership until the item sells. Commission splits for clothing often range from 40% to 60% for the seller, though higher-end items may offer a larger share.

Resale or buyout stores are another physical option. Unlike consignment, these stores purchase your items outright for cash or store credit immediately. This offers instant payment, though the payout per item may be lower since the store assumes resale risk. These venues often seek current styles, popular brands, and well-maintained pieces, providing a quick way to convert clothing into funds.

Online marketplaces and mobile applications offer another way to sell clothes directly to buyers. These platforms allow sellers to list items, set prices, and manage sales independently, reaching a broad audience. While offering control over pricing, they involve various fees like listing fees, transaction fees, and commissions, which reduce the final payout. Sellers are also responsible for photographing, describing, and shipping items.

Preparing Your Clothing for Sale

The condition of your clothing is important when preparing items for sale. Most resale and consignment businesses, both physical and online, have quality standards. Items should be clean, free of stains, tears, holes, odors, or excessive wear. Minor imperfections can reduce an item’s value or lead to its rejection.

Proper cleaning and presentation enhance an item’s appeal. Washing, ironing, and neatly folding or hanging garments create a positive impression. For online sales, clear, well-lit photographs from multiple angles are essential to represent the item’s condition. Detailed descriptions, including measurements and material composition, also help buyers.

Certain items are more sought after in the secondhand market. Current styles, high-quality fabrics, in-season clothing, and popular brands sell more readily and at better prices. Heavily worn items, outdated styles, or fast-fashion pieces often have minimal resale value or are not accepted. Consider if you would purchase the item yourself as a guideline for what to sell.

How Payment Works

Payment structures for selling pre-owned clothing vary by sales channel. In a consignment model, you receive payment only after your item sells. Consignment shops operate on commission, with a common split being 60% to the seller and 40% to the shop, though this can range from 30% to 70%. Payment may be issued monthly or after a certain number of sales. If an item does not sell within an agreed period, it may be returned.

Upfront buyout stores offer immediate compensation in cash or store credit when they accept your items. This provides instant liquidity. The amount offered is a flat rate determined by the store based on brand, condition, and current demand.

Online marketplaces involve different financial considerations, as sellers manage their own listings. When an item sells, the platform deducts various fees from the sale price. These include a commission percentage on the final sale price, often 10% to 20% or more, plus listing and payment processing fees. Payouts are processed through direct deposit or third-party payment services, with funds available after a holding period or buyer confirmation.

Navigating the Selling Transaction

After preparing your clothes, engaging with a selling venue involves procedural steps. For physical stores, this means dropping off items during designated hours. Some stores require appointments, while others, especially buyout stores, operate on a walk-in basis. Staff will evaluate items based on condition, brand, and current demand.

When selling through an online platform, create detailed listings for each item. This includes uploading clear photographs and writing comprehensive descriptions. Once an item sells, you receive a notification and a shipping label from the platform. You are then responsible for securely packaging and shipping the item to the buyer.

Following evaluation, physical stores present an offer for accepted items. Buyout stores provide an immediate cash or credit offer. Consignment shops provide an agreement outlining sale terms and commission split. Online, after a sale and successful delivery, funds are released to your account. Items not accepted by physical stores are returned, allowing you to try other selling methods or donate them.

If you sell personal items for more than you paid, any profit is a capital gain and may be subject to taxation. While losses on personal item sales are not deductible, significant profits should be reported.