People in America generally have too much stuff. It’s spring, which means many of us are in the throes of decluttering or cleaning out our closets—or both. Maybe you haven’t started yet and you’re looking for motivation to finally tackle that pile of unread books or unworn clothes you’ve been staring down for months. The first question people ask themselves is, what do I do with all my stuff? The savvy thing to do (besides donating, of course), is to sell your pre-loved stuff. Sites like Poshmark and thredUP make it easy to rehome your favorite pieces and make a few extra bucks in the process.
To help those new to the world of resale, we turned to retail expert Amy Abrams, who, alongside husband Ronen Glimer, co-founded the Artists & Fleas marketplace and the thrift shop Regeneration, where vintage sellers can pop up with their own curated collections of pre-loved wares. The couple also holds Shop Extraordinary Enterprises LLC, which includes Manhattan Vintage, New York City’s largest vintage show.
Abrams shared her tips for online resale as well as IRL options that are available not just in New York City where she’s based, but also around the country. From the biggest mistake people make when selling items online to the clothing few people think to resell, here are a few basic rules to get you started.
It's spring and we've (finally) cleaned out our closets. What now?
There are several options:
- Create a clothing swap with friends
- Rent a rack at Regeneration (@re_generation + joinregeneration.com)
- Find a local consignment shop in your community
- Utilize one of the many online resale channels that will do the work for you
- Sell online yourself!
What's the first thing people should do when trying to sell their clothing or accessories online?
Think about selling your items at a local market in person! It’s a lot more fun and you get to meet new people within your community. If this is something new to you and you don’t know where to start, do some research to help determine what local markets are in your area, then search online to find a fair price and a description of your items for sale. Don’t forget to take great pictures so you can also highlight what you’re selling on social media!
What's the biggest mistake people make when selling previously loved items online that can affect their resale value?
The biggest mistake is pricing items incorrectly and/or being dishonest in your description. If there are any flaws, price them accordingly and let people know.
What's an item most people are surprised to find in the second-hand market?
Bathing suits. If they’re washed, then they’re like any other preloved item.
What are some of the dos and don'ts of online resale?
Don’t forget to ship out your items quickly and don’t overcharge for shipping. If you can, offer your customers free shipping.