As we switch seasons this is the perfect time to clean out closets and declutter.  Before you head out to donate your old clothes that take up room, why not try to make a little money on them?  Today we are covering teen/adult clothing tips, and tune in later for tips on children’s clothing.

Sell Locally

Stores such as Plato’s Closet, along with other local thrift stores, offer to buy your gently used clothing. Generally, they purchase clothing that is less than two years old, primarily name brands which meet the needs of their market audience and have very few signs of wear.

For instance, Plato’s Closet markets to teens and young adults. Popular brands include but are not limited to Hollister, American Eagle and Abercrombie.  They may accept clothing from other less popular brands but will be more selective on those items.  Stores which cater to a more mature audience will typically look for brands like Loft, Coldwater Creek and Express. Keep this in mind when you are deciding where to sell your clothing.

When selling your clothes to these kinds of stores, you are not going to get to name your price.  They will tell you how much they will give you for the clothes and you decide to sell or not sell.  It can be a quick way to get some extra cash, though you shouldn’t look for top dollar pay out prices.

Sell Online

If you are like me and don’t want to drag your kids all over town, there are ways to sell used adult clothes online.  I know the first one that comes to your mind is Ebay, but do remember that Ebay fees to sell are around 10% of the sale price for each item!

I have also mentioned ThredUp on the site. You can through this link and get a $10 credit right now if you’re new! This is also another good option if you don’t want to go all over town because you request a Clean Out Kit that they send you through the mail and then mail your items back to them in that bag for processing. Within a few weeks, you will be alerted which items were accepted and how much your payout will be. Do note they now charge a $9.99 fee for the kit, but that fee will be deducted from your payout. This is our go-to place to buy clothes and shoes also!

Consign Locally

Other stores do not purchase clothes directly from you but rather select items they would like to consign in their store. When you bring items in, they will pick out which items they believe are most likely to sell. If you agree to leave the items they select, they will price them.  If they sell, you will get a percentage of the profit, usually in the form of a check. This process can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days. After the designated length of time, you will have to return to pick up your check and/or any unsold items.

Mom & Pop v. Chain Stores

Often local stores will offer you a little bit more cash for the clothing items they purchase. Sometimes they will even offer a larger dollar amount in store credit. This way you can swap out the old clothes you no longer wear for gently used ones at a great price! If you have time, you can always try one shop and take what is left to another store before heading to your local donation center. This way you have more than one opportunity to make a little extra cash.

Prepare Your Items

Always be sure to wash and dry your items before trying to sell them! Check with each store about their hanger policy. Some stores prefer clothes off hangers in bags or boxes, others prefer you to bring clothing on hangers so all they have to do is put tags on them. Always be courteous of each store’s policy, so you can both benefit from the trade.

Be selective, don’t just take all your old socks and t-shirts. Think about who the store sells to and bring in items that you think would sell well for them! Don’t forget to check all items for rips, tears and stains.

Expectations

Don’t expect to walk out with hundreds of dollars in your pocket. These stores sell clothing for much less than original cost and since they are splitting the profit with you, be aware that you may only get a few bucks for each item. The more valuable your items the more cash you will receive for the items you sell.

When to Sell

It is best to sell items that are in season. Because these stores have a quick turn over rate and little storage space, they generally like to stock up on clothing for each season as it begins. You may also want to call and ask what items they are low on. This will give you an idea of what they are in the market to buy and what items they may not be taking at the time.

Do you have any tips for selling or consigning adult clothing? If you are looking to buy clothing, check out some great goodwill shopping tips.