{"id":2731,"date":"2022-05-20T16:39:32","date_gmt":"2022-05-20T20:39:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skypointfcu.com\/wph\/workarea\/?p=2731"},"modified":"2022-05-20T16:39:49","modified_gmt":"2022-05-20T20:39:49","slug":"how-to-kick-start-your-online-clothing-resale-gig","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skypointfcu.com\/wph\/workarea\/blog\/how-to-kick-start-your-online-clothing-resale-gig\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Kick-Start Your Online Clothing Resale Gig"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the recent rise of resale apps like Depop and Poshmark, the idea of selling old clothes online is becoming more fashionable. Many people have turned clothing resale<\/a> into a lucrative side gig or even a full-time job, gaining thousands of followers and making dozens of sales per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The secondhand-clothing market is projected to more than triple by 2030, according to a 2021 study by reselling platform Mercari and research firm GlobalData, as more fashion enthusiasts clean out their closets and search thrift stores to find valuable pieces to resell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But whether you have a collection of band T-shirts or office attire, finding success on these platforms takes time and effort. Before diving into your closet, there are a few things to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You set your prices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike consignment and resale shops, you can price items yourself on an online platform. Before listing a piece of clothing, look it up on multiple platforms to find out what it\u2019s currently selling for. Depending on age, condition and brand, prices can vary widely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also take advantage of direct messaging to negotiate with buyers and use features on apps like Depop and Poshmark that let you accept offers and create multi-item discounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSales can be sporadic,\u201d says Andres Castillo of Los Angeles, who sells rare designer pieces through Depop, eBay and Instagram under the name Debonair Vintage. With rare or high-value items, it may take a while to find the right buyer, especially if you\u2019re looking to break even or make a profit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a big time commitment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI treat [reselling clothes] like my job,\u201d says Eve Perez, a full-time student in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, who sells under the name Fitsfinesse and was featured in Teen Vogue <\/a>in 2021 for her Depop success. She responds to messages daily, on top of taking product photos, sewing custom pieces, and packaging and shipping orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communicating clearly with first-time buyers is essential: \u201cIf you don\u2019t build that relationship, then you won\u2019t get sales and returning customers,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although you have control over the prices, reselling online takes much more time and energy than selling to consignment stores. According to Depop<\/a>, sellers who list consistently \u2014 around 15 items per week \u2014 sell more over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt takes a lot of time and dedication,\u201d says Castillo. Top-notch sellers have to learn to take eye-catching photos, understand shipping rates, negotiate over text, and research brands and trends to make the most of their inventory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overhead costs add up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you can set your prices \u2014 but there are a few overhead costs to factor in. Online resale platforms charge commission fees, plus additional fees for shipping through the platform or accepting payments through a processor like PayPal. Depop takes 10% of every sale and eBay takes 15%; Poshmark takes $2.95 for items under $15 and 20% for items over $15. PayPal, which integrates with Depop, Poshmark and eBay, charges another 3.49% plus 49 cents per transaction for payment processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of that, you\u2019ll need to pay for packaging, label printing and possibly storing inventory including bins, hangers and shelves. Top sellers also recommend adding a personal touch in shipments, like free stickers, small accessories or a thank-you note. When all those costs add up, you may find that only higher-value items are worth listing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can cut costs by reusing shipping mailers and boxes, and printing labels at your local FedEx or UPS store instead of purchasing a label printer. Or, reduce shipping costs for buyers by bundling several items into a single shipment, which can motivate buyers to purchase more from your shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The social aspect is a priority<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most successful online resellers have one thing in common: a strong personal brand. Finding your niche and building a loyal following is essential to long-term success on a resale platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like Instagram, but for selling,\u201d says Perez, who focuses on curating a consistent aesthetic and marketing her shop on social media platforms like TikTok.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Castillo grew his business by catering to a very specific market: vintage designer collectors, specifically for Moschino and Chanel. He sells across several platforms, using his Instagram to rent pieces out to stylists for photo shoots and red-carpet events. Though he targets a fairly small community, his narrow focus helps him reach his ideal buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other top sellers on resale platforms can be seen taking a similar approach, with shop themes ranging from band T-shirts to vintage gowns. \u201cLean into your personal taste,\u201d says Castillo. Even if you don\u2019t have a curated collection to sell, personalized packaging or a unique photo background can help your items stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Perez and Castillo emphasize the importance of cross-linking social media platforms to reach as many potential customers as possible. Creating a dedicated Instagram Business account and following other online sellers and designers can help drive buyers to your shop. Check popular pages for trendy hashtags and add those to your posts. Making the time to promote on social media can help transform your closet into some serious income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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