COLORADO MUSIC HALL OF FAME ADDS BIG STAR POWER
U.S. households spend at least $1,700 each on apparel each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and it’s a lot easier to shell that money out than it is to recoup it. You won’t strike it rich selling used clothes, but it is possible to get some nice spending money out of them. Fortunately, there are more options than ever, both online and in person.
Several websites allow you to set up your own “boutique” and sell your clothing directly to consumers.
Grailed: Grailed is one of a handful of sites that specialize in men’s clothing — in this case, young, hip men who like fancy hoodies, sneakers and such. Commission: 6 percent, plus Paypal costs.
Poshmark: Poshmark is an app and website where people can buy and sell clothes to one another. You upload your own photos and set your own prices. Some “Poshers” start by selling their own clothes but then graduate into buying clothes to sell because they make good money at it.
Commission: $2.95 for items under $15. Otherwise 20 percent.
Vinted: This site and app is very similar, but with a twist. In addition to selling clothing direct to buyers, you can swap with other Vinted members by marking your listings with a swap symbol. Commission: 70 cents plus 5 percent.
Some online stores will pay you outright for your clothes.
Material World: Material World sends you a prepaid mailer. You then send in your excellentcondition designer clothes, and the site evaluates them and makes an offer. You are paid in site credit or with a Bloomingdale’s gift card.
ThredUp: This site takes everything from chain-store clothes to designer clothes. ThredUp sends a prepaid bag for you to fill with clothes. The site takes care of photographing, pricing and listing the items. If your clothing is “on-trend, in-season and in great condition,” ThredUp pays you for it upfront. If your clothes are in great condition but offseason, the site consigns them and pays you after they sell. Pay: 5 to 80 percent of the anticipated selling price. Commission: 20 to 95 percent of the selling price.
The RealReal: This site takes only luxury brands. You can choose between in-home pickup and free shipping. The RealReal authenticates and photographs your items and then sells them via a “flash sale” that lasts a limited time. Commission: 55 to 85 percent.
Several chains (all of them with locations in Colorado) will pay you on the spot for clothes or give you store credit. This used-clothing chain has stores in many states. Walk in and a Buffalo Exchange employee will price your items on the spot. Pay: 50 percent of the anticipated selling price in trade or 30 percent in cash.
Clothes Mentor: You can tell the used-clothing business is hot because here is another chain with stores across the country. Clothes Mentor has 147 stores in 29 states. Pay: about onethird of the anticipated selling price.
Kid to Kid: This chain in multiple states and four countries takes children’s clothing, toys and equipment. Pay: Cash on a case-by-case basis or 20 percent more in trade. Trendy clothing and accessories are in demand at these stores in 21 states. Uptown Cheapskate pay: Cash on a case-by-case basis or 25 percent more in trade.
Bricks-and-mortar consignment shops tend to be mom and pop operations, and they are plentiful.
Bottom line: If you really want to get the most money for your old clothes, you should shop around for offers just as hard as you shopped for the clothes in the first place.