Selling gently used shoes, clothing
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
My shoe width has been a “narrow” all my adult life. Finding narrow width shoes at a store has become an endangered species. I have many to sell but don’t want to see them returned due to fit. Any ideas? Some have never been worn. I really don’t want to donate them as these were expensive.
— Judy A.
Dear Judy: You have loads of online and brick and mortar store options where you can sell those shoes. In some cases, you can stipulate “no returns” so you’re not bothered with everything that entails. If you have highend designer shoes, they’re especially desirable.
Depending where you live, there could be consignment stores that would be delighted to sell them. Crossroads Trading (crossroadstrading.com) and Buffalo Exchange (buffaloexchange.com) have drop-off storefronts nationwide and will pay upfront with cash or store credit. Beware: Whether online or storefront, these places take a hefty cut.
Facebook Marketplace, tradsy.com, ebay.com, thredup.com, poshmark. com and therealreal.com are just some of the buy/ sell internet places. Each has different rules and varies in what you have to do to sell your stuff. Some do it all for you, while others require you to do the photos and listing.
The only time I tried to sell gently used designer label clothing, I used The Real Real (therealreal. com), and it was a nightmare. They assigned me a personal contact who
stopped returning my calls when I complained that the photo they posted of my Burberry trenchcoat seemed to be missing the belt. They admitted they lost the belt, then claimed (with no proof ) they found it. It took me six months and so many maddening emails and phone calls that I vowed never again. Persistence was key and I did get paid eventually, but the process was excruciating.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
You have written a lot about bras but I’ve never seen this question. I’m a small woman (size 6) with a medium-size chest. But it is droopy. I have given up on finding a comfortable bra but after breastfeeding my two kids, I need some support. Any suggestions?
— Sara L.
Hear me out on this unconventional suggestion. It worked for me. At Target, I found a Jockey tank top labeled “everyday slimming” that has just enough compression to smooth and support without feeling tight at all. It’s seam-free, cost $18 and even slims my torso. I was skeptical, but it works. I like it so much I went back and bought a second one. Try it and tell me what you think.
Dear Sara: Angelic readers
From Rebecca C.: “I had a very bad experience with trying on a pullover sweater in a store! I lost my breath and could not breathe. Research indicated residual formaldehyde. That chemical smell can indicate this chemical typically used in the clothing industry. It usually dissipates when exposed to the air. My research seems to indicate airing out new clothing before wearing, especially for children and seniors, would be good.”
From Emily K.: “I am writing in response to the writer who was wondering about garments labeled ‘wash before wearing.’ I have topical allergies and I learned from my dermatologist that foreign countries might spray clothing with formaldehyde before transport to the U.S. to prevent pests from making their homes in the clothing during transport. I’m allergic to formaldehyde but I wash everything before I wear it, simply due to my many allergies. I use natural laundry detergent with no fillers, fragrances or dyes.”