How to Turn Fashion Excess into Hard Cash

We all have clothes that we don’t wear anymore. Some may not be your style; others may not be your size. Instead of keeping them hidden away in the closet, why not turn them into profit?

These steps will help you turn your clutter into cash.

  • Choose the Right Items

Just because you are “technically” allowed to sell any type of clothing online, doesn’t mean that you should. Make it a point to sell items that are clean and free of damage. Sometimes, having a few flaws are okay, but you shouldn’t be trying to sell that old and raggedy tank top you’ve had for almost your entire life.  Although some go in and out of trends, items with name brands are easier to sell. Learn which ones are currently popular and use that to your advantage.

  • Determine their Value

Always look up how much you can sell an item for. You can do this by checking others who are selling the same or similar piece of clothing, and pricing yours within that range. Quality, rarity, and damage are factors that are also taken into consideration when pricing an item. If you need more help, there are sites available that can be used to appraise items.

  • Know Where to Sell

Thanks to the advances in technology, there are more and more online selling platforms that can be used today. However, some are more effective than others.

For instance, popular e-commerce platforms like Amazon and eBay have huge online traffic that ensure your items will be seen but they do take a cut off your profits for their services. Niche sites like TheRealReal and Couture USA on the other hand, are designed for selling branded or limited edition clothing, so they cater mostly to the luxury or high-end market.

If you want full control over the items you sell and the type of customers you want to target, you should consider creating your own online clothing shop. You can find online tools to help you build one from scratch and manage it for free.

  • Write Thorough and Honest Descriptions

Never leave the item description blank. Even if it’s just a plain white shirt, its brand or material needs to be mentioned. The more thorough you describe your items; the likelier it is to sell.

Since sizes are different across brands, measuring each item and sharing its measurements is also important. If an article of clothing has any damage, it is best to mention it as it will show your honesty or trustworthiness. In the obscure world of the internet where everything is anonymous thus cannot be trusted, an honest reputation is priceless.

  • Use Quality Pictures

Since the potential buyer only gets to see your products through a monitor or smartphone screen, quality pictures are the biggest deciding factor when it comes to the sale.

If possible, the front and back of items should be shown as well as its side. The size, tag, and wash instructions should be shown. Close-up shots of special details such as beads, buttons, and embroideries should also be taken.

  1. Answer Buyer Questions Promptly

There will be questions before, during, and after a sale.  You should make it a point to answer them quickly as a potential buyer might purchase an item from somebody else. Using automated answers regarding shipping information or instructions also help in case you can’t find time to check your emails regularly. If people see that you respond quickly, it makes you easier to approach.