HOW TO ACTUALLY MAKE MONEY SELLING YOUR CLOTHES
EBAY
Probably the most well known of all online sales websites, Ebay is a great way to earn some extra pennies. Create an account and you can start selling straight away! You can make a personal or business account and manage everything yourself. You can list as many items as you want and allow them to go for auction (recommended) or be purchased for a set ‘buy it now’ price. Sellers can see how many people are watching and bidding on their items and can list the item for as little as 3 days and as long as 2 weeks. All payments are made through PayPal, making it a safe and easy transaction! For each item you sell, you’ll receive feedback from the buyers (hopefully positive!), which will help you with future sales. Ebay is the perfect place to sell those pre-loved designer pieces – you’ll be surprised at how much money you’ll get for them!
HIGH-END BUY SWAP SELL!
This is a private Facebook page that is purely dedicated to the serious fashionista’s selling high-end, designer items. You can request to join the group and once you’re accepted, you can both sell and buy items that are posted on the page. There are no selling fees whatsoever, so it’s great for pocketing that extra cash! It’s simple and easy to use, so if Ebay is a bit too much for you to handle, then this is the best option for you!
Turns out this little app isn’t just for posting selfies! Instagram is another great way to sell your clothes. If you’ve got an impressive amount of followers, post some snaps of a few things you’re selling and see how they go! Or, if you find yourself constantly updating your wardrobe, why not start a new Instagram page devoted to your pre-loved possessions? You could end up with a bunch of keen, consistent buyers who can’t get enough of your items and anticipate every one of your posts! And let’s face it, there’s nothing better than a fashion/insty combo! So what are you waiting for?
ETSY
No, it’s not just for craft! If you’re a lover of all things vintage, then this is the site for you! Etsy is a community of 30 million buyers and creative businesses. Now, if you have a closet full of vintage, one-off pieces, this is the place to sell them! There are no membership fees, it costs only $0.20 to list an item for 4 months and they only take 3.5% of the total sale price – so it’s a pretty small price to pay to list your clothes! Parting ways with unique pieces is always hard, but at least you’ll know its going to a good home!
MARKETS
If you’ve got an overwhelming amount of clothes, shoes and accessories that would take years to list online, then the markets are your best bet! The best fashion markets in Sydney are Kirribilli, Paddington and Glebe. Eager fashionista’s set their alarms early to rummage through the many stores in each of these markets and most of them are willing to pay reasonable prices, so you’ll get good money for your clothes! Book in advance as stalls sell out quickly. The cost to have a stall is around $60-$80, so grab a friend, split the cost and you’ll make that money back in the first 15 minutes! Make sure you’re well set up for the day – clothing racks, coat hangers, a mirror, table and plastic bags for customers. You’ll be rolling in cash at the end of it and it’s an enjoyable experience! Win/win!
TIPS & TRICKS FOR ONLINE SALES
If you’re selling your clothes online or through social media, follow these guidelines to make sure your items stand out:
Be Descriptive
This is your opportunity to grab the buyer’s attention – tell them everything they need to know about the item and convince them they need it! Include vital details such as the type of item, the condition it’s in, brand, size, fit, colour, fabric and dimensions. This will answer most of the questions the buyer might have and will help them make their decision! This will also refrain the customer from returning the item if there was something they weren’t aware of.
Don’t tell fibs
Be as honest and accurate as you can be to avoid negative feedback from the buyer. If an item is missing a few buttons or has a tiny stain, be sure to mention it in your description. No matter how minute the damage may be, it’s better to be upfront about it so the buyer is aware rather than to not say anything at all.
The price tag
Don’t overprice your items! Remember, your aim is to sell it, so think of a fair price and stick with it. If you’re selling designer items, a good starting price is 50% off the purchase price. If it’s not a high-end piece, opt for 70% off the purchase price. The last thing you want to do is re-list all of your items because your prices were too high, so keep your rates low to achieve more sales!
Lights, Camera, Action!
This is the most important factor in selling your items – it’s all about the aesthetics! Opt for high quality, clear images that show the detailing of the product and make it look better than it actually is!
- Use natural light (try to avoid flash)
- Take photos of your item against a plain white wall, on either yourself or a model. Most people like to see how it looks on, so a combination of photos of the garment being worn as well as it on its own is a good idea!
- Make sure the item is clean and steamed prior to taking the photos. No one wants to purchase a crinkled top!
- Take the photos from various angles (front, back, side, top, bottom and close-up shots to show any detailing).
- Take photos of tags and labels if the product is new or has never been worn
- If the item is faulty, take close-up images of any visible defects
- Keep it simple. You want the product to look its best, so avoid coloured walls and fancy backgrounds. White walls and wooden coat hangers are always the way to go!
Communicate with your buyer
Be responsive with any questions or queries you have from interested customers. Keep on top of your listings and be sure to check for emails and messages daily. Be polite and professional in your responses.
Prompt Postage
Be sure to ship or deliver the item in the handling time that you promised. Post the item within 1-3 days or when the payment has been finalised and provide the buyer with a tracking number if possible. Don’t prolong the handling time, this won’t impress your buyer and you’ll receive negative feedback and complaints. Be quick and efficient!
Happy selling Vaulties!
FEATURE BY NEISHA MULHAM
