I have various clothing items, shoes, etc. that are in good condition, but either they don’t fit me anymore, I don’t use them, etc. I have given away quite a bit over the years, but particularly for things that are in like-new condition, it would be nice to get some cash for them. (Especially shoes and boots - it seems like every time I get new orthotics, a bunch of my shoes no longer fit!)
Who here has sold to one of the online consignment stores, and what was your experience? Was it worthwhile? Did you get a reasonable price for them? It seems like it would be less of a PITA than trying to sell through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc. Is one place easier to deal with than another?
There is another thread here about Craigslist-I’d recommend reading it.
IME eBay is a problem unless you are set up to package and send out for shipment that day that someone buys an item. PITA to set up a seller’s eBay acct.
In my area consignment shops are even more of a PITA-want only barely used high end items. Then there is a wait for them to sell, then another wait for shop to send you your share of the selling price, which won’t be much. Lots of steps and effort stretched out over time.
I just bundle stuff up folded nicely and take to a non-profit thrift shop and take the tax deductible receipt. Give the receipt to a friend who actually itemizes on their taxes.
A church/pet rescue type garage sale is another option. They tend to get lots of stuff reused or upcycled.
I literally don’t think I know anyone who itemizes on their taxes at this point. I know lots of places to give things away (and do that frequently); I was wondering whether any of the online consignment places are worthwhile. The last time I tried to sell something on Craigslist, it was a train wreck - everyone who contacted me was a scammer. I might try some of the local Facebook neighborhood garage sale sites, but would prefer something lower-contact if it’s worthwhile. Ebay sounds like a lot more trouble than it’s worth, especially since I have no plans to enter a public building such as a post office for the foreseeable future.
Thredup was good when it started, but no longer. Now they take weeks, if not months, to process your items, and give you pennies for them. That’s for the few they will take at all. They offer an option to have the “rejects” returned to you, or they will dispose of them for you. You can send in a bag of 20 high quality items and have 3 accepted for a total of $5-$7, if you’re lucky. They’ll then turn around and sell them for at least retail, sometimes more.
I gave my last closet clean out to Goodwill and forgot about trying to recoup any money for the stuff.
Edit: and I don’t remember if they even have a cash out feature. I think it’s just credit.
I work with an established eBay seller - I take my stuff to them, they look it over (once in awhile they’ll tell me they don’t think they can sell something), maybe a brief discussion of price, then I go back out the door.
About two weeks later I show up and get a check.
Yes, they do take a cut, but they’re doing the photography, write-up, posting, dealing with customers, and shipping so from my viewpoint they’ve earned it. Made a couple thousand last year doing this.
Of course, you need to find a good eBay store (or whatever platform they’re using) but it’s an option you might look into.
I’ve been having the same thoughts, I really want to sell it off as a whole Lot, just the good stuff. I’ve thought of trying to contact other sellers on the FB groups and see if they’re interested in taking off my hands to resell themselves. I’m not into it to do myself, lol. But I’d look for sellers who are selling what you have, it’s seems to be a hobby for some to keep the virtual garage sale going.
I belong to a Fluevog shoes FB buy/sell group, (i don’t have any fluevogs, yet) if you have designer brands to sell there may be a group for you
