Selling Used Clothes Online and In-Person For Cash

Selling used clothes for cash is a great way to make extra money, declutter your closet, and support sustainable fashion. With the resale market booming, millions of shoppers seek affordable pre-owned fashion. However, maximizing sales requires more than just posting items online—you need the right platforms, competitive pricing, and effective marketing.

This guide covers the essentials of selling used clothes online and in-person, from choosing platforms to optimizing listings and growing your business. Whether you're only selling a few items or starting an entire resale venture, these strategies will help you succeed in the secondhand fashion market.

How To Get Started Selling Used Clothes for Beginners

If you're new to selling used clothes, follow these key steps to get started:

1. Sort Through Your Wardrobe

Begin by identifying items you no longer wear but are still in good condition. Look for trendy, name-brand, or high-quality pieces that buyers will be interested in. Avoid selling items with excessive wear, stains, or damage unless they are vintage or collectible.

2. Choose the Right Selling Platform

Different platforms cater to different audiences. See our breakdown below for the best place to sell given your preferences.

3. Prepare Your Clothes for Sale

Presentation matters. Wash, iron, and remove any lint or stains from your clothing. If needed, repair small tears or replace missing buttons. Buyers are more likely to purchase items that look well-maintained.

4. Take High-Quality Photos

Good lighting and clear images are crucial for attracting buyers. Photograph items on a clean, neutral background, showing multiple angles, close-up details, and any labels or tags.

5. Write an Effective Listing

Your listing should include:

• A clear and concise title (e.g., "Zara Black Midi Dress, Size M")
• Detailed description, including fabric type, fit, and condition
• Measurements, if applicable
• Keywords and brand names to improve searchability

6. Set a Competitive Price

Research similar listings on your chosen platform to determine a fair price. Factor in brand, condition, and demand. Consider offering discounts for bulk purchases or first-time buyers.

7. Ship & Deliver Efficiently

Once you make a sale, ship the item promptly. Use proper packaging to protect the garment and include a thank-you note to encourage positive reviews.

By following these steps, you’ll set yourself up for success and be ready to scale your business as you gain more experience. Now, let’s explore how to expand and grow your resale venture!

The Best Online Stores for Selling Used Clothes

If you're looking to sell your used clothes online, choosing the right platform is key. Here are some of the best online marketplaces for reselling clothing:

• Poshmark – Best for brand-name and trendy fashion. The app allows for social selling, where users can share listings to increase visibility. Sellers pay a commission: $2.95 for items under $15 and 20% for higher-priced items.

• Depop – Popular among younger buyers and for selling vintage, streetwear, and unique fashion pieces. Depop takes a 10% commission on sales.

• eBay – A well-established marketplace ideal for all types of clothing, including high-end fashion and vintage. Fees vary but typically range from 10-15%.

• Vinted – Offers a seller-friendly model with no selling fees, making it an excellent choice for maximizing profits.

• The RealReal – Specializes in luxury designer items. The platform authenticates items and takes a commission of 20-50% depending on the item’s value.

• ThredUp – A consignment store where sellers send in clothing, and the platform lists and sells items for them. Sellers receive a commission based on item value, with lower-value pieces earning a smaller percentage.

• Facebook Marketplace & Craigslist – Best for local sales, with no selling fees. You can arrange in-person pick-ups or shipping for added convenience.

Related: If you're looking to buy affordable interview clothes before selling your old ones, check out our guide on The Best Stores for Affordable Interview Clothes.

The Best Stores to Sell Your Clothes In-Person

For those who prefer selling in-person, there are plenty of options to consider:

• Buffalo Exchange – A nationwide resale chain that buys trendy, high-quality clothing. Sellers can receive cash or store credit.

• Plato’s Closet – Best for younger fashion and teen/young adult styles. They pay cash on the spot for in-demand brands and trendy pieces.

• Crossroads Trading – A similar model to Buffalo Exchange, focusing on stylish and high-quality items.

• Local Consignment Shops – Many boutique-style consignment stores will accept high-end or designer items and give sellers a percentage once sold.

• Flea Markets & Clothing Swaps – Great for selling vintage or niche fashion pieces directly to shoppers.

• Garage Sales & Community Markets – If you’re clearing out a large number of clothes, hosting a garage sale or participating in a community event can help you move inventory quickly.

Selling in-person can be a faster way to get cash immediately, but online marketplaces often yield higher profits. Consider using both methods to maximize your reach and sales potential.

How To Scale Up Your Used Clothes Selling

Once you’ve mastered the basics of reselling and have a steady rhythm of listings and sales, you may want to scale up your operation. Scaling can mean moving more inventory, increasing efficiency so you can handle more sales, expanding to new platforms, or even going from part-time to making this a full-time business.

Scaling Strategy	Key Actions
Expand Sourcing Channels	Source from more thrift stores, estate sales, bulk buys
Improve Organization	Use an inventory system with SKU tracking and bins
Sell on Multiple Platforms	Cross-list on eBay, Poshmark, Depop, Vinted, and more
Automate Repetitive Tasks	Use listing tools, auto-sharing bots, pricing tools
Optimize Listings	Improve keywords, photos, and descriptions
Hire Help When Needed	Outsource photography, shipping, or listing assistance
Analyze Sales Data	Track best-selling items and adjust sourcing accordingly
Enhance Customer Engagement	Offer bundle discounts, quick responses, and great service
Expand Storage & Space	Invest in storage bins, clothing racks, or rent space

Here are tips on growing your resale business smartly and sustainably:

Expand Your Sourcing Channels

To sell more, you’ll need to acquire more inventory – ideally quality items at low cost.

Important takeaways:

• Visit multiple thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets for fresh inventory.

• Look for bulk clothing lots on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

• Explore wholesale opportunities such as buying pallets of returned items.

• Identify the best-selling categories and prioritize sourcing those.

If you mostly shopped at one thrift store, start checking multiple thrifts in different neighborhoods or nearby towns. Visit yard sales, estate sales, flea markets, and clearance racks—great deals abound in these places if you hunt.

Try sourcing online marketplaces (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist) where people sell clothing in lots or cheaply just to clear space; you can score bulk deals and then resell individually for profit. Don’t overlook local avenues like consignment store clearance sections, church rummage sales, or community “buy nothing” groups (where you can sometimes get stuff for free).

As you scale, you might also consider wholesale opportunities: some resellers buy bulk mixed clothing by the pallet or case (sourced from thrift surplus or returns). This can be hit or miss, but if you have the space and capital, it can drastically increase inventory. 

Leverage Cross-Listing and Multichannel Selling

One effective way to grow your business is to sell on multiple platforms. Each marketplace has its own audience; by cross-listing your items on, say, eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari, you increase exposure and chances of sale. 

Important takeaways:

• Cross-list on eBay, Poshmark, Depop, and more to maximize visibility.

• Use listing software like Vendoo or List Perfectly for automation.

• Adjust prices based on platform commission structures.

Many top resellers list across several apps and even their own website. While cross-listing manually can be tedious, there are third-party tools (like Vendoo, List Perfectly, etc.) that help you list an item on multiple sites and even manage inventory syncing.

For example, if a dress sells on Poshmark, the tool can automatically remove it from eBay and Mercari so you don’t accidentally sell it twice. Using such software (usually for a monthly subscription fee) can pay off by saving time and preventing errors. 

Even without fancy tools, you can start simple: list your high-value items on two platforms (maybe eBay and a niche site like Depop for vintage) and see how it goes. Just keep a careful spreadsheet to manually delist when things sell.

When multi-platform selling, be mindful of each site’s fee structure and adjust prices if needed (you might price a bit higher on Poshmark to account for the 20% fee, for instance). 

Automate and Outsource Repetitive Tasks

Your time is your most valuable asset as you scale. Look for anything that you’re doing over and over and see if you can automate it or delegate it.

Important takeaways:

• Use pricing automation tools to stay competitive.

• Consider virtual assistants or part-time helpers for listing and packing.

• Implement auto-sharing and bulk listing tools where applicable.

Also, consider using pricing tools and automation features on platforms. For instance, Mercari’s Smart Pricing can automatically adjust your item’s price gradually based on market trends to help it sell faster (you set a floor price and it does the rest).

eBay has automation for sending offers to watchers; Poshmark has automation (via third-party bots or assistants) for sharing your closet – many sellers who scale up invest in a service or software that auto-shares their Poshmark closet throughout the day, freeing them to focus on other tasks. Just be sure any automation is compliant with platform policies (some ban bots – use discretion). 

Beyond software, consider hiring help when it makes sense. This could mean contracting a virtual assistant to do some data entry or cross-listing, or hiring a part-time helper locally to assist with photographing items or packing orders.

Develop Systems and Analyze Data

A truly scalable business runs on reliable systems.

Important takeaways:

• Track best-selling brands, styles, and categories.

• Adjust sourcing strategies based on sales performance.

• Experiment with promotions or discounts to increase conversions.

Create standard processes for things like intake (e.g., when you bring home new inventory, you immediately log it, assign SKU, photograph, etc.), listing (using a checklist so every listing is complete with keywords, measurements), and shipping (a set time each day, using a weight spreadsheet to print labels in bulk, etc.).

Also, use data to your advantage: regularly review what’s selling best and what’s not moving. This can guide where you focus your efforts. Maybe you notice jackets are selling as soon as you list them, time to dig for more jackets. Or maybe you’re spending a lot of time listing kids’ clothes but they’re moving slowly – perhaps shift away from that category.

Many platforms provide sales reports; if not, keep your own records to analyze sell-through rates and profit margins. Scaling isn’t just about “more,” it’s about “better” – better inventory choices, better pricing strategy, better use of time. As you grow, pay attention to market trends and adjust. 

Consider Storage and Space Needs

With growth comes the practical issue of space. Piles of clothes can overrun a room quickly. If you’re working from home, dedicate a specific area for your inventory and supplies.

Important takeaways: 

• Invest in shelving, clothing racks, or dedicated storage bins.

• If scaling significantly, consider renting storage space or a warehouse.

First, invest in storage solutions (shelving, clothing racks, clear bins) that maximize your space. Keep inventory away from pets, smoke, or moisture to maintain condition. 

Should your business take off, you might look into renting a small storage unit or office space. Some full-time resellers eventually move into a rented warehouse or office when their home can’t accommodate the scale. 

Alternatively, some have creatively used garages, basements, or spare rooms with heavy shelving to create a “warehouse” at home. Just ensure your space is safe (no towering piles that could topple). Scaling up and then getting disorganized due to space chaos can stall your momentum, so plan for growth in your storage setup.

Scaling a reselling business is like scaling any business: do more of what works, systematize the process, and bring in help (tools or people) to handle the increased load. It can be incredibly rewarding – more sales and profit – but also comes with new challenges to manage. 

12 Additional Tips to Maximize Profits

Selling used clothing can be a lucrative and fulfilling endeavor. We’ve covered a lot of ground, from choosing platforms and prepping items to marketing, scaling, and beyond. Now, let’s wrap up with some key takeaways and final tips to carry with you on your reselling journey:

1. Start with what you have and just begin. Don’t wait for perfection. The easiest way to learn is to dive in – list a few items from your own closet to get a feel for it. You’ll gain experience with photographing, listing, and interacting with buyers. As you gain confidence, you can expand your inventory. Every great reseller starts with that first sale, so leap.
2. Choose the right platform(s) for your niche. Not every platform is ideal for every seller. Do a bit of research (re-read the platform comparison in this guide) and pick the marketplace where your target customers are. If you have trendy vintage pieces, Depop or Poshmark might be best. For a broad mix including electronics or vintage toys alongside clothes, eBay could make sense. You can always expand later, but focus on where your items have the best audience and balance of fees vs. exposure.
3. Presentation is everything. Treat your listings like a storefront. Make sure to clean and prepare your items (wash, fix minor flaws, iron) so they’re in their best shape. Take clear, well-lit photos on neutral backgrounds, from multiple angles.
4. Write thorough descriptions with measurements and keywords. Aim to provide the buyer with as much confidence as possible. High-quality listings stand out from the crowd of wrinkled shirt-on-carpet photos. This professionalism builds trust and leads to quicker sales.
5. Price smart and be willing to adapt. Pricing is part art, part science. Use the strategies discussed – check sold comps, factor in brand and condition, and account for fees. Start with a fair, competitive price and be open to offers. It’s often better to sell at a slightly lower price in days than to sit for months on an item trying to get top dollar. Turnover = cash flow, which you can reinvest. And if something isn’t selling, don’t be afraid to lower the price or try a new strategy. The market speaks – listen to it.
6. Master marketing and SEO. In a crowded online marketplace, you need to make your listings visible. Use relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions so buyers can find your item. Take advantage of each platform’s promotional tools (send offers to likers, share with parties, promote listings, etc.).
7. Leverage social media to draw in a bigger audience. Post your best finds on Instagram or TikTok to entice followers who may become customers. Little things like consistent activity (listing new items regularly, sharing, refreshing old listings) can boost your placement in search results on many apps.
8. Stay on top of trends and customer preferences. The secondhand fashion scene evolves, and part of your job as a reseller is to keep a finger on the pulse. Pay attention to what styles are selling well for you and what shoppers are asking for. Read resale reports or follow fashion news – when certain styles or brands trend, stock up on them if you can. Also note seasonal shifts: list items in advance of their season (coats in fall, swimsuits by spring). Remember why people love secondhand – whether it’s the price, the sustainability, or the unique finds – and cater to those motivations in how you present and market your items.
9. Be ethical, honest, and customer-centric. Your reputation is gold. Always describe items accurately and disclose flaws; honesty will earn you repeat buyers and five-star reviews. Ship items promptly and package them with care. If issues arise (they occasionally do – a lost package, a mistaken size, etc.), handle them with professionalism and fairness. Go the extra mile to make customers happy: a thank-you note, a quick follow-up message to ensure they’re satisfied – these little gestures set you apart. And of course, follow through with your obligations (taxes, platform rules) to run a clean business. An ethical approach isn’t just right, it’s good business – it builds trust and a loyal customer base.
10. Scale at your own pace (and only if you want to). Not every reseller aims to have a six-figure business, and that’s okay. You might keep this as a hobby or side gig and enjoy the extra $200 or $1000 a month it brings. But if you do want to grow, use the tips in this guide: organize your inventory from the start, create efficient processes, consider cross-listing to reach more buyers, and possibly automate tasks or outsource help as your volume increases. Protect yourself from burnout by streamlining wherever possible. It’s better to have 100 great listings than 300 chaotic ones. Quality and organization set the stage for sustainable growth.
11. Keep learning and stay engaged. The reselling community is vast and supportive. Join reseller groups or forums (there are many on Facebook, Reddit, etc.) to share tips and bolos (“be on the lookout” items) with fellow sellers. Continuously improve your knowledge – whether it’s recognizing a valuable vintage label or learning a new photo trick, every bit can help. The more you treat this as a business, the more it can pay like one. Track your numbers, celebrate your wins, and learn from the sales that didn’t go as expected. Adaptability is the name of the game in resale.
12. Enjoy the journey. Last but not least, have fun with it! Selling used clothing can be extremely rewarding. You’re making money and giving garments a new life with someone who appreciates them. You get to hone an eye for fashion and value and experience the thrill of the thrift hunt. Few things beat the excitement of finding a designer piece for $5 and flipping it for $100, or getting a note from a buyer who’s overjoyed with their new outfit from your closet. Those moments make the effort worthwhile.

Helpful Tip: Want to be more intentional with your wardrobe and stop impulse shopping? Read our article on How to Stop Buying Clothes You Don’t Need.

The secondhand clothing market is booming and filled with opportunities for those who put in the work. You now have a comprehensive roadmap – from picking platforms and pricing to marketing and scaling. Refer back to this guide whenever you need a refresher. But the real key is action: apply these tips step by step and don’t be afraid to experiment to find what works best for you. Whether you’re aiming to fund your next vacation or build an empire, consistency, and dedication will take you far.

Note: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Contact your financial advisor regarding your specific financial situation.