I’m a shopping expert – three little-known tricks to make up to £1,000 from your wardrobe
SELLING your old clothes is a great way to earn extra cash, but you could make even more money by following these little-known tricks.
With a growing number of apps and websites for selling clothes, making money from your wardrobe has never been easier.
But it can be difficult to know if you’re making the most profit from your unwanted possession, or if there’s more you could try.
Shopping expert and award-winning personal stylist Lisa Talbot has helped her clients make more than £1,000 from their second-hand clothes through apps like Vinted.
It comes as shoppers are turning to cheaper ways to update their wardrobe due to a cost of living crunch.
Sellers can make varying amounts of cash from selling their old clothes, from a bit of extra change to hundreds of pounds, like Depop expert Jade Pawsey.
We picked Lisa’s brains to reveal three little-known tricks that you can try when selling online.
Flaws and all
It might be a little counter-intuitive, but Lisa said it’s important to be upfront about any faults with the item you’re trying to sell.
This could be a stain, a spot of wear and tear or a bit discolouration.
She said: “Photograph as much as you can, the back and front of the garment, size labels and brand labels.
“If there is a flaw, take a photo and show that as well.”
Being upfront about any faults makes it less likely that you’ll get complaints from a potential buyer.
If someone is happy with your service, not only are they more likely to buy from you again, there is also more of a chance they will leave a good review.
A bank of good reviews means that people are more likely to buy from you in the future.
Colours and prints
It seems pretty obvious, but having a nice photo of the clothes on your page is more likely to get you a deal.
While it’s pretty well-known that the best way to photograph your clothing is to pop them on a hanger and take a photo of them in full length.
Lisa says that while you should do this for all garments, you should tailor your photography to suit the item you’re trying to sell.
She said: “Some colours and prints look so much better with a close up photo.”
Taking a photo from a distance might not show the the intricacy of the garment’s design and a potential buyer might not think it’s worth the price you’re asking for.
If you’ve got a patterned maxi-dress for example, take a photograph of its full length and then take a few more close-up shots.
This way, people know exactly what they are buying.
Take it slow
If you want to make yourself a popular seller, you will need to make sure you are uploading regularly.
Posting things regularly will keep you on people’s feeds for longer and make sure you’re being seen every day.
So try not to dump everyone online at once – put a dozen items up for sale and then add some more a few days later.
And when you are adding items to your profile, Lisa said it’s important to take regular breaks.
She added: “I always take all my photos first, then grab a coffee or cuppa and you can begin uploading.”
If you’re not giving yourself time between each item, you could start getting sloppy with your pictures or making typos in your item descriptions.
These things could make your items less appealing to any potential buyers, and therefore lose you cash.
More tips for selling second-hand clothes
Be detailed with your description
Once a buyer is interested, you need to win them over with a good description.
Be clear about the condition of the item or you’ll risk negative feedback.
For clothes, it’s important to describe the fit of the item or the feel of the material.
Be realistic about price
Don’t just pluck a number out of thin air when you’re deciding on an asking price – do some research.
Search for similar items to see how much other sellers are asking for.
If you’re using eBay, you can search by “completed listings” which will give you the sold price.
A good rule to follow is to ask yourself what you would pay for the item.
But even then, you might end up being pleasantly surprised by some listings.
Time your listings
Try listings coats or jackets in the run-up to winter, workout gear to kick-start the new year, or a cut-out dress for the summer holidays.
By listing products that are trending and back in fashion, you can easily make some extra cash from your clearout.
What apps and websites could I use to try and sell my clothes?
Depop is loved by students and twenty-somethings because it looks like Instagram and is easy to use.
It tailors listings shoppers see according to the brands and styles they have previously liked and searched for.
There are no fees to list an item but you pay a 10% commission on anything you sell.
Plus you have to pay postage costs, which can vary depending on the item.
Vinted is great for selling everything from sportswear to high street brands and designer gear.
Best of all, the seller pays nothing.
Buyers pay a fee of 3% to 8%, plus 30p-80p, to cover refunds if their items do not arrive or if they get damaged in the post.
Similar to Gumtree, Preloved lets you post online adverts that are targeted at people in your area.
This means you can arrange for buyers to pick items up and pay you by cash or PayPal on collection so you can save on postage.
It’s free for basic membership or you can pay an annual fee of £5-£15 for extra features to boost your listings.
Another easy way to sell to local buyers is by using Facebook marketplace.
Most users are looking for a bargain, so you might not get a high price, but it’s fairly hassle-free and you don’t pay commission or listing fees.
On eBay, you can list up to 1,000 items a month for free.
You’ll pay a commission of 12.8% on what you sell, plus a 30p fee.
The sum on which commission is calculated includes postage, tax and other fees, which can bump it up.
You’ll also pay more if your item sells for over £2,500 or if you want to add a “buy it now” price.
Meanwhile, a car boot expert has revealed the five items to always buy at a sale, and four to avoid.
Plus, we reveal how to make hundreds of pounds selling your old DVDs online.
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