Easy Income Selling Used Clothes and Items
How to Make Money with Clothing at Consignment Shops
Feb 15, 2008
Sometimes, especially in difficult economic times, one needs to bring in a little extra easy income to help pay bills, have a bit of fun money, or even eat. Consignment shops offer a way to clear out unneeded used items around the house while making money to help the household. It is an especially good idea for a stay-at-home mom to bring in money selling old family clothing, toys and, sometimes, even furniture and other nice quality items.
How to Start Making Money at Resale Shops
- First, one should locate such shops in the surrounding area. One can do an Internet search of consignment resale shops online, or check the yellow pages under the heading “Clothing, Used” or “Furniture, Used” or perhaps “Consignments.”
- Next, one should call or visit the shop, ask for their rules for consigning (or sometimes buying outright).
- Arrange a time to bring in items.
Getting Items Ready to Make the Most Money on Consignment
Resale shops want items that are:
- Clean, fresh, and spotless
- Up to date and in fashion (only one or two years old, or classics like overalls)
- In good repair
- In season (generally the season coming up next)
- For the ages and sizes the store carries
- Brand names whenever possible (For kids: Osh Kosh, Tommy Hilfiger, Fisher Price, Gymboree, etc.; For women: Lee, Liz Clayborne, Nordstroms, etc.; For men: Levis, Dockers, Polo, etc.) If one has no brand name items, other items which are nice will not be ruled out.
- Ironed or at least not wrinkled clothing
- Ready to go right to the sales floor
- These suggestions go for toys, baby items (such as cribs and changing tables), and all-age clothing. For furniture, one needs to follow the same general rule of having up-to-date, desirable newer of vintage items.
How Do Consignment Shops Work?
- Most consignment and resale shops buy or consign items from people who bring them in. There are usually one or more buyers. Buyers will make decisions on which items are acceptable for their particular shops at that time. It can be hard not to feel hurt when items are rejected, but shops know what will sell well, and what won’t, so there is no reason to take it personally. Stores will generally give sellers the choice or taking home unwanted goods, or donating them through the store. Of course, each store is unique.
- Once items are accepted for sale, resale shops generally set their own prices and tag the items. Many shops will keep the consignment items for 3 months or so, and then put them on half price for another month. After that, items are given back to the seller or donated.
- At many resale shops, checks or store credit is given once a month. It is often half of the price of the items sold.
If one does not have enough items to sell, some successful folks are making money buying nice items at yard sales and then reselling them at consignment shops. This takes a small amount of risk, but often works well.
One will probably not get rich making money by reselling, but it is possible to make $25 to $75 a month without a lot of trouble. Some sellers make over $100.
A Few More Tips for Making Money at Resale Shops
- Bring clothing and items in according to store rules.
- When purchasing items for the family to use, shop clearance sales. Later, it may be possible to sell higher than items are bought, even after a year of wear (especially with fast-growing kids).
- Button buttons, zip zippers, and snap snaps to make clothing look its neatest.
- Ask friends for hand-me-downs. Those that don’t fit may be able to be sold.
For more information on resale buying and selling, see Get Kids Clothes for Free & Cheap, Cool Fun Teen Fashion Trends for Summer 2009, Review of Snack-Trap Food Container for Toddlers: Prevent Messy Snack Spills with a Handy Cheap Product for Kids
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