Reader Questions: How Do YOU Get the Most Out of Used Clothing & Keep it Organized?
Check out these emails from readers Patti & Candis:
I’m going through a major clean-out-the-closets purge and am overwhelmed at how much clothing I have to get rid of. I’m looking into options like thredUp, Poshmark, local consignment stores, garage sales and donating, but I thought your readers might also have some great ideas and insight that would help.
We have 6 & 8 year old daughters and are now having a surprise baby girl. I’ve started thrifting again for baby clothes and love finding awesome brands for sizes 18 months, 2T, etc. at $0.50. I have a paper checklist of the type of clothes we typically need for each size (# of play outfits, # of dressy, swimsuit, jacket, etc.) but I rarely have those lists with me when I happen upon a good thrift store. I’ve searched for an app to keep my checklists for each size but haven’t found anything. Any suggestions?
Local Facebook groups are a great way to buy/sell kid or adult stuff. It’s less risky than Craigslist. Lots of people sell lots of kid stuff.
I personally use Yerdle. The best way I can explain is that it is like an online garage sale. People post pictures of things they no longer want or use and you earn credits so you can “buy” things from other posters. I’ve found some amazing items and been able to get them all for less than $10 shipped out of pocket. They even send you a prepaid postage label when someone “buys” one of your items. Then you just pack and ship. Please read the FAQs because they explain the site much better than I can. 🙂 It is free to be a member and I would appreciate it if anyone interested would use my referral code to sign up. https://yerdle.com/i/jenna-harper
Thanks!
Thanks, Jenn! I just signed up using your link and am excited to try it out 🙂
Schoola will send you bags to collect clothes in and send back to them. Money goes to school of your choice.
I wouldn’t recommend Schoola. I will buy from them but will not sell to them. I sent three huge bags and they told me only two items were able to be sold. There wasn’t anything wrong with the clothes and they were not walmart brand clothes. I was so mad and never sent anything again. There was Old Navy among other things.
I have bought several things from them, and they have had missing buttons, holes, obviously the wrong sizes marked on them. I didn’t send them back- but I will NEVER buy from them again.
Idk if this is too basic, but If you have an iPhone the “notes” app that comes automatically on the phone? Or whatever similar thing might come with an android? I use it to make lists for stores I don’t get to that often.
My husband is appalled at how many notes I have in my phone. I’m a list person I guess lol
I use notes ALL the time for my lists.
I use the ap Anylist. It’s basic, but works well for grocery lists ( I sync with my husband so we can both add items and then whoever goes to store first has most recent list).
I also use it for packing lists for any time we travel, and errand list. It’s come in very handy.
See if you have a Once Upon A Child close to you. You can take your gently used items in and get paid on the spot. If I remember correctly, they give you about 40% of what the item could be sold at. Don’t rack your brain trying to get the absolute best deal in everything. Your motivation should be getting rid of the stuff, not making huge profits. As for keeping tally on needed items, either write it all in your smartphone or write it down and take a picture of the list (with updating done periodically).
Agree Once Upon a Child is great, I’ve sold clothes there before. I also tried Children’s Orchard but they’re super picky and get so many clothes they turn a lot away. I found it’s just less of a hassle to donate them. Salvation Army has the greatest sales, I picked up practically a whole new wardrobe for my niece for under $20, I left with a trashbag filled with clothes. Most items were $0.10 to $0.20, it was super cheap. The giant sale only happens a couple times a year and it’s very hit and miss.
I try Orchard first, and then Once upon a child. Then Donate. FYI- these are in Minnesota, not sure where else.
I worked for Once Upon A Child for four years. There are guidelines for selling that I absolutely recommend you look into before selling. There are stores popping up in many states, so you may have one close to you. If you live in central Ohio they are different from the rest of the stores as the rest of them are franchises instead of being owned by the original owners, but the differences are small. They are definitely great for reselling (especially a lot of clothes at one time) but they do have guidelines and you must be over 18 and have a valid ID. They do fall under the pawn shop laws, so they have to have a valid ID to check you in.
I would definitely recommend looking at moms groups on FB. I have the easiest time with those. Regardless, good luck!
Must be an Ohio thing, because I’ve had to give my name, but never have I given Once Upon A Child my id in order to sell to them.
I have had to show my ID in the past at an Indianapolis, Indiana Once Upon A Child to sell things also.
I’m not a fan of Once Upon a Child, or at least the one near me. I had two brand-name, new-with-tags snowsuits that I took in at the end of summer, and they offered a couple bucks for both. I was surprised because I found the quality of the clothing lacking and the prices high in the store. They claimed that the price offered is based on a standard list they go by so it would always be the same. Next year, I took the same items in at approximately the same time of year, and they came up with a different price. I ended up selling each snowsuit for $8 to $10 apiece on Craigslist. I do well yard saling, too, because my kids don’t typically destroy their clothes, and we get both toy and clothing resellers who stop by. I don’t love having yard sales (can’t stand the people who want everything for a quarter), so I’ve been Craigslisting and doing pretty well. This weekend, I have to sort tubs of outgrown clothes by size and put some lots together. I base the size of the lot on what and how much I have. I don’t sell anything for less than $5 because it’s not worth the time/hassle at that point. I take a picture of the lot, name the file by size, post it to Craigslist, and file the photograph in a dated folder so I know it was posted it. As I sell things, I delete the photo and Craigslist posting email. When the posts expire after 45 days, I sort the emails by date and simply renew all the previously unsold posts so I don’t have to rewrite them all.
Yeah, I think they’re supposed to say that, but it’s not the way it works. If it’s in demand, it’ll be a higher price because there’s more demand for it. If it’s off season and they don’t have back stock, they’ll buy it but usually put less on it. Also it depends on the stores District Manager at the time and what corporate has planned for that specific store. Again, this has been my personal experience with this company. I’m not trying to persuade or dissuade anyone from shopping or selling, just maybe clarify some things since I know how hard it is to get items gathered and the trip there and receive little to nothing for my time. I always suggest calling and asking what they are in need of most. (Sometimes it’s 2t girls dresses, sometimes it’s 7 boys jeans) the more knowledge you have before you get there the better. I will say that unlike with yard sales, everything is checked for recalls, so you don’t have to worry about that. I did always like having that knowledge when shopping there and telling parents that. They always looked relieved. The last thing I’ll say is that I’m sorry you had a not so great experience. Hopefully if you do go back it’s better.
I used to sell on Ebay but between Paypal and Ebay fees I was not making any more than on my garage sales except for the occasional high cost item. Tried Bonanza but got little to no traffic there. Tried ThredUP but didn’t feel I got a very good deal. Just been boxing everything up for my next garage sale. Interested in seeing what others are doing:) As far as shopping for items i.e. thrift and clearance…it’s all kind of in head and if it’s cute and cheap I’ll buy it cuz I know I’ll get my money back at my garage sale later.
I used to as well, years back. Until I calculated how much fees I was paying to essentially the same company when eBay owned PayPal. They were essentially double dipping on customers, which I thought was just plain wrong.
Totally agree. I am a customer but definitely not a seller now.
You should do well selling your stuff at a garage sale. You need to look at why you have so many clothes that you feel so overwhelmed and correct it for the future. If you have an Old Navy outlet nearby. I’ve founds tons of infant stuff for .47-.97 plus 30-50% plus the 10% survey coupon.
Another idea is dual purpose things. I found a brand new Ralph Lauren zipper tote for $2 at a garage sale five years ago. I’ve used it often when I’ve traveled overseas. I’ve realized recently that it would make a great diaper bag as well.
I’m interested to see what others have to say, too. I have brand new clothes that I’d missed the return/exchange deadlines for (been out of the country) and am stuck with them. Would like to recoup something from these purchases.
I like to buy ahead for my son when I see a good deal on clothes, but it can be hard to keep track of what I’ve already bought so he doesn’t end up with too much of one thing and not enough of another. To keep track I just use the notes function on my iPhone where I have a running list of what clothes I have for him by size. Though I also use another app called wunderlsit that might work as well. You could create a list for each age and add each article of clothing needed as an item (e.g. Sleeper 1, sleeper 2, etc.). Each item added to the list will have a box next to it that you click when you buy the item and then it disappears from the list.
I buy ahead for both of my kids (3yr boy and 6yr girl). For organization, I keep the clothes in totes and label by size and sometimes season as the kids get older or if my totes are small. Clothes they have out grown I toss into a tote all together.
I keep a spreadsheet print out of the clothes for each in my wallet so it is with me when I find deals or for seasonal clearance deals at Once Upon a Child. I highlight what I need so it is easy to tell quickly.
Normally my selling process is to take everything I am selling to Once Upon a Child; what they don’t buy I separate into lots and sell on facebook; what is left then I give away or donate. I have had good luck with my local facebook selling groups. I also have a garage sell every few years to clear out a bunch of stuff.
Just Between Friends 3-4 day sale (nationwide hopefully in a city near you!) only happens twice a year but if your lucky you live in a place with more than one sale I have 5 so twice a year within a few weeks of each other almost a two month long crazy event. It’s like a huge yard sale think of the size of a Walmart times 2 filled with items new and used between 30-90% off. And on extra 50-75% off days it’s a mad house but there are great deals to be had!! But you buy and sell kids and maternity clothes, toys, books, games etc. depending on the location sellers can usually earn more percentage by volunteering. Buyers 😳 I always fill both my kids closets with new with tags clothes and gently used name brand clothes for around $150 each kid. I live in a state with two seasons insanely hot and 4 months of insanely cold with 80 degree random days; so I mean full!! they each have a 5ft bar in closet and hardly any room to slide anything so we have a huge variety throughout the year. It’s a great way to save money because once the closet is full and season appropriate you don’t have to spend any money until the season is over 😍😍
I also have girls with tons of dresses I should say when I reread it I imagined 5ft of kids shirts. Overkill lol. Also it’s a great place to buy baby gear they have literally everything kid you can think of.
We really enjoy selling at our Jbf sale as well.
As for clothes for your new daughter, if she’s not even born yet, I’d hold off on getting 18-24 month stuff. You have a long time til you need it and don’t know yet what size she’ll need in which season. Why add to your stockpiles when you’re working so hard to clean them out? It sounds like you’re great at finding deals; trust you’ll be able to do that in another year.
That’s kinda how I feel about all sales. So I don’t really stock up above 1 size up.
I make my own chart. There are some free notebooks app that let you take pictures. I use Evernote. Each page is aged marked than I have a list of items on each page. Some special items have a pictures spring dress/Christmas dress so that can see if the new items are better than the ones I have. What great is it makes you think about what you want.
I have a spreadsheet of what clothes we have in each size and it’s saved on google docs. With my android phone, I’m able to access it whenever/wherever.
I keep my kids clothes stain free and sort them by size. Last year, I spent a good chunk of time organizing and making my garage sale look like a store. I made $1,000 and a majority of it was kids clothes and accessories. Worth the work! My next one is in 6 weeks! I also buy all my kids clothes at garage sales. When I hunt, I can find name brand stuff, often with tags, for quarters. I buy 4-5 sizes in advance and pull out the next size. I always have what I need.
Exactly what I do. U must be my long list sister lol.
Any good ideas on online places or apps, to sell my many plus size clothing?
Find a good consignment store near you! I’ve sold most of my clothes at Clothes Mentor or Revive it used to be called something else, it was also a consignment chain store. But I’ve had the best of luck at Revive and have made over $200 there. But they want clothes that look new, trendy, stylish etc I’ve been turned away from Clothes Mentor before, because my clothes look too “young and trendy”. It’s much easier to sell plus size clothing than straight sizes. They don’t get as many plus size clothes at all.
Check out poshmark! You set the price and can negotiate with buyers. Easy to list items through their app. Sign up with code JNBFR to save $10: https://bnc.lt/m/nTkUlUTmZr
I buy ahead everything and have a secret Pinterest board with everything I have already bought for the next season. I’m very visual so I like to see what colors I’m lacking or heavy on. Or if there is something like red pants that I want, I can check and see how many shirts would actually match it to make it worth it. I also keep another board with a complete inventory of what’s in my gift closet.
That is such a great idea! I am stealing it. I am always forgetting what I am buying even with a list.
What a great idea!
I’ve been selling and buying from Swap.com Here’s my referral link if anyone would like to try them out! Thanks!
https://referral.swap.com/193737725948465152
Wow, some great ideas here! Wish there were “Like” buttons. 😛
LIKE 😜
I use 2 apps. I love that there is no time limit on your listings, so once they’re listed you don’t have to relist or auction again. Just keep on putting more items up for sale! My referral code for Mercari is JZVZRM, which gives you and I a $2 credit and is my fave for no fees. I also use Totspot. My code for that one is YSJGFX, and that gives you and I a $5 credit. There are fees for using Totspot, so list your items high enough for a decent profit and order free mailing supplies from the USPS. I believe on both apps people can make offers on your items, so keep that in mind when pricing too. Happy selling!
Thanks Liz for suggesting Mercari! I hadn’t heard of them before and sounds like a great way to try to find a new home for some of my clothes that are still new or barely worn! Great idea!
You’re welcome, have fun with it!
Thanks for the info! I just used your code to sign up but only see how you can buy on Mercari. Where do you go to post items for sale?
I donate my clothes and items to veterans. I don’t have the time to sell and don’t have the heart to throw away in the trash. Most of my child’s clothes are in mint condition but they’re simply outgrown. The vva picks up my items and they are great to work with. I’ve also donated my items to bbbs and have had great service.
Thank you for supporting our veterans!
Sadly the veterans only get about 2 cents per pound of clothing you donate to VVA. Look into the details. There are better ways to help!
I loooovvee the mercari app. Its kind of like poshmark but they dont take a commision and i sell alot more on there. Id be thankful if anyone used my referral code RWVSPH (i get 2$ you get 2$).
Hi Mrs D I just got the Mercari app and am used your referral code!! Thanks and if anyone else want to sign up and maybe use my code I would appreciate it! Maybe we can have a chain and all use each others:) LOVE HIP 2 SAVE COLLIN! I use it everyday! Thanks
***I used***
My code is ENDQQN if you use it we both get 2 dollars-Thanks
Try Kidizen. It’s an app like totspot or postmark, but just for kids’ clothes. It’s a great place to buy and sell gently used kids’ clothing and toys. I highly recommend it.
Hmm Colin, what about a clothes trading board? We tell others what size clothes we have and exchange ‘grab bags’ with others. Or simply trade them for other stuff
Marie..there’s the next big idea…run with it.
In my area someone created an auction site on facebook. You put items on for 2 days and when the time is up (which you choose) then the highest bidder gets your item. It starts at $1 and goes up. I love it because everyone meets in the same place (the restaurant gave permission to use the parking lot) 2 days a week at the same time. Its safe and you even make friends. It has close to 1000 members now I believe. Ive gotten some deals from it.
I belong to a Facebook Auction Site with over 6,000 members with more on a waiting list to join. I longer have garage sales. As soon as my kids outgrow something I post it. Pick ups are at parking lots or people’s houses. I leave my items on my porch in a tub and people pick up when they can. They put the money in the envelope on the front door. We live in a rural community where everyone pretty much knows each other or are related. I had a friend that was concerned about “strange” people comming to my house–She always has garage sales–I asked her if she knew everyone that came to her garage sale. She said no. I told her I look at everyone’s profile after they win my auction, so I know who’s conning to my house.
We have a place here called KidtoKid: https://kidtokid.com/how-it-works/how-to-sell/
you can go on their page and see all their locations it depends on whether where you live whether they have one or not nearby. I have found a lot of good little suits for my little boy that are hard to find in thrift stores for special occasions.
They have a good program where are they buy your stuff and give you either cash or in-store credit. I also use totspot to buy clothes but you can sell with them as well they are similar to Poshmark. Here is $5 to try Totspot, a resale app to sell and buy kids’ clothes. Use Code: NQXTUJ I have enjoyed reading all the tips!
Christy*
Try the Trello App. You can make lots of lists and can gather all you lists under one heading. For each list you can add pictures, descriptions, or checklists. It’s more like organizing index cards. You can edit you lists via phone or computer and share certain lists with other Trello App users. It’s been a life saver for both my husband and I. We have everything from multiple grocery lists, clothes to buy/needed lists, house projects lists, and things we have loaned to other people. So versatile and really helps keep us organized. I have separate clothing lists for each person, along with checklists for things I need to buy, and I can even keep pictures of misc. tops or bottoms or dresses that I got really cheap but need to find a matching bottom/top/leggings in order to make cute set.
Hmmm, this sounds interesting. I’ve used AnyList to keep a list of books of a series I was looking for in thrift stores, but I don’t think you can take pictures with it.
I have had good luck selling my clothes on Poshmark. Sign up with code JNBFR to save $10: https://bnc.lt/m/nTkUlUTmZr
For kids stuff, I usually buy and sell at a local consignment sale (similar to just between friends)
As to your last question, I also use the notes app on my phone to store my many lists!
First congrats on the new baby.. I usually use once apon a child . They r great to deal with ,and give a fair price. Plus the deals they have r great too. Good luck, & GOD bless.
I have a 2.5 year old boy and 1 year old girl and have sold all their out grown clothes on facebook garage sale sites. By doing that I found a few other moms with kids right behind mine that buy from me and pick up from my home to make it even easier. You can sell in lots of clothing or single items. Honestly it’s a bit of work but you can make quite a bit more money than a yard sale or consignment.
For kids clothing, anything that is stained or shows any wear I donate to the thrift store or trash. The good quality clothing I sell to Once Upon a Child. Whatever doesn’t sell, I donate to a club I’m a part of that sells the clothing to a local giant consignment sale. The money they make from the donations helps keep the club free. I’ve noticed that Once Upon a Child takes very little clothing that I try to sell to them, but they buy almost all the toys I bring!
I may a bit OCD, but I use a wardrobe app called Stylebook to take pictures of my baby daughter’s clothing by size and category. The opening list view tells you how many items you have in a category, so when someone asks me what my daughter needs for the next season, I can do a quick look and see what she has too much of and what she lacks. It took time to get it started, but it has helped a ton.
But if you’re looking for a great system for keeping lists, Wunderlist is amazing! You can manage your lists via the website or in their iPhone and Android apps. You can create shareable lists… so my husband and I can share the grocery lists but he doesn’t have to be overwhelmed by everything else I keep track of in there. LOL!
Oh my goodness. I would go crazy doing this for all 4 of my kids. Kudos to you for doing it though.
Jenn, thanks signed up, hope to use Yerdle soon!
Do you have a Buy Nothing group in your area? It’s on Facebook. It is so fabulous!
Anyone know how much schoola usually pays out for the used clothing and new tagged clothing?
I don’t think they pay you anything it’s like a donation program and all the proceeds of your sales go to a school of your choice
Mercari also is good to sell stuff 🙂
This is more for buying than selling, but if your region has a Mothers of Twins or Mothers of Multiples club, many of them have yearly garage sales. These were great for younger sizes before kids start really wearing out their clothes. I got my kids clothes at these sales for great prices.
We have a local Facebook page. I have had great luck with it and never have to leave my home. Clothes with tags still on go very fast. I made $350 last November selling toys the kids had outgrown. With my hip2save deals I paid for Christmas.
We have a lot of consignment sales here in NC so I always go that route. It’s quick and usually there are large crowds that attend so I usually make quite a bit. I normally size the clothes and keep them in totes until the sale time.
Hi!
I just found friends with kids younger than my and give it to them. I think is easy and when I see the kids wearing my kids outfits that bring me the memories! 🙂
I agree. We have friends with kids younger than ours. I always given them clothes my kids have outgrown. We were given boxes of used clothes when our kids were younger so I feel like I’m paying it forward.
my husband’s extended family is huge and LOTS of babies / kids so we just keep circulating the clothes around from family to family as they need them
saves everyone money and hassle in the end
If you’re looking for new kids clothes at great prices seriously consider working retail. I work 2 days per month (usually 5 hours a day) and wait till things are on sale, use store coupons and an employee discount. I have got super cute things at seasons end for next to nothing. I keep the receipts and if things don’t fit the following year can usually return w no problem. The $$ I earn covers my purchases so win win!
I buy things from yard sales and get clothing on freecycle for my grand kids. I have them separated by drawers in their rooms. I go through them twice a year and get rid of stuff they have outgrown and then put the clothes from the other drawer up one and so on.
Search for a local consignment sale selling children’s clothing in your area.
I use the Evernote app. You can make lists, take pics, add docs to it. I have it linked to our iPad and my iPhone.
The salvation armies are great around me to buy. Wednesday is the best day as all tags except one color is 50% off. Also it’s the end of winter and lots of places are doin clearance sales.so it’s time to stock away for next winter! I bought my daughters winter coat for next year for $13 on clearance at toysrus. Babies r us will soon have their percentage off pretty high!
I love Thredup. You have to watch the seasons. I sent some really nice, but out of season stuff in this last time (just trying to purge) and it got rejected and donated. If it had been the right season I feel like I would have gotten a pretty high payout
I just sold my daughter’s 2 Summer’s ago 3T wardrobe on eBay. I made about $300 in my pocket after shipping and fees. It isn’t as much as I hoped for, considering her similar summer wardrobe 2T sold for about $800 after fees and shipping two years ago. EBay has significantly slowed down over the years and items people use to get in bidding wars over sit without bids, watchers, and often have to be relisted. I don’t expect the bids to be driven up like they use to, but I don’t feel like I get the best value anymore. I am considering other options for the next big wardrobe clean out. I have consigned at stores too, but if they don’t get the buyers then my items don’t sell and I am paying to get them back or ‘donating’ them to their inventory. Garage sales are okay, but too many people expect you to practically give items away or they just steal them anyways. I do purchase all of her clothes new as she has severe detergent sensitivities and if I buy used I don’t know what the garment was washed in, so they are in lightly worn condition by the time she is done. I do donate what does not sell to a particular thrift store close to my heart.
Try the app totspot! It’s awesome! I’ve made around $75 in 2 weeks selling some of my girls things! Use Code TGBGSD at registration and checkout to get $5 off
Give OfferUp a try. It is a free app, free to list and buy. Super easy. If you price things fairly, they go fast. Good luck.
What about the “OurGroceries” app? You can make lists by clothing size and delete items as you buy them. You can even access it through your computer, so you can type them up there (rather than on your phone).
In our local we have lot’s of Facebook sites. Also I have a small notebook the kind from Walgreens it fits perfect in my bag and I have everything I need in it from sizes to furniture sizes.