How to Sell Used Clothes on eBay: Tips to Make Money Fast!

If you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash, you can try selling used clothes on eBay! It’s one of my favorite ways to declutter my house and make money on clothing I’m no longer using, especially my kid’s clothes as they grow out of them. What an easy way to make money and clear things out, right? It can also become a great side hustle if you love shopping at the thrift store and want to sell some of your finds. And it doesn’t have to be designer clothes either! If you can find items in high demand, you can sell anything from vintage items that aren’t name brand at all to mall brands.

The truth is, eBay is a great place to sell your pre-loved clothing, but it can be a little confusing at first. That’s why I’m writing this article: to give you some basic info, along with extra tips and tricks on how to sell used clothes on eBay.

Setting up an eBay Account

If you already have an ebay account, you can skip this step. If not, you’ll need to create an eBay account before you can start selling. Luckily it’s super easy!

Creating an Account

To create an account, go to the eBay homepage and click the “Register” button. Then, you’ll need to enter your personal information, such as your name, address, and email address. You will also need to create a password for your account.

Researching Your Items

Before you start selling your used clothes on eBay, I highly recommend doing some research to ensure you have items worth your time to list and that you’re going to price them correctly for maximum profit but not so high that they don’t sell. In this section, we’ll review the two main aspects of researching your items: evaluating items for sale and determining pricing.

Evaluating Items

Even though I’d love to tell you that you can sell anything and everything on eBay, not all clothing is worth reselling. Some may be out of style, not highly sought after, or not in good enough condition to attract buyers. Here are some things to consider when evaluating your items for sale:

• Condition: Make sure the clothes you’re selling are clean, free of stains and holes, and in good condition. If an item is damaged, it’s likely not worth selling unless it’s a high, high-end item like a Louis Vuitton or Chanel item. Most items that retailed for less than $100 aren’t worth selling damaged.
• Brand Name: Certain brands are more popular and sought after than others. Brands like J. Crew, Theory, and Lululemon are popular on eBay and can fetch higher prices. Here are some of the best men’s brands to sell on eBay.
• Style: Certain styles may be more popular than others. It all depends on what’s trending right now, but there are also classic pieces that will always sell well.
• Season: Consider the time of year when you’re selling your items. Clothes for the current season may sell better than those out of season.
• Pricing and sell through rate: Search similar sold items on eBay to see what they have sold for in the past and to see how often they’re selling to make sure it’s worth listing.

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Pricing Your Items

Once you’ve decided what items to sell, you’ll want to make sure you price them right. If you price your items too high, you may not attract any buyers, but if you price them too low, you may not make as much money as you could have. Here are some things to consider when determining pricing:

• Research: I recommend you search sold listing on eBay to help you price your items by seeing what other similar items are selling for. If you see that it’s not selling for much, it’s up to you if you want to take the time to list that item.
• Condition: The condition of your item will affect its value. Be realistic about the condition of your items!
• Brand Name: As mentioned earlier, certain brand names are more popular and may get higher prices.

By taking the time to research and evaluate your items, you can make sure that you’re only taking time to list items that have a good chance of making you money, and that you’re pricing them correctly.

Preparing Clothes for Sale

When selling used clothes on eBay, you’ll want to ensure that your items are in the best possible condition and presented well. Here are a few tips to help you prepare your clothes for sale so that you can list them on eBay.

Wash and Clean

Before you sell your clothes, make sure they are clean and fresh. If you’re pulling an item straight from your closet that you just washed last week, then that should be just fine! But if you’re selling something that’s been sitting around for several months (or years!), I recommend putting it through the washer to freshen it up. Make sure to use a mild detergent and avoid using fabric softeners, if possible. If your clothes have stains or odors, treat them before washing to see if you can get them out and salvage htem.

Take Quality Photos

Taking good photos is key to selling your items! When taking photos of your clothes, I highly recommend using natural light. This will help show the true color and condition of the clothes. Avoid using flash or artificial lighting, which can sometimes distort the colors and just doesn’t look as good.

If you have a mannequin, you can totally use that, but I’m going to guess that you don’t!  If not, you can simply lay the clothes flat on a clean surface or hang them on a hook on the wall and take photos from different angles.

One thing to make sure you do is take photos of any flaws or damage because you want to be honest about the condition of the clothes in your listing. This will help avoid any disputes or returns from buyers.

If your clothes have embroidery or other details, take close-up photos to show it clearly to help sell your item.

Listing Your Items on eBay

Now it’s time to list your item! Creating an effective listing is crucial to attracting potential buyers. You already have great photos, now you need to actually get it listed.

Creating Effective Listings

To create an effective listing, start with a clear title with good keywords that people will likely use to find that item in their search. Add the photos you took of the item and fill out any item specifics, which are the dropdowns you’ll find in the listing asking for things like style, size, etc. Then you get to the description, it’s good to inlcude a short description of the item and use bullet points to highlight important details such as the brand, size, and condition of the item. Always be honest and upfront about any flaws or imperfections in your descriptions so you don’t mislead anyone.

Listing Type & Pricing

eBay offers two main listing types: auction and fixed price. Auction listings allow buyers to bid on your item and fixed price listings offer a set price for the item (aka Buy It Not) Nine times out of ten? Listing your item as fixed priced is a good rule of thumb. Unless you have something that you know there will be a fight for (something rare or luxury items), you’re likely going to sell the item for the opening bid. On the other hand, auctions can be a great way to clearance things for cheap when something just isn’t selling or you make a bad buy.

When pricing your items, research sold items on eBay to see the selling price of similar items. I usually like to price a little bit higher than competitive so I can run markdown sales on my clothing items. 

Setting Up Shipping

The part that confuses people the most is shipping, but I promise that it’s not that bad! As a general rule of thumb, if your item (in its packaging) is under 1lb, use USPS First Class shipping. If it’s over 1lb, Priority Mail or Parcel Select are going to be a better option. There are a lot of “Flat Rate” options as well which can save you a bit of money on smaller, heavier items.

The easiest way to ensure that you don’t end up losing money on shipping is to buy a cheap shipping scale and weigh your items so you can include that information and use the “calculated shipping” option on eBay. That way using your weight and measurements, along with the buyer’s zip code, eBay can charge them an accurate shipping amount.

Once your item sells, eBay will collect the right shipping amount. Then you can simply print a prepaid shipping label from eBay (much cheaper than taking it to the post office and paying for shipping there) and then drop it off! 

Pro Tip: If you want to maximize your profits, I highly recommend cross posting your items! That simply means listing those same items on multiple marketplaces like Poshmark, Mercari, Facebook Marketplace, etc. Once it sells on one platform, you take it down from the others and ship it off to it’s new home! My favorite tool for this is Vendoo because you can easily manage your inventory, cross post items by importing all the details, and de-list your items once they sell.

Tips for Selling Used Clothes on Ebay

Selling used clothes on eBay is a good idea when you want to make some extra cash. Since it’s one of the most popular marketplaces online, it’s one of the best places to list your clothing for sale so you can add some extra money to your bank account. Below I’ll share some of my best tips for selling used clothes on eBay!

Stay Organized

One of the keys to success when selling used clothes on eBay is staying organized. Sure, when you have 20 items it can be pretty easy. But if you start to build up your online store and get to 75, 100, or even 200 items? It can get out of hand quick! Take it from me, someone who has had over 800 in her store at one time and has occasionally “lost” an item that sold. You don’t want to do that!

Here are some tips to help you stay on top of things:

• Create a system for organizing your clothes. It doesn’t matter HOW you do it, as long as it’s organized and you can easily find items.
• Use plastic storage bins like these to keep your clothes organized and protected.
• Keep track of your sold listings and shipping information in a spreadsheet like this.

Keep Clothes in Good Condition

Buyers on eBay expect to receive items in good condition, especially if you didn’t include any mention of flaws in the listing. So it’s important to take care of your inventory while it waits to sell. Here are some tips to help you keep your clothes in good condition:

• Wash or clean your clothes before you list them. This will help remove any odors or stains they’re stored looking and smelling fresh.
• If you’re selling vintage clothing, be sure to include information about any flaws or imperfections in your listing.

Keep Your Seller Rating High

Your seller rating on eBay is important because it can affect how many people buy from you. Here are some tips to help you maximize your seller rating:

• Ship items quickly and provide tracking information.
• Respond to buyer questions and concerns promptly.
• Be honest and accurate in your listings.
• Use the eBay Seller Center to track your performance and identify areas for improvement.

By staying organized, keeping your clothes in good condition, and maximizing your seller rating, you can increase your chances of success when selling used clothes on eBay.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to sell used clothes on eBay. By following the tips and tricks mentioned in this article, you can now start earning some extra cash by selling your old clothes online.

Remember to take high-quality photos of your items, write detailed descriptions, and set competitive prices. Additionally, it’s important to maintain good communication with your buyers and provide excellent customer service.

Here are some final tips to keep in mind:

• Always be honest about the condition of your items.
• Consider offering free shipping to attract more buyers.
• Don’t be afraid to negotiate with potential buyers.
• Keep track of your expenses and profits for tax purposes.
• Stay up-to-date with eBay policies and guidelines to avoid any issues.

Selling clothes on eBay can be a fun and rewarding experience. Not only can you make some extra money, but you can also declutter your closet and give your clothes a second life. So, go ahead and start selling your items today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I price used clothes on eBay?

Pricing your used clothes on eBay can be tricky, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier. Start by researching similar items on eBay to get an idea of what they are selling for. This will give you a good starting point for pricing your own items. Consider the condition of your clothes, the brand, and any unique features that might make them more valuable. Don’t forget to factor in shipping costs and eBay fees when setting your price.

What are the best shipping options for selling clothes on eBay?

When it comes to shipping clothes on eBay, there are a few options to choose from. The most common options are USPS First Class Mail, USPS Priority Mail, and FedEx Ground. First Class Mail is the cheapest option, but it can take longer to arrive. Priority Mail is faster, but it can be more expensive. FedEx Ground is a good option for larger items, but it can be more expensive than USPS. Consider the weight and size of your item when choosing a shipping option.

How do I take good photos of used clothes to sell on eBay?

Taking good photos of your used clothes is essential for attracting buyers on eBay. Start by using a clean, neutral background and good lighting. Take photos from multiple angles, including close-ups of any unique features or flaws. Use a high-quality camera or smartphone and edit your photos to make them look their best.

What are some tips for writing a good description of used clothes on eBay?

When writing a description of your used clothes on eBay, be honest and detailed. Include the brand, size, and condition of the item. Mention any unique features or flaws, and be sure to include measurements and other relevant details. Use keywords in your description to help buyers find your listing when searching on eBay.

What should I do if a buyer wants to return a used clothing item on eBay?

If a buyer wants to return a used clothing item on eBay, you should have a clear return policy in place. Consider offering a 30-day return window and requiring the buyer to pay for return shipping. Be sure to communicate your return policy clearly in your listing and respond promptly to any return requests.

How can I increase the visibility of my used clothes listings on eBay?

To increase the visibility of your used clothes listings on eBay, consider using keywords in your title and description. Use high-quality photos and consider offering free shipping or other promotions to attract buyers. Be sure to price your items competitively and consider using eBay’s promoted listings feature to increase visibility even further.