How to unload old clothes?

[Bogie]

Jen's gotta bunch of stuff that's in the size 30ish range - and now she's considerably smaller... Not feeling particularly charitable - thinking of trying ebay or something?

Anyone else run through that?

[SherryJ]

Bogie, I've never sold clothing on ebay, but have several friends who have had great success with it!

Go for it! :)

Sherry

[Gaelen]

eBay is a good venue...but check these things out first:

Figure out whether it's easier and cheaper to ship by US Postal Service (USPS) or UPS (those brown truck guys.)

If you choose USPS, I don't think the US Postal Service Priority mail tyvek envelopes are the fixed price anymore, so you need to get a handle on approx. how much sample things weigh. Take a couple of typical things to a place with a good postal scale, and make sure they'll fit in the standard priority mail tyvek envelope. Stuff and weigh and write down the estimated shipping for reference in writing up your listing.

Make sure you include in your listing that you do not ship outside the country (international shipping will kill you...although I hear UPS to Canada has a standard rate for certain size packages and that may work for you.)

Consider 'Buy it Now' for a fixed price for your stuff if you really don't want it to go for less than X dollars. I've scored all kinds of things on eBay for less than it cost the person to ship it to me, because the seller didn't think to use Buy it Now or set a reserve, and no one stood up to bid.

Make sure to either set a shipping price that covers USPS or UPS, or get one of those adjustable calculators for your listings.

Insist on Paypal or shipment only after checks clear. I've sold about 10 things, all > $50, and I no longer accept checks...Paypal is instant.

Insist that payment be made within X number of days, or the auction could wind up dragging out for weeks.

If it's clothing, *measure* the items and include the measurements. As a buyer who's gone through several sizes in the last four years, I never even look at used clothing that doesn't include the actual measurements.

If you aren't going to accept returns or give refunds, make sure you include that in the listing...if you don't, eBay can insist that you take the items back if a buyer is dissatisfied.

All of that sounds more involved than it actually is. ;) I managed to sell quite a bit of my unneeded stuff, and I only had one bad transaction (bounced check). But read through the guidelines for sellers, and don't set your prices too short. Have fun!

Also--for the stuff that was too big for shipping or that I didn't want to bother having to ship, I had a LOT of luck with local consignment shops. I had to give them a cut, of course, but it was better than just giving the stuff away, and it got it out of my clutter room.

[Niobe]

I'm trying to sell off my old clothes on ebay right now, actually; I've had some success, gotten four or five items out of my hair and still have about four bags of stuff to photograph! Eeeek! :) Be patient; I relisted one thing three times before it went. Just luck of the draw.

[cmcole]

Do you have a consignment store in the area?
That's a non-shipping option.

[Viking Dan]

If you're feeling generous, just unload them in the Salvation Army or Good Will dumpster.

[Bogie]

Not feeling particularly charitable, especially after a visit to a Goodwill a while back...

[momuvfour]

The Consignment shop route is what I thought of I have sold clothing that route many times. Good luck