I Love Thrifting – Here are My Tips (Part 2)

Please click here to read Part 1

Not everyone has the option to shop in-store for thrift items, but in today’s world there are many different online sites that people can use to buy new clothing and accessories. Most of these sites also have the option of selling your unused items as well.

Part 2: Where to Buy Secondhand Online

• Poshmark: If you’ve read my previous articles, then you know I love Poshmark. Similar to Buffalo Exchange and Plato’s Closet, you can sell your old clothing and use your earnings to purchase secondhand items from other sellers. There are thousands of brands to shop from, both new and used items. The downside of this site is that you do have to pay shipping fees for each buyer you purchase from, and those can begin to add up.
• ThredUP: Similar to Poshmark, ThredUP is an online thrift store where you can buy and sell secondhand clothing. The main difference here is that you send thredUP your unwanted items and they will determine a price they’ll sell it for (similar to Plato’s Closet or Buffalo Exchange). Items that aren’t purchased can be passed onto other sellers or given to a textile recycler. The pros for this site include giving your clothing a second life and also getting cash in return, but on the downside the evaluation process can be long and the payout isn’t huge unless your clothes are very in style.
• The RealReal: If you’re looking exclusively for luxury items, the RealReal is the best place to go. This company is the leader of luxury consignment, and they make sure to authenticate each item. This company pays for all the various fees that come along with listing you item on the site. The one downside is that since the items are high-end, the prices are still very high. This service could be used by more people if the prices were at a lower level. But luxury items can use even more resources to make, so this consignment store helps with the impact on the environment.
• Mercari: This site is very similar to Poshmark, but the main difference is that they sell other items besides clothing. The prices are still very low, and the app is easy to navigate. There are a lot of different shipping options and they have buyer protection. The downside of Mercari is that it allows items that are in very poor condition, and some of the lower priced items aren’t worth paying the shipping fees for. Some people have also mentioned that not all sellers are good at communicating with buyers which can make purchases difficult.
• Depop: Depop is similar to the platform listed above, you can buy and sell items through the platform. This application can be used in various countries, not just the United States like the previous sites I described. There are a lot of bargains on this platform, and you’re able to contact the seller directly to do some negotiations on the item you are interested in. You’re also able to make trades with other sellers in the app instead of just purchasing the item you want.  The downside is that Depop isn’t as secure as other sites, so scammers are more prevalent.
• Vestiaire Collective: This site is a global consignment shop that focuses on selling luxury and designer items. There are many brands and categories to choose from, and you can set alerts for new items if you’re searching for something specific. There’s an option to make an offer like many of the sites listed above.

There are many other platforms that I haven’t mentioned, but they are all set up pretty similarly. My advice is to download each one that piques your interest and try it out for a week to find which app works best for your buying needs.

And stay tuned for my Part 3 on how to find good deals, both online and in-store, coming soon!