You’ve been told that your old clothes, toys, knick knacks, shoes, etc hold value after purchase - right? I don’t want to make assumptions about why you’re reading this blog but the overall consensus is:

BUT WHERE DO I SELL MY OLD STUFF?

As a fashion designer turned personal stylist (long story - but if you want to read about it click HERE) here are my tips and tricks for not only WHERE to sell your old stuff but HOW.

*I am in the Ottawa area so specific locations will be within this city but I’ll also be giving prompts that you can type into google to find something near you.*

Consignment:
Usually takes clothing, bags, shoes, jewelry - the type and vibe of the clothing will greatly depend on the shop itself and who they cater to. HERE is the list of consignment shops in Ottawa, it’s a simple Google document that does the trick, so don’t expect a fancy PDF or email prompt.

When using a consignment shop, expect to get between 30%-60% back from the original value. It could go as high as 50%-70% but with those numbers you’re looking at luxury, high demand items.

The clothing or accessory should be in MINT condition. We’re talking looks brand new or dang near close to it, still on trend and if they still have tags you could ask for more.

Make sure they’re washed and keep a running tally of what items you have wea where so you can keep track of your income.

30% may not seem like enough to make it worth it but what’s better, $30 in your pocket or $100 lost in your closet?

Prompt: [insert your style: ex: mid range luxury/trendy OR insert what you’re looking for, ex: best clothing, purse] consignment [insert your city]

Facebook Marketplace

Do not hate on FB! cringe or not, this is the easiest place to sell things directly to someone else. What you need to remember is that FB  is a big garage sale… big street sale (you’ve got competition) and like any online retailer here’s what matters:

Title: This should accurately describe what you’re selling with enough detail that people don’t need to click into the listing for the basics.

Ex: Woman’s shoes vs. Woman’s black Chelsea Boot size 8

You want to say who the piece was designed for, the name of the garment (boot would have also worked) and the size (if applicable).

The Listing: This is where you want to sell your product.Think back to when you were in middle school and go through the 5 W’s: who, what, where, when, how?

For example:
Women’s size 8 Chelsea Boot - black - 

(it’s okay to repeat yourself)

Brand new condition, I wore them once, $80 in the Ottawa area. Willing to meet at a local pickup location. Perfect for someone with a classic or preppy style.

What you DON’T WANT to do:
Boots - hardly worn, super uncomfortable and didn’t really fit with my style. $80.

Or WORSE:
Boots - $80

Here are some examples of what I'm saying about poorly written Facebook ads.

You want the audience to be able to see themselves in your product(s) and know how they can get them.

Which leads me to, Photos.

Photos are by far the most important thing when selling anything on the internet. With AI running rampant you want to make sure that the photos look good but not fake. Take photos of the front and back of the garment or shoe, and The inside (if applicable)

What’s nice about Facebook Marketplace is that there is the highest possible resale value. Not only are you in control of the price but also the marketing materials.

No prompts necessary for this one - Login or Sign up for Facebook, the only downside, and start posting.

Bonus tip: look for resale groups, especially in niche industries like:

• Wedding
• Prom
• Business 
• Baby/Children (usually listed under “parenting” or “mommy” 
• Vehicles 

Here’s another list of online marketplaces where you can sell your products, again, this is a Google Doc so don’t get too excited with a pretty PDF.