Turning your closet clean-out into cash and contributing to sustainable fashion is an appealing idea. But how much can you really make Selling Clothes Online, and is it worth the effort? This report dives into a year-long experiment of selling clothes online across multiple platforms like Poshmark, Mercari, Depop, and Vinted to uncover the realities of the online clothing resale market.
Before we jump into the earnings, it’s important to understand the bigger picture. The primary motivation behind this experiment wasn’t just profit; it was about responsible decluttering and actively participating in keeping clothes out of landfills. The process started with identifying personal wardrobe items ready for a new home. These items were listed online for a year. Unsold items then went through a tiered system: first to a consignment store (Buffalo Exchange), then a local Buy Nothing group, and finally, donation to Goodwill as a last resort.
In 2021, a total of 171 items were sold. To put this in perspective, at the beginning of this tracking period, 144 items were earmarked for decluttering. By the end of the year, 100 of these items found buyers online. The remaining items were distributed as follows: 10 were accepted by Buffalo Exchange, 22 found new homes through a Buy Nothing group, and only 12 ended up as donations to Goodwill.
This multi-step approach is crucial when considering the environmental impact of clothing waste. Statistics from the Council for Textile Recycling highlight that only a small fraction of donated clothes are resold directly in thrift stores. A large percentage enters a complex textile processing system, often ending up shredded, repurposed as rags, or, concerningly, exported to countries where they can contribute to environmental problems.
The Kantamanto Market in Ghana serves as a stark example. It receives millions of garments weekly, a significant portion of which becomes unsellable waste, adding to landfills and pollution. By actively reselling online and carefully managing unsold items, the aim was to minimize contribution to this global issue. While donating to charity seems like a solution, the reality is that reselling and direct rehoming are more effective ways to ensure clothes are reused.
It’s worth acknowledging that even selling clothes online isn’t without its environmental footprint. Shipping items across distances generates carbon emissions, and packaging contributes to waste, even when using reused materials (which was done for about 50% of shipments).
Beyond environmental considerations, selling clothes online is a time investment. While precise hours weren’t meticulously tracked initially, estimations suggest at least 160 hours were spent over the year on listing, packaging, and shipping. This realization underscores the importance of mindful consumption – the effort to resell highlights the true cost of fast fashion and impulsive buying.
Now, let’s break down the financial results across each platform to provide a clearer picture of where the most profit and sales occurred when selling clothes online.
Poshmark: Top Platform for Sales Volume
Total Earnings: $874.09
Items Sold: 66
Average Earnings Per Item: $13.24
Fees: $293.91
Average Fees Per Item: $4.45
Fee Percentage: 26%
Poshmark emerged as the leading platform in both total earnings and the number of items sold. Interestingly, despite Depop and Mercari claiming lower fee percentages (10%), Poshmark’s fees, in practice, became comparable after accounting for transaction and shipping costs. The higher sales volume on Poshmark can be attributed to an established seller profile built since 2014 and a larger existing follower base. For effective selling on Poshmark, daily listing shares and weekly offer sending to watchers proved sufficient, minimizing the need for constant social engagement often encouraged by the platform.
Mercari: Solid Sales with Strategic Pricing
Total Earnings: $532.96
Items Sold: 56
Average Earnings Per Item: $9.52
Fees: $209.31
Average Fees Per Item: $3.73
Fee Percentage: 28%
Mercari ranked second in sales volume, though average earnings per item were lower. Mercari’s user-friendly selling tools, particularly the auto price drop feature, are a significant advantage. This tool automatically reduces prices incrementally to a pre-set minimum, boosting listing visibility in searches. Initially, offering free shipping on Mercari led to higher fees (28%), but discontinuing this practice reduced the fee percentage to a more competitive 17% without a noticeable drop in sales. This suggests that absorbing shipping costs might not always be necessary to incentivize buyers.
Depop: Higher Prices for Unique Finds
Total Earnings: $344.10
Items Sold: 20
Average Earnings Per Item: $17.20
Fees: $202.18
Average Fees Per Item: $10.11
Fee Percentage: 38%
Depop, while having the lowest sales volume, yielded the highest average earnings per item. This aligns with Depop’s reputation for attracting buyers seeking unique and vintage clothing, less focused on deep discounts. Depop requires minimal maintenance; weekly relisting to refresh search rankings was sufficient. However, Depop’s fee structure proved to be the least transparent and, in this experiment, resulted in the highest fee percentage due to initially offering free shipping. The lack of upfront profit visibility and limited seller tools (at the time of this experiment) were notable drawbacks, especially considering Depop’s popularity with younger, potentially less experienced sellers.
Vinted: Seller-Friendly with Buyer Fees
Total Earnings: $437.90
Items Sold: 29
Average Earnings Per Item: $15.10
Fees: $0
Average Fees Per Item: $0
Fee Percentage: 0%
Vinted stood out as the most seller-friendly platform, with no seller fees – fees are charged to the buyer. Despite having a smaller user base compared to other platforms, Vinted delivered respectable sales and a good average earning per item. The absence of mandatory free shipping and the fee-free structure for sellers are major advantages. However, Vinted’s “bump” feature (paid promotion) can be costly and doesn’t guarantee sales. Relisting items regularly (every other month) is a more cost-effective strategy to maintain visibility. Minor drawbacks include occasional listing removals due to false stock image flags and app glitches, particularly with bundling and offers.
Overall Earnings and Key Takeaways for Selling Clothes Online
Grand Total Earnings: $2,189.05
Total Items Sold: 171
Average Earnings Per Item: $12.80
Total Fees: $704.50
Average Fees Per Item: $4.11
Average Fee Percentage: 25%
Selling clothes online can generate a meaningful side income while promoting sustainable practices. This experiment yielded over $2,000 in earnings from reselling personal wardrobe items. Key lessons learned include:
- Platform Choice Matters: Different platforms cater to different audiences and have varying fee structures and selling tools. Poshmark excels in sales volume, Mercari offers useful pricing tools, Depop attracts buyers willing to pay more for unique items, and Vinted is the most seller-centric in terms of fees.
- Fees Impact Profitability: Platform fees, while seemingly small percentages, can significantly impact net earnings. Understanding and factoring in all fees, including shipping, is crucial for pricing strategies.
- Time Investment is Real: Selling online requires a considerable time commitment. Factor in time for listing, photography, communication, packaging, and shipping when evaluating profitability and deciding if it aligns with your time availability.
- Sustainability and Profit Can Coexist: Selling clothes online is a tangible way to participate in sustainable fashion and reduce textile waste while earning income. Prioritizing reuse and responsible disposal of unsold items further enhances the environmental benefit.
- Experiment and Adapt: The online resale landscape is constantly evolving. Experiment with different platforms, pricing strategies, and listing techniques to optimize your results. Don’t be afraid to adjust your approach based on what works best for you and your target audience.
For anyone looking to declutter their closet and earn some extra cash, selling clothes online is a viable option. By understanding the nuances of each platform, managing time effectively, and prioritizing sustainable practices, you can successfully tap into the growing market for secondhand fashion.
