First, a quick disclaimer … this is not exactly a flex or a side-hustle success story. Most of the money I’ve made on resale has been the result of my own overconsumption, and in reality, this little venture has mostly run at a loss.
That being said, I have learned a lot over the years about how resale platforms work, what actually sells, and how to best sell an item. I thought it could be useful to put all my best practices in one place to help speed up the process for anyone interested.
I began selling on Poshmark in 2016 and joined Curtsy in 2020. I’ve probably sold on most resale platforms, but those two have driven the vast majority of my sales and have thus become my most consistently used.
As a high school and college student with limited income, I used resale to keep money circulating within my wardrobe. I could sell items I already had and use those earnings to buy something new, so the habit largely sustained itself.
Since graduating, I’ve slowed my consumption down a lot. I buy fewer things, understand my style better, and use rental platforms more often. I still use resale apps (at a much slower pace) when I’m ready to rotate an item. I like knowing the item is getting a second life, and of course, the extra income never hurts.
One thing I’ve learned is that resale value begins well before an item ever gets listed. With that in mind, I thought it’d be helpful to walk through the process in the order it naturally happens:
1.) Quality Remains Queen
We’ve all heard this before, but I’m going to keep saying it because it is so important: quality is everything!
If an item is going to retain resale value, it needs to have a combination of craftsmanship and desirability. That is why I generally stay away from fast-fashion brands that are priced so low that most would rather buy new.
I’ve had better luck with recognized brands like Aritzia and Free People, especially when the items still feel current and are in great condition. Prioritize natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool, which typically wear better over time and make the garment easier to care for.
2.) Laundry Care
Laundry is truly a lost art form, and learning how to better care for the items you own has done more for my wardrobe than buying ever could. I use this clean laundry detergent and swear by this stain remover, which is the only product I’ve tried that can tackle oil stains. Don’t forget to check the care tag, especially when shopping, if you want to avoid buying delicate items.
UNWWORN is one of my favorite accounts to follow if you also want to romanticize laundry care. I’m eager to try their product once it launches in the US, but I’ll use this fabric spray when needed in the meantime.
3.) Batch Photos
This is the most time-consuming part of resale, but batch-taking photos can definitely speed up the process. I usually do flat-lays on a white bedsheet or take photos from a hanger on the back of my door.
Take photos of the front, back, size tag, and any flaws on the garment.
4.) Upload
Since I usually shop online, I like to search my inbox for the order confirmation with the original model photo. Once you have the item name, you can also do a quick Google search if the image isn’t included.
I upload the model image first, followed by the item images. I haven’t found that lengthy item descriptions are helpful, so I’ll use one of these variations to keep it simple: NWT, NWOT, worn once, no flaws, or gently used with a description of any flaws (see photos included).
I recommend listing at about 30% below the original price, depending on the item. I’ll go in and drop the price by $5-$10 if the item still hasn’t sold.
Curtsy and Poshmark have different algorithms, in which you don’t have as much control on Curtsy, but when they do begin to push your item, it’ll typically sell pretty quickly. Just take clear, well-lit photos and gradually lower the item's price until it sells.
Poshmark uses a chronological algorithm, so you can continue to push your items to the top of the feed by updating your item. Click ‘Edit - Next - List’ about once a week to prevent your items from being buried by inventory. I will also lower the price over time, as explained above.
5.) Ship!
Once your item sells, you’ll be emailed a prepaid shipping label to print at home or a QR Code to use at USPS. I’ll reuse an old box or envelope (usually from Amazon) and stick it in my mailbox if it’s an individual item, or head to USPS if I have multiple packages.
If you listed an item on both Curtsy and Poshmark, don’t forget to delete repeats once an item sells to prevent duplicate orders!
If you make over $400 in a year from a resale platform, you’ll likely receive a tax form in the mail, since it may appear as profit. Since I had most of my order confirmations from online shopping, I would actually make an Excel document showing that I spent more than I made (I told you this wasn’t a successful side business!) Just something to keep in mind if you begin accumulating sales.
ThredUp and The RealReal are also great options if you don’t have time to take and upload photos yourself. I don’t usually shop designer, but authentication is important in resale, so it can be easier to let a third-party manage the sale.
Finally, I’ve heard of individuals who thrift for great items and resell them more as a business to make profit. This isn’t my story, and it seems difficult given that resale can be time-consuming, and most platforms take a small percentage of the sale price. I’m not saying it’s impossible … after all, this was Sophia Amoruso’s incredible journey beginning Nasty Gal, but honestly, it wouldn’t be my side-hustle of choice (more power to you if you disagree!)
I hope you all enjoy, and thank you so much for being here! Don’t forget to subscribe for more content on responsible business and intentional consumption.