When you’re getting ready to sell your clothes online, there are a few things you need to do in order to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
In this article, we will outline some of the most important tips to get clothes ready for selling online. By following these guidelines, you can maximize your profits and avoid any potential headaches down the road.
Inspect each piece of clothing for stains, tears, or signs of wear and tear.
Anyone who’s ever sold clothes online knows that it’s important to inspect each piece thoroughly before listing it.
Stains, tears, and other signs of wear and tear can be big turn-offs for potential buyers, but some items will sell regardless of condition issues if the buyer really wants them. Take note of the condition of each item before you begin to process your inventory for resale.
Not only will this help you avoid any issues down the road, but it will also build trust with your buyers and encourage them to shop with you again in the future.
So next time you’re getting ready to list some clothes online, take a few minutes to give them a once-over and make sure they’re in tip-top shape. Your bank account (and your customers) will thank you for it.
Clean your clothes and attempt to remove any stains or other imperfections
Before you list your clothes for sale online, it’s important to make sure they’re clean and presentable. First, check the care label – is the item dry clean only? If so, you’ll need to take it to a professional.
If the item is machine washable, you can wash it at home using a gentle cycle and mild detergent. Be sure to remove any stains or marks before you put it in the wash.
Scuffs on shoes can often be removed with a Magic Eraser or shoe paste; small holes or undone hems can be repaired with a needle and thread.
Further reading: How to Clean Shoes from the Thrift Store Before you Sell Them
Take high-quality pictures of your clothes
Before you start posting your items to Poshmark or eBay, it’s important to take good-quality pictures of them. This will help potential buyers to get a clear idea of the items and decide whether they’re interested in purchasing them.
When taking photos, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- First, make sure the clothing is clean and not wrinkly. This will help it to look its best in the photos.
- Second, choose a simple background that won’t distract from the clothing. A plain wall or sheet of fabric is ideal.
- Finally, use good lighting to ensure that the clothing is well-lit and easy to see.
By following these tips, you can take great photos of your clothing that will help you to sell more items. For more in-depth information on how to take great pictures for your reselling listings, check out this post, where I talk about that partway through the article.
Write accurate descriptions of your clothes, be specific
When you’re trying to sell clothes online, where the customer can’t touch or try them on, it’s important to be careful with your listing descriptions. Make sure you’re giving accurate, specific descriptions of each item.
Any potential buyer will want to know everything they can about an item before making a purchase, so it’s important to be as detailed as possible in your listings. What color is the item? What material is it made from? What is the fit like? How has it been worn and washed before?
Answering all of these questions (and more) will increase the chances that your clothes will find a new home quickly – and that the buyer will be happy with their purchase.
So when listing your clothes online, don’t be afraid to get into the nitty-gritty details. Your future buyers will thank you for it and you’ll likely receive more sales and offers on your items.
More info: Why is Nothing Selling on Poshmark: 6 Most Common Reasons Your Items Aren’t Selling
Price your clothes fairly by checking comps
When you’re new to reselling, it can be tough to decide on a fair price. After all, you want to make a profit, but you also don’t want to scare away potential buyers.
One way to strike the right balance is to check comps. In other words, take a look at what similar items are selling for online. This will give you a good idea of what buyers are willing to pay and help you price your own inventory accordingly.
- If you know the name of the item you have, head over to Poshmark or eBay and do a search for that item. Check the box for “sold listings” to see examples of that item that actually sold, not items that are sitting unsold. Here, you’ll find what that item has actually recently sold for. Using these numbers, price your item accordingly.
- If you’re unsure of what item you have, do a Google search for the brand name and the style number (this is usually on one of the small tags inside of the garment) and you will see a style name pop up. You can use that style name to check comps for the item on eBay, Poshmark, or wherever you’re selling online.
- If your item does not have a style number available, you’ll need to get more scrappy. Just describe the item to Google and do your best to find a match. Be very specific here. Usually, searching for a string of keywords like “Urban Outfitters floral boho wrap skirt with fringe detailing” is going to help you find your item quicker than searching for “Urban Outfitters floral skirt,” so try your best to learn the names of different styles of clothing that you generally work with so that you can become quicker at finding information about the pieces you’re selling.
- Finally, if you cannot locate that exact item, find something by the same brand that is somewhat similar and check comps on that item, and price accordingly. It happens to the best of us! If you find yourself spending 20+ minutes trying to find the name of one item you’re listing, it might be a better use of time to go with this strategy.
Of course, it’s always important to keep in mind that every item is unique, so don’t be afraid to adjust your prices up or down based on factors such as condition, brand, and demand.
By taking the time to do your research, you can be sure that you’re pricing your clothes fairly – and making a healthy profit in the process.
Organize and store your inventory and use inventory tracking from the beginning
It’s so important to stay organized as a reseller. even if you think you’ll remember where everything is, you won’t – especially when you start scaling up.
The absolute last thing you want is to make a sale and have to cancel it because you couldn’t find the item in time to be able to ship it out to your customer.
Create a system for storing and categorizing your inventory so you can easily find what you’re looking for. Many resellers use clear storage bins so that they can easily relocate their inventory and see inside the bins.
You should also invest in some inventory tracking software to help you keep track of your stock levels and sales. This could be as simple as a Google Sheet that lists out basic info about each item as well as where it’s located in your inventory system. This will come in handy later on when you’re trying to figure out what’s selling and what isn’t.
Finally, don’t forget to take good care of your clothes. Store them in a safe, dry place to prevent premature wear and tear. By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to success as a reseller. Happy selling!
Read more: How to Sell Clothes Online: Ultimate Guide
