The Ultimate Guide to Online Consignments
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ONLINE RESALE & THRIFTING
By Malia Noll
If you’re a regular SISTAIN reader, you know how harmful fast fashion can be for our environment. Stores that pump out cheap, bulk lines of trendy clothing are a huge contributor to landfill waste and inhumane labor practices. But if you love dressing on-trend and your heart skips a beat when you see an edgy of-the-season look in the window of H&M or Zara and you want to stop inside, we totally understand (and feel the same!). We’re here to show you that there are some amazing ways to shop sustainably online while upholding the circular economy, all from the comfort of your home.
While it may seem daunting at first, we’ve taken the guesswork out of the selection process by narrowing in on the top sites. If you’re ready to buy and sell clothes online, keep reading to learn which platforms might be the best fit for you.
Peer-to-Peer Social Shopping
Image: Depop
DEPOP
Looking for a side hustle? Depop may be for you.
Depop is one of the few platforms that allows a seller to shine. If you’re an amateur or professional photographer and you want to get creative while styling photos with products you wish to sell, Depop is for you. While the app is widely loved by the Gen-Z crowd, other age groups can still take part. You’ll find a mix of vintage and contemporary items, as well as designer labels and accessories. The app also offers a “seller team” to help you navigate through the process as you begin.
Things to Note:
Depop takes a 10% cut on any item you sell.
Users are required to set up a PayPal account to transfer money from sales to your bank account. Paypal charges a 2.9% transaction fee when transferring balances back to your bank.
Sellers are responsible for shipping items and are able to choose eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging.
Business model upholds the circular economy.
Price Range: $–$$$
Headquarters: London, UK
Image: Poshmark
POSHMARK
Minimal effort, maximal reward
Similar to Depop, Poshmark is a user-focused platform that allows sellers and buyers to interact directly. Create an account to showcase your items, follow people with closets that fit your taste and even trade items with others instead of selling or buying them, no cash required! If you’re looking to make a profit selling on Poshmark, you’ll need to sink a good amount of time into the app. However if you’re looking to casually buy and sell at deeply discounted prices, this is likely the perfect fit for you.
Things to Note:
For sales under $15, Poshmark takes a flat fee of $2.95, and for sales over $15, Poshmark takes 20% of the total selling price.
Although Poshmark provides a pre-paid shipping label for items sold, sellers are responsible for shipping items and are able to choose eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging.
Business model upholds the circular economy.
Price Range: $–$$$
Headquarters: Redwood Shores, CA
Designer Resale
Image: The RealReal
THE REALREAL
Extending the life cycle of luxury brands
If you’ve ever lusted over Louboutin or dreamed of Dior but are serious about shopping sustainably, you need to check out The RealReal! With a rigorous, brand-specific authentication process, they are the only resale store that authenticates every single item sold. Shopping resale designer brands online no longer feels risky—with The RealReal, you’ll have complete confidence that items purchased are the real deal when you shell out big money for heirloom brands. We also love that this platform does most of the work for you. Sellers simply ship their items free via UPS to be consigned, and buyers can shop effortlessly in a format that feels as familiar as shopping in an online department store.
Things to Note:
Sellers can earn up to 85% back on items sold, although commission prices vary by item and value.
Business model upholds the circular economy.
The company plans to be carbon neutral by 2021.
Price Range: $–$$$
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Easy to Discover
Image: Etsy
ETSY
Shopping small feels bigger than ever
With a world-renowned e-commerce platform and notable name with a mission to “keep commerce human,” Etsy is a leader in connecting small businesses and creators with consumers seeking made-to-order and custom items. Additionally, many sellers within the platform are rooted in sustainability, and finding them is as easy as typing “sustainable clothing” into the search bar. Not only are you supporting small businesses, you have the ability to support sellers who are committed to creating items that respect the ecosystem and aim to reduce waste.
Things to Note:
Shipping costs vary by seller, however some sellers use eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging.
Business model upholds the circular economy.
Etsy is the first major online shopping site to offset 100% of carbon emissions from shipping.
Price Range: $–$$$
Headquarters: Brooklyn, NY
Image: Swap
SWAP
Consignment from the comfort of your home
For those who love traditional consignment stores but are looking to explore options on the Web, Swap offers a seamless blend of resale shopping with a familiar online retail experience—no need to worry about keeping up a profile and interacting with individual sellers. Swap offers women’s clothing and accessories, but also stock items for men, kids, baby and maternity. In order to sell on their site, you must fill out an application, however anyone can hop onto the website to make a purchase.
Things to Note:
Emphasizes the value in discovering a unique, previously loved piece to call your own.
Strives to find new homes for items and keep them out of landfills, collectively working for a better planet and a cleaner world.
Teaches thrifting as a way to find high-quality, gently-used items that will save you money in the long run.
Business model upholds the circular economy.
Price Range: $–$$$
Headquarters: Downers Grove, IL
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Malia Noll is a former public accountant turned self-employed copywriter who works with small businesses to build genuine connections to customers through strategic writing. Malia is based in Columbus, Ohio and specializes in promotional writing, email marketing and editing.
