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Just How Profitable Is Re-Selling Second-Hand Designer Clothing? Tips To Get You Started

Selling second hand designer clothing is indeed profitable. But it is also a nightmare and a recipe for disappointment and frustration when you are starting. There are several things one must learn to avoid the regrets of getting into the business.

Over and above, the effort is the denominator. Smartness coupled with learning how to resell the fashion right simplifies everything. Hannon Comazzetto, the founder of AirRobe.com tells the Guardian that perception into buying preloved fashion is changing. People are embracing it.

“Buying preloved fashion used to be associated with op-shops and thrifty bargain hunters, but more and more people are coming to realise the impacts of fast fashion and the benefits of buying preloved,” she says.

Therefore, this article delves deep into excellent tips that you can use to resell second hand designer clothing.

Research Extensively

Getting into the industry blindly is inviting trouble in your life while you can avoid it. Research is paramount. It gives you insights into the market trends and captures details that help you manoeuvre competition.

Find out how the local market – how many more people are selling and which brands are they trading? How much do they sell? Comazzetto underscores the importance of research in selling secondhand fashion. This trick keeps her in business, which she started when she was only 15 years old.

“Check the seller’s reviews and do a little research into the history of the brand you’re buying.” Like in the case of men’s luxury wear from Balmain, proper research should tell you that its elegance dates back to 1945. It has evolved over the years to include not only an official look but smart casual too. If you need a dazzling man’s wardrobe, be sure the luxurious wear will provide clothes fit for a contemporary feel.

Have Your Classics On The Frontline

Classic brands are eye candy in the secondhand market for designer clothing. Customers feel more inclined to purchase renowned brands. The prices are excellent for the seller; all premised on brand affinity. 

Even in the world of luxurious accessories, the secondhand landscape is the same. Although second hand designer clothing is relatively cheap, it still fetches a huge amount of money simply because of the brand alone. The product identity created over the years favours the pricing.

Work On Your Pricing

Before you list an item for sale across digital platforms, fix the price accordingly. Selling second hand fashion comes with a fair share of overhead costs, which are a must pay. Again, you are in it for the profit; therefore, fix a price that covers all your expenses and leaves a good profit margin.

Reselling this fashion, in most cases, enlists the market power of e-commerce platforms. And you must pay some fees to keep the product alive on the interwebs. So, fee expenses come in postage and PayPal fees. In case your clothes are listed on an app, you should pay a registration fee.

Have A Selling Platform

You can’t rely entirely on other platforms handling business for you while you have a chance to own and run an independent platform. Before you think of having an app or a website to sell your wares, start with the simplest of them all. Facebook and Instagram – business features are great. Have a push notification system to increase eyeballs on your fashion. Any new listing will surely pop up on a buyer’s end and who knows! They might be looking for just that.

Then, you can develop an app and a website to make it easier for customers. It is expensive initially but cost-effective in the long term because you do not pay any fees for product listing. However, you should list your fashion with a reputable platform such as eBay because of market confidence. Buyers are more likely to head to eBay and purchase than your app or website before you are known. Confidence is pertinent in online selling.

Flawless Presentation

There is no gamble when it comes to getting buyers. Everything ends in perfection. Remember, two-thirds of potential buyers are in the online space. So, advertising your designer clothing through listing calls for impeccable photography skills. 

It also calls for paying attention to detail and good presentation skills. The appeal is what drives buyers to your corner. Capture the tiniest details about a brand and let the images speak for themselves. Don’t leave anything to chance. 

“Use a plain background and take photos and at various distances to capture the detail, too. Do you know what else helps? Mirror selfies! People love to see how it fits on an actual human being,” Comazzetto urges.

If you have to iron twice to straighten the cresses, do it without a second thought.

Keep Record

Whenever you sell something, please keep a record of its image. It is a great marketing strategy in the future. It could be a folder in your phone or a more sophisticated approach involving a cloud-based storage facility. Record keeping enables you to advertise your business in an instant just by the click of a button. It is more about being ready and optimistic for business. It can also inform the design of push notification to buyers, which is important. It is another form of direct marketing.

Think Of A Store Front

A storefront shores up confidence levels among buyers. It creates a sense of security and trust. Many buyers would consider buying from a store than from an online platform due to con artists and myriad inconveniences. But, it would be best if you build trust with buyers for your store to succeed. Trust is the nerve centre of business. In its absence, the company fails terribly.

In the same vein, you can also consider a consignment store. Studies show that buyers without trust issues opt to purchase from a consignment store. They consider its convenience and ease. 

Reselling second hand designer clothing is not hard. When you employ the wisdom in executing the business, it will be all surprises as sales increase. The most significant bit about this venture is research. A good analysis of the market gives a clear projection of how the business is likely to be fair. 

 

Jeff Campbell