Consigning Clothes at a Secondhand Store

    Let go of the old, find a new home for your clothes, and make some cash along the way.

    The scenario begins as you walk into a secondhand store with a bag full of clothes you no longer need. You’ve decided to give these items a second life, either by making a little money or contributing to a more sustainable fashion system. The store is known for accepting quality pieces that are gently used and still in great condition. After checking the store’s policies and perhaps browsing the current inventory, you bring your bag of items to the counter, where a staff member takes your clothes and evaluates them based on brand, condition, and current demand. The store processes your items, and you’re given an offer, either in the form of cash or store credit. Depending on what you brought in, your offer might be higher or lower, but the experience is quick, and the satisfaction of decluttering your closet is immediate. Plus, you walk away with a potential future shopping spree credit.

      Time

    • 11:00 AM: You’ve gathered your clothes from your closet, sorting through items you haven’t worn in a while.

      11:15 AM: You arrive at the store, which is just opening for the day, and notice it’s already bustling with people.

      11:30 AM: You walk up to the counter with your bag, ready for the staff member to evaluate your items.

      11:45 AM: After evaluating the condition of your clothes, the staff member provides you with an offer.

      12:00 PM: You leave the store, either pocketing cash or receiving store credit for your items.

    • Must See Locations:

    • Plato's Closet (Tempe, AZ)

      Overview: A secondhand store specializing in gently used clothing, especially trendy and brand-name items.:

      Notable landmarks/details: Located in a shopping plaza with ample parking. Popular with students and young adults.

      Practical or emotional tip: Make sure to visit during the store's busiest times to maximize your chances of a good deal.

      Overview: A well-known secondhand retailer focusing on quality used clothing, accessories, and shoes. They cater to both trendy and vintage markets.:

      Notable landmarks/details: Known for their modern yet cozy interior design with racks of clothes arranged neatly by category.

      Practical or emotional tip: Don't be afraid to haggle for a better offer, especially if you brought in high-demand pieces.

      Crossroads Trading (Scottsdale, AZ)

      Overview: A chain specializing in high-end secondhand goods, especially apparel from major brands.:

      Notable landmarks/details: The store is sleek, with well-organized shelves and a wide variety of styles from all seasons.

      Practical or emotional tip: If you're looking to get more for your items, bring in clothing that is still in season.

    • More Locations:

    • ThredUp (Online Consignment)

      Goodwill (Scottsdale, AZ)

      Savers (Mesa, AZ)

      The RealReal (Online Luxury Consignment)

      The Vintage Twin (New York, NY)

      Poshmark (Online Consignment)

      Value Village (Phoenix, AZ)

      LTrain Vintage (New York, NY)

      Salvation Army (Tempe, AZ)

      Tradesy (Online Luxury Consignment)

      The Closet Trading Co. (Los Angeles, CA)

      Refashioner (Online Consignment)

      Second Time Around (Boston, MA)

      Ragstock (Chicago, IL)

      Flea Market (Denver, CO)

      The Green Closet (Portland, OR)

      Eco-Stitch (Seattle, WA)

      Recycled Fashion (Austin, TX)

      Free People (Phoenix, AZ)

      Women’s Closet Exchange (Phoenix, AZ)

      New & Again (Brooklyn, NY)

      Sister's Closet (Tucson, AZ)

      Recycled Threads (Dallas, TX)

      Ruby's Vintage (Los Angeles, CA)

      The Fashion Exchange (Las Vegas, NV)

      Urban Outfitters (Phoenix, AZ)

    • Themes

    • Sustainability

      Fashion Forward

      Cash for Clothes

      Decluttering

      Sustainable Living

    • Interactive Businesses

    • 1. Plato’s Closet: Retail

      2. Buffalo Exchange: Retail

      3. Crossroads Trading: Retail

      4. Poshmark: Online Retail

      5. ThredUp: Online Retail

      6. Tradesy: Online Retail

      7. Savers: Retail

      8. Goodwill: Retail

      9. Rebag: Luxury Consignment

      10. The RealReal: Luxury Consignment

      11. Swap.com: Online Retail

      12. Thriftbooks: Online Books

      13. Depop: Online Marketplace

      14. The Fashion Exchange: Retail

      15. Streetwear Store: Retail

      16. Patagonia: Retail

      17. North Face: Retail

      18. Amazon: Online Marketplace

      19. H&M: Retail

      20. Forever 21: Retail

      21. Urban Outfitters: Retail

    • Set-Up Spots

    • 1. Plato’s Closet (Tempe, AZ)

      2. Buffalo Exchange (Phoenix, AZ)

      3. Crossroads Trading (Scottsdale, AZ)

      4. Poshmark (Online Store)

      5. ThredUp (Online Store)

      6. Savers (Tempe, AZ)

      7. Goodwill (Scottsdale, AZ)

      8. Amazon (Clothing & Accessories)

      9. Target (Apparel & Home)

      10. Walmart (Clothing)

    • Must-Haves

    • • Resellable Clothing:

      • Good Condition Garments:

      • Bag or Box to Carry Items:

      • ID for Identity Verification:

      • Knowledge of Store Policies:

      • Retail-Friendly Apparel:

      • Clean Clothes with No Damage:

      • A Phone for Store Credit:

      • Business Card (for loyalty programs):

      • App to Manage Store Credit:

    • Notable Product Mentions:

    • • Poshmark App (Resale Platform)

      • Buffalo Exchange Loyalty Card

      • Depop App (Resale Platform)

      • ThredUp App (Online Marketplace)

      • Swappable Storage Bags

    • Drawbacks

    • Clothes May Not Be Accepted

      Offers May Be Low

      Limited Time to Shop

      Long Wait Times at Popular Stores

      Limited Access to High-End Consignment

      Seasonal Restrictions on Clothing Acceptance

      The Process Can Be Time-Consuming

    • Habits

    • Sort Through Clothing Regularly

      Sell Clothes Every Few Months

      Visit Consignment Stores During Off-Hours

      Keep Track of Accepted Brands

      Offer Items in Excellent Condition

      Check Store Policies Online

      Monitor the Inventory for Trends

    • Exit Strategy

    • Keep Store Credit for Future Use

      Donate Unaccepted Items to Charity

      Opt for a Higher Cash Offer

      Shop for New Items with Store Credit

      Recycle or Repurpose the Items

    • Events

      You must log in to add an event.

      Events for this Scenario

      No events found for this scenario yet.

    • Experiences

      Please log in to share your experience.