6 Steps to Selling Clothing Online

Ready to unload that little black dress or suit? Here’s how to sell your old clothes online.

1. Wade Through the Pile

Assess your unwanted clothes, then assign them to categories: Is the garment contemporary, designer or vintage?

2. Understand the Basics

For the amateur seller, eBay makes the process simple, with tutorials on how its auction system works. Other established vendors are The Paperbag Princess and Decades Vintage.

3. Tell the Whole Truth

Is it new, with tags still attached? Gently used? Note any pulls, stains or repairs. Full disclosure now prevents a disgruntled buyer later. If a stain is persistent, consider donating the item instead.

4. Size up the Garments

Sizing varies wildly, so list the garment’s country of origin and provide its measurements, along with the size and name on the label.

5. Dress Outfits to Sell

Clothes sell better when shown in 3-D. Have a friend play model and take photos from several angles, against an uncluttered background. Crop the head, for privacy concerns. If there is a pattern or texture in the fabric, take a close-up of that detail.

6. Collect Your Cash

According to a study done in 2008, most Web buyers prefer to use PayPal. Once you sign up for a free account, at Paypal Canada, the service acts as an intermediary and keeps credit-card and banking info private, for a small fee (roughly 2.5 percent of the selling price). Payments received accumulate in your PayPal account; you can then transfer the funds to your bank account.

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