We all like making money, and chances are there is something in your closet right now you can sell that you don’t even use.
That’s how Suzanne Canon @scanon got started on Poshmark, an app that allows you to sell and buy new and used clothing and accessories.
Last year, she made $75,000 in profits and to date has made over $500,000 since she first started using the app in 2012. She sells clothes that she buys wholesale and even has some of her own designs that other people can purchase.
“We have 4 employees now, its like crazy busy right now,” Canon says.
She says the key to her success is consistency. She lists items every week and works more than 40 hours a week selling clothes on Poshmark.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Take a picture of that dress you haven’t worn in years, or that purse that is in the back of your closet, add a description, set the price and wait for the item to sell. You can lower the price if it doesn’t sell right away, or wait for someone to make an offer.
“I take one day to take pictures, and that pretty much takes the whole work day,” Canon says.
The app is free to use, and the company takes a 20 percent cut on every item you sell. (But remember, this is stuff you don’t use anyway.)
The buyer pays for shipping and once you make a sale, you get a notification to print the label. There are no returns, but if something you purchased wasn’t accurately described or damaged you can file a complaint.
“They made it so easy for me,” Canon tells HER Magazine, “any complaints with shipping mishaps they take care of.”
WHERE TO FIND STUFF TO SELL AFTER YOU’VE SOLD EVERYTHING IN YOUR OWN CLOSET
Meosha Langston @shopgirlchicago will “hunt all day and pay between $3 – $5” at thrift stores. She then sells what she finds for up to $165.
She also buys clothes from consignment stores that people have forgotten about.
Langston says, “I literally knocked on their doors and said do you have any extra clothes you can’t really use that I can buy from you in bulk?”
She also goes to warehouse sales and asks to get a sneak peak before the sale.
“I asked Neiman Marcus outlet if they had any clothing that was taken off the floor,” Langston says “the store manager said what they can do is give it to me for the final markdown which was 85%.”
MAKING IT WORK FOR YOU
Natalie Gomez @costumebaldor lives in Manhattan and sells clothes on Poshmark. “I have made enough money to pay my bills and have extra money,” says Gomez. She is able to pay for rent, electric and cable bills and an occasional facial.
“I would say I work 60-80 hours,” Gomez says. That time is spent responding to customers, shipping packages, buying merchandise to sell, photographing and organizing her inventory.
She started out by buying one thing and testing to see what people like, but later got into selling wholesale jewelry on the app.
“I didn’t feel like I had to climb a mountain to make Posh work. I was able to make Posh work for me. It’s not without effort, but part of it was effortless,” Gomez says.
WHAT I’VE LEARNED
I’ve had success with the app. It’s not a full time job for me, but I like buying new clothes for work and not spending a fortune. I also enjoy giving items I no longer wear a new life in someone else’s closet.
My advice:
- Use natural lighting when you take your photos. Shoot as many angles as you can to give the buyer an accurate representation of what you are selling. Put it on a hanger, or lay it flat.
- Be accurate in your description. If there is a flaw, stain or alteration… mention it.
- Never decline an offer, always counter so the buyer has a chance to respond. (Even if it is a low ball offer.)
- Share your items constantly, and connect with friends so you can all share each others stuff.
- If you have an item listed for a long time and it hasn’t sold, post it again. Just because you have a lot of likes doesn’t mean the item will sell.
- Wrap the item with tissue paper or any recycled materials and ship quickly. I always include a thank you note.
- Have fun! I have met so many great women who sell clothes as an extra source of income. It’s always nice to hear what works for them and I enjoy sharing tips on what works for me.
Have you used Poshmark? What has your experience been like? Have you ever thought about selling clothes online? Check out my Poshmark closet at @alohaalex.
