THE cost of living is on the rise – but Depop expert Jade Pawsey has revealed how you can make hundreds of pounds just by clearing out your wardrobe.
With a growing number of apps and websites for reselling clothes, it is now easier than ever to make money by selling your unwanted possessions.
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But it can be difficult to know how to get started, and that’s why The Sun spoke to second-hand clothing expert Jade.
Like many, Jade spent lockdown emptying her own wardrobe, but she honed her eye for second-hand starting young, hunting charity shops with her grandma as a child – and even worked in one as a teen.
From revealing the best way to take photographs to building up positive reviews, Jade has told The Sun her top four tips for making the most cash.
Jade says using an app or website is the easiest way to get started when selling your old clothes.
Her online selling journey began on Depop before moving to Instagram and to her own website.
The 26-year-old runs her own business, ThreadsByJade, from her home in Brighton, where she sells vintage, high street and designer clothing for knockdown prices.
The mum-of-one also runs a consignment service, meaning she will sell your items belongings on your behalf for a small fee.
But because interest and demand can vary between apps, you won’t be able to use Jade’s tips in every instance.
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It comes as shoppers are turning to cheaper ways to update their wardrobe due to a cost of living crunch.
Sellers can make varying amounts of cash from selling their old clothes, from a bit of extra change to hundreds of pounds, like bargain hunter Kieran Barnett.
Picture perfect
It seems obvious, but having a nice photo of the clothes on your page is way more likely to get you a deal.
Jade says it is also better to have photographs of you wearing the items so potential buyers can get an idea of what it might look like on them.
She said: “When clothes aren’t on, I think people find it hard to imagine themselves wearing it.
“If you’ve got a maxi-dress for example, a photograph of half the dress wouldn’t work.
“You would need to take a full length shot to show people exactly what they were buying.”
Don’t give up
If you’re wanting to make yourself a popular seller on Depop, you will need to make sure you are uploading regularly.
Jade said: “When I first started using Depop I was using it consistently.
“It isn’t the type of thing where you can upload one item and then not do anything again for a year, you have to stay on top of it.
“By selling consistently I was able to build my reputation and everything went from there.”
Posting things regularly will keep you on people’s feeds for longer and make sure you’re being seen every day.
Reviews are important
Replying to comments and messages can be the difference between making a sale or not.
If someone is happy with your service, not only are they more likely to buy from you again, there is also more of a chance they will leave a good review.
Jade said: “Don’t leave replying until later, you need to to build up your reviews.
“I made sure to always reply within a short space of time to build up my good reviews and keep people visiting my page.
“People are more likely to buy off you if they can see your reviews are good.”
Honesty is the best policy
Jade says being upfront about the condition of your clothing is the best way to get a sale.
Some people don’t mind buying items that are slightly damaged or stained, as long as they know it beforehand.
Jade said: “There are so many people on Depop that say items are in good condition in their descriptions, when in reality, they’re not and it arrived filthy.
“So just make sure things are washed and if there’s a stain, try and get it out.
“If you can’t, make sure you’re honest and say there’s a stain because if you don’t, you could get a bad review.”
Including information such as measurements and materials is also useful to potential buyers.
When listing an item, it’s handy to think about if you would you be happy receiving the item based on how it was described.
Don’t try to pass off something that has been worn a lot as being new.
How does Depop work?
Depop is loved by students and twenty-somethings because it looks like Instagram and is easy to use.
It tailors listings shoppers see according to the brands and styles they have previously liked and searched for.
There are no fees to list an item but you pay 10% commission on anything you sell.
Plus you have to pay postage costs, which can vary depending on the item.
What other apps could I use to try and sell my clothes?
Vinted is great for selling every- thing from sportswear to high street brands and designer gear.
Best of all, the seller pays nothing.
Buyers pay a fee of three to eight per cent, plus 30p-80p, to cover refunds if their items do not arrive or if they get damaged in the post.
Similar to Gumtree, Preloved lets you post online adverts that are targeted at people in your area.
This means you can arrange for buyers to pick items up and pay you by cash or PayPal on collection so you can save on postage.
It’s free for basic membership or you can pay an annual fee of £5-£15 for extra features to boost your listings.
Another easy way to sell to local buyers is by using Facebook marketplace.
Most users are looking for a bargain, so you might not get a high price, but it’s fairly hassle-free and you don’t pay commission or listing fees.
On eBay, you can list up to 1,000 items a month for free.
You’ll pay commission of 12.8 per cent on what you sell, plus a 30p fee.
The sum on which commission is calculated includes postage, tax and other fees, which can bump it up.
You’ll also pay more if your item sells for over £2,500 or if you want to add a “buy it now” price.
This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
