At good market, I am trying to stand for something greater than just reselling clothes. I want to inspire women and men to consider shopping used items and to be more mindful of the good that can come into our lives and our planet by using what we already have, rather than looking to fast fashion for a quick fix. This is just one step towards a more sustainable future for both me and the planet.
Here are my seven tips for getting started as a reseller on Poshmark, and taking a big step towards your own sustainable future.
Start By Building a Revolving Closet
Try this on for size: one comes in, one goes out. Reselling the clothes you no longer love in your closet gives you the opportunity to constantly bring new items in, while circling others out. Its key is to purchase items you know will have good resale value to maximize this strategy.
Listing with a Strong Cover Photo is Half The Battle
As people are scrolling through hundreds of listings, you really want yours to stand out. I like to see the item as clearly as possible, so I take photos with my iPhone against a solid white wall, with as much natural light as possible. This helps bring out any details, especially if the item is a dark colour.
For the rest of your photos, make sure to have at least five to six, including detail shots that highlight the features of the item, and a close-up shot of the fabric, so people can really get a sense of the texture and how it will feel in their hands.
How To Shop Online
The biggest dilemma for online clothes shopping: will it fit?
Be sure to include measurements of the item when listing: across armpit, shoulder to hem, and sleeve inseam for tops; add the shoulder-to-shoulder measurement for jackets; and for pants, include across waistband, rise, and inseam.
If people ask about the fit, I always tell them to compare the measurements provided in the listing against something similar they already own.
The Right Tools Will Extend The Life of Your Clothes
Here are a few basic tools and tricks, which are cheap and easy to use:
Clothes Shaver: A clothes shaver (I use a Conair rechargeable electric shaver approx. $15 to 20) will easily remove pilling from your clothing (including those old lululemon leggings!), making them look brand new again! Be careful on delicate items, as it can sometimes pull on your sweater if it’s too fine.
Lint Brush / Roller: I find the IKEA sticky rollers work the best for removing bits of lint from garments. But, because this is wasteful, I try to use my red lint brush first (you can purchase these at Shoppers) before resorting to the sticky one.
Steamer: Seeing someone’s wrinkly item for sale isn’t exactly attractive. If you already have a steamer (or iron), use it! If you don’t, you can get a pretty cheap handheld steamer. Keep in mind, a handheld one can steam one to two items before needing to be refilled with water. I opted for a used industrial Jiffy steamer that I picked up off Kijiji.
Sewing Needle and Thread: It helps increase the value of your item so much if you can tighten up that loose button, or quickly stitch that hole. Now you’re listing an item in 10/10 condition as opposed to 8/10 with flaws, and you’ll get more money for it.
That Being Said, Transparency is Key
You might think no one will want to buy the clothes you’re reselling if they know it has that small stain, but remember people aren’t afraid of flaws; they just want transparency. Be clear and upfront about any and all flaws, so your buyer knows exactly what they’re getting. They may have the ability to get that stain out or mend that hole.
Pricing Your Item
I always research the item on Poshmark. On the left-hand side, there are all different types of filters, and if you scroll to the bottom you can search ‘Available Items’ or ‘Sold Items’. I like to look at the sold, so I can see what that item has sold for, or what other people are willing to pay for it. I try to price the clothes I’m reselling just slightly below what the ‘sold items’ went for to ensure a quicker sale.
Packaging For The Planet
When it’s time to ship out items, I like to be sustainable, and so I use almost all recyclable materials. I wrap items in tissue paper, and seal them with a good market paper sticker. Then, I leave a love note on a business card, thanking them for their purchase as every little bit helps. I either put their item in a paper shopping bag for local pickup in Toronto or in a 100 percent recycled Noissue mailer—these mailers have two adhering strips, so they can be reused and recycled where soft plastics are accepted. When there’s this much reusing and recycling going on, you can really feel good about shopping.
You can shop good market on Poshmark Canada here: @good_market.
xo
(Story contributed by Jolande Amoraal)