4 Tips for Thrifting Online

In my last blog post I shared about ways to reduce overwhelm at the thrift store. I recognize that for some, no amount of tips or hacks are going to make going to the thrift store an enjoyable experience. Add to that the ease of online shopping that we’ve gotten used to since the pandemic happened, which makes it even less likely for some to step foot in the thrift store. If this is you, don’t fret! In this post i am sharing 4 tips for thrifting online so you can look better, do better, and stress less. 

Know Where To Shop

There are sooooo many sites and apps where you can buy secondhand online. I’ll list some of my favorites below. Check them out and figure out which ones you like best. 

1. Poshmark – I’ve been shopping on Poshmark since 2014 and selling since 2019. Poshmark has both new and used clothing from sellers in the US and Canada. It has one of the largest communities which means that you have a great selection. Their site and their app are easy to navigate. Shipping is a flat rate so there’s no worrying about that. Although sellers can offer shipping discounts if they choose.

2. eBay – eBay is sort of the OG of buying used stuff online. You can find some great deals on used clothing there. eBay is a little more complicated. Some items are sold with an auction, some are “buy it now” prices only. Shipping fees are all over the place. But, if you’re up for it this is a great place to find deals!

3. Mercari – This is another app/site that has a very easy user experience. Because Mercari seller fees are lower than a lot of other platforms, you can usually get better deals there vs. a site like Poshmark.

4. Swap Society – This is a virtual swap site. Meaning, you first send in your unwanted items. There is a subscription fee as well. But, it’s a great way to constantly refresh your wardrobe. Sign up for a subscription and Swap Society will send you a bag. Fill it up and send it back. You’ll earn points for the clothes you send in and then you use those points to shop for used items. Each item is a flat price of $4.99. If you don’t have a friend group that you can easily swap with, this is a great option.

5. Kidizen – If you are looking for kids clothes, Kidizen is where it’s at. The app has a huge amount of sellers selling their kids clothes that they’ve grown out of or no longer need. There is also a section for “Mama Clothing” in case you want to shop for yourself too!

6. Depop – If you’re looking for funkier and/or vintage clothing, Depop has a great selection. Sellers on Depop pride themselves on taking compelling photos of their items, often personally modeling the clothes. Shopping on Depop is a fun and bright experience.

7. Thredup – Thredup boasts that they are the world’s largest online thrift store. I believe it! Because they have such a large inventory, you really need a strategy before you start shopping there. This brings me to my next tip.

Use Filters

Browsing these sites can be overwhelming because of the large selection. Get familiar with the filters each site provides and use that to narrow your search. For example, on Thredup I will filter by size and fabric content, because I prefer to try and find clothes made with natural fibers. Oh, and here’s a reseller bonus tip…check their “unbranded” filter. Oftentimes you can find designer items that either had the tags cut or were missed by the person listing the item. This usually means you can get a really quality item below market value. This is one of my favorite tips for thrifting online!

Read Descriptions Carefully

Anytime that you are shopping for used clothes online, you need to be careful to read descriptions. Some items might have damage or have been altered in some way. Sometimes there might be a button missing or a small stain. When this happens the item should be priced accordingly. If you don’t mind a little sewing or stain removal work, you can get some good deals this way. I know that as a reseller, there have been times that I didn’t see a flaw when I first purchased the item. But I list it anyway and disclose the flaw. My flawed items always sell. Go figure! Again, some people are willing to take on a project. So if this is you, like I said, you can get a great deal. If this is not you, buyer beware! If a price seems too good to be true it’s probably for a reason. This brings me to my last tip.

Check Return Policies

Different sites have different policies when it comes to returns. Some sites like eBay, allow users to state their own terms when it comes to returns. Other sites, like Poshmark, only allow returns if the item was somehow misrepresented. Most sites will not allow returns for fit. Meaning, once you receive the item, if you find it doesn’t fit you, that’s not a good enough reason to return in. Which is another easy why reading the descriptions carefully is important!

Give it a Try!

Pick one of these sites and start browsing and let me know if these tips were helpful. For more help check out the Checklist for Building a Sustainable Wardrobe on a Budget. This free guide includes free and low cost tips for eco-friendly fashion.