When it comes to shopping for clothes, my first goal is to shop less. But if I do look for something, I try to look for secondhand first.
I prefer shopping secondhand in person so that I can take a closer look at the condition of a garment. But this can be difficult if you’re trying to fill a specific wardrobe gap. Say you’re looking for a shimmery pleated midi skirt. Or perhaps, a certain cut of jeans from your favorite brand. Finding that specific piece in a brick-and-mortar thrift store or consignment shop requires some patience. You’ll likely find a bigger inventory online.
I’ve had my share of online shopping failures (but also many successes). So here are a few things I learned from personal experience when it comes to shopping for secondhand clothing online.
1. Go for familiar brands. Because many secondhand online retailers don’t allow returns, I tend to stick to brands that I know well. (The exception is when a vintage piece catches my eye.) Often, I’m looking for something I already own, but in a different color. Or maybe I tried something on in the store first and then decided to search for it later. I’m not much of a risk taker when it comes to secondhand shopping online because I’m trying to avoid a scenario where something doesn’t work out.
The good news is that many brands now offer their own secondhand shops, like Eileen Fisher’s Renew (which allows returns) and Amour Ver’s ReAmour. Even small indie brands like Curator SF have a secondhand section, often operated by a third party like Treet, where individuals can list their pre-loved items for sale.
2. Ask for measurements. If they aren’t listed, ask! Compare them to something you already own that fits well. Even if the measurements match, you might strike out. But chances are much better if they match.
I make it a habit to ask questions when I’m interested in an item to see how quickly or thoroughly the seller responds.
3. Ask the seller a question, any question. On platforms where there are individual sellers (eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, etc), interact with the seller. I made the mistake of buying something on Poshmark once that never shipped. The seller either disappeared or was not active. Now I make it a habit to ask questions when I’m interested in an item to see how quickly or thoroughly the seller responds.
4. Check the feedback. Of course, look at the seller feedback as well. You can get a sense of how much they’ve sold, how quickly they ship, and how satisfied their buyers are.
Some secondhand finds: Everlane cardigan [review], J Crew Factory Sweatshirt. (The Quince beanie was not secondhand.) Photo from this post.
5. Avoid listings that say “mint condition.” People seem to throw this phrase around without understanding what it means. Another Poshmark fail: I bought a brooch in “mint condition.” It turned out to have scratches on its faux pearl surface. Same goes for “perfect condition.” When I see these phrases, it indicates to me that the seller is kind of lazy and isn’t really paying attention.
6. Zoom in on those photos. Had I viewed the photo of the brooch on desktop or iPad, not my phone, perhaps I would have noticed the scratches. Zoom in for the details. And don’t be afraid to ask for more photos. A conscientious seller will make the effort to provide more photos.
7. Cross reference platforms. When I’ve found something I like, I often check other platforms for the item. Sometimes the same seller will list an item on several platforms. Because shipping and selling fees differ across platforms, you might find the same item at a lower price on another platform.
8. Inspect your purchases right away. After your item arrives, there’s often a time limit to check it and report any issue. On Poshmark, you have three days to accept an item, or Poshmark will automatically close out the sale and release funds to the seller.
Once, a pair of pants I bought on Poshmark had a stain that was not disclosed. I don’t think the seller was buying duplicitous. Maybe they just missed it. Another time, a shirt I ordered from Thredup arrived with a hole. In both cases, I was able to lodge a complaint and send them back for a refund.
I hope these secondhand shopping tips have been helpful! If you have any, please share them below. And if you’re looking for tips about selling online, particularly on Poshmark, see here and here.
Photo: Henry & Co./Unsplash
This is such a great list of tips!
Interesting insights on the “mint condition” listings! I haven’t noticed a correlation with the use of that phrase, but you’re definitely right that sellers don’t always have a good eye for catching issues (but overall the good definitely outweighs the bad!).
I’d much rather see a listing that meticulously lists flaws. At least then I know the seller is paying close attention.
Great tips! On Poshmark, you can also look at their profile page and it will show the last time they were active.
Oh, that’s a great tip! I don’t think they had that info back in the day.