So, you finally decided to clear out your closet and sell all your pre-loved clothing items.
Selling your used clothing has many advantages, as the start-up costs may be lower than a traditional clothing store.
Used clothing stores offer a higher profit margin because the inventory is donated or consigned rather than purchased, and if you are looking to get into the thrifting scene, Johannesburg is one of the best provinces to start.
Being in the country's top 3 fastest growing thrifting provinces, Gauteng has established physical and online marketplaces offering pre-loved items and second-hand clothes ranging from vintage to designer.
The client base is broad as the options of clothing items that you have at your disposal.
Setting Up A Stall To Sell Second-Hand Wear
Let’s look at the informal thrifting market that is found in the Johannesburg CBD.
Walking around the city center, you will come across a stall or two offering pre-loved clothing.
For more options, and if you don’t mind braving Joburg’s weather elements, a visit to Diagonal Street or De Villiers Street, right behind the Park Station, is a buzzing hub of vendors offering eclectic choices.
Here, the shopping system is regulated by the African Traders Association. Each stall has a standardized price, with the pricier options for designer vintage ranging from R150 to R200 for the stall.
The shopping method is referred to as ‘Dunusa’, a term taken from the isiZulu language, meaning to bend over.
Vendors simply put all their clothing items in bales on the floor, and customers search through the items in the hopes of finding a gem amongst the heaps.
The only downside is the risk of pickpocketers and, of course, the unpredictability of the weather.
Weekend Markets To Sell
On Saturdays, shoppers can browse through rails at The Playground Market in Braamfontein.
On Sundays, Market On Main in Maboneng has an enticing selection of quality vintage clothing stalls within the Arts On Main building and outside the street market.
On the last Sunday of the month, the Rosebank Market offers an impressive turnout at the Vintage Sunday car boot sale.
Melville is a great place to set up shop if you’re looking for a quirkier market and have the budget for a lease. On 7th street, you’ll find Melvilles’ 27 boxes shopping center for a more formalized brick-and-mortar trading experience.
Sell Second-hand Items To Existing Thrifting Stores
An easier option is to take your items to second-hand clothing stores, and they make you an offer.
Most businesses buy the items on consignment and only pay you once the clothes have been sold.
Johannesburg has a few stores that buy pre-loved clothing from sellers.
Maven Collection
Maven is a curated collection of second-hand fashion for men, women, and children, both in-store and online. A gift card system is used when you sell your items to them.
Maven accepts clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories from selected trendy international brands like Karen Millen, POLO & Diane Von Furstenburg. Clothing from Zara, Country Road, Trenery, Whistles, Poetry, Guess, Sissy Boy, and Witchery.
Conditions to sell your items to Maven Collection
Clothes must be clean, free of stains, and not in need of dry cleaning when they arrive at Maven. If any items need cleaning, repairing, or dry cleaning, the cost will be deducted from the amount loaded onto your gift card, which is valid for 12 months. If you are selling anything vintage, ensure the items are in great condition.
Maven items are sold for about 50% (or lower) of what they would cost new. The seller is then paid approximately 40% of that value in the form of a gift card to spend on other Maven items available in-store.
Contact Jane on Whatsapp at 072 587 6640 and arrange to bring your items to the JHB branch in Craighall for a costing and quality check. Maven also works with an organization called Taking Care of Business. For every item sold, an item is donated to them.
Daddy Cool Clothing
Based in Centurion, allow the sellers to bring in their items, and an offer is made per item bought.
Bring in your items on Mondays or Wednesdays, and they have a Whatsapp line (082 789 7236) for alternative trading times should you not be able to make the allocated slot times.
My Desert Rose
It was founded by Katie Pearse, who graduated from the London College of Fashion. She returned to South Africa and saw the gap in the second-hand clothing market.
Desert Rose was started to make high-end and designer fashion pieces more accessible to those who would not be able to afford the items new.
My Desert Rose believes in a sustainable fashion that’s kinder to the environment.
Something to remember when selling preloved
Purchases depend on the ability to resell and the amount of stock available for a specific item.
No underwear, damaged or dirty clothing.
Location, location, location! Selling your vintage items in a place where most shoppers are looking for designer items will make your selling experience challenging.
Sell Your Secondhand Items Online
Keeping in line with the do’s and don’ts for selling your thrift items, one of the easiest options is using an online platform to sell your clothing items.
WISI-Oi (Which stands for WEAR IT. SELL IT. OWN IT.) is an online resale marketplace where you open your clothing boutique from the comfort of your couch.
Once you receive an order, Wisi-Oi sends a courier to your collection address and ships the items to the shopper. Payment is made directly into your bank account bi-monthly. Never has it been easier.
An easy and sustainable way to make money is by selling your pre-loved clothing without the fuss.
If interested, lm based in Witbank
I have second hand quality dresses and blazers for sale my number 0717509735
My number is 0799956612 if interested in buying clothes.Formal and casual.Different sizes.Based in Midrand
I have a lot of good quality clothes in good condition to sell.Based in Midrand.
I have 5 x boxes of clothing … do you buy?
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