To price second-hand clothes, start from the condition, adjust for the brand and the season, then check what similar pieces in similar condition are listed for and set your price a little above the lowest you would accept. If a piece has not sold after two or three weeks, lower it a little rather than all at once. There is no formula that suits every garment, but a consistent method beats guessing.
Price too high and nothing happens. Price too low and you give away money. Here is a method you can use on every piece.
Step 1: be honest about condition
Condition sets the starting point more than anything else. On Rewear, sellers choose one of five conditions:
Advertisement
- New with tags: unworn, tags still attached.
- New without tags: unworn, no tags.
- Very good: worn a few times, no flaws.
- Good: worn, minor signs of wear.
- Satisfactory: visible wear, still wearable.
Our guide to second-hand clothing condition grades explains how to choose between them. Be strict with yourself. A buyer who expects "very good" and finds bobbling under the arms feels misled, even if the price was low.
As a rough starting point, many sellers price new with tags at around half the original price, very good at around a third, and lower again for visible wear. Treat that as a first guess, not a rule.
Step 2: adjust for the brand
Brand affects how well a piece holds its value.
- Premium and designer brands with a reputation for quality usually hold more of their value, especially classic styles.
- Well-known high-street brands sell steadily, but buyers know what they cost new, so prices need to be realistic.
- Fast fashion can be hard to sell for more than a few pounds, however good the condition.
- Unbranded or handmade pieces depend on the materials and the look. A good wool or leather piece can do well without a famous label.
If you are pricing a designer item, good photos of the labels and any proof of purchase help a buyer trust the price. Our guide on spotting fake designer clothes shows what buyers will be looking for.
Step 3: think about the season
Buyers shop for the weather ahead. A wool coat in October is worth more than the same coat in June, and a linen dress sells more easily in spring than in December.
If you have out-of-season pieces, you can either price them a little lower to sell now or keep them back and list them when demand picks up. Our guide to what sells best second-hand in winter covers the cold months.
Step 4: check similar pieces
Search for the same kind of piece, ideally the same brand, in the same condition. Look at the spread of asking prices, not just the lowest or highest.
Keep in mind that a listed price is not always a sold price. Pieces that have sat for months are often overpriced. If you see the same item listed again and again at one price, that price may be too high.
Step 5: leave a little room
If you are happy to accept offers, price slightly above the lowest you would take. That leaves space to agree a price without feeling you have given too much away.
Decide your lowest price before you list, so you can answer offers quickly and calmly.
Step 6: know what you will receive
On Rewear, listing is free and there is no selling fee, so the price you agree is the price you are paid. The buyer pays the delivery and a buyer protection fee of 30p + 3% on the item price, both shown to them before they pay. Because nothing comes off your side, you can price simply: the figure you set is the figure you get.
Step 7: lower gently if it sits
If a piece has had no interest for two or three weeks, change something.
- Lower the price a little. Small, regular reductions usually work better than one big cut.
- Improve the first photo. A brighter, clearer opening shot can do as much as a price change.
- Add the measurements if you have not already. Fit is the question buyers ask most. Our guide to measuring clothes for selling shows which ones to take.
- Check the title. Include the brand, the type of piece, the main shade and the size.
Things that add value
- original tags, receipts, boxes or dust bags
- natural fibres such as wool, cashmere, silk, linen or leather, shown on the label
- measurements in cm
- clear photos of every flaw, so buyers trust the rest of the listing
Things that reduce value
- stains, holes, heavy pilling or stretched cuffs
- strong smells, including smoke or perfume
- missing buttons, broken zips or a missing belt
- dated styles that are not old enough to be vintage
Small repairs, such as sewing on a button, are often worth doing before you list.
Ready to list?
Photograph the piece in daylight, describe it honestly and set the price using the steps above. Our beginner's guide to selling clothes online covers the rest, and our guide to writing a clothing listing description helps you make the price feel fair.
The short version
Start from condition, adjust for brand and season, check similar pieces, leave a little room for offers, and lower gently if a piece sits. On Rewear there is no selling fee, so the price you set is the price you are paid.
Advertisement