What Is The Best Selling Platform for Clothing?

With so many online marketplaces, how do you choose the best selling platform for selling clothes? This is definitely one of the most popular questions I get asked, and unfortunately, it’s not an easy one to answer. There are a lot of questions to consider before you begin listing:

• How much inventory do I have?
• What does the platform offer?
• What type of buyer am I selling to?

You don’t want to waste time, energy, and money trying different platforms until your head spins. But there is one important goal you want to accomplish, and that’s to make money.

How to Choose the Right Selling Platform for Your Clothing

In this blog, we’re going to delve into the world of reselling and help you choose the right selling platform for clothing. We’ll go over the major online marketplaces and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each one. By the time you finish reading, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to make the best decision for your reselling journey.

Fun Fact: The First Online Marketplace

Did you know the world’s first online marketplace was launched in 1982? The Boston Computer Exchange (BCE) was an online marketplace for people to buy and sell used computers. The launch of BCE predates the advent of the World Wide Web, and because of this, the company operated on a dial-up bulletin board system. Talk about retro!

The Top Selling Platforms for Clothing

From eBay to Poshmark, how do you choose the right selling platform? You first need to think about your goals as a reseller. Do you plan on making a career out of flipping clothes, or are you looking to bring in some extra cash? Let’s dive into each platform, including its benefits and drawbacks, to help you decide.

eBay

History: Pierre Omidyar founded eBay on September 3, 1995, as a hobby to create an online marketplace for buying and selling. Originally called AuctionWeb (thank goodness they rebranded), eBay aimed to test if people would trust the internet for transactions with strangers and to create a global marketplace accessible to all.

Benefits:

• Reaches a vast number of online shoppers, including an international audience.
• Offers promotional tools to boost visibility for an additional fee.
• Allows the use of keywords in listing titles and descriptions, with a large word count.
• Supports selling a wide variety of items, including rare or niche products.
• After establishing yourself as a seller, payments are released quickly.

Drawbacks:

• Without promoted listings, your items may get lost in search results, leading to slower sales.
• The listing process can be complex, especially for beginners, despite recent improvements.
• Shipping can be tricky to figure out, with numerous options to consider.
• Payments for new sellers are often held until the buyer receives their order.

Poshmark

History: Launched in 2011, Poshmark is a social commerce marketplace focused on fashion and home goods. It’s designed for a community-oriented shopping experience, making it perfect for selling clothing.

Benefits:

• User-friendly app with an intuitive listing process.
• Built-in community features like sharing, following, and commenting to engage buyers.
• The platform handles prepaid shipping labels, making logistics a breeze.
• Ideal for selling trendy or brand-name clothing.

Drawbacks:

• Takes a flat 20% commission on sales over $15 (yep, they’re taking their cut).
• Success often requires active engagement, such as sharing your listings daily.
• Focused primarily on fashion, so it’s not great for other types of items.

Depop

History: Founded in 2011, Depop is a platform aimed at younger, trend-savvy shoppers. Think of it as Instagram meets e-commerce.

Benefits:

• Perfect for vintage, unique, or handmade clothing.
• Appeals to Gen Z and millennials with its sleek, social media-like interface.
• Offers in-app messaging for easy communication with buyers.
• Low listing fees—just 10% per sale.

Drawbacks:

• Heavy competition for trendy items, so standing out can be a challenge.
• Shipping is seller-managed, adding extra work for you.
• Limited audience if your inventory doesn’t match the platform’s vibe.

Mercari

History: Founded in 2013, Mercari is an all-purpose marketplace for selling nearly anything, including clothing. It’s like eBay’s more straightforward cousin.

Benefits:

• Easy-to-use app with quick listing capabilities.
• Lower fees—10% selling fee plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing fee.
• Offers a prepaid shipping option for convenience.
• Suitable for beginner resellers who want simplicity.

Drawbacks:

• Limited buyer engagement compared to community-driven platforms like Poshmark.
• Lower average sale price for items compared to eBay or Poshmark.
• Items can take longer to sell if not competitively priced.

Which Selling Platform is Right for You?

Ultimately, the best platform for selling clothing depends on your goals and inventory. If you’re looking to reach a global audience and sell a mix of items, eBay is a great choice. If you prefer a community-oriented approach and trendy clothing, Poshmark or Depop may be your best bet. For simplicity and low fees, Mercari is worth considering.

An Expert Opinion: What Is The Best Selling Platform for Clothing?

After having experience on every selling platform, over the course of a decade, I can honestly say my go-to online marketplace is Poshmark. Despite their high selling fees (20%, yikes!), I've done pretty well overall. I signed up in 2018 (right after my daughter was born) and I've continued to make plenty of sales. Each year, I've been able to sell enough inventory to support my small family. My total sales across all platforms have been well over $200,000. Not too shabby for a mostly part-time gig. Yes, the high-selling fee is a bit too high, however, Poshmark makes up with it by working extra hard to market their platform and push community participation, which, in return, brings in a ton more sales than other platforms. Remember, find the best platform for you and you'll realize just how fun reselling can be.

Enjoyed this blog? Want to learn more about the Resale Life? Check out my blog, Resale Life: The Stuff Other Resellers Won't Tell You.