To Thredup or not- that is the question
I've seen mixed reviews from many resellers regarding their experience with Thredup. Figured I would throw my two cents in based on my experience with them. First, if you have no idea what Thredup is, it is an online consignment store. Users can send them in boxes of Womans clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories for possible resale. They will inspect what you sent in, choose what they would like to sell, photograph, and list the items for you. If/when an item sells, you will get a percentage of the sale. Simple enough. But these last few steps are what most resellers will disagree on. Thredups selection process of what they decide to keep and what they decide to ditch is hard to pin down. They do provide lists of styles and brands they are looking for but you are sometimes left to wonder what were they actually thinking when reviewing your box. The other pain point many resellers have with Thredup is the pricing/payout model. Many feel the payout is far too low
So what is my take? I have sent in three boxes of my items to Thredup in the last 6 months. The first box they took 60% of my items (their average is 40%) and my second one they took 70%. My third is still being processed. I am sending my items to Thredup to get some money for them. I am not looking to make big bucks on these items. Thredup is a reseller like me. They need to obtain inventory at a low cost in order for them to make a profit. They are after all managing the cost of the website, employees, the payment process, photography, advertising. I find the payout to be fair. It is not much- probably about $1-$5 per piece. I currently am only sending in regular items. I have not tried the Luxe service yet. As far as what they take and how they decide I am still trying to figure that out. I will say, I steam my items and fold them neatly in the box before sending them in. Presentation in my mind is key as they process tons of these boxes daily. I want my items at first glance to be eye catching and out of the box presentable. I don't send in old and worn out items, no stains or missing buttons. I send a full 30 pounds with each box.
If you are on the fence about it, my advice would be to just go for it! Audit that death pile (you know the one) and just send somethings in. Keep your expectations low, your emotions out of it, and just try it out. If you are ready to take the plunge, please consider using my referral link for $10 off your first order.
