After working in a designer clothing store, my closet is overflowing with dresses. Some are classics. Others are funky and unique. (Tutus or plaid ruffles, anyone?) In the spirit of “spring cleaning,” I recently decided it was time to pass some lace and crinoline on to another lucky lady.
Picking which threads to part with was surprisingly easy. Deciding the best way to resell them? That had me in a fashion tailspin! Where would I get the most bang for my buck? (After all, a new shirt or handbag is in order!) For the answer, I reached out to Style Expert Corri McFadden, Owner/Founder of eDrop-Off.
First, what is eDrop-Off?
We are the premier eBay luxury reseller. We specialize in consigning designer clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories. We have a few different options for our clients, including dropoffs, local pickups, or free nationwide pickups. From there, we do all the rest to get your items sold: descriptions, photos, listings, shipping and handling. All you do is wait for your check! The best part is that it’s only about a 45 day process.
These days, what is the most cost effective way to sell your designer clothes and accessories? Does eBay still work? How about brick and mortar consignment stores?
The most cost effective way to sell your items is online. It has the lowest overhead cost available to date. You also gain worldwide exposure. With a brick and mortar shop, you really only gain local traffic. Also, due to lower and slower sell through, you generally get about 10-15% less pay on your items.
For those going the consignment route, or using a service such as yours, what’s the best way to find a reputable retailer? What questions should you ask before handing over your goods?
This is getting to be more and more tricky. Websites can be made quickly and with almost no cost. Untrustworthy services or inexperienced businesses can hide behind well-designed websites, deceiving the customer. The best way to find one is through word of mouth from someone you trust. Also, check a site’s press and see if they’re backed by reputable sources.
What if I want to resell the stuff myself? What are your top tips for getting the maximum value out of an item?
If you’re going to resell yourself, you’ll need to be educated on the items you’re selling. You can’t just know the name, season and original retail price. You really need to know manufacturer’s details, current market value and consumer demand to be able to price effectively. When using eBay specifically, as a new seller it is almost impossible to sell high-end items like Chanel or Hermes, so it’s best to have a reputable eBay seller help you with it. At eDrop -Off, we have a full team of trained experts that look at each piece we take in to ensure its authenticity. We don’t have any interest in selling counterfeit goods.
Vintage is in! For those looking to buy secondhand, how can you tell if what you're buying is authentic? What signs should you be looking for?
Again, you’ll either need to be an expert yourself, or be sure that you’re buying from one. To an untrained eye, there are counterfeit bags being produced that would make it difficult to be discerning. The signs of a “fake” vary across the board. For details on specific handbags, I recommend our Authenticity Library, which we are continually expanding to help educate buyers.
After talking to Corri, I decided to use eDrop-Off. Not only were my clothes picked up at my door, in less than two months I had my check in hand. I received 60% of the profits. And not having to worry about the details myself? That was priceless! Now, it’s time to shop!
Free consultation 
