Some people won’t touch used jeans with a 10-foot pole, but believe it or not, there are people who are willing to buy them. Cleaned properly, there is nothing like getting amazing pre-owned designer jeans at a fantastic price. It’s no wonder then that there are many business savvy individuals making a killing buying and selling these jeans for a tidy little profit.
I actually did the same thing for a while (more on that later).
And today, I thought I would share some tips for people interested in either selling their own old, used jeans they no longer use, for a little cash, or wanting to start a low cost small business, buying and selling used jeans.
Finding Affordable Pre-owned Jeans That You Can Resell
Obviously, the first step is to build up your inventory.
This is exactly like the idea of buying from Walmart and selling on eBay. You need to find suppliers that you can get jeans from for a fraction of the cost.
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There are tons of places where you can get used designer jeans in good condition for a fraction of its MSRP.
But the best places, in my opinion, are the ones mentioned below.
1. Yard Sales
Start by checking out yard sales and buying cheap jeans per piece or by the bulk. Just make sure that when you do, you already know your brands and their MSRP.
Check if the jeans are worn out in some places, or if they have defects.
Ideally, you should only be paying $3 or less for each pair.
2. GoodWill
Goodwill is also a fantastic place to search for designer jeans.
Learn when they get new stock, or ask to be informed by leaving your contact information. When new shipment arrives, try to get there before everybody else and comb the clothing bins for at least 2 hours.
If you have kids, then they can help out as well. In fact, they are probably better informed on fashion trends, so make sure to get their input.
When choosing jeans, look for discolorations, holes, and frays. Hem bottoms and crotch areas are notorious for these problems.
Do not buy jeans that have been altered in any way.
3. Local Thrift Stores
This is exactly what I used to do a few years back. I would go to our local thrift stores, browse and buy tons of jeans, then I would list them on eBay.
This was back then when eBay fees weren’t as high as they are now. I was making between $5 to $10 average on each jean.
Where to Sell Used Designer Jeans?
Some people think selling on eBay is not worth it anymore. I think eBay is still a great place to make money when it comes to certain items.
That said, I would not suggest selling your pre-worn items there due to their Buyer’s Protection Policy. This type of policy basically allows buyers to get away with making false claims against you. In fact, many buyers can even get their money back while getting to keep the product.
You can, however, consider selling your pre-worn designer jeans at the following locations:
1. Yard Sales and Flea Markets
First, consider selling in yard sales and flea markets.
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Did you know that you can rent a table, about 10 feet long, for a daily rate of $10 up to $25?
Just make sure to fold the jeans neatly and lay them out in such a way that people can truly appreciate their design.
I would also put a sticker on the jeans so people can easily know the price, brand, and size.
Also, make sure to separate the women’s jeans from the men’s jeans.
Ideally, all your inventory should all be presentable and clean.
2. Consignment Shops Online
Online consignment shops are a dime a dozen. In fact, there are so many that it’ll make your head spin. Visiting all of them should give you a quick idea of the stores that pay top dollar for the pre-owned jeans that you find from thrift stores.
You could also use one of those sites like Etsy that make it easy to build your own online consignment shop.
3. Plato’s Closet
I’ve done a lot of selling in my time, and if I’m to be honest, the best place is through Plato’s Closet.
Pick the one nearest you to sell your brand name finds. Not only do they pay in cash, but they also give you the money immediately. You don’t have to wait for someone to actually buy the piece from their store.
In fact, I’ve made as little as $5 to as much as $40 per jean. Even better, you’ll find that the Plato’s Closet will also buy hats, shirts, and jackets, apart from just designer jeans.
4. Having Your Own Store
If you live in a city or any large urban area, think about starting your own store.
You may find yourself developing a loyal clientele if you consistently price your jeans correctly. Make sure that you only sell pairs that are half their MSRP.
Remember that just like in any business, with the right location, you can definitely make a lot of money. Consider targeting customers that are thrifty, fashion-conscious, and environmentally-friendly.
Top-Selling Used Jeans Brands
Through the years, I’ve found that the best jeans that fly off the shelves are Levi’s. Hollisters, on the other hand, come in a close second.
You may want to stock up on the following designer jeans as well:
- Diesel
- Fox
- True Religion
- Delia
- Ga
- Pacsun
- …
Personally, you should steer clear from jeans that have an MSRP of $30 or under. Not only do they sell for less, but they simply do not move as fast as designer jeans. If you do decide to sell these, price them as craft materials and sell them in bulk.
Bottom Line
I have done the exact same thing and I can tell you it works.
If you need to prove it to yourself, it’s as easy as going to your local thrift store, buying 1-2 brand name jeans, then taking them down to your local Plato’s Closet.
This is exactly what I did, except I used eBay to sell my used jeans.
And once I sold my first pair, I saw the potential.
And that kept me going for a long time. But when eBay fees started going up, it wasn’t really profitable for me to continue anymore. Plus, I had other more profitable ventures that were keeping me busy.
But it still works if you use places other than eBay to sell your used jeans. If you don’t want the headache, just take them down to your local Plato’s Closet. You’ll get cash right there, though you may get less.
