How to price clothing for resale
Apr 28, 2025
Start With Market Research
The first step in pricing clothing for resale is understanding what similar items are selling for. Even if you’re a beginner, this doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here’s how to do it:
Search on popular resale sites: Check platforms like eBay, Poshmark, Depop, and thredUP for your item or something similar. Filter for sold listings to see what buyers actually paid.
Note the details: Pay attention to brand, condition, size, and seasonality. Prices for in-demand brands or trending styles will be higher.
Write down a price range: Make a quick note of low, average, and high prices for similar items. This will be your starting point.
Calculate Your Costs
Before setting a price, know your costs. This ensures you don’t accidentally lose money. Include:
Item cost: What you paid for the clothing, or $0 if it was free.
Platform fees: Each resale site takes a cut. For example, eBay generally charges 10-13%, Poshmark 20%, and Depop 10% + payment fee.
Shipping: Will you offer free shipping, or will buyers pay? Factor in packaging supplies and postage if you cover shipping.
It helps to use a spreadsheet or a simple inventory management tool to track these numbers for every item. Gavelbase is a user-friendly option that helps resellers keep costs, fees, and listings organized in one place, especially if you plan to list on multiple sites.
Price for Sale, Not Just for Profit
While you want to make money, overpriced items sit unsold. A good rule for beginners is to price your item slightly below the average sold price from your research, especially if you’re just starting and want quick sales. For rare or in-demand items, you can aim for the higher end.
Here’s a formula you can use:
(Average sold price) – (platform fee) – (shipping cost) – (item cost) = your profit
If your target profit is too low, adjust your price or consider whether the item is worth listing at all.
Keep Inventory and Listings in Sync
If you’re selling on more than one platform, keeping your inventory and listings up to date is crucial. Nothing frustrates buyers more than purchasing an item that’s already sold elsewhere. Here’s how to stay organized:
Centralize your inventory: Use a spreadsheet (Google Sheets works well) or a dedicated tool like Gavelbase to track what’s available, where it’s listed, and sales status.
Update promptly: When an item sells, immediately mark it as sold everywhere. Many tools offer bulk editing or syncing features to help with this.
Assign roles if working as a team: Even with one friend or family member, clarify who updates inventory and who handles shipping to prevent mix-ups.
Assign Basic Team Roles (If You Have Help)
A small resale operation can run smoother with simple role assignments. For example:
Photographer: Takes and uploads item pictures.
Lister: Researches, prices, and creates listings.
Inventory manager: Updates the central system and tracks stock.
Shipper: Packs and ships sold items, or handles pickups.
Even if you’re solo, thinking in terms of these roles can help you stay organized.
Track Sales and Fees
Knowing how much you’re making after fees is essential for sustainability. Create a simple sales log with these columns:
Date sold
Item description
Sale price
Platform fee
Shipping cost
Net profit
Inventory tools like Gavelbase can automate much of this, but a manual spreadsheet works fine for a small operation.
Handle Shipping and Pickup Smoothly
Shipping: Use the cheapest reliable service (often USPS for clothing in the US). Print labels at home if possible, and always get tracking. Keep packing supplies handy and ship promptly after a sale.
Local pickup: Meet in a public place and bring exact change or use a digital payment app (like Venmo or Cash App). Mark the item as picked up in your inventory system.
Quick Tips for Beginners
List items with clear photos and honest descriptions—condition matters for price.
Respond quickly to buyer questions to build trust and close sales faster.
Revisit your pricing if items aren’t selling after a couple of weeks; lowering by 10–15% can help.
Bundle discounts (e.g., buy 2, get 10% off) can move inventory faster.
Useful Resources
Conclusion
Pricing clothing for resale doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with market research, factor in all costs, and use a central inventory system to stay organized. Assigning basic roles—even just to yourself—helps keep things running smoothly. Track your sales and fees to make sure your efforts pay off, and handle shipping or pickup with care. With these simple steps, you’ll build confidence and turn your preloved clothing into profits, one sale at a time.