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    How much do you pay for used clothes?

    I’m just curious….how much do you pay for used clothes? I used to shop on Poshmark a lot, but since they started minimum offer amounts, I’ve basically given up. I won’t pay more than 50% of the typical retail selling price for something, with $20-$30 being my highest for more expensive higher end items. Especially online, where I can’t see what I’m actually getting. Am I unreasonable?

    How much do you pay for used clothes?
    byu/EmtNoMore inFrugal



    Posted by EmtNoMore

    View 32 Comments

    32 Comments

    1. ursidaeangeni on

      I use thrift stores (Not Goodwill or Salvation Army cause they overcharge imo) near me and they are usually $2-$5

    2. BelieveBelieves on

      I get my clothes from  clearance racks, buy nothing groups, and repairing what I own. I wouldn’t dream of paying 50% for something I couldn’t try on

    5. Inevitable-Sea-7921 on

      I use eBay for good quality like old LL Bean wool and cotton Oxford shirts. For a good condition wool sweater, I’ll go up to $50 since those can last forever

    6. SomeTangerine1184 on

      I’m also curious about this. I wear plus sizes which are hard to find in thrift stores. Marketplace and TJ Maxx in my area have nothing. I wound up going to Walmart but paid $50 for a shirt and work pants, which is insane to me.

    8. Outside_Quote9374 on

      There is a certain premium to be expected for curated secondhand closets, which is why Poshmark is usually higher than your local thrift. There is also typically a higher standard for quality and condition. I recently bought a new with tags pair of my favorite running shoes on Poshmark for $100, retail somewhere like $150. Someone probably wore them outside once and decided it wasn’t for them but couldn’t return. Still a screaming deal.

      Also as a Poshmark seller, I always decline lowball offers as I put time and effort into providing detailed measurements, photos, and fast shipping. I’m not ripping anyone off, just valuing my own time and effort, appropriately taking into account Poshmark’s seller fees. I will accept any reasonable offer, however most people don’t understand what a reasonable offer is.

      Even at my local thrift store, most items are $5-$10 pre-discount but I have no problems paying a little bit more for a specialty item with natural fibers that I actually like and can get good use out of. My real issue is the huge quantities of fast fashion being sold for about the same price.

    9. eamceuen on

      Usually not more than $10-$12 per item. The most expensive thing I bought in the last five years was a boutique dress from a resale group and it was $40. I prefer thrift stores for clothing.

    10. Intelligent_Menu8004 on

      Thrift stores are my go-to… I normally try to keep it to around $5 per shirt/pants/shorts/ect.

      I do use coupons and sales to do that…

      Dresses I’ll go between $10-15, unless it’s formal like for a wedding.

    11. somefriendlyturtle on

      The more locals thrifts I see sell clothes @25% or less of what an article would cost in a typical store. Depending what is, I am willing to pay more. I just got a clean jacket for at least 1/3 of what it would normally run.

    12. greenzetsa on

      This is like asking “how much do you pay for a used car?” Well, what kind of used car? A 2002 Honda with 350,000 miles on it? or a 2023 Prius with 14,000 miles?

      There are a million different considerations I have when getting used clothes. Sometimes I pay nothing because it’s from a clothing swap. Sometimes I’ll pay $5 for a shirt at Goodwill. If it is something in very good condition, from a brand I know I like that is higher end, I will pay more. Madewell jeans in my size and in excellent condition, going for $95 at the store? I’ll pay $50 or $60. I’ve bought vintage clothes that were in great condition and fit perfectly for up to $60 or $70, depending on the item. To me it isn’t a percentage, it’s how much would I pay for to have this item. For example, I love Keds, I wear them until they rot off my feet. But I would never pay more than $40 for a pair of Keds. So if I see a pair at the store that are brand new, on sale for $30, I’ll get them. If I see a pair on Poshmark in good condition for $30, I might get them. It totally depends.

    13. deadinthehead9 on

      I get my clothes at the goodwill outlet for $1.69 a pound. I will occasionally get something for a special event on eBay for a bit more. I also get all my work boots at the outlet for $1.99 a pair. I sometimes will get jeans at good will for about $7. There is also a clothing store that sells by the bag for like $5 to fill a bag. I also focus on buying mostly vintage from the 1990s as it tends to last longer and be made from good materials. I have to wear business casual for one of my job positions, so I have a capsule wardrobe to accommodate that consisting of three pairs of neutral colored slacks, and five sweaters that match all pairs of the slacks. I rotate these out. I also need a lot of work clothes and will buy army pants from the bins and pretty much any kind of t shirt as long as it is a dark color and my size. I do have a very nice carhartt jacket a friend fave me, and a bunch of insulated plaid shirts to wear as work outerwear.

    15. poshknight123 on

      I’m a part time professional seller on Poshmark/eBay. And I will say, while there are some horror stories out there, sometimes you get what you pay for. I pride myself on have clear photos, accurate measurements, precise descriptions including condition, and quick ship time. Because this is the standard I hold myself to, I will pay a tiny bit more for sellers who do the same. And I think buying something from Posh/eBay you actually do get what you’re actually getting and you don’t do that when you shop online from stores. I would almost never purchase something from Posh that was stock photos only.

      Also, I’m curious what you mean by higher end item? Can you give a brand example?

    16. Ok_Bus_9649 on

      Clothing swaps, Buy Nothing, trading with friends, repairing what I have… rarely a need to pay anything.

    17. CrnkyOL on

      I care less about clothes the older I get and I WFH. But sometimes I still get the itch and I have a thrift store that does a fill two bags for $5 sales a few times a year. There’s new stuff in the mix too. So about 30-50 cents a piece.

    18. Eggsandbake on

      I generally won’t pay more than $5 a piece, I’ll go up to $15 for a nice dress. I live in a hot environment so haven’t bought a jacket/outerwear in years.

    20. earmares on

      I pay $1, sometimes $2. I’m lucky to have amazing thrift stores where I live, and I go most weeks.

      I don’t always find something, or need something every week, but I usually find 1-2 pieces for someone in my family of 5, and continually build our wardrobe that way.

    21. jackfruitjunkie on

      I too shop mainly at the Goodwill Outlets where everything is sold by weight, under $2/lb. I usually like to go wearing a onesie or leggings/fitted top so I can try things on over my clothes since there are no dressings rooms. There are some other local thrift stores that are inexpensive in my area too, usually church run. The regular Goodwill stores have become overpriced though imo.

    23. timonix on

      Rarely more than $5 for “normal clothes” like shirts, pants. Rarely more than $25 for suit pieces or nicer clothes

    24. Independent_Act_8536 on

      If something is used, I limit myself to $3/pc, unless it’s a coat. Then I might go $5-7. But I only shop at a local thrift store where the workers are volunteered, and all proceeds donated to poor people.

    25. reijasunshine on

      I’m willing to go up to $15 for a new-with-tags, non-designer piece of clothing. If it’s not new, then I’m not willing to spend more than $5 or so for a shirt, $8 for pants, or $10 for a dress.

    26. FrauAmarylis on

      I shopped at the French Connection Store and got brand new stuff for 50-70% off.

      Used stuff is too expensive.

    27. Soil_Fairy on

      Second hand shopping has changed. I have bougie taste. I admit it. But I still won’t pay over 50%* of the full retail cost for USED clothing, especially online where I can’t try it on or return it. I’m better off saving and buying exactly what I want brand new. 

      *And I am being generous by saying 50%. I don’t think most things should be more than $40. I used to buy brand new Anthropologie dresses, back when they were actually nice, for $5 at Goodwill. I don’t expect that much of a deal anymore, but I’m not paying what you paid or anywhere close to it. Sorry not sorry. 🤷🏻‍♀️

    28. Sneakertr33 on

      Unreasonable? Yes and no. I get most of my items from thrift stores but it takes hours to find good items and even longer to find them at a good price. Theift stores have raised their prices so its getting harder and harder to find good items. Shopping on poshmakr you’re paying for convenience. Skipping the drive to the thrifts and the hours of scouring the shelves of fast fashion and overpriced mall brand with tags more expensive than they were sold in the original stores. I usually pay between $1-20

    29. Lifestyle-Creeper on

      Depends. I try to stick to under $30, but if the original price was $$$-$$$$, and I really want/need it and the seller put up good pictures and measurements and has great feedback, I could go higher.

    31. SoyboyCowboy on

      $5-$20 on ThredUp. Sometimes over $20 on something special like formal or outer wear. At my Goodwill’s dollar day, $1. I’ve been on a no-buy streak since June.

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