How to Earn Money From a Closet Cleanout
'Tis the season for cleaning out closets and starting anew. Why not start a new year with an even better wardrobe, using the money earned from a closet cleanout? Sites such as eBay and Facebook are online resources that create large retail markets for unwanted clothing, shoes and accessories. A clothing swap with a small entry fee is a sociable way to earn money and score "like new" treasures. Consigning gently worn items at local consignment boutiques is a smart way to maximize closet space, as well as replenish your clothing budget.
Things You'll Need
- Facebook account
- eBay account
- PayPal account
- Hangers
- Camera
- Steamer or iron
Instructions
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Host an online auction on eBay and create clothing and accessory "lots" for sale at a bulk rate. This may be better for high-end designer brand clothing, since your eBay customers may not know you personally to judge the quality of the clothing. Plan a Facebook clothing sale after your closet cleanout. Advertise on your individual profile in advance by announcing time and date of sale, brands included in the items for sale, as well as sizes and conditions of clothing, shoes and accessories. Take pictures of clothing in a well-lit area or perhaps by modeling the pieces, and post the photos, along with a detailed description and price for each item, in an album and entitle it "clothing and accessories for sale." Have customers pay with a PayPal account to avoid dealing with bounced checks and nonpayment.
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Invite friends, family and co-workers to your home for a clothing and accessory swap party. Charge a small entry fee for participants, who will also bring items to swap. Plan to include several guests of the same size and age range to maximize swap potential. At the end of the party, the host will have earned revenue from the entry fees and will also have cleaned out unwanted items from his closet -- and perhaps replaced them with more desirable pieces.
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As you clean out your closet, separate gently worn items from items you simply plan to donate to a local charity. Launder or dry clean the gently worn items, hang them on hangers and make an appointment at your preferred consignment boutique. Most consignment boutiques offer a percentage of the final sale price to their consignors, paying you your earnings once a month.
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Tips & Warnings
Get rid of items you haven't worn for an entire season.
Dedicate several days to your closet cleanout, laundering and planning your trips to consignment shops, or photographing items and putting listings on eBay or Facebook.
Use a PayPal account for Facebook and eBay transactions to avoid dealing with bounced checks or nonpayment.
eBay has listing fees, so be sure to read the fine print before creating an auction.
Consignment shops may require you to make an appointment in order to drop off clothing. Call ahead and plan your drop off accordingly.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit hanger image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
