While attending or hosting a yard sale, you’ll benefit by finding a unique item at an incredible price or watching your old junk leave your sights forever. But both the former and latter come with inconvenience: hosting is stressful, and attending is a hit or miss.
There was a time when yard sales were our main vessel of resale but luckily, technological advancements have obliterated previous limitations.
The internet alone has stretched the scope of the secondhand industry. We now have the technology to sell our trash and buy another person’s treasure from the comfort of our own homes. Cell phone apps, reselling websites, and social media have increased secondhand transactions and clothing isn’t the only thing people are buying.
Where to Buy Secondhand?
Apps
There are hundreds of apps through Apple and Android that function as online reselling marketplaces. Some are solely for clothing but you can find nearly any item on others.
Popular secondhand clothing apps are Poshmark, Depop, Vinted, and Mercari. Users create a profile and can post photos of the clothing they wish to sell. They also must describe the items by stating the size, condition, and brand if known. Finally, they’re able to decide the price of the item.
From there, people who are looking to purchase clothing can accept the item’s original price or offer a new price to the seller. The seller can accept or deny the consumer’s offer. Buyers can also message sellers to inquire more about an item or communicate shipping information.
Applications like these have made reselling much more convenient for both parties. Now, transactions can be made with just a few taps of our fingers.
Social Media
The most popular social media platform for reselling is Facebook Marketplace. This sector of Facebook is solely used for buying and selling secondhand items. Unlike the previous apps mentioned, users can post anything on Facebook Marketplace, not just clothing.
Common products for resale are unwanted sports gear like snowboards or batting helmets, furniture, clothing and accessories, car parts, kitchenware, and tools. Facebook Marketplace is a one stop shop for almost every need.
This application has transformed the secondhand industry. With the ease of posting, selling, and buying right on the Facebook app, people have become much more accustomed to purchasing secondhand items – whatever they may be.
Additionally, social media users have broadened the scope of reselling further by posting products on other apps like Instagram. Some users have even gone as far as creating a new account just for the purpose.
Buying thrifted items was once seen as shameful and embarrassing but is now a standard practice.
Related Articles: Reselling Business: A Growing Circular Economy in Fashion | Black Friday: A Dark Day for Our Planet
In-Store
While purchasing secondhand items online is super convenient, thrifting in person is a thrilling experience in and of itself.
You should have no expectations while walking into a thrift store, the possibilities are endless; you’ll never predict what you might possibly find that day. New merchandise is stocked and sold every day, every hour – changes are happening.
In larger chain stores like the The Salvation Army and Savers, secondhand products beyond clothing are sold for a discounted price. Often furniture, books, kitchenware, and other home products can be found in perfect or near perfect condition for a much lower price than originally bought for.
Smaller consignment and vintage shops are often pricier, but house especially unique items. These are great stores to visit when your budget isn’t tight and you’re searching for something rare.
What to Buy Secondhand?
Almost anything can be bought secondhand. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in-store this Black Friday, look online! With new apps and websites developing every day, you’re bound to stumble across something that can work for you.
If it’s available secondhand, it’s in good condition, and it’s cheaper, why wouldn’t you purchase it?
When to Buy Secondhand?
Now! We’ve reached a point where Earth can no longer sustain production of new products. We’ve already overproduced, it is time to use the items we already have available to us.
Secondhand shopping is more important now than ever before.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Impakter.com columnists are their own, not those of Impakter.com. — In the Featured Photo: Thrift Store. Featured Photo Credit: Allison Christine.
