If you also wish to jump on apps to get your sustainable deals or give new life to your discarded items, there are a few things you have to know. Most importantly, not all apps and buying and selling services are created equally.

Take eBay, for example. It is a trusted and well-rated platform to browse for any pre-loved items, including clothes. However, it is also saturated with a ton of other things. On there, you’ll find a bunch of people uploading stuff constantly. This means that if you’re a seller, it might be difficult for your things to get noticed there.

If you’re a buyer, however, the selection offered by eBay can be beneficial. It means that there’s more of a chance to find the exact piece you are looking for. At the same time, browsing there might be too overwhelming and you might need to spend a lot of time hunting down the desired garments.

That is why apps such as Vinted or Depop are a much better choice for the beginner second-hand shopper and seller. Both apps are designed specifically for selling clothes, so the layouts are easy to navigate on both ends. You can filter things by size, color, brand, and price, which makes it very easy to find something that fits you. They also allow you to list various other items on the platform such as furniture and books, but they’re not the main focus.

Apps like Depop also do not discriminate against any type of clothing. There, you can upload and find fast fashion gems as well as more unique items. They also do not have strict standards regarding pictures. You can use whatever snaps you took with your phone as long as they correctly represent the quality of what you’re selling.

This is not the case with every app, though. ASOS Marketplace, for example, sells only original and truly vintage items. That is, you either have to have made what you’re selling or list, as they put it, “Y2K and older” pieces. This is great if you’re a buyer who’s looking into this specific niche. However, if you’re a seller, it might be one too many hoops to jump through, if you wish to do this casually.

Then there are also second-hand online stores like StockX that focus on the hottest items on the market only. There, you will find the most coveted pieces that many fashionistas around the globe are longing to get their hands on. They only list authenticated items, so the buyers can feel secure spending quite large sums on apparel. The exclusivity, though, makes it really hard for a seller to get listed there.

No matter which platform you opt for, though, make sure to treat people there with respect. Upload accurate pictures of items without skipping over the possible damage or wear and tear marks. Also, make sure the items you ship are clean and securely packaged. 

If you’re a seller who’s in this for the long run, you might also consider elevating the experience by wrapping the items extra nice and using tissue paper. You can even add a note, a business card, or a piece of (safely sealed) candy. Nice gestures like that go a long way.

And for the love of everything that’s holy, be understanding and kind when chatting. Do not berate people simply because they did not agree to the price you’re offering them. Just walk away with your head held high. And if someone does that to you… name and shame them online.