My Latest Thrift Sales & Events - Fall 2017
I’ve been focused on thrift shopping and selling with a one-track mind recently. Several weeks ago, I wrote about why you should sell on multiple platforms and gave some examples of things I sold.
This week, I wanted to share some more of my recent thrifting activities as well as examples of my recent sales.
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** If you don’t have a Poshmark account, you can receive a free $10 bonus when you sign up with my code SFGIRL2015.
** On Mercari, you can get $10 when you sign up with the code JENMHM. The amount may vary by promotion.
What I’m Wearing
Left to right: Lauren Moffatt coat: $15.50 / ASOS dress: $5.50 / J. Crew sweater: $5.50
How pretty is the ASOS dress above? At my local thrift store, the dress rack is directly in front of the doorway, so this dress was the first thing I spotted when I walked in last week.
It’s my size and it fit perfectly. I think it was meant to be. I love that the black lace makes it extra feminine.
I bought the dress that afternoon and wore it to a party that night. Then I wore it again to dinner this week. I paired the dress with another thrift store find – the blue coat from Lauren Moffatt. I feel like Madeline every time I wear it.
The last find is a bejeweled J. Crew sweater. I picked up this sweater the day that it arrived at the thrift store. All the jewels were intact. It’s been in my closet since waiting for a special occasion. I’ll be wearing it for another holiday party this week.
Recent Events
Mercari Visit
Last month I was invited to the Mercari headquarters here in San Francisco to share my feedback as a user of the app. As a Mercari user for over two years now, I had a lot to say!
And earlier this week, Mercari announced they’re offering new, more affordable shipping options. Fact: shipping costs impede sales.
As a seller, I’m constantly thinking about whether or not shipping costs will deter a potential buyer and how to price my items because of it.
I do a little cheer every time I hear of a platform making efforts to provide cheaper shipping options because that translates into more sales.
Mercari headquarters
Poshmark Ambassador
I recently became a Posh Ambassador. This is part of a program being rolled out in place of the Suggested User program. A Posh Ambassador is an active member of Poshmark and represents the community well.
To become one, you must meet criteria such as having a minimum of 5,000 community shares, 50 listings, and 15 sales. So far I’ve gained a lot of followers as an Ambassador. I hope it will lead to more in the future.
Poshmark’s 6th Birthday Party
Last week I attended Poshmark’s 6th birthday party at Mercer, a club/lounge in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. Poshmark knows how to throw a great party…and can I say how much I love that it was free? I love frugal living, after all.
The night included a caricature artist, tarot card readings, a photo booth, an open bar, and a raffle. I didn’t win anything, but I came away with a caricature drawing and some cute Poshmark swag perfect for adding to my packages.
If you ever have the chance to attend a Poshmark event, I highly recommend going. One of the best parts of the night was meeting other sellers and sharing our Poshmark experiences and tips.
Poshmark swag: thank you cards, stickers, temporary tattoos, pins, and candies
My Fall Sales
After a slow August, September picked up in sales. Sales have been slowly but steadily coming in since then.
I do notice that I get more sales on Poshmark when I’m actually active on it, meaning sharing my and other people’s listings. Here are some of my sales from the past month or two.
1) Amelia Toro coat
(Image removed) Purchased: $20.50 / Sold: $65 / Profit: $35.81
2) Lululemon Sweat For Life tank top
Purchased: $3.99 / Sold: $19 / Profit: $12.26
3) NWT Panache sports bra
Purchased: $5.50 / Sold: $30 / Profit: $20.33
4) Diane von Furstenberg dress
Purchased: $5.50 / Sold: $30 / Profit: $20.33
5) NWT Poetry Fashion UK pleat front dress
Purchased: $14.99 / Sold: $35 / Profit: $13.01
6) NWT Poetry Fashion UK maroon dress
Purchased: $14.99 / Sold: $40 / Profit: $17.01
7) Sakroots flap backpack
Purchased: $7.50 / Sold: $24 / Profit $11.70
8) L.L. Bean men’s penny loafers
Purchased: $0 (sold for family or friend) / Sold: $22 / Profit: $18.86
9) L.L. Bean coat
Purchased: $0 (sold for family or friend) / Sold: $42 / Profit $36.28
I’ve had some smaller sales as well, less profitable although profitable nonetheless. I want to emphasize that it’s possible to have decent sales even with a small closet or a limited amount of inventory as long as the things you’re selling are in demand.
This year, I’ve hovered at about 50 items available for sale at one time. If you’re cleaning out your house for an entire family, that’s probably doable.
That said, a larger closet with more of the right inventory is more likely to make sales. More sales = more profit.
My goal for next year, as I mentioned in my post on making new year’s thrift shopping and selling goals, is to hit 100 items available. I still consider that a small closet but enough to make more consistent sales.
Related posts you may like:
What’s next?
I’m already making progress on my new year’s goal of trying to list 100 items. Because I sell on three platforms, my available listings can fluctuate pretty rapidly, which makes it hard to sustain 100 listings. I’m still motivated to get there.
I have a few things more in store coming up in 2018. In the meantime, I'll be taking the next few weeks off from posting. Have a restful holiday and see you in the new year!
What are some of your recent thrift finds and sales? Did you have any big scores this quarter? What's in store for you next year?
