I’m officially a Posher (not to be confused with “Posh,” as in “Spice” or “posh” the adjective).
I’m talking Poshmark, an online consignment boutique where you can unload all your unwanted clothing and accessories — and pick up some new goodies to freshen your closet — in minutes. I’m completely addicted, cleaning out my closet — and my sister’s — and earning some legitimate cash along the way.
10 reasons you should try Poshmark:
- The return on your investment is simple. I’ve spent about two hours (probably fewer than that) over the last two weeks “poshing” my goodies — and my sister’s — and I’ve already made more than $250. It’s not easy to find a (legal) part time job where you’ll make that hourly rate.
- It’s easy. So easy. As long as you have a smartphone or tablet you can post your items. While I used to spend 30-45 minutes per item on eBay, I spend about 5 minutes with each item on Poshmark. This time includes photos, the listing, marketing and packaging/shipping.
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Speaking of marketing, self-promotion is simple (and you must do it if you want to sell). If you follow me on social media you know I share my “closet” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Doing so draws in a whole new customer base who may not (probably wouldn’t have) seen your items otherwise. Sharing takes seconds — literally.
- If you truly have higher end, good quality items in your closet (anything from J. Crew to Louis Vuitton to lululemon) you’re going to make way more on Poshmark than you will via the tax deduction from donating your items. Plus, just like you would trade-in or sell your 3-year-old car with 15,000 miles on it, rather than donating it to charity, it makes smart economic sense to do the same with those items in your closet.
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It’s fun — really fun. I love getting notifications that an item has sold. And, right now, I’m getting at least one of these a day. I can almost hear the “cha-ching” each time a new notification rolls in.
- You can negotiate. For a good decade I’ve said publicly (and otherwise) few things should be purchased without negotiation, and I believe this still today. The worst someone can say to your offer is “no.” I’ve accepted some low proposals on Poshmark and denied others. In one case, the potential buyer came back and paid full price. If you like to negotiate, it’s fun. And if you don’t, Poshmark is the place for good (simple) practice.
- Your newly cleaned real closet with thank you. The bigger your online closet the greater the chance you’ll sell your stuff in bundles — meaning fewer trips to the post office. I sell my stuff, and my sister’s, so we offer a collection of pants, skirts, dresses, tops and more ranging from size 6 to size 12. Unfortunately, we were both blessed with ginormous feet, so there’s no real range there — just a whole lot of size 12s (with the occasional 11.5M).
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The shipping is basically taken care of for you. The buyer pays shipping — $4.99 flat — and Pohmark sends you a label. You then print out the label, slap it on your (carefully wrapped) package and drop it in the mailbox. Once the item or items arrives at the seller’s home, your earnings are released. You can then have Poshmark mail you a check, initiate direct deposit or turn around and spend your loot on other goodies on Poshmark.
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You can party without leaving your house. As someone who loves sitting around in my 15-year-old eyeglasses and my worn lululemon, Posh Parties are my kind of party. You join with the tap of your screen and then share your clothing with all the other Poshers who came to the “party.”
- Did I mention the payout? Accessories sell quickly and customers seem to love most anything from J. Crew, lululemon, Nike, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany and many others. And, hey, if it doesn’t sell right away you don’t have to worry about relisting. One Posher I know just keeps everything in a large bin then she digs in there whenever something sells.
You can sign up for Poshmark here. This link takes you to our (ever-changing) closet.