Why PODs Are a Win-Win for Both Producers and Consumers

Through virtual inventories, it is a win-win for manufacturers and consumers. Companies don’t have to produce a product until you order it online, which means they won’t end up losing money on stagnant goods that didn’t move from the shelves. This new and modern supply chain could eventually change the reality of how we shop, and how we look at ourselves as consumers.

Product and print on demand companies (PODs) give you opportunities to design with artwork, photography, and creative sayings on things such as clothing, buttons, key chains, kitchenware, cell phone cases, and much more. Some companies, such as Zazzle operate by offering several ways for you to have influence over design, marketing, selling, and buying. They do this all with technology that lets you design online, market online, and shop online.

You can design an item that is just for you and keep that design private, such as a personalized gift for someone or personalized hats for your family reunion.

Designers can use personal photography or artwork to create anything from clothing to make-up bags. If you design items you can offer them on the Marketplace and other shoppers can see your products. Because POD companies don’t make anything until an order is placed, these design functions are often free to use.

Earning Royalties and Commissions

Several companies, like Zazzle, offer designers royalties when their products are ordered. You can set your royalty fee yourself as it is just added to the base price of your product. The higher your royalty, the higher the final price on the item will be.

Designers can also create templates for others to use when creating items such as note cards, birthday cards, or business cards. You can also earn royalty fees by being a designer for these products.

If you enjoy the creative side of marketing you can earn affiliate commissions just by adding specific Zazzle links to your blog posts and personal web sites. When someone follows your link and places an order for that item, even for a product you didn’t create, you earn a small commission.

Unless you devote endless hours of time to the craft, POD companies will most likely not support you financially, but they can support your desire to be more creative and influential in your own online shopping experiences, and perhaps those of others.

What about the prices and quality?

If you’re looking for rock-bottom deals, Zazzle in general doesn’t offer those unless it is through their online codes which you can sign up for through email or locate on the banner that scrolls across their homepage. Their prices reflect general mall merchandise pricing, unless a designer has increased the product sale prices heavily for a large royalty. As for quality, they receive 4 out of 5 stars in unaffiliated rating systems.

My teenage daughter loves to create her own designs on Zazzle just for the fun of it with her photography, and she designed her own t-shirts because she wanted them with particular sayings on them – and doing this was actually less expensive than finding them in comparable stores online. The clothing sizes run small, but the site clearly states that on their charts and even recommends ordering larger sizes, especially for some particular items. If you’re not the creative one but just want to find that unique gift, POD companies can be the way to find that special something without heading to the mall. And if you’re lucky like me, you might end up getting a personalized coffee mug from your spouse that reads: Domestic Engineer. And proud of it.

Playitagainsports.com

This is my favorite resource for buying used (and sometimes new) sporting equipment. When my boys were much younger their feet would grow what seemed to be an inch an hour, making spending $60 on a pair of size preschool 10 wrestling shoes a horrible investment. Play it Again Sports offered me a place to purchase the barely worn shoes from other tiny wrestlers at a fraction of the retail costs.

Benefits

• They offer wide varieties of brands for diverse sports.
• They offer new and used sporting items, and also take trade-ins.
• Their prices are less than your typical retail stores that specialize in sporting equipment.
• They buy the items that your children have outgrown – reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Their website gives a detailed listing of all of their stores’ locations and contact information so you can call to see if they have the items you are searching for in stock.

Drawbacks

• Their stock is not necessarily consistent when compared to the loaded stockrooms of retail stores, so while they had an item last week it doesn’t mean that it will be available this week, or in the size you need.
• Their website does not give options for online shopping because of the fluctuations in stock from store to store. For me this is the biggest drawback, as I have to invest my time actually visiting the store to find the items I need. It would be wonderful if in the future each individual store had their own merchandise available online for ordering.

Online Auction and Classified Sites

Buying used sports equipment online is most often done through online auction and classified sites such as eBay and Craigslist. In my attempts to find gently used sporting equipment for my children I found Sports Equipment Auctions, but to my disappointment soon found that they were not necessarily a site specializing in selling used sports equipment, but an online storefront advertising for other retailers and suppliers, including Amazon and eBay. For the convenience of using this site as a clearinghouse for various vendors, you need to make sure you are aware of the cookies being used and the privacy statements being utilized.

Craigslist

If you are determined to purchase used sporting equipment online, you are probably best off going directly to the site, such as your local Craigslist listing. Sporting equipment is often bulky, awkward for shipping, and sized uniquely, making long-distance online shopping a challenge. My husband has traveled to purchase used sporting equipment, including weight-lifting sets that were sold online through Craigslist. The key is calculating the gas money instead of shipping fees to make sure you are getting a good deal, and make sure to ask lots of questions and for pictures before making the journey.

If you’ve found a reputable and worthwhile vendor for online purchases of used sporting equipment, I would love to hear from you! I still have another 24 cumulative years’ worth of buying shoulder pads, cleats, and mouth guards for my kids (but I think I’ll stick with buying new mouth guards).

What is Etsy?

Etsy is an online buying and selling forum for handmade crafts, vintage items, and craft supplies. Sellers create storefronts where they display their merchandise for the buyers, and then arrange for selling details (such as payment) on their own.

• Handmade products need to actually be handmade by the seller (the individual or small business).
• Vintage items need to be 20 years or older to qualify.
• Craft supplies can be either handmade or manufactured.

How does it work?

Registering for a storefront is free, but each item listed incurs a $0.20 fee that lists the item for 4 months. If the item does not sell, the seller can renew the listing for another $0.20. When a seller makes a sale on Etsy, she will be charged a 3.5% transaction fee (percentage based on sale price, not including taxes or shipping fees).

Sellers can also opt to pay for advertising services to increase the visibility of their storefronts and products. The fees for the advertising opportunities vary by type, but sellers have the chance to review the ads before purchasing.

What can you buy on Etsy?

Etsy feels like shopping at an elite estate sale, where many of the items were handcrafted by a family of artisans or collected and saved by your dear Aunt Ruth. If you like eclectic and unique items, Etsy is your place for online shopping.

The prices can be extremely steep, especially in the Vintage section, but quality comes with a higher price tag. However, you can still find great deals on one of a kind items – the things that won’t make you feel like a clone to everyone else.

Etsy has everything from random beads, yarn, and wooden craft supplies to pocket-watches, women’s scarves, personalized aprons, and refrigerator magnets (and everything in between!).  I recently found some fun things here for great prices. I found a floral scarf to add to my spring wardrobe that was only $10.00.

I could spend hours just getting inspired about the birdhouses available. I have a flower garden adorned with unique birdhouses and if I don’t buy too many at Etsy, perhaps I can get inspired to make my own.

My kids are active in community plays and my daughter works at a local historic home as a tour guide – Etsy has great possibilities for costumes for them all.

How do you shop on Etsy?

If you’re searching for a bargain, select the dollar amount you want to spend on the menu bar to the left. It will narrow down your selections between two price points you select.

You can select to shop only local vendors by adding in your zip code. I was surprised when I found more than 3,000 items for sale from people in my own city.

Pay attention to the seller’s location. I was very interested in a unique pocket-watch for a bargain price, until I read that the item ships from China and I should expect to wait at least 30 days for my item. In addition to that note was another stating that if after 35 days you don’t receive your item, you shouldn’t worry – just contact the seller to see about the status of the order.

Individual vendors have their own payment arrangements. Some accept PayPal, while others have established a payment option through Etsy.

Look at the ratings for sellers – they give feedback scores and give a general idea of the type of service to expect.

Take the two minutes to browse Etsy’s first page, but be prepared to browse and shop for hours. The selection is unmatched by eBay because the items are uniquely crafted and unavailable at your local mall. If you’re not in the mood to buy, maybe you just want to take the opportunity to clean out your storage closet of craft supplies (those with the best intentions of becoming a world famous knitter that never happened). Sell your unused and no longer needed supplies and maybe you’ll get enough to shop for that elusive gift for the friend who has everything (except for maybe that eyeball ring. Yikes).

Shoes, leggings, and sweaters of high quality spilled out onto the floor and a beacon of light appeared to shine from the empty boxes. My dear friend doesn’t like to shop, doesn’t get really excited about a good bargain, and only buys new clothes because her work atmosphere requires fashion etiquette (she has to look good). She then shared her secret with me as she noticed my surprised look. The Home Shopping Network (HSN) has better deals online than they do on their show, and you don’t have to wait for the silly timer in the corner of the TV to be able to move onto the next item.

I made a mental note to browse at the HSN online store, and when I did, I was not disappointed. If you have never shopped here, the following departments await your wallet (and your closet):

• Jewelry
• Apparel (women’s)
• Shoes and Bags
• Electronics
• Beauty
• Household & Collectibles
• Kitchen & Food
• Health & Wellness
• Crafts
• Toys… and More

End-of-Season clearance at HSN

The best category, by far, is the End-of-Season clearance division. Right now their clearance includes winter wear, and I am the new owner of a pair of Brilliant Waterproof suede boots with a really cute sweater cuff on the top. These boots retail for $148.00, were originally sold for $124.90 on HSN, and are now on clearance for $34.98! Shipping and handling is only just over $6.00. Besides being a fantastic price, these boots are available in wide widths. Before ordering these I was able to read customer satisfaction reviews (and HSN posts all of them, not just the glowing ones), to hear from other shoppers about their experiences.

There are also pea coats, wraps, sweaters, and more at fractions of the original retail price, and rivaling or below what you might see in a mall outlet store for clearance prices.

Benefits of Shopping HSN Online

1. There are many pictures and very detailed product descriptions.
2. For almost all products you can watch the original video from when the item was advertised on the televised show. This is so helpful when wanting more than a one dimensional look at a product.
3. The clearance prices, especially End-of-Season ones, are hard to beat.
4. There are daily specials offered online.
5. You can narrow your shopping experience by size, color, and even customer recommendations.

Keep checking back, especially as the seasons change, for reduced prices on some favorites you might need or want next year. You have to be proactive if you see the size and color you want on clearance selections, but you have a 30 day money back return policy just in case that bathrobe color isn’t exactly perfect!

GameStop

If you’ve got kids, nephews and nieces, or even the boy who mows your lawn, you have reason to shop at GameStop for discounted video games (or even for yourself).

• You can sell your games when you or your kids have mastered the levels and you’re ready for something new.
• You can buy pre-owned games at a fraction of the original price (and they guarantee they will work).
• You can buy new games at very competitive prices.
• You will also find gaming systems and accessories, both new and pre-owned. I purchased a pre-owned Wii singing game for the kids and got a pre-owned microphone accessory for free.

Watch for regular sales, even on pre-owned items – buy 2 get 1 free, buy 1 get 1 50% off, and gift cards with qualifying purchases – these are typical and well worth the price.

You can order online or find items that are located in a store near you – choose this when possible to save on shipping costs.

Kid’s Software Outlet

Formerly known as Bird Rock Family, this company has been around longer than my teenage children. They carry video games for various gaming systems – you just aren’t going to find new releases here. The only thing I don’t like about the name change is that it implies the items listed are just for kids, but you can find everything from scrapbooking software to work out videos. It is a Better Business Bureau trusted company, and I have never in 16 years of ordering from them been disappointed with a product or their service.

Here are a few tips I’d like to share with you so that you save time and money when you buy at the Kid’s Software Outlet:

• Sign up for their email offers and receive additional percentages off of their already low prices, as well as be alerted to special sales.
• Read the fine print for how each item is packaged. Often the software savings are because there is no jewel case – the CD comes in a cardboard envelope. I have never had a damaged CD, and simply use a multi-CD case to store the games and programs. The DVDs often come with a hard case and color insert, just read the tab marked “Packaging and Shipping Information” for details about each product.
• Look online for coupons for free shipping on orders over $25. Shipping is usually done through US 1^st class, Media, or Priority Mail, and is typically only $1.99/order (you can request Priority shipping for a higher rate). The items arrive quickly – I don’t think I’ve ever waited more than a week for my orders.

Shop Sale and Discount Prices on Shoes at Sears

Really! While you might think it is a little out of the toolbox to shop for shoes (especially heels) at a place like Sears, this store actually carries quality at reasonable prices.

The transition of winter into spring is one of my favorite times each year, and not just because I love to garden. Shopping is never as good for the deals as when stores are clearing their shelves and knocking off prices. If you only think of Sears as a place for lawn furniture and drill bits, think again. The shoe department and stock of Sears includes some trusted and favorite brands, such as:

• Melrose Avenue
• Kardashian Kollection
• Trend Report
• Apostrophe
• Bongo
• Converse
• Easy Step
• Dockers
• Gloria Vanderbilt
• Nunn Bush (my husband’s favorite)
• KDNY
• Laura Ashley
• New Balance
• Reebok
• Skechers

And more for the men, women, and kids in the family.

Shopping Online Compared to In-Store

I landed in the online shoe department of Sears quite by accident, with a son who morphed overnight into a young man needing a men’s size 12 athletic shoes.  It was convenience of location more than anything else. Somewhere in the back of my mind I also recalled a radio advertisement for shoes at 50% off and I thought it would be fast trip to ease his pinched toes. It was a fast trip, but I walked out with more than I planned to buy.

• 1 pair of black Trend Report ankle boots for $9.99, originally $29.99
• 1 pair of black Trend Report high boots for $19.99, originally $39.99 (my daughter just ripped through her pair of black boots so these will wait for the arrival of fall)
• And oh, yeah, that pair of shoes for my son. 1 pair of Fila athletic shoes for $29.99, originally $54.99

However, my shopping wasn’t finished. I had seen a few pairs in the store I really liked, but not in the sizes I needed, so I checked online. So often clearance prices and selections don’t carry over to online offers, but this time I actually found more colors and sizes, and even more styles, available in the clearance shoe section online at Sears.

• Basic black Kardashian Kollection heels, originally $24.99 but in my cart for $12.49
• Athletec shoes for my niece, originally $14.99 but in my cart for $2.50
• WonderKids canvas tennis shoes for my nephew, originially $12.99 but in my cart for $4.99

How to Shop both Online and In-Store at Sears

Here is a few tips I want to share with you, that will save you a few dollars when shopping at sears.com

1. Try on brands and sizes in the store so you know what you need.
2. Read the reviews, both available at the Sears web site, and independent listings as well.
3. Look first in the Shoe Clearance section.
4. Use coupon codes when ordering online – Sears places their codes on their homepage.
5. If you don’t qualify for free shipping with minimum purchase amounts, select to have your items shipped to the store for free.

The next time you are in the market for a new pair of shoes, think outside the toolbox and bring home a good deal and new shoebox full of savings.

When shopping online there are no fool proof ways to guarantee that the fancy storefront you see on your monitor is not a front for a scam, but there are several things we can do as consumers to make sure that we are not only getting a great deal, but we are getting the products we actually want. Even if you’re fairly certain the site is reputable or the product is legitimate, it is a good idea to do a little consumer research, especially if the producer or seller is relatively unknown.

Consumersearch.com

If you are looking for reviews on anything from peanut butter to hybrid cars, consumersearch.com has a wealth of information for us – the consumers. The main idea behind the site is that reviews on varieties of products are collected, analyzed, and then given recommendations. The site claims to favor professional reviews that are unbiased, tested in large populations, and show sound research methods. Some private reviews are utilized, but consumersearch.com reports that it then compares these more individualized, private reviews and reports against hundreds of other reviews to verify authenticity and validity.

So let’s say I am a first time peanut butter buyer. I can check out the Kitchen & Food section, then scroll through the alphabetical list to find the PB. Once I select PB I am shown the Top 5 Best Reviewed peanut butters (according to consumersearch.com). I get detailed information about each product, as well as the estimated price I should expect to pay for it.

ConsumerReports.org

You hear about these reports on the news and on popular review sites as one of the tried and true resources for consumers. They publish articles, trend purchases, and give buying guidelines for consumers. If you are interested in a coffee maker you can read at their site about all of the different types of drips, pots, and accessories, as well as generalized information about specific brands and price ranges.

The things you can’t do, however, without paying a subscription fee, is  see the Recommended Products and the Ratings for those products. If you’re just looking for general product guidelines the free site will give you enough information, but beyond that you need to cough up a few dollars each month.

Better Business Bureau

If you’re searching for American or Canadian companies, try options like the Better Business Bureau. Here you can check for complaint histories and review the rating that the Bureau gives the company or organization. As a cloud commuter I have used this resource to verify the legitimacy of clients, and as an online shopping bargain hunter I have searched here for reliability of companies. If you are searching for product reviews before committing your cash, you can even perform a search, such as “review and price comparison of Kodak Digital Camera M583” – just be wary of your sources.

While it isn’t like you are going to have your choice physician shipped to your home overnight express, you can make informed medical and health provider decisions while shopping for a doctor online.

How do I shop for a doctor?

The first stop is to check with your insurance program to find out exactly which clinics, doctors, and departments are covered. Pay attention to things like network coverage, referrals, and differences in co-pays. Once you have established your parameters for your insurance guidelines, there are some effective ways to shop around for the best medical care in your area.

Shopping for Insurance

Online shopping lets you quickly access various health insurance plans, and places like eHealthInsurance.com let you get comparison rates at your fingertips.

Know your doctor – check for references

Use the free service provided by Certification Matters to check the credentials of any doctor you are considering for your health care, specifically registered with the American Board of Medical Specialties. Registration takes only a minute (it really does), and then you can supply basic information and check the credential standing of a specific physician. There are also free tools to use, such as the checklists for making sure that your decisions about medical providers are based on sound research and evidence. If you live outside of the United States, check with your country’s medical boards for certification evidence.

Another free site to check for references is UCompareHealthCare.com, where you can access reports on physicians, clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. These reports include things such as measures of quality care, patient safety, services, and demographics served.

Understand the costs of the procedures

Until recently, there were no real methods for patients to essentially price shop for their health care. However, certain people and groups are hoping to change that and the face of medical care by offering price comparisons of medical procedures.

• Castlight Health is a new venture aimed at providing a specialized search engine that will allow consumers to search for the most cost effective sites for medical care.
• Change Healthcare  is a free online tool created in Tennessee to help consumers find the least expensive ways within their existing insurance plans to find the healthcare needed.

Some insurance companies are getting the message that consumers need, want, and are searching for affordable health care.

Aetna is one example of an insurance company attempting to help consumers lower their medical bills by providing online tools that give you, the patient, information such as:

• Estimated average costs for office visits, tests, vaccines, and surgeries
• Estimated costs for annual treatments in your area for treating specific conditions
• Costs for prescriptions in both physical pharmacies as well as through their online ordering system
• Rates for doctors, chiropractors, and therapists

Putting online shopping for health care to a new level

While there are the free reference services listed previously, others have taken the push for online shopping for health care to a new level. Companies like Carol Corp have created databases of fees for various clinics and services, including everything from a flu shot to office calls. Carol.com considers itself a virtual mall of health care information, where various “tenants” buy space and report the fees of their services. These fees are self-reported, but in an effort to bring more patients into their clinics and hospitals. It has been reported that fees have been lowered at participating tenants as a result of this virtual health care mall.

Other online deals for health care

While you most likely won’t find and clip a coupon for reduced care for a broken arm (and you might want to think twice if you did), online shopping for health care does give you more control and better buying power as a consumer. Beyond your regular office visits you can find online deals and offers on things such as home health aids and chiropractic services. Go directly to your provider’s site and look for coupons, discount codes, and distributor prices. Online shopping doesn’t have to stop at holiday toys or those new shoes anymore!

What Is Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime is a membership program where for a $79 annual fee users can have free 2-day shipping on eligible purchases, access to commercial free movies and television programs, and up to one Kindle book borrowed per month (a high tech library with a low check-out limit). There are restrictions and regulations on shipping addresses and for the video access to locations outside the United States.

What are the benefits (and drawbacks) of Amazon Prime?

It is that word – eligible – that always raises my bargain-checking suspicion. Amazon describes those eligible items as “millions of items sold by Amazon.com” as well as “many items that are fulfilled by Amazon” in their definition.

First of all, you’re going to need to be a somewhat regular shopper through Amazon, or be interested in placing more orders through them than in previous months or years. If you only order a few items each year, even shipping costs of $20/item would be cheaper to pay.

If you are a last-minute shopper, Amazon Prime is beneficial in that you can receive your qualifying orders with 2-day shipping, or pay $3.99/item for 1-day shipping. Other typical wait times for standard shipping are 5-8 business days.

What does “Super Saver” mean?

Currently Amazon also has Super Saver items for shipping. This is where you order $25 worth of eligible (there is that word, again) items, and you will receive free shipping. You do not need Amazon Prime in order to take advantage of this. When searching on Amazon for your items, look to the menu bar to the left and select items that are either Super Saver items or Amazon Prime items in order to narrow your search results to only those vendors and items that are eligible for these shipping discounts.

Amazon Prime vs. Super Saver Shipping

One of the advantages to using Amazon Prime over the Super Saver Shipping option is that you aren’t tempted to just order “one more item” in order to qualify for the $25 Super Saver Shipping minimum. Unintentional shopping is one of the fastest ways to spend money you never planned to spend, and doesn’t end up saving you money in the long run.

What you need to know before opting in for Amazon Prime

Before committing to Amazon Prime, ask yourself the following questions:

• How many items (not total purchases) do I usually make at Amazon during a year?
• How many items do I intend to continue to purchase through Amazon this year?
• Are these items generally from outside merchants, or do the orders go more directly through Amazon?
• Are my items typically offered in the Super Saver, Amazon Prime, or both, discount shipping options?
• Do I tend to shop last minute and need items quickly?
• Do I prefer or need to plan out my purchases or just buy things as they come up in smaller, individual orders?

Is Amazon Prime a good choice for everyone?

There is no magical formula to determine if Amazon Prime is a good investment. For my dear sister, who prefers the instant shopping method of ordering individual items as wanted or needed, and who does almost all of her holiday and birthday shopping online, Amazon Prime option is well worth her money and she highly recommends it.

I’m personally still in the consideration phase, but that is why Amazon Prime might not be the best option for me. I like to plan. I like to plan my shopping. And I like to bargain hunt for my online shopping deals. I don’t want to be compelled to order from Amazon in order to make my shipping investment worthwhile. I think I’ll plan to give it a try when the holidays come back around if those items on my list are available through Amazon, or perhaps before if gas prices keep rising and paying $79 for free shipping saves me the price of gas to the store and back.

Why shop used clothes online?

Buying pre-owned clothing for kids has many benefits for families.

• Saves money (if you’re careful)
• Is one component of living greener with a reduce/reuse/recycle attitude
• Is convenient (again – if you’re careful)
• Can provide you with more options for brands, styles, and sizes

What do I need to know before buying used children’s clothing online?

There are so many nuances and tricks to the craft – yes it really takes on its own creative entity – of buying pre-owned clothing online for kids.

1. Make sure you know basic information: size, brand, and color.
2. Ask for photo confirmation of things like the condition of knees (vital to condition of pants worn by those active tots!), zippers and buttons, and detailing like decorative stitching.
3. For clothing for infants and toddlers ask for close up photos of the front bib area where there always seems to be a constant dribble of something. Even fading from repeated stain treatments might affect the garment.
4. Be aware of washing and drying instructions on the garment, and ask the seller how it has been washed and dried in the past. That cute size 4T top might fit more like a 2T if it has been washed and dried on hot settings.
5. Ask about conditions in the home where the garment was worn and stored. Things like smoking, pets, perfumes, and even cooking can affect the odor of a garment and be difficult to wash out of the piece.
6. Ask how long the item has been owned, and if it was purchased new or used. Those jeans might look really retro because they are.
7. Request photos of the garment individually, as well as next to an item that clearly reflects the actual color of the garment. For example, that shirt might look black, but when held against a blue sweater it looks more like navy.
8. Stay away from whites, which are difficult to remain brilliantly white once worn (especially by children!).

Does shopping online for used kids’ clothing really save?

The answer to that depends on many factors, and the first of those is based on your expectations. Ask yourself why you are shopping online for secondhand children’s clothing. If it is for the pure fun of finding a new-to-you cute dress for your toddler, your parameters might not be as strict as a mom who is twisting and turning every penny in order to fill the closet without breaking the bank. I live in an area where we have numerous consignment shops, thrift stores, and endless garage sales, so online shopping for pre-owned clothing isn’t a necessity, although it is sometimes a time saver.

Online shopping for second-hand clothing can also, however, be time consuming without you ever even leaving the house. Scanning through pages of used clothing items can suddenly send you into late night shopping crazes, and suddenly your time saver is your time waster.

Assessing the sellers

Get to know and understand the basic pre-owned retailer groups:

• Independent moms and dads trying to recoup the costs of their own purchases by passing deals onto other parents. Learn to ask good questions and use safe payment options – and always be prepared to lose out on your money as there are no guarantees.
• Online consignment shops that collect various styles and sizes for more organized and deeper shopping experiences. These often have a slighter higher price in order to account for the business end, but tend to be more reliable for service.
• Online merchants like eBay. You will most often pay a higher price due to sale percentage fees collected, but you can also have resources for checking references and securing payments.

Buying second hand clothing in bulk

Watch out for buying in bulk, where a parent is selling an entire lot of clothing. These can offer great deals because the seller wants to be able to quickly and efficiently sell the items without shipping to 73 different homes, but you need to make several assessments to know if the deal is really worth it.

1. Get a complete list of items in the lot of clothing and separate pictures of each item.
2. Add up what you would pay retail for these items new, then divide by 2 (my rule of thumb is that pre-owned clothing should be half of retail value or less, as many stores offer 50% off sales as well).
3. Determine if there are only a few key pieces in the lot that you actually want. If you only want 2 sweaters from a lot of 10 sweaters and 8 leggings, you won’t be getting much of a deal.
4. Make sure that the clothing in the lot is all the size range you need. Sometimes parents will clean out after 2 years and not all of the clothing in a lot will be of similar sizes.

Compare used prices to new prices online, and pay attention to shipping costs. Sometimes free shipping from stores will make up the difference for used clothing that costs you extra to ship.