Consignment vs. Selling Clothes Outright: How to Choose
When you want to turn clothes into money, you have three basic options: consign them, sell them outright (cash on the spot), or list them online. Each has a different payout, timeline, and effort level. Here is how to match the method to the item.
The Three Models
Consignment — Earn when it sells
You drop off items; the store sells them and pays you a percentage (typically 40–60%) once they sell. Higher potential payout, but no guarantee — and no money upfront. Holds typically run 30–90 days.
Buy/Sell/Trade (outright purchase) — Cash now
Stores like Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads Trading, and local buy/sell/trade shops review your items and make an immediate cash or store-credit offer. You accept or decline on the spot. The offer is lower than what consignment might yield — but it is certain, and you leave with money (or credit) that day.
Online platforms — List it yourself
Poshmark, Depop, and similar platforms let you set your price and keep most of what you earn — typically around 80% on Poshmark (after the platform's 20% fee on sales over $15), roughly 90% on Depop before payment processing. Higher effort (photography, shipping, buyer communication), but no geographic limit and highest potential payout for the right items.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Consignment | Outright / BST | Online | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payout potential | High (if it sells) | Lower, but certain | Highest (for right items) |
| When you get paid | After item sells (days to months) | Same day | After buyer pays + ships |
| Your effort | Low (one drop-off) | Low (one drop-off) | High (photos, messages, shipping) |
| Best for | Quality items worth waiting on | Fast cash, common brands | Rare, designer, or niche items |
| Risk | Item may not sell; discounts applied over time | Low; offer is certain | Item may sit unsold; fees apply |
When to Choose Each Method
Choose consignment when:
- Items are in excellent condition and from brands with resale demand
- You are not in a rush — you can wait weeks or months to be paid
- Items are priced above $30–$40 (below that, the percentage payout shrinks to near-nothing)
- You have designer, vintage, or specialty items that boutique buyers understand how to price
Choose outright sale (BST) when:
- You want cash or store credit immediately
- Items are from well-known brands with predictable resale value (Levi's, Lululemon, Nike, etc.)
- Items are in good but not exceptional condition
- You are clearing out quickly and do not want items returned
Choose online platforms when:
- Items are rare, highly specific, or have a national buyer pool
- You have time to photograph, list, and manage shipping
- Local stores have declined the items but you believe they have value
- You want maximum return on designer or collectible pieces
Buy/Sell/Trade Stores by Metro
Buy/sell/trade stores — which pay cash or store credit on the spot — are less common than consignment stores. ThriftClothing classifies them separately. Availability by market:
| Market | BST stores | Directory |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 5 | BST stores → |
| Austin, TX | 2 | All stores → |
| Portland, OR | 2 | All stores → |
| Chicago, IL | 1 | All stores → |
| Miami-Dade, FL | 1 | All stores → |
Counts from ThriftClothing's classified directory as of October 2026.
A Note on Online Platforms
ThriftClothing covers physical stores only. For online selling, the major platforms each serve different item types:
- Poshmark — best for women's and kids' clothing from recognizable brands; active buyer community
- Depop — strongest for vintage, Y2K, and streetwear with younger buyers
- ThredUP — mail-in only; handles all logistics but pays lower rates for common brands
- The RealReal — luxury and designer consignment; items must be authenticated
- eBay — widest reach for rare or hard-to-value items; more buyer vetting needed
Many sellers combine approaches: online for rare pieces, local buy/sell/trade for everyday brands, and consignment for mid-range items worth waiting on.
Find consignment and BST stores near you
ThriftClothing's Discovery tool lets you search by city and store type — including consignment and buy/sell/trade filters.
Search by store type →Related guides
About this guide
Store type counts are sourced from ThriftClothing's classified directory. The consignment and buy/sell/trade categories reflect stores' primary intake model as classified by ThriftClothing — not every store in those metros. Online platform descriptions reflect publicly available program terms as of October 2026. Last reviewed: October 2026.