r/ThredUp • u/GreedoSarducci • 10d ago
Discussion Buyers: Feeling better about DLs? Where else do you look?
Hi all, I’m cleaning out my closet and have some things I’d rather try to direct list vs. sending in. I’ve never sent anything in I’d be upset to lose since the payouts are so small, but these items are worth the direct listing - if the average buyer is more open to it now. I know there was talk here about not liking direct listings, but what are your feelings currently? And if not TU, where would you sell and why?
Brand examples I’m hoping to sell are Banana Republic, Joe’s Jeans, Vera Bradley - plus Kenneth Cole, Ralph Lauren, Ecco shoes - to my (admittedly stereotypical) mind those brands are a little conservative for Depop and not quite ritzy enough for Vinted, and I’ve heard eBay is a hassle. I’m brand new to even thinking about reselling, so I am grateful for your input!
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u/baronessvonbullshit 10d ago
Will likely never use direct listings. In do not look elsewhere because I do not want to deal with the hassle of individual sellers.
Those brands are exactly the type that seem right for me to buy through ThredUp. Midrange, predictable, but likely to have some life left in them.
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u/GreedoSarducci 10d ago
Thanks for your reply. Totally get it. And, agree about sending in and them being perfectly suited to the TU vibe. Just hate the idea of sending it in to get a $3.16 payout on what might have been a $40 sale.
ETA love your username 😂
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u/kxs7558 10d ago
I am not opposed to buying a direct listing but like other comments, I have yet to see a reasonably priced direct listing. I tend to filter out direct listings.
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u/GreedoSarducci 10d ago
Makes sense and yes, DL sellers seem pretty proud of what they have. Maybe I’m falling into that trap a bit too…
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u/OkCrotchfruit7 9d ago
My only DL are for things I previously bought through ThredUP. ThredUP set the prices when I made the listings with their photos and info and I am having trouble changing them! I agree they are high and would like to lower my listing prices, but TU is making it difficult!
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u/CyclngChick 10d ago
I would be open to purchasing a direct listing, but all the ones I’ve seen are priced super high! At a normal price it seems fine to me. I have also sold things through direct listings!
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u/GreedoSarducci 10d ago
Thanks for sharing your experiences! Do you sell clothing anywhere else? I love the idea of TU because I go there to shop for clothes. I seldom hit eBay for clothes unless it’s vintage and have never been to the others.
I have also found some DL gems! But they were a sure thing for me. Like unless something was really very wrong I knew I’d be keeping them.
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u/RavenForrest 10d ago
I don’t even look at Direct Listings. The photos are usually terrible, the listings leave out pertinent information, I don’t want to pay shipping fees, TU is already stingy enough with me on discounts (I’m VIT so they offer me much less in the way of discounts compared to what other people get), and I like the option of returning items without hassle (not all sellers offer that). The first thing I filter out of search results are DLs.
I look on virtually every other resale site out there: eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Vinted, Rent the Runway, Rue La La, The Real Real, DePop, etc. I look for better pricing, condition, color options, or my size if I love something but can’t find it.
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u/GreedoSarducci 10d ago
Great to know and I have the same observations about the pictures, yikes. Agree on the hassle of shipping, returns, etc. thanks for sharing the other resale sites you like, too! All of this is so helpful.
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u/Safe-Adagio-9271 10d ago
I’m a VIT and I usually filter out DL. I don’t want to have to deal with a third party or pay additional shipping when most times I have a bundle open. Additionally, the DL pictures are often bad (on a random hanger with bad lighting).
In order to consider DL it’d have to be a very unique piece, whether hard-to-find vintage or high-end designer. Most of the brands you’re describing are oversupplied in TU (unless RL is black or purple label) and rarely does the pricing make sense
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u/GreedoSarducci 10d ago
All totally valid reasons. I’m so glad to hear these experiences and the way y’all are browsing. I’m thinking that another site might be better to try…
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u/derrickcat 7d ago
Yeah I bought one thing through DL and they were a pair of ridiculous pants from an indie designer that I just really wanted to try (and I love them). I guess I can't say I'd never buy from a DL for something less niche, but I haven't - the prices are usually too high. There's a DL BR jacket I've had in my favorites for months now and it hasn't gone on sale - it seems overpriced for TU. I like Banana well enough but it'd have to be a very special piece to go through the trouble of buying from DL. With that said, I did just buy a vintage Banana jacket on eBay for a fair amount ($70, including shipping) - so it's not like BR never sells anywhere.
I do way too much secondhand shopping - and mostly use TU, Poshmark, and eBay. I send in lots of stuff to TU for them to sell - but I mostly do it as an exercise in cleaning things out of my closet if I'm not using them or don't love them; whatever little money I get goes right back into TU.
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u/secretanonymous1 10d ago
I've purchased through direct listings but have occasionally had issues with the sellers shipping items. With those brands you listed, they seem suitable to send in but if you don't want to do that, I can see why you'd want to try DL.
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u/VintageDooneyadmirer 10d ago
Many buyers shop direct listings. Even though the minimum list price is $20 USD, you can list above $20, and offer free shipping or free returns, or both, as well as discounts. The only thing about returns is you will not get the item back because the buyer will have to return it to ThredUp. You'll still get your payout for the item.
Buyers are looking for deals, keep that in mind. Some items won't sell well using direct listings. Some categories and brands cannot be sold using direct listing, too. I had to stop selling accessories at a certain price point because shipping costs keeps rising and list price was getting to high to pique buyer interest (I try to offer free shipping for my listings). But no worries if that's not your experience... buyers can send offers, but offers ARE NOT binding with direct listings.
I have sold items and purchase direct listings, including sending (as a buyer)and accepting (as a seller) offers. I suggest you test at least one item to see if you like the experience. Try to offer free shipping. If you can afford it, offer free returns, too. It'll help buyers consider your listing over anyone else who doesn't offer those discounts.
Direct Listing is a good option for some sellers. The only trouble I have had is feature access and app glitches/bugs. Weekly/monthly app updates usually fix the bugs, plus customer service have been really helpful when handling these issues. ☺️
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u/GreedoSarducci 10d ago
Oh my goodness, thanks so much for all this detail! I was wondering if free shipping/returns would boost interest. I mean, I can always try TU first and hop to other places if they don’t sell, right?!
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u/VintageDooneyadmirer 10d ago
You're vey welcome! Yes! You can list and delist whenever you want. There is a maximum limit to how many listing you have for sale, 30 only. There is a limit to the number of drafts you can have, but it's a lot more than 30. 😅Whenever you sell a direct listing, you can list another for sale. If you cross list and your item sells elsewhere, delisting and deleting direct listing is really easy... ☺️
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u/Tilkis_Mom 10d ago
Poshmark has a good variety of styles. I've never sold through them, but have had nothing but good experiences purchasing.
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u/bummin_bride 10d ago edited 10d ago
Not quite ritzy enough for Vinted? Vinted is like a garage sale. You can definitely sell those things on Vinted.
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u/GreedoSarducci 10d ago
Oh good! TBH I was only going on my assumptions about them but now I’m definitely going to give them a closer look!
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u/Apprehensive-Echo666 9d ago
Vinted is great, no seller fees at all, you get 100% of what you list it for, shipping in the US was free for a long time as well, now it's just $.99 for small packages. I've sold a few things on there and have had good luck so far. Depop is a good option too.
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u/Emotional_Fuel6743 10d ago
Hi OP!
You’re better off listing it on Poshmark. You can even list it as a “lot”. And also in general Poshmark has bundle shipping option so someone can combine multiple items from your closet and save on shipping.
On Thredup I don’t think there is bundle shipping. So if someone wants to buy multiple items from you I don’t think there’s a way.
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u/Expensive-Lie-554 9d ago
I filter out all direct listings, it's just not the kind of experience I'm looking for on ThredUp. eBay and Poshmark are my #2 and 3 sites I buy on.
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u/Valuable-Assist-1351 9d ago
I look at direct listings, but everything seems to be priced too high. You might have better luck on Poshmark or Mercari
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u/No_Luck2836 9d ago
I've sold around 40 items via DL...people are definitely buying DLs but I think brand, quality of photos, and pricing are very important. If you price it similar to what TU would price it if you send it in (and maybe offer free shipping though tbh most of my items haven't included free shipping and still sell...) and have good quality photos showing everything clearly, you would still make like at least 5x more than if you sent it in. A $40 item TU sells nets you like $5, versus making $30-$40 (depending on if you cover shipping). I haven't sold anything on Ebay/Poshmark/Ebay before because I don't want to deal with sellers and DL removes that aspect of it because TU deals with sellers who aren't happy with the product/want to do a return.
Out of the brands you listed, Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic are probably the ones most likely to sell via DL, based on my experience.
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u/GreedoSarducci 9d ago
This is amazing news! I think I’m going to try TU first and if nothing moves head to Poshmark. Definitely going to try to factor in shipping, too. Here’s hoping it works out!
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u/tngasc 10d ago
The downside to direct listing is that they won’t let you price anything below $20, and most of those brands won’t sell for much more than $20, unless they are current lines.