How to Make Money from Your Closet

Fashions change, trends come and go, and often what is old can suddenly become new again. Most of us have at least a few items in our closet that we just do not wear, for whatever reason, that are still in great condition. Instead of just letting them hang there forgotten, why not make a few extra dollars selling them. Here are a few hints to get you started.

• If you have a large number of items to sell, clothing lots are very popular on Ebay. Baby clothes and maternity items are big sellers, as many people prefer not to spend a lot on such short term use clothing items by buying them new at a retail store. A great listing is the key to getting a great price for your clothing lot. Take several good clear pictures (Ebay will let you have several at no extra cost) and be honest about any small defects that the clothing may have (pulls, small holes etc.) Many people are willing to overlook small defects if they are getting a number of items in one go, especially with children's clothing. List any "name brand" items in your lot prominently, preferably in the headline, as designer labels at reduced prices are also guaranteed to catch many a shopper's attention.

• Take your better items to a local consignment store. These stores will sell your clothing for you, in return for a small percentage of the final selling price. Every consignment store has different policies though, so make sure you understand them fully before giving up your clothing for sale. You will usually be given a suggested sales price by the store's management, but do not be afraid to speak up if you think the price is too low for the item you are offering. Most consignment stores are rather picky about the items they accept however, and items with small flaws are almost always rejected.

• Try a yard sale. You may not get very high prices for your clothing, as people shop yards sales looking for bargains that they cannot find elsewhere, but a yard sale can be a great way to get rid of all your old t shirts, jeans and particularly kid's clothing, that may not be up to the higher standards of a consignment shop but are still perfectly wearable. Price your items clearly and if possible hang them up rather than having them jumbled in a box that your customers have to take the time to go rooting through.