As a savvy shopper, I am always looking for ways to save money while still getting quality products. That's why I love thrift stores! The thrill of finding a hidden gem at a fraction of the retail price is unmatched. But with the convenience of online shopping, you no longer have to dig through clothing racks or sort through piles of items to score a great deal. In this article, I will be sharing the 15 best thrift stores online that you need to check out.
Introduction to Online Thrift Stores
Online thrift stores have become increasingly popular in recent years and for good reason. Not only do they offer a wide selection of items, but they also provide the convenience of shopping from the comfort of your home. You can browse through thousands of items, filter your search by size, color, and brand, and have your purchases delivered to your doorstep.
Aside from the convenience of online shopping, shopping secondhand offers a more sustainable option for switching up your wardrobe. By thrifting, you are reducing the demand for new products (aka fast fashion) and helping to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
Benefits of Shopping through Thrift Stores Online
One of the biggest benefits of shopping through thrift stores online is convenience. You can shop at any time of the day, from anywhere in the world. This is especially great for those living in areas with limited thrift store options or needing more time to go into a store physically.
Another benefit is the sheer amount of selection. Online thrift stores have a much larger inventory than physical stores, which means you have a better chance of finding what you're looking for within your budget. Plus, with the ability to filter your search by size, brand, and color, you can quickly find exactly what you want.
Finally, shopping at online thrift stores is an affordable way to update your wardrobe or home decor. With prices typically ranging from 40-90% off retail, you can get more for your money without sacrificing quality. These online thrift stores offer an array of brands, from Lululemon to Louis Vuitton.
What to Look for in an Online Thrift Store
There are a few things to consider when looking for an online thrift store. First, make sure the store has a good reputation! Look for reviews from other customers and check to see if the store has any awards.
Second, look for a store that offers a wide selection of items. The more things they have, the better your chance of finding what you're looking for at a specific price point.
Finally, check if the store offers free shipping or free returns. This can save you money and hassle in the long run, especially if you are between sizes. (Like me!)
Top 15 Online Thrift Stores
ThredUp- ThredUp is one of the largest online thrift stores and offers a wide selection of clothing, shoes, and accessories for women, men, and children. They offer a flat rate for shipping on items for $10.99 and free returns. Unlike Goodwill and Salvation Army, buyers cannot bid on items but can expect promo codes and sales often. These promo codes and sales can reduce the final price from 15% to 45% off. In addition to selling secondhand clothing, ThredUp also offers a service where customers can sell their gently-used clothing and accessories to the company. ThredUp provides customers with a free "clean out" bag, which they can fill with items they no longer need or want. ThredUp then pays customers for the items that meet their quality standards and either donates or responsibly disposes of the items that do not.
Poshmark - Poshmark is a social marketplace where users can buy and sell clothing, shoes, and accessories. They have a large selection of items and offer a variety of designer brands. Additionally, They have a bid option where a buyer can bid for an item below the asking price. It is recommended never to bid below 20% of the asking price, but the seller might accept if the product has been listed for a while. Poshmark offers a social aspect to the shopping experience. Users can follow their favorite sellers, share listings with their followers, and participate in virtual "Posh Parties," where sellers can showcase their items in a specific category or theme. In addition to buying and selling, Poshmark offers a service where users can trade items. This allows users to exchange items they no longer need or want without spending a dime!
Mercari- an online marketplace that allows users to buy and sell various items, including electronics, home goods, accessories, and clothing. Available through a site or mobile app. Buyers can have items shipped to them or delivered through Uber with their local delivery options. Furthermore, buyers can bid for an item under the seller's asking price. Sellers will likely consider below their asking price when an item has been on the marketplace for several weeks. Depending on the listing, sellers get charged up to 10% of the sale compared to Poshmark's 20% seller fees. The platform features ratings for both buyers and sellers, with the option to leave a star rating and a comment. This can be helpful for those who are looking for trustworthy sellers or buyers.
Goodwill - Goodwill is one of the most well-known thrift stores. However, many do not know that there is a huge online presence. They offer a wide selection of clothing, shoes, and home goods. Proceeds from their sales go towards job training and community programs. Goodwillfinds.com offers more name-brand and high-end items that are often in immaculate condition. Then, there is shopgoodwill.com. This site also contains high-end items, such as Prada and Gucci; however, the item's condition is more likely to be listed as "gently used" or "some damages." Pictures are provided for the buyer to determine the item's condition better.
Salvation Army - The Salvation Army is another well-known thrift store with a large online presence. They offer a wide selection of clothing, shoes, and home goods. Additionally, proceeds from their sales go towards community programs. They also offer free shipping on select items. The Salvation Army listings are through eBay. Similarly to Goodwill, a buyer can put in the highest they are willing to pay for the item, and the site will bid in $1.00 increments for them unless someone outbids them. Customers can find brands ranging from Coach to Louis Vuitton. Conditions of items vary, and if you do not mind getting something a little worn, this is your site!
eBay- is one of the largest online marketplaces in the entire world. However, it is often overlooked when it comes to buying secondhand items. As mentioned, the Salvation Army exclusively uses the platform to post its thrift auctions; but many other sellers have also been using the platform to sell their gently used goods too. Available by a website and mobile application. As a buyer, you can participate in timed bids or buy products outright through a "buy it now" option. Sellers are charged 13.25% of the listing price and an additional $0.30 per item.
Etsy - Etsy is a marketplace for digital, handmade, and vintage items. Etsy also offers buyer protection and a wide range of prices to fit any customer's budget. Besides finding handmade products, Etsy has fastly become a site where vintage clothing and handbags can be found with authentication certificates. Etsy's vintage items are typically at least 20 years old, and the seller carefully reviews each item to ensure its authenticity and condition. The store provides a platform for sellers to showcase their curated vintage collections, thus allowing them to connect with a global community of buyers who appreciate vintage and retro style.
Depop - Depop is a social marketplace where users can buy and sell unique clothing, accessories, and home goods. They have many vintage and designer items and offer buyer protection. They also have a strong focus on sustainability and reducing waste. Depop is known for finding some gently used streetwear or sneaker brands- think Supreme, Off-White, and Adidas. Note: Most items cannot be returned. Make sure to double-check your item descriptions before the final purchase. Otherwise, you could find yourself with less funds for an additional item not wanted.
Swap - Swap is an online thrift store that offers a wide selection of clothing, shoes, and accessories for women, men, and children. They have a rigorous quality control process and only accept items in excellent condition. They also offer free returns and free shipping on orders over $99.This is the only site at the moment that is not accepting new sellers. However, for retail chain stores, such as Express, Loft, White House Black Market, and Banana Republic, a buyer can find deals up to 90% off the original retail price. There is one main downside- some of their inventory does not have an image for users to get a better sense of the item listed.
Curtsy- is an online thrift store focusing strictly on women's clothing and accessories. Available by the website and mobile application. Sellers can expect Curtsy to deduct 20% commission for all sales, similar to Poshmark. Unlike most marketplaces, buyers can put in a lower bid on an item similar to Mercari and eBay. Buyers can receive 10% off just for signing up for their first time. They also can expect to find anything from vintage Coach to vintage lingerie.
Vestiaire Collective - Vestiaire Collective is a luxury online thrift store that offers a wide selection of designer clothing, shoes, and accessories. Vestiaire Collective offers a unique authentication service, where all items sold on the platform are reviewed and authenticated by a team of experts to ensure their authenticity. This gives buyers confidence in the quality and authenticity of the items they purchase. In addition to buying and selling, Vestiaire Collective offers a range of editorial content and community features, where users can browse fashion inspiration, connect with other users, and participate in virtual events. If a buyer is looking for a newer luxurious item, this site and The RealReal are their best bets!
The RealReal - The RealReal is another luxury online thrift store that offers a wide selection of designer clothing, shoes, and accessories. They have a rigorous authentication process and offer buyer protection. The RealReal also has a strong focus on sustainability and reducing waste. Another unique feature of The Realreal is that there are first-look memberships. A "First Look" membership is $12, and a "First Look Premium" membership is $49.95 monthly. Both memberships allow for a first look at items 24 hours before the free members can view them. The difference between the two paid subscription offers is the premium offers unlimited 2-day free shipping on all items. Similarly to ThredUp, items are posted by an in-house team after inspection and, in the case of The Realreal, after authentication.
Facebook marketplace- is an online marketplace where almost anything can be bought, including furniture, clothing, accessories, home goods, electronics, and more. Available through a website and mobile application. The unique thing about Facebook Marketplace is that you can find FREE items and items to buy. The only cost to you for the FREE items is that you need time and transportation to pickup the item. Facebook Marketplace is mainly a pickup service even when buying an item. Sometimes there are options for delivery through a third party, but that should be verified before processing a payment. Otherwise, a buyer can find themselves traveling a long distance to get an item not worth the cost. For buyers, posting items for sale is very straightforward and can be posted in under a minute. The main things needed are the delivery method, location, cost, and pictures. The best part is that Facebook does not have a listing fee, so a seller's profits are their own.
Offerup - an online marketplace selling anything from clothing to furniture to electronics. Available through a website and mobile app. OfferUp is similar to Facebook Marketplace, where users can buy and sell locally or with shipping options. Posting items is straightforward; a buyer can offer shipping or local pickup. Like Facebook Marketplace, FREE items are listed regularly, and searches can be filtered by location. Additionally, Offerup offers ratings for buyers and sellers so that you can know who you are working with.
Beyond Retro - Beyond Retro is a vintage online thrift store that offers a wide selection of unique clothing and accessories. Beyond Retro's inventory includes various vintage pieces from different eras, ranging from the 1920s to the 1990s. The company was founded in 2002 and has since expanded to become one of the largest vintage retailers in the UK. They focus on sustainability and reducing waste by repurposing and upcycling items. Beyond Retro also has a 14-day return policy on all orders worldwide. In addition to their online presence, they have physical stores in London, Brighton, and Sweden.
Online thrift stores are a great way to save money, find unique items, and shop sustainably. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. The 15 thrift stores listed above offer a wide selection of items, user-friendly websites, and affordable prices. So next time you're looking for an updated wardrobe or simply a few unique pieces, check out one of these online thrift stores. You never know what hidden gems you might find!
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