Three things to remember
- 1Look at recent comparable items first, not just what you originally paid.
- 2Flaws, missing pieces, season and shipping all belong in the price or the description.
- 3Set a floor price and a review date up front, so you're not changing the price on a whim every day.
Work out a starting price you can justify
This isn't an automatic valuation formula; it's an order of decisions you make yourself. At every step, look at real comparable items, the condition and how long you're willing to wait.
- 1
Find 3–5 genuinely comparable items
The brand, style, size, year and condition should be close. Prefer recent sold prices; an asking price that never sold doesn't represent the market.
- 2
Take the middle of the range, not the highest asking price
Leave out obvious outliers at either end and anything in very different condition, and what remains is your market reference range.
- 3
Adjust for condition and completeness, item by item
Stains, pilling, tired elastic, a name stamp, a missing belt or missing original packaging should all lower the price, and you should mention them up front.
- 4
Factor in how the sale will happen
Account for platform fees, packaging, who pays shipping, and whether you want a quick clear-out or can wait for the right buyer.
Describe the condition concretely — “well kept” isn't enough
| Condition | What to disclose | How to price it |
|---|---|---|
| Brand new, unworn | Whether tags and packaging are intact, and how long it has been stored | Close to the current retail price, while allowing for it being secondhand |
| Like new, barely worn | How many times worn and washed, and whether there are visible signs of use | Can sit at the top of the secondhand range for that item |
| Normal wear | Pilling, how washed it looks, print condition and elastic | Start from the middle of the market and adjust |
| Obvious flaws | Where it is, how big, whether it affects wear — with a close-up photo | Discount it clearly, or include it as a free extra or part of a bundle |
A pricing worksheet for one garment
Minidrobe records the purchase price and the sale price separately. You set the sale price yourself; Minidrobe doesn't claim to work out market value from a photo.
Fill in these seven boxes before listing
- Brand, item name, size and original purchase price
- Recent sold prices for the same or a similar item
- How many times worn and washed, and the current condition
- Every flaw, any missing pieces, and whether a name is written on it
- Your asking price and the lowest price you'd accept
- Whether shipping is included, whether orders can be combined, and payment and delivery methods
- The next review date, for example 14 days after listing
If it doesn't sell, adjust by rule — don't cut the price every day
| What you see | Likely cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| People ask but don't buy | Missing information, or friction over shipping or how the deal works | Add the size, flaws and total price first |
| People save it but don't ask | The price is at the top of what buyers will pay | Lower it slightly, or offer a sensible bundle deal |
| No interest at all | The photos, title, season or channel aren't right | Fix the presentation and where it is listed before cutting the price |
| Cheap single items don't sell | Shipping is too big a share of the price | Build a sale bundle by size or season |
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
What percentage of the original price do secondhand kids' clothes usually sell for?
There's no fixed discount that fits every brand and condition. Supply and demand, how rare the style is, seasonal demand, how well it's been kept and shipping all change what it will sell for, so start from recent comparable items.
Should the price include shipping?
Either works, as long as you say which. When comparing prices, look at the total the buyer actually pays including shipping, so a low headline price doesn't turn out higher at checkout.
Can I still sell something with a small stain?
Often, yes — but photograph it clearly in natural light, say where it is and how big it is, and reflect it in the price. If it's a safety, hygiene or real functional problem, don't hide it or push the sale.
Put the method to work in a wardrobe you can search
The free plan holds 50 garments. Start with the one you most want to sort out today — there's no need to do everything at once.