At BrowseBuy, we’re committed to making the selling process as rewarding and effortless as possible. Whether you’re decluttering your wardrobe, making room for new styles, or simply looking to earn from items you no longer wear, we’ve compiled our top advice to help you maximize your earnings and ensure a smooth consignment experience.
Preparing Your Items for Success
Quality Always Wins
The single most important factor in determining whether your items will sell (and how much they’ll earn) is quality. Before scheduling a pickup, take a moment to assess each piece with these criteria in mind:
- Condition is everything: Items should be clean, odor-free, and in excellent condition with no visible wear, stains, holes, or pilling. Remember, buyers expect pre-loved items to look and feel almost new.
- Current styles sell faster: Focus on items from the last 3 years. While classic pieces can sometimes transcend trends, very dated items (5+ years old) typically don’t perform well.
- Brand matters: Quality brands maintain their resale value. Our top-performing brands include Country Road, Woolworths, Poetry, Truworths, and other mid-to-high-end labels. Fast fashion brands like Shein or Temu are not accepted.
- Seasonal relevance: Consider the current or upcoming season when selecting items. Winter items sell best from April to August, while summer pieces perform better from September to March.
Pre-Submission Checklist
- Before our team arrives for pickup, complete this quick checklist to ensure your items have the best chance of acceptance and successful sales:
- Wash or dry clean all items: Even if they appear clean, freshly laundered items present better and are more likely to be accepted.
- Check for minor repairs: Replace missing buttons, fix loose hems, and address any small issues that could affect the item’s presentation.
- Examine in natural light: Stains and discolorations are often more visible in daylight. Give each item a final inspection before adding it to your consignment pile.
- Remove pet hair: Use a lint roller to remove any pet hair or lint that might have accumulated during storage.
- Organize by category: While not required, grouping items by type (dresses, tops, baby clothes, etc.) helps our team process your items more efficiently.
What Sells Best on BrowseBuy
Understanding what performs well on our platform can help you focus your consignment efforts on items with the highest earning potential.
Top-Earning Women’s Items
- Designer handbags and accessories: Authentic designer pieces from recognizable brands can earn significantly more than clothing items.
- Genuine leather items: Quality leather jackets, bags, and shoes maintain their value and are always in demand.
- Premium denim: Well-preserved jeans from brands like Levi’s, Diesel, and other quality denim makers sell quickly.
- Quality knitwear and jackets: Especially those from wool, cashmere, or premium cotton blends.
- Formal and occasion dresses: Special event dresses in excellent condition are highly sought after, particularly during wedding and holiday seasons.
- Classic blazers: Timeless, well-tailored blazers remain popular year-round.
- South African designer pieces: Local designer items have a strong following and often command premium prices.
Top-Earning Baby Items
- Designer baby clothes: Premium brands maintain their value, especially when in like-new condition.
- Special occasion outfits: Christening gowns, party dresses, and formal wear for babies often sell at higher price points.
- Quality winter wear: Coats, jackets, and warm accessories in excellent condition.
- Brand name shoes: Barely worn baby shoes from quality brands sell quickly.
- Designer baby accessories: Bibs, hats, and other accessories from premium brands.
Maximizing Your Earnings
While BrowseBuy handles all the work of selling your items, these strategies can help you maximize your earnings:
Timing Matters
- Seasonal submissions: Submit winter items in early autumn and summer items in early spring to catch the beginning of each shopping season.
- Special occasions: Consider the calendar when submitting formal or occasion wear. Wedding season, year-end functions, and holiday periods drive demand for these items.
Quantity and Quality Balance
- Focus on quality over quantity: While we require a minimum of 10 items for pickup, it’s better to submit 10 excellent pieces than 20 mediocre ones.
- Bundle complementary items: Consider including items that work well together. When we can present coordinated looks, individual pieces often sell faster.
Presentation Tips
- Keep original packaging when possible: Dust bags, boxes, or authenticity cards for premium items significantly increase their value.
- Include care labels: Items with intact care labels tend to sell better as buyers appreciate knowing how to maintain their purchase.
- Provide brand information: If you have any details about limited editions, special collections, or original retail prices, share this with our team during pickup.
Understanding the BrowseBuy Process
Knowing what to expect after your items are collected helps set realistic expectations and ensures a positive selling experience.
Timeline After Pickup
- Initial assessment (1-2 days): Our team carefully evaluates each item against our quality standards.
- Photography and listing (3-5 days): Accepted items are professionally photographed, described, and listed on our platform.
- Active listing period (90 days): Your items remain listed for three months, during which our marketing team actively promotes them to potential buyers.
- Payment processing: When your items sell, you earn 60% of the sale price. Payments are processed on the 1st and 15th of each month via EFT.
What Happens to Unsold Items?
If your items haven’t sold within the 90-day listing period, you have three options:
- Request a return: Items can be returned to you for a small handling fee.
- Donate to charity: We partner with local charities that can put your items to good use.
- Continue listing at a reduced price: Sometimes a price adjustment is all that’s needed to find the right buyer.
Common Questions from Successful Sellers
“How can I track my items and earnings?”
We will share regular updates on your listings’ performance and when items are sold.
“What if I have designer or luxury items?”
We provide authentication services for luxury items, ensuring both you and the buyer have confidence in the transaction. These items often command higher commissions due to their value.
“Can I suggest a price for my items?”
While our pricing experts make the final determination based on market research, we welcome your input on original purchase prices or any special features that might affect an item’s value.
“How many items should I submit at once?”
We require a minimum of 10 items for our free pickup service. Most successful sellers submit between 15-30 items per pickup, focusing on quality pieces with good resale potential.
