What's up with ThredUP

Okay. Think Crossroads Trading Company, but online. Exact same model. A place where you can shop second-hand clothes and sell your own duds, but online. And in theory, the preferred way of doing things, right? If there's another, easier option [where I don't have to drag my own shit to a store to wait 45 minutes up to an hour and a half for my things to be sorted] you would think I'd be all over it.

I have not shopped at ThredUP. I don't shop at Crossroads Trading Co. either. For me, the idea is to make extra cash, fast. And that's why I like selling to Crossroads. I steer clear of temptations to buy anything at Crossroads because I'm there to make money, not squander it.....ok, truth is obviously I have my eyes on a sale somewhere else so you know, gotta stick to the plan! 

When I was in college at Arizona State, I sold my Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters clothes to a fun place in Tempe called Buffalo Exchange. Some of you guys know about Buffalo. They're nationwide. Those were the days. Piling into the car with your girlfriends, loads of outfits you've probably worn once or twice, and then heaving it all onto the counter at Buffalo. Because, we had to make money to go out that weekend. Duh. Money for new Forever 21 tops and Urban Outfitter jeans and beer.

So, I'm no stranger to the selling second-hand clothing process. When I was 20, my clothes were cheap. I didn't expect to get much from Buffalo in those days. My expectations were formed early, and I knew not to expect much. 

Nowadays, my wardrobe is slightly more sophisticated. But I still shop at Urban and I have loads of Tarjay. But I know better than to take those items to sell at Crossroads. Unless they're totally trendy. Their preference is contemporary designer and your shit better not look too used or don't bother. And that's actually why I always make good money at Crossroads because I take higher-end pieces that I'm just done with. They're generally like new. Or look like it. Easy sells. Good cash.

So, what's up with ThredUP? Basically I went online and signed up to receive a large bag from ThredUP that I filled and sent back to them. Note: You incur a $9.99 deduction from any future profits of sales to cover postage of that bag.

So, I filled her up and I filled her up. 10 lbs. to be exact. Granted, I sent them things that I just wanted to donate or maybe make a little something. These items were my Crossroads rejects. Meaning, Crossroads had passed on these pieces. Pieces like Free People velvet navy flares. Miu Miu earrings. Tahari sequin blazer, tags still attached. Zara velvet leggings. KORS sandals, never worn...you get the idea...some high-end and some not...like those cute Mossimo lace-up flats I wore once but just didn't feel comfortable in...sometimes it's hit or miss with the buyers at Crossroads too.

ThredUP has a system called "upfront payout". Cash for things they buy from you essentially "on the spot". They gave me a whole $8.90. Ew. Like tacky, no? I mean really. That barely pays for my Starbucks order. That amount was a $1 short of the $9.99 fee they charge for the bag that I filled up and sent to them. Which means I don't even get that $8.90. The best part?? Those supposed worthless items that were only "worth" $8? 3 of the 4 of them have already sold. Which means ThredUP definitely made back that $9.99 they're charging me. But I don't see what they made off those items that apparently were hot to trot...because they sold...and immediately. See the screen shot of my account details for yourself...

*note: they were Free People VELVET pants. As in something that would bring in more money because we all know velvet is what's up right now. They chose to refer to them as cords and cords they were not. See for yourself. Velvet or velvety, if you will. But not corduroy. 

So, once I got over the fact that they gave me less than $10 (correction, I don't get that $8.90). So, once I got over the fact that I got nothing up front, I took a gander at what they decided they could sell on consignment from my 10 lb. bag.

OKAY. This was basically my "whatever" moment. When you look at something or a situation and you're not impressed, but you're not unimpressed. So, you're just whatever. I felt defeated. And I was over it by this point. 

Moving on. You are paid via PayPal. Where you again incur another fee, although a small one. This process is almost like looking at your cell phone bill and looking at the fees breakdown. The state tax fee, the county tax fee, the city tax fee, the your eyes are blue tax fee...lol...so, you get paid via PayPal should that be what you opt for. However, there is a waiting period before you are able to transfer any profits you make. Just an FYI. 8 days I believe...good grief.

Please note that you can also choose to donate your items. ThredUP offers this option. However, as can be expeccted, if you have anything you really want back, should they choose not to sell it, you will incur a charge for anything you'd like returned. 

My advice? Do yourself a favor and don't send anything over to ThredUP that you might want back. It's seriously much more trouble than it's worth. But then again that is just my opinion.

If you're looking for instant gratification, this service is not for you. If you need money asap, get your bum to Crossroads. And make sure you give them something worth their time and yours. I mean you made the trek there after all. Time is money honey.

And since time is money, ThredUP is not the best choice. It took 2 weeks for the bag itself to even get to my house. And I live an hour away from the distribution center, here in the SF Bay Area. Right off the bat I was annoyed. When I sent the bag back and they got it, I got an email saying it would take a little over a month for it to be sorted. Yes. Over a month. Oh goodie. I'm in que...Super annoyed.

Then, when they finally sorted and came up with an $8 upfront payout, I was beyond annoyed. And that's okay. Because this was my first time learning their system. And while I'm not impressed, it's not the worst. I just have to learn to lower my expectations. Just as I did years ago with Buffalo Exchange. And then again with Crossroads. Don't give them anything you're going to cry over when they offer you $5 and you'll be okay. 

So to summarize, will I sell with ThredUP again? Probably. Not any time soon though, as the wait time is this company's worst attribute. 

Would I buy from ThredUP? Me personally, no. I refuse to buy things from the places I sell to because it's defeating my purpose for being there. Some people sell to trade, but I sell to take that cash and spend it elsewhere. 

Do I think Crossroads is worth the 45 minutes to an hour wait? I do now. Especially when you get cash in your hand after that wait. 2 hours out of my day compared to 2 months+ (remember, I now have to wait to see if the items they bought on consignment will sell. If they don't, I basically made nothing.) You noticed above that I got a payout for the one connsignment item that has sold. Nothing has sold since. And I've got 0 expectations. 

Disappointing eh?