Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have a online used children clothing store that I run on ebay..My main problem that I run into is that I have a problem with getting people to donate there unwanted clothing.....I wanted to know if anyone had a idea on how I can get more people to doante.....as if right now I post ads on crigslist and put flyer`s around my town.....

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http://www.isiahcloset.com
Isiah Closet Home of Quality Pre-loved Items

Do people have to ship the clothing to you?  If they have out of pocket costs to donate, they probably won`t.

They might also prefer to donate to a non-profit thrift store rather than give things to someone who will be making money by reselling something they got for free.

If none of the above is the case, offer to pick up everything that`s local to you.  People are inclined to want to give stuff away but not so inclined if they have to deliver it.

Just a couple of thoughts............

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If you`re not competing with a local GoodWill or Salvation Army, why not advertise in your community that you`ll come pick up any old or used clothing?  Same as above....but with the advertisement in your local venues.

I offer a pick up service for people in the area I don`t ask people to ship anyting to me...I have had some people donate there old stuff to me and I tell them the truth that I resale there old items on ebay for very low prices....Alot of them like the idea and tell me they have more stuff to give me later.........

I was thinking about getting some of them sign that you can post in the ground with will say donate used children clothing today and explain that we pick up and post my phone number on there


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http://www.isiahcloset.com
Isiah Closet Home of Quality Pre-loved Items

If you are a for-profit venture, is it really donating?

For example, if I give my kid`s clothes to Goodwill, I get a tax write-off.
If I give it to you, I get nothing.

The local resale shop here pays people 50% of what it will sell for to buy clothing for the shop. She has appointments booked several months out. The owner used to also hit local yard sales to purchase items, but I think she just does intake now.

I think the business model is an issue here. You are asking for handouts to make a profit on. You are selling on Ebay, not your own site. (Why?) Your profit margin is so slim because you are selling below value and getting profit eaten up by PayPal and Ebay.

I wanted to make this kind of store online a while back ... I think there is a serious hole in this kind of business online because most of the examples out there don`t have strong backing. I just couldn`t find someone to run this on a proper business model.

well in maryland we have goodwill and we have thrift stores.....the goodwill stores are non-profit the thrift stores are not non profit people just pull up throw there clothing in bins and take off.....

Today alone I just made 3 pickup`s from people that just wanted to get rid of the clothing and didn`t feel like taking it to a location to drop it off....

As for ebay and paypal sucking up my profits well that isn`t completely true for one everything I recieve from people is totally free posting on ebay my average profit after shipping and ebay and paypal is about 3.20-10.00 special items like breast pumps, babyseat, strollers sell for alot higher...

My plan might not seem the best but it does work even if I tell them I sell there stuff on ebay.....I plan to also get a ebaty store soon......


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http://www.isiahcloset.com
Isiah Closet Home of Quality Pre-loved Items

I`m just saying, there may be a better way than opening an Ebay store. The standalone stores in this market ... there is a lot of room for improvement.

Nikole is right.  You can`t ask for donations to make a profit.
I also have a used clothing business, well vintage actually.  You have to be willing to pay for your inventory.  Maybe you could offer a per pound or per bag flat fee.

Otherwise, you would have to figure out what the law says in your state about giving a portion to charity and taking donations.  I know this may sound unethical, but thrift stores that aren`t Salvation Army or Goodwills do it all the time.

Sandra

I am not sure if you have considered this but maybe go to the local garage sales find out what they are going to do with the things they don`t sell. If they are going to trash them offer to dispose of the items for them. Tell them the truth that some of the stuff you may keep and sell and some will be given to the local Goodwill and or Salvation Army. Or wait until the afternoon after the major garage sale crowds have gone and you maybe able to pick up some really good deals. In our family we usually get together when we have garage sales. We always have huge storage boxes full of children`s clothes and I know towards the end of the day we are pretty much giving stuff away. Hope this helps.




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