Downsize for Summer and Do a Complete Closet Overhaul

An overfull closet might make it difficult to find that great summer outfit you can finally wear again. Take those old clothes and shoes out of your closet and make some cash selling them on eBay. All you need to do is set up a listing and sell the clothes and shoes you don't want.

1. Preparation for Selling Clothing from Your Closet on eBay
Get your items ready by learning everything you need to know about each piece of clothing or pair of shoes you want to sell. Your preparation can help you research how to best sell each item on eBay.

Gather Identifying Information
Every piece of clothing and pair of shoes needs to be identified in order to be sold. Check your clothing labels for size information, brand identifiers, and washing instructions. Apparel and shoes that sell well on eBay contain the brand, style, and color information in both the title and the description.

Research Similar Clothing and Shoes
Take some time to search on eBay for clothes and shoes that are like the ones you’re ready to sell. Apparel and shoes are listed as "mens," "womens," or "unisex" with a size. Refine your search by brand, color, style, material, and condition for great information. Shoes and apparel prices vary with rare or unusual items going for over $100 in some auction-style listings. Common items often fetch between $3 and $20.

Assess the Condition of Your Clothing and Shoes
Thoroughly examine every piece of clothing or pair of shoes you want to sell. Make note of damage so you can fix problems or declare them. Damaged apparel will still sell on eBay if it is classic or hard to find.

Clean Everything
Take time to wash clothes, polish shoes, and generally make sure everything looks nice before selling.

Choose Item Groupings
The clothing items you want to sell may include apparel of varying value. If you have a collection of items that may not be worth much individually, consider grouping them with other items by size and style.

2. Listing Clothing and Shoes from Your Closet on eBay
Give your buyer all the information they need in order to help your clothing and shoes sell.

Create a Descriptive Title
Clothing and shoes need to be listed with good titles in order to make sure the right buyers find your items. Your titles should include whether the items are for women, men, or both as well as the size. Include the brand names, colors, and the conditions of the items.

Write a Detailed Description
A detailed clothing description needs to have the brand, season, style, and color of the item. A shoe description needs to include the size, primary color, and style alongside a description of the size and style of features like heels. Clothing and shoe descriptions should detail any flaws, stains, or damage from wear.

Take Photos of the Clothing and Shoes
Take pictures of everything you want to sell. Hang clothing and place shoes against a contrasting solid-color background. Take pictures of the front and back of the items, including close-up shots of embellishments and damaged areas. For more information on creating a great set of product photos, check out eBay's Product Photos Tips.

Choose a Selling Format
If you have old summer items that you don't want, they may do well in an auction-style listing. For out-of-season clothing, a set price usually works well.

Choose Shipping Costs and Methods
You should offer free shipping whenever you can afford it to attract buyers. To determine the cost of shipping for items, weigh and measure your packaged item and use eBay's shipping calculator. Offer every shipping method to which you have access and read about how to ship efficiently with eBay’s Shipping Details information page.

3. Post-sale Tasks
For customer satisfaction, you’ll want to ship sold items as soon as possible and provide feedback for your customers quickly. Customers love fast service.

Accept Payment
Offer as many payment options as possible to encourage more buyers and to get your payment faster. PayPal is often the best option for payment since it allows both buyers and sellers to complete transactions quickly and securely.

Packaging Clothing and Shoes
Shoes are generally easy to ship in a shoe box, though they can also easily fit in many of the standard-sized boxes sold by shipping carriers for a discounted rate. Light clothing without fragile embellishments can easily be shipped in a sturdy bubble envelope while heavier items should be sent in a box. Wrap the clothing in a bag and fold it carefully to help hold its shape. Larger and more expensive clothing items should be shipped in a sturdy box.

Printing Postage and Shipping for Clothes and Shoes
Choose and print a shipping label for the carrier of choice using eBay's shipping interface and affix it to the package. Bring your package to the appropriate carrier as soon as possible. Fast shipping often earns positive feedback from buyers.

Provide Feedback and Finish Your Sale
Once you've sold your item and payment has been received, leave the buyer some great feedback to let them know you appreciate their business. Many buyers will respond by leaving you good feedback as well. Start your summer with an organized closet that is free of clutter. List and sell the old clothes and shoes in your closet on eBay to earn money.