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AEYDE
Oscar suede loafers
https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/aeyde/shoes/loafers/oscar-suede-loafers/1647597340508095
Retail Price | Retained Commission | Turnaround Time | |
---|---|---|---|
$ 129.99 | $ 30 | 1~2 weeks to sell | |
$ 129.99 | $ 30 | 1~2 weeks to sell | |
$ 129.99 | $ 30 | 1~2 weeks to sell |
Reselling your pre-loved gems? Awesome! But before you jump into the world of online marketplaces, there's one thing you need to understand: commissions. Yup, those sneaky little fees that can eat away at your profits if you're not careful.
To help you make bank, we're breaking down the commission and fee structures of eight popular resale platforms. Whether you're selling your wardrobe for some extra cash or running a full-time flipping side hustle, knowing which platform takes the least from your earnings is key.
Platform | Commission/Fee Structure |
---|---|
TheRealReal | 10% - 80% commission, depending on how much you sell annually |
Vestiaire Collective | 10% selling fee + 3% payment processing fee |
eBay | 3% - 15% final value fee + $0.30 for orders ≤ $10, $0.40 for orders $10+ |
Fashionphile | 15% - 30% commission based on item price |
ThredUp | 20% - 97% commission based on item price |
Poshmark | 20% commission for $15+ items, $2.95 flat fee for ≤ $15 |
Grailed | 9% commission + 3.49% + $0.49 payment processing fee |
Depop | 3.3% payment processing fee + $0.45 on total transaction amount |
For high-end sellers, TheRealReal is fancy but pricey. Their commission rates start at a whopping 80%—yes, you read that right! But if you're a top seller bringing in the big bucks annually, you can score a lower commission rate around 10%. If you're just casually listing, though, this platform could drain your earnings faster than you can say "luxury resale." Learn more here.
If you're selling on Vestiaire Collective in the U.S., expect a 10% selling fee on the item price, with a minimum item price of $100 and a maximum of $20,000. Anything under $100 has a flat $10 selling fee whereas anything over $20,000 has a flat $2,000 selling fee. That's pretty reasonable for most high-end items, but if you're dealing with lower-priced goods, that $100 minimum can eat into your profits.
On top of that, there's a 3% payment processing fee (minimum of $3) to cover transaction costs. And here's a fun fact: you can't list anything for less than $18 USD. So if you're looking to sell smaller, budget-friendly items, you might want to reconsider. Learn more here.
We all know eBay, the O.G. of online selling. It's got a 3% to 15% final value fee (depending on what you're selling), and an additional $0.30 per order fee for sales $10 or less and $0.40 for orders over $10. The final value includes the item price, any handling charges, any shipping costs collected from the buyer, sales tax, and any other applicable fees. While eBay's fees are generally lower than most fashion-specific platforms, make sure to keep an eye on that final price tag to ensure you're still making a profit. Learn more here.
Fashionphile makes selling luxury items a breeze with its straightforward fee structure. The base fee is 30% of the selling price, meaning you keep 70% of your earnings. However, if your bag sells for over $3,000, the fee drops to only 15% for the portion of the selling price above that threshold, allowing you to pocket 85% on those high-ticket items. It's a fantastic option for anyone looking to sell luxury bags while keeping more of their hard-earned cash. Learn more here.
ThredUp's commission rates range from 20% to a staggering 97% depending on the item's price. If you're selling lower-priced items, brace yourself for disappointment. Additionally, a $14.99 fee will be deducted from your earnings only when your items sell (read—processing fee). Additional fees to look out for include $5.99 to reclaim an unsold item, $10.99 to return the items ThredUp doesn't accept, and $2.99 per bag (although free for first-time sellers). This platform is great for getting rid of stuff quickly, but not ideal for maximizing profits unless you're offloading high-end goods. Learn more here.
Poshmark keeps it straightforward: $2.95 flat fee for items under $15 and a 20% cut for anything over $15. While it's simple, that 20% might sting a bit when selling mid-range items. But hey, at least there's no guessing game with their fees! Learn more here.
Grailed charges a 9% commission, which sounds like a steal until you factor in the additional 3.49% + $0.49 payment processing fee. This fee structure can chip away at your earnings if you're selling cheaper items, so keep that in mind when listing your stuff. Learn more here.
As of July 15, 2024, Depop has removed selling fees for sellers in the U.S. However, a payment processing fee of 3.3% plus $0.45 will apply to the total transaction amount, which includes shipping and taxes. This change enables sellers to maximize their profits while providing a competitive edge in the resale market. Learn more here.
Commissions are only one part of the equation. Every platform has its quirks, from shipping policies to ease of use. The real trick is to choose the platform that aligns with your items, audience, and profit goals. And if you want to avoid a headache and compare those fees easily, you're in luck!
If you're focused on selling luxury items, Fashionphile, TheRealReal, and Vestiaire Collective are worth considering. These platforms specialize in high-end goods, making it easy to target buyers willing to shell out for designer pieces. Fashionphile stands out for its clear-cut 30% commission, dropping to 15% for items over $3,000, which is a major win for high-ticket sellers. Meanwhile, TheRealReal offers an impressive commission rate of up to 10% for top sellers, though casual users will find their hefty 80% starting fee a bit daunting. Vestiaire Collective offers a simple 10% selling fee that covers most luxury, but there is a maximum item price of $20,000. A pretty strong proposition for most luxury items unless you have some seriously expensive stuff to sell. In short, these platforms are ideal if you're selling high-end handbags, luxury clothing, or designer accessories and want a smooth, specialized resale experience. We'll save a special shout-out for high end menswear specialist Grailed, which offers a lower 9% commission. Just keep in mind, their payment fees do add a bit more cost.
For those selling more affordably priced items, platforms like Poshmark and Depop are solid contenders. Poshmark's straightforward fee structure (20% for items over $15 and $2.95 for anything below) keeps things simple. Depop, with its zero-selling fee in the U.S., is another top choice for budget-friendly pieces, though the 3.3% + $0.45 payment processing fee still applies. These platforms cater to a more casual market, making them perfect for sellers looking to move trendy, mid-range, or streetwear items without dealing with luxury-specific fees.
When selling online, it's important to consider taxes, as they can impact your earnings. The IRS requires sellers to report income from platforms like eBay, Poshmark, Depop, Grailed, Vestiaire Collective, ThredUp, Fashionphile, or TheRealReal if it exceeds $600, but this threshold has been delayed for 2023, with plans to phase in a $5,000 threshold in 2024 for reporting payments via third-party platforms.
However, this mainly applies to profits—if you're selling personal items at a loss (for less than what you paid), those sales typically aren't taxable, and capital losses on personal items are unfortunately not tax deductible. If you sell items for more than their purchase price, that profit is considered taxable income. Additionally, many states require platforms to collect and remit sales tax on your behalf, though you should check your local laws.
Keeping detailed records of your sales, costs, and expenses will help you stay compliant with tax rules as thresholds and requirements evolve!
If you qualify for the income threshold, the platform will send you a Form 1099-K, which reports your transactions to the IRS. This information provides general tax guidance. If you require assistance with your individual tax circumstances, don't hesitate to contact your tax advisor.
Use our Resale Commission Calculator to figure out exactly how much you'll pocket after commissions and fees. It helps you quickly compare the earnings from each platform, so you can stop guessing and start selling smarter.
Not ready to sell yet? Meet Carouge, the top digital closet archiving & resale tool. Available for free on the web, Carouge allows you to archive an unlimited number of clothing items (saving you tons of time looking for an old email or receipt months or years later) and list for resale with the click of a button.
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