You know the thing when you’re searching for something special online, and you’ve completed the loop of all your go-to websites (like eBay, Etsy, Depop, Poshmark, Craigslist, Mercari, The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective) and ultimately, you don’t find the thing and you have to go to bed glassy-eyed and empty-handed? Well, I put together a list of my six favorite under-the-radar online resale shops–from local resale marketplaces to luxury consignment shops and marketplaces with charity donation components–that may help you get closer to finding that which keeps you up at night.
ReRuns
Re-sale with a charity component
The most distinctive aspect of ReRuns, a U.S.-only website for pre-owned clothes, is their pledge to donate the entirety of their 20% seller’s fee profit to a charity of the seller’s choice. Otherwise, everything’s pretty standard–sellers list item photos, descriptions, and prices for buyers to review and then choose which charity ReRun’s profits will go to for the sale. Once an item is purchased by a buyer, sellers use ReRun’s shipping methods to send out their item. You can learn more on ReRun’s FAQ page here.
VarageSale
Local resale marketplace
VarageSale is a virtual garage sale (get itttt?) app that lets users buy and sell items locally. Similar to Craigslist, when a buyer is interested in an item, the seller receives a notification through direct message, and after agreeing on the terms of sale, the seller will reserve the item for the buyer and schedule a meet up. If using the mobile app, the buyer can complete the transaction when the item is handed over. I recommend that you search with specific terms in mind (designer, style, type, etc.) rather than surfing through the pages. Photos are very low quality, but if you look closely there are some gems! Learn more about VarageSale here.
OfferUP
Local resale marketplace
Offer-Up is another local resale marketplace. You browse for items in your area and message sellers securely through the app to negotiate a price and meeting place. OfferUp allows you to review seller’s ratings and reviews easily to give buyers knowledge in advance (so if you’re a Yelp freak, this is the resale venue for you). Again, I recommend utilizing the search tool for specific items you have in mind, and don’t let the poor photo quality discourage you. Learn more on OfferUp’s about page here.