FAQ: Your Guide to Buying Secondhand Kids’ Clothing

Shopping secondhand for kids is increasingly popular - and for good reason; it gives parents a sustainable and affordable way to get high-quality, excellent condition children’s clothing for their kids. But knowing how to get started with secondhand shopping isn’t always clear. That’s why we’ve pulled together some of the most frequently asked questions about secondhand children’s stores and shopping, so that we can help you navigate the world of secondhand shopping for kids.

1. Why should I buy secondhand clothing for my kids?

Answer: Buying secondhand kids' clothing is great for several reasons:

• You save money because buying secondhand clothing is cheaper than buying new;
• It’s good for the environment as it reduces textile waste, the use of natural resources, and carbon emissions; and
• You can find great items in excellent condition from high-quality brands.

2. Where are the best places to buy secondhand kids’ clothing?

Answer: There are several different places to find good secondhand children’s clothing. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and, ultimately, the best option for you likely comes down to fit and what matters most to you (e.g., convenience, selection, savings, etc.). Options include:

• Local consignment and resale shops: These stores tend to have a great selection of gently used children’s clothing from quality brands. If you’re easing into secondhand shopping, shopping in-person locally has the added benefit of letting you see exactly what you’re buying first-hand.
• Thrift stores: You can score some great finds from thrift stores - and at excellent prices. The downside is that the selection tends to not be quite as curated as consignment and resale stores so, for example, so you may find yourself spending a bit of extra time digging for those hidden gems.
• Online marketplaces: eBay, Poshmark, Kidizen, and Facebook Marketplace are all examples of online marketplaces, which are platforms that enable parents to sell their gently used children’s clothing directly to other parents. You can find a wide range of children’s clothing on these sites, though it may take some scrolling to find what you’re looking for and dealing with individual sellers can sometimes be a hassle if you end up negotiating over price, bundling, delivery logistics, etc.
• Online consignment and resale shops: These shops, including Bounce Mkt, give you the convenience of shopping online but provide a more curated selection of used kids’ clothing than you will find on online marketplaces.
• ‘Buy Nothing’ groups: A bit of a different take on online marketplaces are local ‘Buy Nothing’ Facebook groups. On these pages, parents within a community giveaway used items, including children’s clothing, for free. If you’re building a kids’ wardrobe on a budget, it is a great idea to keep an eye out on your local group, though the selection may be limited.
• Consignment sales: These are in-person events that allow parents to consign their used children’s clothing, gear, and toys, at an event that lasts a few days, typically timed around the changing of seasons. These events can help with major closet refreshes, though they can be limiting in terms of timing/schedule and location.

3. What should I look for when shopping secondhand kids’ clothing?

Answer: When shopping for secondhand clothing, be sure to keep an eye out for the following:

• Condition: Check for stains, tears, pilling, and visible signs of wear.
• Hardware: Make sure any zippers and buttons are functioning properly.
• Brand: High-quality brands tend to be more durable and will last longer.
• Sizing: Not all children’s clothing brands size their clothing in the same way; some run small, and some run large. It is helpful to have a general sense of how specific brands size and, if in doubt, size up as kids will grow into larger sizes. Pro tip: if shopping in-person without your child present, bring a piece of clothing that currently fits them well to physically compare the sizes.

4. Are there hygiene concerns with secondhand kids’ clothing?

Answer: Let’s face it; no one wants to put their child in clothing that isn’t clean. This is why we recommend you wash secondhand clothing after purchasing. That said, at Bounce Mkt, we’ve made the decision to wash all the clothing that comes into our shop (except those with tags) before we resell it because we value hygiene just as much as our customers do.

5. How much money can I save buying my kids’ clothing secondhand (versus new)?

Answer: There are a lot of factors that go into the pricing of secondhand clothing but, as a rough rule, you can expect that secondhand children’s clothing will cost roughly 25-40% of the original price. Of course, the condition, brand, and style all influence the pricing of individual items, but you can certainly feel good knowing that you’re getting big savings compared to buying new.  

6. Can I sell or donate my kids’ used clothing?

Answer: Absolutely! Selling or donating your kids' outgrown clothing is a great way to extend its use and reduce the need for more new clothing to be produced (which helps the environment!). There are a few different options:

• Sell on a marketplace: You can sell your used clothing directly to other parents through online marketplaces, such as Facebook. The major benefit here is that you can control the price and maximize your pay-out. The big downside is that it can be a lot of work as you need to photograph items, create listings, negotiate with buyers, and coordinate delivery logistics, all of which takes time.
• Sell to consignment or resale shop: If you’re looking for a more convenient way to sell your secondhand children’s clothing, consider selling to a consignment or resale shop, either locally in your community or online. These stores will do the heavy lift of selling the items in exchange for a portion of the sales price.
• Donate locally: Many non-profit organizations, including thrift shops, accept children’s clothing. Just be sure that you’re mindful what you donate as it takes precious volunteer resources to sort through used clothing and weed out that which is stained, damaged, or otherwise not suitable for donation (PSA: those items in rough shape should go to textile recycling rather than donation).

Conclusion

Shopping secondhand for kids is a smart choice because it easy on both your wallet and the environment, all while keeping your ever-growing kids outfitted in excellent condition, high-quality children’s clothing. It is easier than ever to find great secondhand clothing for your little ones and buying secondhand, instead of new, is a simple step that we can all take to reduce our environmental footprint.