Be careful with how Second Street prices your items! A thorough explanation of tips for selling without losing money

Second Street is a representative reuse shop. While it is a convenient place to sell clothes and designer items, there are many complaints that the appraisal was lower than expected or the price was unacceptable.

In this article, we will comprehensively explain everything from how Second Street sets prices , to practical techniques you should know to sell at a high price , as well as comparisons with other stores and sales strategies for those new to the side hustle.

By understanding what is going on behind the scenes of the appraisal price, you can avoid losses and sell your items smarter and at a higher price. At the end, we will also introduce our unique support, so please read to the end.

 

Understand how Second Street evaluates your property

In order to aim for a high appraisal on Second Street, it is essential to first understand how the appraisal system works and how the price is determined. Here we will explain the criteria used for appraisals and clarify the factors that affect the price.

How is the price determined? The basics and process of appraisal

Second Street's appraisal process is more systematic and data-driven than it appears. The price is determined through the following steps:

・Check product genre and brand: Brand name, category, year, etc. will be registered.

・Condition check: Check carefully for dirt, tears, fading, and signs of use.

- Market price comparison: Check current sales prices based on past sales records and nationwide sales data.

What is particularly noteworthy is that each store clerk has a certain degree of discretion. Although the appraisal is based on a national database, the appraisal value may go up or down depending on the knowledge and judgment of the clerk. For example, in stores with staff who have extensive brand knowledge, there are cases where they will buy the item at a higher price than the market price.

Historical transaction data and market trends hold the key

Second Street's pricing is determined based on both "data" and "current market trends." The criteria are how much an item has sold in the past, how much demand there is now, and the price range of competitors.

・Products with high demand and high turnover tend to be appraised at higher prices

- Products that are influenced by trends tend to fetch higher prices if sold at the peak of their popularity.

If the brand's popularity declines or the number of products in circulation increases, the price will drop sharply.

For example, demand for outdoor brand THE NORTH FACE increases sharply towards the middle of winter, and they tend to command high prices when sold in the fall.

Is it true that prices differ between home delivery and in-store?

Yes, the appraisal value may differ between mail-order and in-store purchases. This is due to differences in the appraiser's visual judgment, fees, logistics costs, etc.

If you are aiming for a high price, it may be to your advantage to visit multiple stores to compare prices and then negotiate face-to-face.

Pricing pitfalls that people who can't sell for high prices don't know about

Even if you have a brand name or trendy item, if you sell it the wrong way, it can become surprisingly cheap. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Why "bringing things in just the right way" leads to losses

What many people end up doing is, "I had some free time so I just took it with me." The following problems are often seen:

・No cleaning or maintenance gives a bad impression

Selling items when demand is low

・Bringing in items for disposal without understanding what is selling

As a result, it is not uncommon for products that would normally sell for several thousand yen to only sell for a few hundred yen.

The appraisal value of the same item may change depending on the timing.

On Second Street, seasonality and market timing play a big role in pricing.

・Spring items tend to sell at higher prices from January to March, while fall/winter items tend to sell at higher prices from September to November

・Demand temporarily rises during the New Year holidays and new life season (February to April)

・If you miss the peak of the trend, the value will drop significantly

For example, Uniqlo's "+J" series, which was all the rage in 2023, was valued at its highest in the two months after its release, but since then its appraisal value has fallen due to an increase in inventory.

What are the characteristics of priceless items?

Items like the ones below will almost certainly be refused or valued at only a few tens of yen.

-Items with severe damage such as stains, discoloration, or pilling

-Items that have been manufactured for more than five years and are out of date

・Old products from fast fashion brands (GU, H&M, etc.)

Since the chances of selling are low, it is important to identify items that should not be sold in the first place if you want to increase the appraisal value.

Practical techniques for getting a high appraisal on Second Street

The key to increasing the appraisal value is "strategy" and "preparation." Here we will introduce some carefully selected tips that anyone can put into practice right now.

Tips for making the most of home delivery purchase services

To make the most of your home delivery service, here are some tips to keep in mind:

- Send items by genre: Items in the same genre will be easier to evaluate.

- Take photos and record before shipping: Prevent problems and make price comparisons yourself

· Be sure to check the cancellation conditions: In case of an unsatisfactory appraisal, check whether the return shipping is free.

In some cases, you may be able to increase the appraisal value by selling items in bulk.

The difference between before and after conditioning is so great

Even for the same item, the price can differ by several times depending on whether or not you take care of it before having it appraised.

in particular:

-Lightly iron to remove wrinkles

- Smooth out your knitted garments with a lint remover

If you are wearing shoes, wipe the soles to remove any mud.

・Include a branded paper bag and accompanying tag

Appraisal staff are human too, and they tend to give higher ratings to items that look nice, as they feel they will sell well.

Be sure to check before selling! 5 points to consider when purchasing

1. Seasonal suitability: Check if there is demand for the product in the current season

2. Brand value: Research whether the brand is in high demand

3. Item condition: Repair and clean stains, wrinkles, and damage.

4. Promotional Period: Check campaigns and months when purchases are increased

5. Comparative appraisal: Compare market prices using multiple stores and services

If you keep these five points in mind, you can at least avoid "selling below market price."

How to create a sales strategy for resellers and side hustles beginners

For those who want to use Second Street as a side business, simply selling items is not enough. The key to realizing high profits is to develop a strategy for what products to sell, when, and where to sell them.

Here we will introduce in detail how to identify best sellers, when to list items with the right season in mind, and the characteristics of each brand.

How to spot best-sellers and trends

Identifying best-selling items and popular trends is an essential skill for any successful side hustle. Items like the following tend to be especially popular on Second Street:

- Items that are popular on social media or among influencers (e.g. Carhartt WIP, COMME des GARÇONS)

・Collaboration models (e.g. UNIQLO × JW ANDERSON)

・Unisex products that are in demand regardless of gender

・Current models and limited editions currently on sale

To research best-sellers, it is effective to regularly check second-hand sales sites such as Mercari, Rakuma, and Yahoo! Auctions. Second Street's official website also lists "popular rankings" and "items with high buying prices," so use this as a source of information.

Tips for targeting the best time to sell

Depending on when you sell an item, the appraisal value of the same item can be more than double. Timing plays a major role in determining profitability, especially when it comes to seasonal or trendy items.

・Winter items (outerwear, knitwear): Prices tend to rise between September and November

・Summer items (T-shirts, shorts): High prices from April to June

・New life season (February to April): Demand increases for furniture, home appliances, and business casual wear

・ Bonus period (June, December): Branded items tend to sell at high prices

In addition, the golden rule for trendy items is to sell them off before the trend ends. Items are often sold at their highest price within three months of going on sale, so be mindful of the speed at which you purchase and list them.

Know the price difference between brands

The way items are appraised varies greatly depending on the brand. Understanding the price difference will help you decide which brands to purchase or which brands to bring to Second Street.

Second Street places emphasis on the sales record of each brand when making appraisals, so it is important to determine the sustainability of popularity and resale value. If you want to make a steady income as a side job, it is an effective strategy to choose a brand with stable demand.

Second Street's Features in Comparison with Other Reuse Shops

Many people may be concerned about selling only at Second Street, or wondering how it differs from other stores. Here, we will clarify Second Street's strengths and weaknesses by comparing it with other major reuse shops.

Differences in appraisal trends between Off House and Treasure Factory

Second Street is known for its quick adoption of trends and its strength in brands aimed at younger generations. On the other hand, Off House is more reliable when it comes to focusing on condition and valuing everyday items. It's a good idea to use them depending on the item you're selling.

How good is the Second Street campaign?

Second Street regularly runs special purchase campaigns. By taking advantage of these, you can increase your chances of selling at a higher price than usual.

・Seasonal "XX% UP Campaign"

・Increased purchase price for certain brands (e.g. Nike 10% increase)

・Store-limited in-store purchase bonus

Of particular note are the limited coupons available to LINE friends and app subscribers. By checking this information regularly, you can make the most of the timing to sell.

We provide a wide range of services, from collecting and purchasing used clothing to recycling.

We offer a flexible service that can handle items that cannot be purchased at Second Street, etc. We provide optimal services based on the know-how we have cultivated in the second-hand clothing industry.

Introducing our corporate services

OLD FLIP promotes the effective use of used clothing and sustainable initiatives through partnerships with companies. We provide a service for corporations that purchases the remaining stock of apparel manufacturers and second-hand clothing stores in bulk and redistributes the items in a valuable form.

Our strength is not just to dispose of inventory, but to contribute to society as part of our SDGs activities. Through the reuse of old clothes, we aim to build a partnership that contributes to environmental friendliness and the creation of a sustainable fashion culture.

We also actively undertake joint projects and launch new businesses with partner companies, seeking to create new value by leveraging each other's technologies and know-how.

We are always looking forward to hearing from companies that support this initiative to breathe new life into old clothes. Please feel free to contact us using the email form here for business partnerships or consultations.

A remake service that breathes new life into old clothes by dyeing them black

The fabric is still strong, but the color is fading. Your favorite clothes have changed color. Do you have old clothes like that?

Even for items that are difficult to purchase, we offer a service that transforms them into valuable items through "black dye remake."

In collaboration with Kyoto Montsuki Co., Ltd., a long-established company in Kyoto, these items are dyed a deep black to create attractive, one-of-a-kind items. For a more sustainable society, we offer the option of re-dyeing your favorite clothes through black dyeing so that you can treasure them forever.

Dirty old clothes can be reused with cleaning services

Even if your clothes are in poor condition and difficult to use, we can restore them to a reusable state through our unique cleaning service.

Even clothing with strong stains, odors, or mold can be restored to a usable condition through specialized processing using highly skilled techniques.

We can also wash stuffed toys, kimonos, and dresses. You can also leave high-end clothing and leather items such as fur, which are said to be difficult to clean, to us. We will not waste your precious clothing, but will pass it on to the next stage in a sustainable way.

Proposal for setting up used clothing collection boxes for items that are difficult to purchase

Even if the items are difficult to collect, they can be collected in used clothing collection boxes that have been set up as a way to contribute to the local community. Even damaged or heavily soiled clothing can be reused as a resource, so this is gaining attention as an option to avoid throwing away clothing.

We can also set up the machines in homes, facilities, and stores, and can also be used for local collection activities. We are also receiving more inquiries from organizations that wish to participate in SDGs and eco-activities, which will also contribute to society through collection.

We are particularly focusing on collecting used clothing from Uniqlo and GU, which are difficult to put a price on.

summary

Second Street's pricing method involves a combination of multiple factors, including market prices based on a database, the discretion of the salesperson, and seasonal and trendy items. By understanding how this system works, you can greatly reduce the risk of losing money on your appraisal.

Also, keep in mind that the purchase price can vary greatly depending on your advance preparations and sales strategy. For those who use it for side business purposes, the key to success is to gather information and act quickly. Please use this article as a reference and get a satisfactory result on your next sale.