Examples: Threadflip, Tradesy, Bib+Tuck

Best for: Mid- to higher-priced designer goods

• While I can’t vouch for the other sites, I’ve purchased from Threadflip several times and had a great experience. Online consignment is essentially the same as at a brick-and-mortar store, but you can filter for brand, size, color, etc.. Although you can’t try anything on, you can always ask the seller for measurements or additional pictures.
• Like any other e-retailers, you can join the e-mail lists for flash sales or members-only discounts.
• If you’re in the market for a designer purse or accessories, online consignment is a great choice, since many sites offer refund policies if the item turns out not to be authentic, or they will authenticate items themselves.

eBay

Photo: Screenshot

Best for: finding a specific item

• I’ve definitely spent hours just perusing the infinite listings on eBay, but it’s best if you have a particular item in mind, say, that Anthropologie dress last season that you were absolutely in love with but had a price you just couldn’t justify.  It’s always worth doing an eBay search to see if you can snag it on sale!
• Be familiar with eBay lingo: for instance, NWT means “new with tags” and NWOT means “new without tags.” Always make sure that the seller you’re buying from is reputable.
• While there are definitely some amazing deals to be found, be wary of anything that seems too good to be true, especially if it’s a designer item that’s being listed as brand new. (Ladies, no matter how much we wish it were true, there’s just no way that an authentic Chanel bag would ever be listed for $50!)

What did you think?

Do you shop secondhand? Would you try it? Do you have any tips of your own to share? Let us know in the comments!