Prom can be expensive. The average teen spends about $1,000 on prom.
You can recoup some of the cost of prom by selling your used prom dress for cash near you.
Once prom is done, you don’t need your dress, meaning you may as well sell it. There are lots of places near you and online where you can get cash for your used prom dress.
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What should I charge for a used prom dress?
As is the case when selling clothes, no matter the kind, the exact amount you can sell your prom dress for depends on a variety of factors including its condition, fabric, brand, etc. But in general, for dresses that are in perfect condition, you can get around 30% to 50% of the original retail price.
Where Can I Sell a Used Prom Dress for Cash Near Me?
You can sell your used prom dress for cash locally.
With local sales, you don’t have the hassle of shipping the dress and can often get paid on the spot.
Here are some places where you can sell a used prom dress near you.
1. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a good place to sell your used prom dress to people near you. There are no fees for local sales.
You do have the option to ship to the buyer if you want to. However, you’ll need to pay a fee of 5% or $0.40 minimum per order.
You can also sell other items like shoes, handbags, jewelry, and accessories.
2. Consignment stores
Consignment stores can be a good place to get some money for your used prom dress.
You can do an internet search for “consignment stores near me” to find local stores. Take your prom dress into the store and an employee will evaluate it and quote you a price. Your prom dress will be placed in the store for sale if you accept the quoted price.
You’ll get paid once the store sells your clothes. Consignment stores do take a cut of the sale.
Usually, consignment stores charge a commission of between 20% and 40% (or even more than that) of the amount your item sells for.
Some stores even charge if your items don’t sell.
Because each consignment store sets its own rules and policies on the selling process and what commission it takes, it’s a good idea to call local stores to ask about their rules and commission rates before the sale. You should also ask if the store purchases prom dresses as not all of them do.
3. Craigslist
Craigslist is a good place to sell used prom dresses. You can list your prom dress for sale on the site and sell to people locally. Listing items for sale on Craigslist is free.
The site doesn’t charge you any commission either, which means that you get to keep all of the profits from selling your prom dress.
4. Thrift stores
You can get money for your used prom dress at a local thrift store. Contact thrift stores near you to ask if they would be interested in purchasing your prom dress.
Thrift stores are known for low prices, meaning you might not always get the best price for your prom dress. For getting cash on the spot though, thrift stores are a good option.
5. OfferUp
Get some cash for your used prom dress on OfferUp. It’s a website where you can buy and sell stuff locally. List your dress for sale on there.
OfferUp doesn’t charge any fees on local sales where you don’t ship items. This means that OfferUp enables you to sell your prom dress locally without having to pay a commission fee.
The site does give you the option to ship items to people. Sellers have to pay a fee of at least $1.99 or 12.9% of the sale price when shipped items sell.
6. Pawn shops
Local pawn shops can be a good avenue for selling a used prom dress. Often, pawn shops will pay you on the spot, which is great.
Although they’re good for getting money fast, pawn shops don’t always provide you with the best price for your items. This is because they want to make a profit, so they’ll typically offer you a lower price than what your dress is worth.
7. 5miles
5miles is a website and app where you can sell items to people locally. You can list your prom dress for sale on there and sell it to people nearby. It’s free to list items for sale on 5miles, which is great.
8. VarageSale
VarageSale is like an online garage sale. You can buy and sell stuff locally on there. List your prom dress for sale on VarageSale and sell it to people near you.
It’s free to list items for sale on the site.
Where to Sell a Used Prom Dress for Cash Online
Selling your prom dress online is a great option because you can reach a wide range of buyers.
Here’s where you can sell a used prom dress for cash online.
9. Poshmark
Poshmark is a popular marketplace for used clothing. You can list your prom dress for sale on Poshmark for free. Poshmark takes a flat commission rate of $2.95 for sales under $15. For sales that are worth $15 or more, the site takes a 20% commission fee.
You can take some photos of your prom dress, price it, and list it for sale in just a few steps. You can use the company’s label to ship your dress and cash out as soon as the order is complete.
10. Queenly
Queenly is a marketplace for formal dresses. You can sell your prom dress on there. You can also sell dresses for other occasions like weddings and quinceañeras.
List your dress for sale on there and set your price. Queenly will email you a prepaid shipping label and you can ship your prom dress.
Once the buyer receives your prom dress, or after 3 days, the company will pay you by PayPal, Venmo, or ACH. The site charges you a 20% commission fee, so you keep 80% of your sales.
11. eBay
For selling items online, eBay is a great option. It’s a popular site where you can get your dress in front of lots of potential buyers. You can list up to 250 items for sale on eBay for free.
When your dress sells, eBay will charge you a final value fee. The final value fee is 13.25% of the sale price for most categories, plus $0.30 per order.
12. The RealReal
With The RealReal, you can sell clothes, bags, and jewelry from designers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada.
You could sell your prom dress through the site. The RealReal pays sellers between 20% and 85% of the sales price.
The site is an ideal place to sell luxury, designer, or high-end clothing.
13. Etsy
Etsy is known as a good site for selling handmade items. It’s also great for selling clothing like prom dresses too. You can list your dress for sale in front of lots of potential customers.
There’s a listing fee of $0.20 per item, so Etsy isn’t one of those sites where you can list your prom dress for sale for free. When your dress sells, you’re charged a 6.5% fee.
14. Depop
List your prom dress for sale for free on Depop. Create an account to start selling, take some photos of your dress, describe the item you’re selling, and set your price. The site charges you a 10% fee when your items sell.
15. ThredUp
With ThredUp, you can list your prom dress for sale. ThredUp is an online consignment and thrift store where you can buy and sell used clothing.
You can ship your dress to the company and cash out or get shopping credit when it sells. You can earn 5% to 80% of the selling price.
16. Wedding/bridal dress stores
I’ve seen a few people recommend selling prom dresses on wedding/bridal dress sites, including:
However, these sites are more aimed toward bridal gowns and dresses.
Since prom dresses count as formal wear though, you may be able to sell them to these sites.
17. Mecari
Mercari allows you to sell a wide range of different items. You can list your used prom dress for sale on there.
When your dress sells, you have to pay a fee of 2.9% plus a $0.30 payment processing fee.
18. Shpock
Shpock is a UK-based online marketplace where you can list your prom dress for sale. The site allows sellers to list items for free.
It doesn’t charge any commission fees either, meaning you can keep all of the money you make from the sale.
19. Vinted
Vinted is a good place to sell your prom dress. There are no fees for listing your items or selling them on Vinted, which is great.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Used Prom Dresses
If this is your first time selling a used prom dress, you likely have some questions. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about selling a used prom dress and their answers.
Where can I sell my used prom dress?
You can sell your used prom dress both online and offline. Consider platforms like eBay, Poshmark, or local consignment shops.
How much can I sell my prom dress for?
The price depends on factors like the brand, condition, and style of the dress. High-end designer dresses typically fetch more money.
What’s the best way to determine the value of my prom dress?
To gauge the value, research similar dresses for sale. This will give you an idea of what buyers are willing to pay.
How can I make my prom dress more appealing to buyers?
Clean the dress thoroughly and take well-lit, high-quality photos. Provide accurate measurements and a detailed description in your listings.
Do I need to tailor my dress before selling it?
Tailoring the dress to fit a wider range of sizes can make it more appealing to buyers. However, don’t alter the dress if it’s a rare or vintage piece.
Should I consider renting out my prom dress instead of selling it?
Renting your dress is an option, but it comes with its own set of considerations. It depends on your preferences and financial goals.
How do I ship a prom dress to the buyer safely?
Use a sturdy box and ensure the dress is well-protected with tissue paper. Always provide a tracking number and insurance for expensive dresses.
Are there any scams I should watch out for when selling online?
Be cautious of potential scams. Only use reputable platforms, avoid buyers who want to overpay, and never share personal information.
What’s the best time to sell a prom dress?
Spring, before prom season, is an ideal time to list your dress. However, you can sell prom dresses year-round.
Can I donate my prom dress instead of selling it?
Yes, many organizations accept donated prom dresses to provide them to individuals who cannot afford one.
What’s the environmental impact of selling used clothing like prom dresses?
Selling used clothing is an eco-friendly choice as it extends the lifespan of the dress and reduces the need for new production.
Can I sell vintage prom dresses, and are they in demand?
Vintage prom dresses are popular among buyers. Their uniqueness and classic styles make them desirable.
What if my dress has sentimental value? Should I still sell it?
If your dress holds sentimental value, think carefully before selling it. Consider whether the memories outweigh the financial gain.
What are the advantages of selling locally versus online?
Selling locally allows you to avoid shipping costs and meet the buyer in person. Online platforms offer a broader audience.
How can I handle negotiations and pricing with potential buyers?
Be open to reasonable negotiations, but set a minimum price you’re willing to accept. Keep communication respectful and professional.
From Prom Night to Payday: Sell Your Used Prom Dress for Extra Cash!
Once prom is done, you don’t need your dress anymore. It just takes up space in your closet.
Most of us could do with some extra space in our home, which is why selling anything you no longer need, like a used prom dress, is such a good idea. You declutter your home while putting some extra cash in your pocket.
