See the first post in this series: I Don’t Buy Clothes Online…CONVERT (Thrift Stores)
Twice Online Consignment review HERE
Buying Clothes for Children HERE
Stitch Fix: Budget Buster or Worthwhile Investment?
So, I heard about Thred Up the first time from my friend Angela at The Grocery Shrink. After that, I started seeing everyone talk about it. And of course, because I have some type of Ornery Disease, I didn’t want to check it out. Because if everyone else is doing it, I don’t want to. I want to swim upstream…but not naked.
See, here’s the problem – my clothes didn’t fit. After baby #3, I was up 10 pounds and wider around the hips…and also around the ummmm, yeah. Those.
I will be the first to tell you, I’m okay with my weight gain. It’s not bad weight and I’m still in a healthy range. I’m able to eat what I want and not worry so much about the number on the scale. I’m at a weight that’s easy to maintain (finally). I do still exercise in an attempt to lose some body fat, but that usually means you gain weight (muscle).
So, nothing in my closet was fitting well – and I didn’t really want to wear yoga pants to Sunday School. I knew I needed some better fitting clothes, but I didn’t have the time or desire to go out thrifting for clothes. I had already had some bad experiences ordering things online so I wasn’t excited about it. And plus, I don’t like buying new clothes if I can help it. I like buying used. It’s in my blood. (Some of you aren’t like that, and that’s cool – I’ll have you covered later on.)
I logged in the first time and didn’t find anything that tickled my fancy. Blah. Not for me, I thought. Then a few days later, I looked again and saw several cute things! And that’s just like thrifting…because it IS thrifting! The stock will vary from day to day. So even if nothing looks cute today, it might look cute tomorrow. And sometimes that’s based solely on mood and not how clothing looks – am I right?!
The only difference is…I didn’t have to waste my time, effort, or gas money to check the thrift store out. I just had a minute, so I walked over and turned the computer on to look. And THAT is a winner in my book. I got to thrift without someone telling me they had to poop as I was walking about the door.
Thred Up had a few things I was looking for: undershirts for cardigans and a black cardigan sweater for church.
When they arrived, I was super impressed. The box was cute and the packaging was well done. Nothing turns me off quicker than a package that arrives and everything is thrown in there like my 2 year old assembled it.
I could tell everything was clean and that’s a big deal – that doesn’t usually happen at the thrift store. Each item is tagged, so you know it’s been inspected.
I tried everything on and it fit like a charm. I was so tickled! 🙂 I got what I needed, for a good price and I didn’t even have to leave home! Each piece averaged $6.79 which a winner in my book! Even though that’s more that what I would pay at the thrift store, I didn’t have to leave home or pay for gas…in HOPES that they would have what I needed.
Saving More Tip!
Also, here’s a great tip for you. For your first order you can use my link (or a link from your friend) and get $10 off! If you can find a coupon code on Retail Me Not (which I did for free shipping) then you can save even more! I always check Retail Me Not before buying anything online.
Also, here’s a tip for saving – once I signed up with a friend’s link, I didn’t order right away. And Thred Up (Twice did this as well) started sending me emails. You can wait until there’s a coupon code that way too. 😉 Especially if there isn’t currently a code on Retail Me Not.
Shipping is a flat $5.99 but if you spend $79 you get free shipping. And if you need clothes, it’s pretty easy to spend $79.
Returns
Okay, so returns are a big deal to me. A lot of online clothing stores make you PAY return shipping if you want to return something. That’s just not cool. At Thred Up, if you want to return something because it doesn’t fit, you can do so within 14 days for FREE if you choose store credit. That’s a winner in my book. If you want your cash back, you pay an $8.99 return fee (return policy here). However, since I already knew I needed clothes, a store credit is fine with me.
A label is fixed by Thred Up for you and you can just throw the items back in the mail. Once they get there, you get your credit and can shop again. From your home. And you didn’t have to leave. Have I mentioned that?
Thred Up Pros
- Good prices
- Name brand clothing
- Free shipping over $79
- FREE returns with store credit if you are not satisfied (14 days)
- Items are inspected
- Great photos of items
- Material, size, and condition of item is listed
- Shop from the convenience of your home
- Children’s clothing available!
- I have heard very good things about people wishing to consign their clothing at Thred Up
- Quick turnaround on items so you can easily find what you want/need
- With your first order you get a $10 credit AND you can find coupon codes online
Thred Up Cons
- $5.99 shipping if you order less than $79
- If you don’t want store credit and need a return, you pay an $8.99 fee
- Condition of item isn’t SPECIFIC
- Measurements aren’t given, only size
- Nothing for MEN
- Prices are a bit more than a brick-and-mortar thrift shop
- Items are used (doh)…not a con for me 😉
So, there you have it. If I haven’t answered a specific question you have in my Thred Up review, just holler. Or check out their awesome FAQ page. I will go ahead and tell you (even though I’m not done with this series), that Thred Up was my favorite option when ordering thrift online.
If you so desire, you can use my Thred Up link to get $10 off your first order. Or not. I won’t be offended. 🙂 I just want you to find a great option that you love so you can buy used and save the difference! 🙂
Hello, I found out about thred up recently through my daughter and when we decided i needed my wardrobe updated into the 21st century I gave it a shot and bought a bunch of clothes, enough to qualify for free shipping for any amount for the next month, which was great. I thought I could always return what didn’t fit and get store credit and basically be able to exchange them for free, but as usual the problem for me is procrastination. The return policy is now 14 days and I missed the date on a few items I was going to return. Very disappointed in this and hesitate to try again. You may want to update your post to show the new return policy.
Hi Karen! Thred Up has changed several things in the past couple months and I hadn’t got around to updating this post. I still looooove the company and have been able to clothe myself well this summer. 🙂 I’m sorry you missed the deadline for returns. That stinks. I’ve updated the post – thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Thanks for the info !! I’m sending off my first bag tomorrow!! So excited!!!
2 thumbs down. I sent clothes in using their bag system. There was an unacceptable delay in processing the bag, over one week beyond the second “promise by” date email they had sent. The amount I received was just a few dollars, considerably lower than the $40-50 estimate I received for the same items from a local consignment shop that I used for comparison. The items were all from accepted sources, some were not even worn, all were purchased in the last couple of years.
I’m sorry to hear that Sandy – I don’t have any experience selling to them, only buying.
I adore ThredUp!! I just started using it early last winter and I’ve loved everything they have. I am a very small adult and I usually can’t get clothes that fit me perfectly, but at ThredUp I can!! That’s a winner in my books.
Yes! And from the comfort of home. Double win!
Thank you! Just went shopping . I have never heard of this before!
I’m so glad! I hope you love it. 🙂
I went to the site, but when I figured out that it had to be name brand and there were so many rules, I decided it wouldn’t be worth it for me.
To sell? They only accept certain items. That’s to keep quality high.
I can’t tell you how much I love ThredUp. I discovered it about a year and a half ago and was primarily buying clothes for my kids on the site. I don’t buy play clothes for them here because I can get them cheaper on sale at Target or the outlets but I do get a lot of their church and special occasion clothes here. After a while I started shopping for myself and this is my primary shopping outlet now. I’ve never been much of a thrift store girl because the randomness overwhelms me but I love the organization and ease of use with this site. I’ve bought everything from cocktail dresses, t-shirts, and winter boots for myself here. The quality it great, the shipments are timely and the returns are easy. I love that they will even ship free to Hawaii, as not many companies do. I am always recommending ThredUp to all my friends.
Yes, you’re so right about some thrift stores being overwhelming. Some of them aren’t organized at all. And some are so full it’s hard to get any looking done.
Thanks for this post! I’ve just recently discovered Goodwill, I know, I KNOW! Anyway I’ve been buying used clothes on ebay since I was pregnant with my son 12 years ago, so take that! lol. I’m planning to use your link and check it out! Thanks again! Oh, you didn’t mention they had kid’s clothes and wallets! 🙂
I’ll be doing a separate post about kids. 🙂 I mentioned that in the first post, but didn’t really include that here.
I love the cardigan. Ribbon makes my day 🙂
I just love it! It’s super cute. 🙂 It makes me happy.
I just made my first order last night on ThredUp. I like the thoroughness of the descriptions and the prices were not that bad. I did stick to things under $20 each. When my box arrives I will see if my excitement is still there. No driving anyway a big PLUS! Thanks for this tip as well as all of your tips!
YAY! I do hope you’ll keep me posted with how you feel about it once everything arrives. 🙂
At first I thought this was going to be another blogger reviewing Stitch Fix. Can I just tell you how done I am with Stitch Fix? I tried it twice. The first time I kept a necklace and sent the rest back. The second time I got one t-shirt I thought might work until I noticed the price was $50! for a t-shirt! Major fit problems with everything. Some things really tight, some were huge.
What I like about ThredUp is that they tell you the brands so if you’re familiar with the brand, you know generally how they’ll fit. I haven’t ordered from them yet but I’ve been looking on the site. Maybe I’ll be brave now and try.
Ha ha! Well, you can skip the post where I talk about Stitch Fix, okay? 😉
I like that you’re doing this series! I was bummed with Thred Up, though, because I couldn’t even go to check out if I was interested without signing up first. That is a “con” to me.
Also, if you sign up with them before clicking on referral link, you won’t get that $10. I don’t really see that as a con, because almost every deal site does that now. 🙁