Home Business Idea – the Closet Sale!
March 17, 2009 by Jean Murray
Hard times make people inventive. One of the newest and hottest home business ideas around is the 
used clothing store-in-a-closet idea. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that women are selling their used clothing directly from home.
When I first read the title, I thought these women were selling on eBay. Nope, they are selling their clothes directly from home. Many of us have a variety of clothing at home, in many sizes, styles, and colors. I also know a few women (some of them in my family!) who have many pairs of shoes that could be sold.
Advertising would be relatively easy and inexpensive. You could advertise on Craigslist or at the local grocery store or in the newspaper, and have a “sales day” at home. Several people could go together in one big “closet sale” (kind of like an indoor garage sale) and let people browse and try on clothing in private.
Saving Money. Selling at home saves money because you don’t need to rent a store-front. And you could take cash only and avoid the credit-card dilemma. But what about returns? I would sell with an “as is” policy, and not accept returns. People buying used clothing shouldn’t be that picky.
Retailing from Home. My biggest concern in this endeavor is in running a retail business from home, for several reasons:
- Licensing. If you running this business on a continuing basis and you are not licensed as a home business, you will get into trouble with the city. You should get a license and make sure the city is OK with what you are doing.
- Parking could be a problem, particularly if the city decides to enforce disability parking restrictions or if the neighbors complain about too much traffic.
- Safety issues need to be considered, too. Keeping certain parts of your home off-limits and not letting pets and children around the shoppers would be a good idea. And don’t put your valuables out where people can see them.
If you are determined and you have a lot of clothing to sell, it would be easy to set up a home clothing sales business. Oh, and one other question: What happens if someone wants to buy your favorite red dress and you decide at that minute you just can’t bear to part with it? Who wins?
Image: Sxc.hu
Ive always thought that there was a market for ‘micro’ flea markets i.e: Rent some unused retail space for a weekend and have people rent a ‘table’ where then can sell their garage sale stuff without having to do it in a garage. You’d have to do a bit of advertising, but in addition to table rental you might be able to make some money on the concessions.
I agree, Jeff. I don’t know why more people don’t do it. If any of you are doing this, let me know.
Thanks for the comment.
I have thought of doing this for a group of gals, having closet parties. Bascially getting say 3 gals who are cleaning out their closets and have myself organize, tag, and present their closets at my location for a small fee. The problem is I prefer not to do this is my house and I was thinking more outside the box, and promoting this all over like Mary Kay or Jewelry parties and having these closet parties at space I would rent monthly. I would rent retail space, something affordable, this way it would be all set up and just change the clothes around from different closets. But now I would have to make it more of a business and charge tax etc. If I had it at home like a garage/household sale I would not. That is the catch 22 to this. What are your thoughts on this? Thank you.
I have the same concerns, Lynn. I would not want people in my home and there are lots of problems with the city, zoning, etc. Having the business in a location would be more costly but a lot easier. Basically, you would have a consignment shop. A real business.
I like the idea of having a smaller space that you could rent more cheaply and doing it just once a month, at least at first. Maybe there is some kind of “business incubator” or an inside mall, like an antique mall, you could rent space at. Keep looking and I’m sure you will find something.