Wonder if shopping on Poshmark is worth your time? Here is my experience using the platform and how I save money using the site!
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the cost of clothing has skyrocketed! The other day, I was looking for a new cardigan. I fell in love with one from Free People, but it was $198, and I couldn’t justify spending that much money on one article of clothing.
So, I decided to check out Poshmark and see if I could find it for less money. Not only did I find this Free People cardigan, but I also purchased it brand new with tags for $68!
Since my first purchase, I’ve learned how to use the Poshmark app and score the best deals on clothing and accessories.
If you’re looking for ways to save on clothes, shoes, accessories, and more, here are my best tips for saving money when shopping on Poshmark!
What is Poshmark?
Poshmark is an online thrifting platform where individuals in the US, Canada, and Australia can sell and buy new and used items. While you’ll mainly find clothing like jackets, pants, sweaters, shirts, and dresses for women, you can also find clothing for kids and men, as well as home decor, books, makeup, jewelry, purses, toys, electronics, and so much more!
On Poshmark, you can find everyday labels like Old Navy and H&M, higher-end brands like Lululemon and Free People, and luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
Poshmark works similarly to other online marketplace apps, but it also has a social component that encourages users to like, share, give ratings, and comment on items. The more active you are on the platform, the more perks you can get as a seller. As a shopper, you can expect to find high-quality clothing at major discounts! I’ve purchased multiple dresses that retailed for over $150 and were only worn once for just $11.
To Start Shopping on Poshmark, Create an Account
To start selling or shopping on Poshmark, you’ll need to create a Poshmark account, which can be done through Facebook, Google, Apple, or your email address. If you’re new to Poshmark, sign up using my referral code here, and you’ll get a $10 credit that you can use on your first order!
Once you have your account, you can search for your favorite brands or a specific item using the search bar at the top of the app. Poshmark has a variety of search filters that make it easy to find what you’re looking for. Be sure to add your sizes to the My Size Filter; this will help you find clothing in your exact sizes for pants, dresses, shoes, sweaters, and more.
1. Searching and Liking Items
When shopping on Poshmark, if you find an item you’re interested in, tap on the heart icon to save it to your likes. When you save an item to your likes, a notification is sent to the seller, and about 90% of the time, they will send you a discounted offer for the item.
However, before you make a purchase, scroll down to the end of the listing where it says “Find Similar Listings”. This will allow you to search for the same item, but you may find a seller on the platform who has it priced lower. Always shop around for the best price on Poshmark!
If an item I want is pricey, I’ll also look at other secondhand sites like eBay, Depop, and Mercari. I have all four apps downloaded on my phone, so it’s easy to search and find the best prices online.
2. Negotiate or Wait
I’ve found that when I like (heart) an item, sellers respond very quickly with a discounted offer. If you don’t receive an offer immediately, you can wait a day or so to see if they send an offer, or you can negotiate a lower price or discounted shipping on your own. One thing you have to remember with Poshmark is that you have to pay a shipping cost of $8.27 (unless the seller offers a discount) and taxes, so be sure to factor these into the total cost when negotiating. A $20 item will cost you approximately $30.50 with tax and shipping.
3. Bundle and Save
If you want to save money on shipping, bundling items from the same seller is one way to decrease shipping costs. Many Poshmark sellers also offer discounts when you purchase multiple items from their closets. To purchase multiple items from the same seller, you need to add the items to a bundle. To do this, click the three dots in the right-hand corner of the listing and click on “Add to Bundle”.
4. Attend Posh Shows
Posh Shows are a way for sellers to auction off items live. There is usually a theme to the show, like purses, a certain brand of items, and the host auctions them off live. Prices are very low, so you can score some amazing deals. The bid button is at the bottom of the screen in blue; you just swipe it right, and your bid is placed. If you make a bid and win the item, you’ll be charged after the show wraps up.
One word of caution: always use the X in the upper left-hand corner to leave a show. I accidently swiped up once, and it sent a bid, which I won. Luckily, the item wasn’t too expensive, and my daughter liked it, so I gave it to her.
5. Wait a Few Days
Poshmark can be addictive! It’s a social marketplace, and you’ll get notifications that make you feel like you must purchase an item quickly before it’s gone. If you have an item you like but it’s a little pricey, think about it for a few days. You may find that you don’t love it as much as when you first saw it. And you never know; new items are being listed all the time, so if you wait, you may find another Poshmark seller who has the same item at a cheaper list price.
6. Read the Listing Thoroughly
This tip is one of the most important when shopping on Poshmark! Always look at each picture in detail and read the listing thoroughly. Sometimes, sellers make mistakes when listing, and other times, we as consumers assume things about the item. Always read the entire listing and ask questions if there are not a lot of details about the item.
For instance, different brands size their items differently, so always look for measurements like the waist and inseam on pants, as well as the width and length on tops. Poshmark has a no-return policy, so if you get something that doesn’t fit, you’re either stuck with it or can try to resell it on Poshmark, which is called reposhing.
Reselling an item is easy on Poshmark, but it’s an added hassle, so do your due diligence and ensure you read the listing and get all your questions answered before making a purchase.
Although Poshmark has a no-return policy, they do have protections in place for buyers.
If you purchase something and it’s not as described in the listing, Poshmark may let you return the item, or in some cases, they’ll refund your money and let you keep it. For example, my daughter purchased a pair of pants on Poshmark, but when she got them, they were the wrong size. Poshmark refunded the purchase price and let us keep the pants, which she gave to a friend.
Explore Other Online Marketplaces
Poshmark is my favorite place for purchasing clothing online, but other marketplaces are worth checking out for competitive pricing and different items. I’ve used Depop (my daughter’s favorite), eBay, and thredUP. I use Mercari to compare prices, but I have not purchased anything through their site.
Below is an overview of some of the most popular platforms and what you can expect from them.
Depop
Depop is a worldwide social selling platform where you can buy and sell new and secondhand items. For sellers, this is a great option as they don’t charge any seller fees, but this fee is passed on to the buyer. With Depop, you’ll pay for shipping ($4.99 to $13.99 based on the size of the item), tax, and a marketplace fee, which is up to 5% + $1. Like Poshmark, you can like items, and sellers will often send a discounted offer, and you can also negotiate the price. They, too, have a no-return policy.
eBay
With eBay, you can purchase and sell almost anything, including clothing, cars, electronics, collectibles, and more! Since sellers choose which carriers (UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc.) to ship through, shipping costs will vary from seller to seller. On eBay, it’s up to the seller if they accept returns, so note this information before making a purchase. Sellers on eBay that accept negotiations will have a Best Offer Option on their listings.
Mercari
Like eBay, you can find just about anything on Mercari, from clothing and electronics to toys, arts and crafts, and vintage items; they have it all. Like the other platforms, sellers can offer discounts on liked items, and you can also negotiate the final price. With Mercari, shipping prices run from $7.29 for a small package up to 1 lb, $10.99 for a medium package up to 5 lbs, and $95 for up to 40 lbs.
If you decide to use the site, you can use my referral link here to get $10 to shop immediately and another $20 when you complete $100 in sales.
I have yet to sell or buy from Mercari, as I haven’t found anything I wanted to purchase, but I use it a lot for price comparisons.
ThredUP
Unlike the other sites, ThredUP is an online consignment shop, so all its items have been expertly inspected, photographed, and listed. It’s great for shoppers but not so great for sellers (you can read my selling review here). Prices on clothing are discounted heavily (up to 90% off retail), but you don’t have any negotiating power. However, it often has sales and discounted shipping offers.
With ThredUP, you’re allowed to make returns within 14 days of the initial sale, but you’ll have to pay a $3.99 restocking fee, and you’ll need to cover return shipping costs. Shipping costs run anywhere from $8.99 for a bundled package of more than one item, $10.99 for standard shipping (one item), and $25.99 for expedited shipping. I’ve purchased numerous items from ThredUP and have gotten some great deals in the past.
Save Money on Clothing By Shopping on Poshmark
If you’re looking to save big bucks on clothing, using an online thrifting platform like Poshmark is an excellent way to do so. You can also sell your outgrown and unwanted pieces and use your earnings to update your wardrobe.
If you have questions about Poshmark or any of these other buying and selling apps, let me know.
Do you think you’ll try shopping on Poshmark? If so, don’t forget to sign up here with my referral link so you can get an extra $10 credit!
