Crossroads Trading Co: How I Sell & Trade!!
If you’ve been reading B. Jones Style for a while, you know that I buy/sell/trade all the time at my favorite spot around the corner….Crossroads Trading Co.
It’s easy to shop Crossroads, but when it comes to selling some people get stumped… but guess what.. it’s just as easy. You just have to know the tricks of the trade.
So I’m here to share my tips and tricks.
Every month.. or any time I am feeling the need to purge.. I start cleaning out the closet and make a “selling” pile to take to Crossroads. It could be a be a BIG purge, or just a few, “I’m not into this, or I’ve worn this to death – and it needs to go”.
After I’ve made my picks.. I start to inspect. These items are about to be hanging in Crossroads with buyers searching through the racks.. so think about a few things: stains, tears, smells, and anything else that would make your item unwearable.
After looking through my pile I find a few things with holes.. and they go in the “donate” pile.
Always ask, “Can I remedy the problem?” If you can.. then do it.
After tossing the “donates”, select your buy/sell/trade items.. and consider a few things: BRANDS, SEASONS, and TRENDS.
A classic pair of Aramani pants are a must sell.
Your selects should be brands that others would want to own.
You need to think about the current SEASON. My local Crossroads is currently buying for summer.. so I loaded my box with summer essentials.. tanks, fedoras and wedges.
Summer skirts and pants make the selects pile.
Tops should be summer ready.. colorful, floral, checkered, and striped.
Flats, wedges and embroidered boots make the summer shoe cut!
Hats should be straw, lightweight and sunshine ready.
Now comes the hard part.. can you part with loved items?
Example.. a fabulous dress.. that I love and loved wearing.. but I know that I am the kind of girl that makes a statement in a dress, and then I don’t wear it again…
…since that’s the case.. I toss it in the selects pile.
Finally, I’ve made my selects and I pile them in boxes to take to Crossroads. You can grab a bag, a box.. whatever.. just make it easy to carry in and start your SELLING!!!
And.. I’m off..
I sign in at the front desk, and then wait for my name to be called. Emma, calls me up and the selling process begins. Usually, I look around the shop while they sort.. scouting out things ready for trade.
I made good choices that were BRAND NAME, SEASONAL and on TREND.. and Crossroads begins to buy!!!
A few items are not chosen.. and if you want to know why.. here are some tips:
- Shoes should always be in GREAT condition.
- Lingerie brands are not sellable.
- Vintage pieces are not usually purchased unless it is very on trend and sells easily in the stores (ask the store what they would be willing to buy).
After all the sorting.. my box is empty and they ring it all up.
$333.50 RETAIL turns into..
$166.75 TRADE!!
Can you tell I’m excited!
Happy to have my $166.75 trade certificate, I head home.. but plan on returning later this week to pick up a few new goodies.
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There it is.. not too hard.. just head over to the Crossroads website to get their Tips for Selling and a list of What They are Buying Now.
Don’t be scared.. assess your closet.. clean it out..and refresh with a few new things from Crossroads.
I promise you won’t regret it!
Awesome post! Super helpful! Thank you much! xo
we use to frequent the crossroads in santa cruz like it was our job. love your blog.
- the smoking nuns
thesmokingnuns.com
Crossroads is my favorite place on earth. My closet is full of gems I have scored there. I rarely shop anywhere else! I like to try a different location each time and so far the one in Santa Monica and the one on Melrose are my favorite.
http://www.glamlatte.com
Great post, Beth! I’ve always wondered how that works. I have such a problem though parting with my clothes…don’t you ever get traders remorse?
Not really. There are certain things I will never sell.. and most of those are vintage finds that are amazing and timeless.. everything else is trendy.. and I often forget about it the minute it is gone.
Beth, this post is very helpful & inspirational. Sad part is I am living in Singapore and do not have such outlets here
love crossroads! i have found that as long as it is a designer brand they will take it even if it is not really on trend. definitely need to sell more stuff, i just have such a hard time parting with some pieces!
http://www.style-extraordinaire.com/
I definitely want to try selling some clothes, heaven knows I need the closet space! Do they buy cheaper brands (like Forever 21, Target, etc.) or only the higher-end brands?
I buy whatever I am loving at the moment.. some higher end.. and some lower end.
This is such a great place! What a genius way for people to recycle their clothes and make a nice buck! Thanks for sharing.
xo L.
I do this often with Beacon’s Closet in Bklyn. Great way to minimize consumption.
Fashionable Collections
There’s a crossroads in Brooklyn now! Try it out!
Amazing tips ~ thank you!!
I love Crossroads! I’ve never sold anything but will for sure! I always wondered what the take or don’t! Thank you!
Awesome post..too bad there’s not one by me
I was just there Saturday and scored some amazing finds. I mean amazing! I will be posting on my blog about them soon. Do you hit up the Costa Mesa one?
Sounds fabulous! Yes. I mainly go to the one in Costa Mesa.
Great tips; thanks for sharing! Since I just moved into an apartment (after six years of living in a house…with a full basement), I am still going through boxes of clothing and shoes. I’ll keep these tips in mind as I make my “to sell” pile!
Awwww looks super fun! I wish I lived near there
Kate
http://www.thrillofthechaise.com
omg great post and even better tips. you are good at this
XX
Vi from Cali
Best tutorial! I’ve never been to Crossroads but this makes me want to go shop!
xoxo
http://www.thewrittenrunway.com
Brilliant- Love your excited face : )
x
Michelle
http://www.michellesstylefile.blogspot.com
definitely need to go on a grand closet expunge….. way too much in my house right now!
thanks for the tips!
http://dallianceswithsuitsandskirts.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the great tips! It definitely makes selling clothes seem less daunting…
http://www.stylecomb.com
Any tips on picking a good store to sell clothes in? I live in Boston, which is mostly dominated by Second Time Around. Their prices are low (for sellers) and high (for buyers), and I am not crazy about some of their business practices (like keeping things that “don’t sell” after a certain period of time and then selling them & not giving you the money.) I’ve tried Buffalo Exchange without much luck, and I hate the idea of schlepping a bunch of stuff over to a store only to have them buy 1 or 2 pieces. Any advice would be lovely!
M
Thanks for the comment Meg. I am not sure about the Boston area or the buy/sell/trade stores you have available to you, but Buffalo should work similar to Crossroads and so these tips should help with selling there.
I love this post…a fresh idea, executed well, great tips! Thanks for sharing girrrl.
Very great post. I don’t have a Crossroads near me but have a Buffalo Exchange. You’ve inspired me to take the box I’ve had in the bottom of my closet to see what I can get! Can’t wait!
xo, Devon
I love this. Sometimes we think our clothes are so great and get upset when they don’t get purchased to be re-sold. You have to remember those three points you emphasized!
http://www.mimosasnthemorning.com
I work at Crossroads on Irving St. in San Francisco and I Luuuurve you for doing this! This was executed beautifully. Thanks so much. Also, where are those fabulous printed floral pants from and when are you going to sell them to us?!
Sakura
Just thought I would share that I LOVED reading this!
Thanks for the tips!!
-Hope
http://www.aflatteringtale.commmmmmmmm
wish I could say that I had good luck with the Crossroads in my town, but I just haven’t. I’ve brought barely worn, on-trend, label items and usually they won’t buy. Then when I look around at what’s on the rack, it’s VERY disappointing. Things I wouldn’t buy in a thrift store, much less at $25. I’m talking about things with holes and stains. It’s sort of a bummer because I was thrilled when they rolled into town.
I would have purchase those red ballet flats. Beautiful. I am a 7 and a half.