New web site turns your closet into a virtual consignment shop
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TUKWILA, Wash. -- Pam Panela's used to lug her unwanted clothes to consignment shops -- until she discovered Poshmark -- a website and free, easy-to-use, non-techy app that turned her closet into her own consignment shop.
"I think it took me 10 minutes to figure it out and then after that I was already posting stuff," she said.
And that's why Poshmark is catching on with women. The posting process can literally be done from the closet.
"You just pick something out of your closet that you are sick of," she said.
She uses the app, to take a picture, type in some basic information, set a price, and that's it.
Pam's closet becomes an instant storefront, laid out in a female friendly fashion which separates that from eBay and Craigslist.
She thinks it's safer selling.
"With Craigslist, obviously you have to meet up with the people and I'd rather not do that," he says.
Poshmark takes 20 percent, handles the transaction, arranges shipping, even pays the shipping for the seller.
Pam's closet is popular and over 131,000 follow her listings.
Her fiance likes a cleaner closet.
"I'm cool, go sell -- get rid of your clothes," said Mark Cosio.
And she's buying clothes from other closets on Poshmark with the money she's making.
"It's guilt-free shopping for me," she says.
"I think it took me 10 minutes to figure it out and then after that I was already posting stuff," she said.
And that's why Poshmark is catching on with women. The posting process can literally be done from the closet.
"You just pick something out of your closet that you are sick of," she said.
She uses the app, to take a picture, type in some basic information, set a price, and that's it.
Pam's closet becomes an instant storefront, laid out in a female friendly fashion which separates that from eBay and Craigslist.
She thinks it's safer selling.
"With Craigslist, obviously you have to meet up with the people and I'd rather not do that," he says.
Poshmark takes 20 percent, handles the transaction, arranges shipping, even pays the shipping for the seller.
Pam's closet is popular and over 131,000 follow her listings.
Her fiance likes a cleaner closet.
"I'm cool, go sell -- get rid of your clothes," said Mark Cosio.
And she's buying clothes from other closets on Poshmark with the money she's making.
"It's guilt-free shopping for me," she says.
I used Poshmark in March. I sold my $150.00 jeans for $50.00 ($40.00 would go to me) NEVER heard from POSHMARK again!! They will not answer any email (they were right on their emails when I opened an account) I have the USPS confirmation of delivery to a lady in Florida in March. My 40 bucks is still pending according to POSHMARK! RIP OFF!!!  Twist side is I know a lady who bought her wedding dress from POSHMARK in early April.... she got the dress...who knows if seller ever got paid! Probably not! KOMO 4 can you do some research on this?? I have copies of anything you would need.
Thanks,
Katie
I'm going to give this a try.Â
I can see how this could take a lot of time. Even with technology, you still want to take a good picture of each item. So that means good lighting, nicely pressed and displayed - and for what, maybe $10 for each thing? Not to mention, then you have to box it up and take it to the local post office (FedEx office?), where the lines can be frustratingly long. Probably for a lot of people - myself included - it's easier to toss your unwanted clothes into a box or bag, and drop them off at Goodwill. No hassles, no lines - you barely have to get out of your car. I have a rather slow paced life style most of the time, and even for me, this Poshmark process doesn't seem like it would be worth it. If I had a closet full of designer clothes, I probably wouldn't offload them to Goodwill. But I'd take them to a consignment shop that handles the high end stuff. That would still be easier than this process. Yes, Poshmark might be a social networking tool - but it still seems like a pain in the tush, even if it's the current trend.
Of course if you have a life and don't want to waste time, just to make a few bucks, you can simply box your old clothes up and call the Salvation Army to come pick it up.
 @dylandawgie And posting unnecessary comments online isn't a waste of time? I work hard at my job all while taking care of my sick mom. I take offense to this because you make it seem like the girls on this app don't have lives when I can assure you that I have met so many hard working girls on this app that do indeed "have a life" This app isn't just about selling clothes "to make a few bucks" It's also about building friendships with other girls who share the same common interest. And you know what...it has helped girls who are having some financial difficulties in their life. I've met girls who were greatly affected by the storm that passed through the East coast just a few months ago and they were selling their items to raise money to re-build their lives. Not only that, many users from around the country also helped by donating whatever profit they made from their sales to those girls in need. And yes, I do donate to the Salvation Army and the Goodwill...but I don't call them to pick it up from my condo...I drive over to them before work because I have a life and don't have time to sit around waiting for them to show up at my doorstep. ^_^
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Have a great day.
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-Pam Panela
@panela05
I leave them right outside my front door and Salvation Army picks them up while I'm out. It's possible they may not do this in Tukwila since it has a high crime rate. They don't want to waste their time coming out if there's a possibility that it might be stolen before they arrive to pick them up.
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"I don't like Ugg..the brand...the boots..everything about it."
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Remind me not to hire you as one of my sales associates. That wasn't the most convincing sales pitch lady .:) If you don't like anything about it, then why is it in your closet? I suspect some of these clothes may be stolen or cheap knock-offs since some still have the tags on them.
@panela05 you should be a model
@dylandawgie I thought the same thing when I saw the news report. Why is Ugg in her closet when she doesn't like the brand. Still she is super cute!
 @dylandawgie  @panela05 Lol!!! That's funny...because I'm a buyer for a boutique and I work the sales floor as well. I'm obviously doing something right. And I wouldn't want someone like you hiring me btw. =) I can very much assure you that my closet doesn't contain any knock-offs as you ASS-ume and Tukwila is not as bad as you ASS-ume. Making an ass out of you and umption. You are a sorry person. Very closed minded and very much a sad person that all of your comments and ideals have been very negative ones.
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Have a wonderful life. Take care.
I think a condensed form of what you just said is......"please don't be a troll and pull your head out of your ass."
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Good job and good luck!