Pandemic, inflation, war. The wallets are empty, the cost of living is exploding. More and more consumers are discovering a way out: second-hand products.
Shopping is getting more expensive every day. Inflation is 7.4 percent, its highest level in 40 years, and due to supply shortages, the prices of certain products are also increasing until they are no longer available.
The impending loss of value of money scares many people: According to a survey by the Institute for Retail Research (IFH), more than half of consumers fear that they will soon no longer be able to maintain their standard of living. Around two-thirds of those surveyed stated that they wanted to reduce their spending as a result.
“Buying second-hand textiles or electronics is a comparatively painless way of keeping the money together,” says Kai Hudetz, Managing Director of the IFH.
Whether flea market, second-hand shop or app: There are no delivery bottlenecks and daily new prices when shopping for used goods. Instead, there are other trapdoors that can be bypassed – in contrast to inflation.
Apps and online portals
Second-hand clothing is just as easy to shop online as new goods. The list of flea market apps and buying and selling portals is getting longer and longer.
- Momox Fashion: The second-hand giant is both a buyer and a department store for used clothing, shoes and accessories.
- Rebel has specialized in the sale of used designer goods.
- Sellpy: An offer from the H&M group, which also includes the chains Monki, Cos, Weekday and Arket. Provider with a 30-day return option!
- Shpock: The flea market app is a competitor to eBay classifieds.
- at Communal changing room there is also second-hand clothing from designers and luxury brands, sold by private individuals from all over the world.
- Vinted is the largest provider of second-hand goods in Germany with a total of 8.5 million users.
- Zircle is Zalando’s second-hand range.
A distinction is made between two business models: At Vinted and Shpock, for example, private individuals buy from private individuals. On the other hand, the deal between companies and consumers takes place via buying and selling portals such as Momox Fashion or Sellpy.
If you want to sell clothing from Sellpy, you can order a mailing bag free of charge and send your goods in it. Sellpy takes on the photography, description and placement of the advertisement in the shop – and collects a commission. Up to a value of 50 euros, the seller receives 40 percent of the proceeds, with everything above 90 percent.
▶︎ Advantages:
- Shopping at any time of the day or night – the Internet is always open.
- Search masks and filters make browsing easier.
- On reputable sales portals you can be sure that the clothes are clean, intact and genuine. Plagiarism is sorted out here.
- Authenticity is also guaranteed for deals between two private individuals: Most providers block users who sell counterfeits and are accordingly rated negatively. As long as you shop with a seller verified by the portal, little can go wrong.
▶︎ Disadvantages:
- Clothing cannot be tried on. Returns are usually not possible either. Sellpy is an exception here. Otherwise, bad buys either have to be sold again – or disappear in the depths of the closet.
- Of course, the companies behind the flea market apps also make money. Buyers and sellers alike suffer from this. The buyer pays more than they would at a flea market, while the seller has to give up a portion of the profits.
► Fallen:
- Don’t expect anything new! The item condition is described on many platforms or by sellers with terms such as “as new” or “very good”. Nevertheless, no piece of clothing should be expected that could also hang in a shop.
- Buyers should always pay attention to seals of approval such as “Trusted Shops” and the ratings of the respective seller.
thrift stores
The idea of strictly smelly second-hand shops is long outdated. People’s need to live more sustainably continues to grow. Fast fashion, i.e. chasing after current trends in the form of cheap and unfairly produced new goods, is becoming less popular.
Against this background, more and more second-hand shops are opening in German towns and cities. Designer goods, vintage clothing, ready-to-wear items – you can find it all here!
▶︎ Advantages:
- The buyer can touch and try on the clothes before making a purchase. A haptic shopping experience should not be underestimated: According to scientific findings, more happiness hormones are released than with an online purchase.
- Returns possible in some stores.
- Advice from a seller.
- You have enough time to think about the purchase without having to worry that someone else might be faster.
▶︎ Disadvantages:
- In contrast to the Internet, you are bound to opening hours.
- If you want to get rid of old clothes in a second-hand shop, in most cases you enter into a commission contract: you only get money when the goods have actually been sold.
▶︎ Fallen:
- Vintage treasures are also hanging in the second-hand shop, which are significantly more expensive than new goods. So never forget the price tag check to make sure you’re really getting a bargain.
flea markets
Stroll, talk shop, find and haggle – THIS is a flea market. Aside from the option to buy cheap second-hand, junking makes a great Sunday outing for the whole family.
▶︎ Advantages:
- Buyers can expect really low prices: T-shirts for 50 cents, jeans for 1 euro and a suitcase set for five – anything is possible at flea markets.
- The freedom of action is a big advantage compared to apps and shops. Unwritten bazaar rule: cheaper is always possible!
- Only at a flea market can one discover treasures and acquire them irresistibly cheaply, the actual value of which the seller does not know.
► Disadvantages:
- Anyone looking for something special is looking for a needle in a haystack. Flea market fans unite patience.
- Payment is only possible with cash.
► Fallen:
- Counterfeiting is difficult to detect.
- If the goods are dirty or have holes, you have to live with it.
- A lot can go wrong in the social interaction between buyer and seller. If you want to shop, you have to be friendly!
- When you’re in a junk mood, you buy more than you really need.