Online consignment stores like Tradesy and thredUP have exploded in popularity in recent years. These sites allow you to buy and sell used clothing, shoes, accessories, and more.
But with so many options out there, how do you know which one is right for you? Here’s an in-depth look at the key differences between Tradesy and thredUP to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Tradesy | thredUP |
| Seller Commission | 20% | 15% (self-listed) |
| Brand Focus | High-end, luxury designers | All brands, budget to premium |
| Seller Options | Send to Tradesy for listing | Self-list or send Clean Out Kit |
| Item Authentication | Yes | No |
| Shipping | Handled by Tradesy | Self-ship (self-listed) |
| Returns | Accepts returns | Accepts returns |
| Buyer Price Range | Higher price points | Extremely low cost |
| Buyer Savings | Discounted designer prices | Up to 90% off estimated retail |
Overview Of Tradesy
Tradesy is an online marketplace launched in 2009 that focuses specifically on designer brands. Sellers can list new and gently used items from designers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, and more.
As a seller, you send your items to Tradesy for authentication and processing. Once sold, Tradesy handles shipping to the buyer as well as any returns or exchanges. You receive 80% of the sale price once the transaction is complete.
As a buyer, you can shop from a huge selection of luxury and premium brands. Tradesy offers a returns policy as well as authentication for each item, providing an extra level of confidence for buyers.
Overview Of thredUP
thredUP takes a broader approach as an online consignment and thrift store. Sellers can list women’s, kids, men’s clothing and more – from fast fashion brands to high-end designers.
thredUP has two options for sellers:
- Clean Out Kit: You send your used clothes to thredUP and they’ll sort and determine the resale value. Based on the brand, condition, and demand – you’ll either get paid for items they accept or your clothes will be donated.
- Listing Yourself: With this option, you choose the items you want to list yourself on their marketplace. Once sold, you earn 85% of the sale price.
As a buyer on thredUP, you can shop resale clothing at up to 90% off estimated retail. The selection ranges from mall brands like J.Crew and Gap to designer labels.
Seller Experience
For sellers, there are a few key differences between Tradesy and thredUP:
Brands
- Tradesy specializes in high-end, designer brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci.
- thredUP has a wider range of brands from budget-friendly to luxury.
Payout Method
- Tradesy sellers receive 80% of the sale price once the item sells.
- thredUP has two payout models. With the Clean Out Kit, payout is based on accepted items. With self-listing, it’s 85% of the sale price.
Processing
- Tradesy requires you to send items to their warehouse for photography, authentication, listing, storage and shipping.
- thredUp lets you choose between their Clean Out Kit or self-listing on their marketplace.
Commission Fees
- Tradesy charges a 20% seller commission.
- thredUP takes a 15% commission for self-listed sales. Their Clean Out Kit payout varies based on brands, condition and demand.
User Experience
- Tradesy has a more premium, luxury focus in their branding and platform.
- thredUP offers a high volume, mass marketplace experience.
Overall, Tradesy is better for high-end brands but requires more effort upfront. thredUP works for a wide range of brands and has flexible listing options.
Also Read: Is Tradesy Better Than The RealReal?
Buyer Experience
As a buyer, here are some key differences:
Price
- Tradesy sells premium designer brands at discounted resale prices – but still higher price points.
- thredUP has very low prices starting at just a few dollars for clothing, handbags, etc.
Selection
- Tradesy offers pre-owned designer clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories.
- thredUP has a wider range including mall brands, boutique labels, and designers.
Quality
- Tradesy authenticates every item, provides detailed descriptions, and high-resolution photos. This gives buyers confidence in the quality and condition.
- thredUP rates items on their general quality and condition. However, buyers need to closely inspect item details themselves.
Brands
- Tradesy is designer-focused with brands like Gucci, Chanel, Madewell.
- thredUP has premium designers but predominantly carries mall brands like J. Crew, Gap, etc.
Return Policy
- Tradesy allows returns within 4 days of delivery for store credit or exchange.
- thredUP accepts returns within 10 days for site credit only.
For buyers looking for big name designers at discounted prices, Tradesy offers a quality selection and buying experience. Budget shoppers get the best value and prices at thredUP.
Pros And Cons Of Tradesy And thredUP
| Tradesy | thredUP | |
| Pros | Higher payout at 80% | Great for selling large quantities |
| Luxury focus | Huge range of budget to designer | |
| Authenticity guarantee | Low seller commissions (15%) | |
| Free shipping & returns | High buyer savings (up to 90% off) | |
| Cons | Lower volume | Mixed item quality |
| More work upfront for sellers | Lower average seller payout | |
| Higher price points for buyers | Can’t choose buyer |
Key Takeaways
- Tradesy is better for selling premier designer brands – with higher commissions but more input required.
- thredUP is better for selling all brands in bulk – with low commission and effort using Clean Out Kits.
- Buyers can find big savings on a huge range of brands on thredUP.
- For the best curated designer selection, Tradesy is a top choice.
Also watch this about thredUP!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, the biggest competitor to thredUP is Tradesy. Other major online consignment stores include Poshmark, Mercari, Depop and The RealReal. Each has a different focus in brands, categories and business model.
Tradesy focuses exclusively on upscale designer brands while Poshmark has a broader range. Tradesy handles fulfillment and shipping for sellers while Poshmark requires self-shipping. Poshmark uses a social selling model while Tradesy operates as a more traditional marketplace.
For the Clean Out Kit, the average seller payout is about 25% based on accepted items according to thredUp. For self-listed items, the payout is 85% of the final sale price.
Sellers can earn decent supplemental income selling with thredUp, especially when selling high quantities. But the payout averages tend to be lower compared to platforms like Tradesy. Top selling performance and premium items will yield higher payouts.
Also Read: Choose Between The RealReal And Poshmark.
The Bottom Line
When comparing Tradesy Vs. thredUP, it depends most on your goals as a buyer and seller. Tradesy shines for high-end, luxury consignment. thredUP works better for mass volumes across all price points.
Both platforms offer easy ways to extend the life of fashion items. For the best deals as a buyer, consider browsing both to maximize your options across brands and categories.