Do you have a closet full of gently worn clothes and wonder, “Can I sell them to thrift stores?” You’re not alone. Many people want to make extra cash or give their old clothes a second life. However, the second-hand clothing industry is much larger than just local thrift stores.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about selling thrift clothes to thrift stores—what they buy, how much they pay, and where the clothes end up. Plus, if you’re looking to sell used clothing in bulk, we’ll show you how Indetexx plays a key role in the global second-hand supply chain.
1. Do Thrift Stores Buy Clothes?
Yes, but not all of them.
Most people assume that thrift stores buy any used clothing that comes through the door, but that’s far from the truth. In fact, many thrift stores operate on donations only, meaning they don’t pay you at all for your clothes. These are typically nonprofit organizations like:
- Goodwill
- Salvation Army
- Local church or community thrift stores
However, there are for-profit thrift or resale chains that do buy clothes, such as:
- Plato’s Closet
- Buffalo Exchange
- Crossroads Trading
- Uptown Cheapskate
These stores selectively purchase trendy, seasonal, and in-demand items in good condition—often from younger demographics—and either offer cash or store credit in return.
2. Can I Sell Clothes to Thrift Stores?
Yes, you can sell clothes to some thrift stores, but there are a few things you need to understand before showing up with a bag full of clothes:
- Quality matters: Your clothes need to be clean, undamaged, and current in style.
- Brand matters: Many stores prefer name-brand or boutique items.
- Quantity matters: If you’re only selling a few pieces, local resale stores are a good choice. But if you have larger quantities, you’ll need to look into wholesale buyers like Indetexx.
❗ Note: Most resale stores have a buyer who will inspect and evaluate your items on the spot. They may only accept a small portion of what you bring in.
3. What Thrift Stores Buy Clothes?
Thrift stores that buy clothes usually fall into three categories:
| Type of Store | Do They Buy Clothes? | Payment Type | Ideal for |
| Donation-based thrift stores | ❌ No | N/A | Donors, nonprofits |
| Consignment shops | ✅ Yes | Percentage after item sells | Higher-value items |
| Buy/sell/trade stores | ✅ Yes | Instant cash or store credit | Trendy casual wear |
If you’re an individual seller, these thrift stores offer an easy way to clear out your closet and earn a few dollars. If you’re a reseller or small business owner, you might find these stores useful for sourcing inventory—but there’s a limit to how much they can supply or buy.
That’s where wholesale used clothing bale suppliers like Indetexx come into play, especially if you’re dealing with hundreds or thousands of garments.
4. Do Thrift Stores Wash Clothes?
One of the most common questions is: “Do thrift stores wash clothes before selling them?”
The answer is usually no. Most thrift stores don’t wash donated clothing. Instead, they rely on sellers to bring in clean, ready-to-sell items. For bulk sellers, this is especially important: unsorted, dirty clothing will likely be rejected.
What Thrift Stores Do to Ensure Quality:
- Inspect for stains or odors: Thrift stores often check clothes carefully for any imperfections.
- Reject dirty or damaged items: Items that are heavily stained, torn, or otherwise damaged won’t be accepted.
- Steam or sanitize high-value items: Some stores may steam or sanitize expensive or delicate items to ensure hygiene.
If you’re a thrift clothing bulk seller, making sure your clothes are freshly laundered, neatly folded, and sorted by category (e.g., men’s, women’s, season) will increase your chances of acceptance, both for resale and bulk transactions.
5. How Much Do Thrift Stores Pay for Clothes?
This varies greatly depending on the store and the items you’re offering.
Here’s a general breakdown:
- Plato’s Closet / Buffalo Exchange:
- Pay 25–35% of the resale price in cash
- Or up to 50% in store credit
- Pay 25–35% of the resale price in cash
- Consignment stores:
- You get paid 40–60% after the item sells
- You get paid 40–60% after the item sells
- Bulk drop-off stores or community thrift shops:
- Usually pay by weight (e.g., $0.30–$1.00 per pound)
- Usually pay by weight (e.g., $0.30–$1.00 per pound)
💡 For example, if you bring a designer dress that the store can resell for $20, you might earn around $5–$7 in cash or $10 in store credit.
If you’re a business dealing with tons of used clothing, these rates aren’t scalable. That’s when you need to consider bulk buyers and resellers who pay per container or per bale—like Indetexx.
6. Where Do Unsold Thrift Store Clothes Go?
This is where things get interesting.
Most people think that unsold items in thrift stores simply get thrown away. While some are indeed recycled or discarded, a large portion of unsold clothing is sold in bulk to used clothing exporters and wholesalers who distribute them in overseas markets.
Here’s how it works:
- Thrift stores separate clothing into grades (A, B, C, damaged)
- Unsold or excess inventory is baled and sold to second hand clothing companies like Indetexx
- Indetexx sorts, repacks, and exports these clothes to:
- Africa (e.g., Ghana, Kenya)
- Southeast Asia (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia)
- Middle East, Central America, etc.
- Africa (e.g., Ghana, Kenya)
- Local vendors sell these garments in open-air markets, giving them a second or even third life
The second-hand clothing market is a multi-billion dollar global industry, and Indetexx is a leading used clothing player in this ecosystem.
7. How Indetexx Supports the Global Second-Hand Clothing Supply Chain
At Indetexx, we understand the global movement of used clothing. That’s why we’ve built a comprehensive, full-service system to support the second-hand clothing supply chain—from sourcing and sorting to packing and shipping.
What We Offer:
- High-quality clothing bales sorted by category, gender, season, and style
- Used shoes, bags, and accessories in bales
- Branded and premium second-hand clothes
- Customized sorting and labeling options tailored to your market
- Competitive FOB/CIF prices and full container loading
Whether you’re a used clothing wholesaler, importer, local distributor, or an entrepreneur looking to enter the used clothing business, Indetexx is your trusted wholesale used clothing source for reliable and scalable second-hand clothing solutions.
8. Why Work with Indetexx?
✅ 13+ Years of Experience & Global Reach
With over 13 years in the second-hand clothing export business, Indetexx serves 110+ countries annually, shipping thousands of containers worldwide. Our long-standing expertise ensures we deliver consistent and reliable service to clients of all sizes.
✅ Advanced Sorting Facilities
We operate modern sorting facilities where our expert team categorizes second-hand clothing into 120+ categories by type, season, and size. This ensures that every bale meets your specific needs, whether you need men’s, women’s, or children’s clothing, or vintage and specialty items.
✅ Competitive Pricing & Reliable Supply
By sourcing from major developed countries like the U.S. and Europe, we offer competitive pricing for high-quality second-hand clothing. Our established supply chain ensures a steady and reliable supply, giving you the flexibility to meet market demands.
✅ Full Support from Start to Finish
We provide end-to-end support—from quality inspection to custom packaging, export documentation, and shipping logistics. Our team handles every detail to ensure a smooth, hassle-free experience for you.
✅ Customizable Solutions
Need specific packaging, bale weights, or sorted/unsorted items? We offer customizable options to fit your unique business needs, ensuring you get exactly what you need for your market.
✅ Real-Time Factory Access
We offer real-time video access to our sorting and processing facilities, so you can monitor your order’s progress at every step, ensuring transparency and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can sell clothes to thrift stores, but for bigger profits and global reach, think beyond the local market. The second-hand clothing industry is booming, and there’s plenty of room for wholesalers and entrepreneurs to succeed.
If you’re looking to scale your business and tap into global demand, Indetexx is your go-to partner. We offer high-quality second-hand clothes in bulk, with customizable options and reliable shipping.
Contact Indetexx today and unlock your business’s full potential!
