Fashion Stores
The Kind Exchange
The Kind Exchange helps to solve one of the biggest problems you face when it comes time for that inevitable wardrobe clean out — where to dump the decent clothes that no longer make the cut. Never mind taking that horrid trip to Value Village, sometimes you have good stuff that you might be able to use to help finance some new items for the closet.
Much like Common Sort, the Kind Exchange is a buy, sell, trade, and donate retailer. You can bring in clothes, shoes, jewellery — no appointment needed, though you might want to ensure that they're in season — and sell them to the store for cash or a credit. This adds a little bit of fun to the shopping process, because it's like a clothing swap with strangers (as with any second hand shop, it's highly recommended you wash after you buy).
What sets the Kind Exchange apart from some other second-hand clothing stores is their charity and donation programs. The store works with three charities at a time, which switch on a quarterly basis. If you bring in a piece they are not interested in buying, you can choose to donate the sale value of your clothing to charity. There's also the "skip a bag" program, where, if you refuse a plastic bag they will make the five cent donation on your behalf. A token is handed to you, and can be placed in the donation box of the charity of your choice that they are currently partnering with.
That should take away any guilt you might have had for passing up on a trip to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.
Writing by Lauren Morocco / Photos by Erin Jones
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However, I imagine as with any consignment store, as a seller you are likely giving up a hefty % to the retailer (which is understandable - they've got rent and staff to pay). Typical consignment stores charge upward of 60%, will only keep items for a very limited time, and as many readers have commented, will only accept certain brands and seasonal items at a time.
For those put off by this or other drawbacks of the 'bricks and mortar approach', it's worth checking out www.ShopMyClothes.com. This web marketplace connects buyers and sellers directly (cutting out the middle man and their hefty charge!) and is easy to post as a seller, or to search for the best brands (whether in season or not)!
Anyways, we are big supporters of the sustainable fashion movement, so glad to see more individuals getting involved, one way or another.