My Top Tips for Selling at a Preloved Market
I love a preloved market — but even more, I love selling at them. I attended my first market as a seller more than ten years ago, before they were really a thing. It was a joy to be in the room with other fashion lovers, set up my stall, and lean into the retail and visual merchandising side of it. And the best part? I made cash. And you can too! But I do believe preparation can enhance your earnings and make a big difference to your day.
Here are my top tips for a successful day:
Less is more
It's tempting to think more stock means more money, but if customers have to sift through mountains of clothes to find their treasure, they'll give up before they get there. Edit your rack. Give each piece room to breathe and be seen.
Think like a visual merchandiser
Take cues from your favourite retailers. What catches your eye when you walk into a store — the outfit on the mannequin? A colour story? Accessories styled with a key piece? Consistent hangers? When I first took a mannequin to a market, I thought of it as a way to pretty up the space. It turned out to be one of my strongest sales tools.
Accept alternative payments
Even customers who plan to bring cash often forget — or end up wanting to spend more than they budgeted. Accepting card or digital payments (like PayID or a tap-to-pay reader) could be the difference between making a sale and losing one. Don't let payment be the reason someone puts something back.
Location, location, location
An exposed corner spot is one of the best positions you can get — customers can access your rack from both sides, and you get more floor space to work with. If you can visit a market before booking your stall, scout the layout and note where the foot traffic naturally flows.
Use clear signage and pricing
Customers like to shop by size and brand before they get to colour and prints — but these are hard to spot when everything's on a rack. Catch their eye as they walk past with bold signs highlighting the sizes and brands you're selling, then make sure every item has a clear price tag. Fewer questions, faster sales.
Be realistic with your pricing
Don't overprice, but don't undersell yourself either. As the secondhand market matures, quality clothing holds its value — especially timeless pieces from well-known brands. Do your research first: check eBay, Depop, or browse similar markets to get a feel for what things are actually selling for. Have an idea in mind of what you’re prepared to lower your prices too by the end of the day and do a sale in the last hour. It could help you really shift your pieces and get some last minute dollars.
Share on social media beforehand
Let your friends and networks know you'll be there, and give them a sneak peek at what you're selling. Word of mouth brings people to the event — and if every stallholder brings just four extra people, that's potentially a hundred more shoppers through the door.
These markets are so much more than a clean-out — they're a community, a creative challenge, and yes, a real income opportunity if you approach them with intention. Good luck, and happy selling!
A few Preloved Markets to consider:
New to You Preloved Market
Revive Preloved
Round She Goes
The Fitzroy Market
I Wore It Once
Camberwell Sunday Market
Pro tip: Visit a few first to see where your clothes might sell best! All of them attract a different audience.