How to sell used clothes, shoes, and accessories in Colombia

A few months ago I helped a friend clean out her closet. She had about forty items she hadn't worn in years: a pair of sneakers barely used, two leather bags, and dresses she had only worn once. Her plan was to give it all away because, according to her, “used clothes don't sell.” Three weeks later she had made some good money, and the only thing that changed was how we posted.

That’s the part almost no one talks about: used clothes, shoes, and accessories do sell in Colombia, but the buyer needs to see clear sizing, condition, and measurements before writing. When the ad doesn’t answer those questions, people scroll past without asking anything. If you want to see real options right now, you can see farms and lots available on Colombia Move — posting is completely free.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to turn what you have stored into ads that actually get messages: what to sell individually and what to sell in a bundle, what photos to take, how to describe the actual condition, and how to price it without inflating it or giving it away.

What you should know first

• Used clothing sells quickly when the ad shows size, measurements, and actual condition from the very first line.
• Clear photos (front, back, tag, and any defect) reduce repeated questions and haggling.
• The price is defined by comparing similar items currently posted, not by what it cost new.
• Selling individually earns more money; selling in a bundle is faster when you want to get rid of everything.
• Let them inspect the garment before any payment and protect your personal data.

What is worth selling separately and what in a bundle

Not everything deserves its own ad. A brand-name jacket, sneakers in good condition, or a leather bag sell better alone, with their description and photos, because each attracts a different buyer and can command a better price.

Low-value items—basic t-shirts, baby clothes that are outgrown in weeks, simple accessories—perform better in a bundle. A “combo of 5 size M t-shirts” or a “bundle of baby girl clothes for 2 to 3 years” sells fast because the buyer feels like they are getting a lot for a little. The simple rule: if a single item doesn’t justify the effort of creating an ad, group it with others like it.

Photos that answer questions before they are asked

Photos do almost all the selling. You don’t need equipment: with daylight near a window and a neutral background—a white wall, a made bed—you have enough. Take these basic shots:

• Front and back of the complete garment, laid flat and wrinkle-free.
• The tag with the size and, if it appears, the brand.
• A close-up of the texture or material.
• Any defect: a stain, a loose seam, wear on the sole. Showing it builds more trust, not less.

For shoes, add a photo of the sole and the toe, which is where wear is most noticeable. For bags, show the interior, zippers, and corners. A buyer who sees the defect and still writes to you is a serious buyer, and those are the ones who close the deal.

Size, measurements, brand, and condition: the data that builds trust

This is where most ads fail. “Nice blouse, little use” tells no one anything. The marked size doesn’t always match how it fits, so actual measurements are your best ally. This is the minimum your description should say:

• Marked size and type (S/M/L, numerical, EU/US for shoes).
• Measurements with a tape measure: bust or chest, waist, and total length; for shoes, the internal length of the insole in centimeters.
• Brand and, if you remember, the material of the garment.
• Honest condition: new with tags, like new, good condition with details, or for repair.
• The reason for selling (“it got too small for me,” “I changed sizes”), which reassures the buyer.

Write the condition exactly as it is. Hiding a defect to sell for more almost always backfires: the buyer arrives, notices it, and leaves, or asks for a discount on the spot. Written honesty saves you that fight and leaves you with a better rating for next time.

How to set a price without inflating it

The most common mistake is setting the price based on what it cost new. To the second-hand buyer, that doesn’t matter; what matters is what similar items are currently posted and what their condition is.

Look at three or four active ads for something similar—same category, similar brand, similar condition—and position yourself in that range. If you want to sell quickly, price on the lower end. If the garment is special (good brand, barely used, hard to find), you can ask for a little more, but always leave a margin for haggling: almost everyone here offers less than what they see posted.

• Avoid: saying “I’ll give it away” without a number, calculating based on the new price, or ignoring the condition when comparing.
• Do: compare active ads, leave room for negotiation, and lower the price if nothing arrives within a week.

In-person delivery, shipping, and payments with caution

The delivery method defines how many people write to you. For light garments, offering shipping expands your reach; for something bulky or valuable, in-person delivery at a busy location usually works better.

A couple of rules that have saved me headaches: let them check the item before paying, be suspicious of anyone who insists on “overpaying you” or sends a weird receipt, and do not share personal data or passwords. The National Police recommends using reliable websites and apps and protecting your information when buying and selling online. If you are shipping, agree on who pays for it and save the tracking number.

This is not legal advice or a warranty: a sale between individuals does not work the same as buying from a formal store, so be very clear from the beginning about the condition, delivery, and payment.

Where to post your used clothes

You have several options and none are magic; what changes is the type of buyer and how much work you have to do:

Facebook Marketplace and sales groups give you a lot of local reach, but you have to filter out curious onlookers and repeat the same thing over chat (and it is best to follow the platform's rules). MercadoLibre works well when you are going to sell with shipping: it allows posting used products for free up to a certain annual limit, with exceptions depending on the type of listing or user, so check their conditions and fees well before listing. WhatsApp groups for your apartment complex or work are fast for simple things. And Colombia Move is a free option, with direct contact, no commission, and designed so that your ad is understood in both Spanish and English.

You can post directly in the corresponding category: women's clothing, men's clothing, shoes o accessories. If you want to compare all platforms to sell second-hand items in general, this guide works for you guide on where to sell used items without paying commission.

Example of a good ad

To make it look specific, this is how I would describe used sneakers:

White sneakers size 38 (EU) – good condition

• Brand and model, color, and size 38 EU; 24.5 cm inner insole so you can measure your foot.
• Condition: good condition, with slight wear on the sole (photo included); the rest is impeccable.
• Reason: they were too small for me, I used them only a few times.
• In-person delivery or shipping with the courier costs covered by the buyer; payment upon inspection.

Compare that to “almost new sneakers, cheap.” The first one receives messages from people ready to buy; the second receives a “price?” and then silence. If you want the complete formula for describing them, see how to write an ad that actually generates messages, and to handle chats without being glued to your phone, this helps: how to reply on WhatsApp without spam.

Selling what you no longer use doesn't have to be a struggle. Take good photos, write down the size, measurements, and real condition, set a competitive price, and choose where to post. Start with the three items taking up the most space, and you'll see things move faster than you think.

Frequently asked questions

❓ Where can I sell used clothes in Colombia?

You have several options: Facebook Marketplace and sales groups, MercadoLibre for selling with shipping, WhatsApp groups, and free platforms like Colombia Move. For occasional sales, groups and free apps are usually enough; if you sell often, a platform where you can gather all your ads in one profile is better for you.

❓ How do I price used clothes or shoes?

Compare three or four active ads for similar items in brand, size, and condition, and position yourself in that range; don't calculate based on what they cost new. Leave a margin for haggling, because almost everyone offers less, and confirm current prices in 2026 before setting yours, as they change with the season.

❓ What photos do I need to sell used clothes?

A smartphone and daylight are enough: front and back of the laid-out garment, the tag with the size, a close-up of the material, and a photo of any defects. For shoes, add the sole and the toe; for bags, the interior and the corners. Showing real details attracts serious buyers.

❓ Is it better to sell by lot or item by item?

It depends on the item and your urgency. Brand-name or excellent-condition items sell better alone and yield more money; basics, baby clothes, or simple accessories perform better in bundles. If a single item doesn't justify the ad, group it with similar ones.

❓ Is it safe to sell via WhatsApp or Marketplace?

It can work well, but it isn't automatically safe. Let them check the item before paying, be wary of strange payments or anyone who wants to “overpay,” and do not share personal data or passwords. The National Police maintains an active guide for buying and selling online using trusted sites and apps.

❓ Does MercadoLibre charge to sell used clothes?

According to their official help center, MercadoLibre allows posting used products for free up to a certain annual limit, with exceptions based on the type of post or user. The conditions change, so confirm the commissions and rules on their site before posting (consulted in 2026).