How to sell used clothing, shoes and accessories in Colombia

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

That's the part almost nobody talks about: used clothes, shoes and accessories do sell in Colombia, but the buyer needs to see size, condition and clear measurements before writing. When the listing doesn't answer those questions, people move on 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 show you how to turn what you have stored away into listings that actually get messages: what to sell individually and what in bundles, what photos to take, how to describe the real condition and how to price it without inflating it or giving it away.

What you should know first

• Used clothes sell fast when the listing shows size, measurements and real condition from the first line.
• Clear photos (front, back, tag and any defects) reduce repeated questions and haggling.
• Price is defined by comparing similar items that are posted right now, not by what it cost new.
• Selling individually leaves you with more money; selling in bundles is faster when you want to get rid of everything.
• Let them check the item before any payment and protect your personal information.

What's worth selling separately and what in bundles

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

Low-value items—basic t-shirts, baby clothes that get outgrown in weeks, simple accessories—do better in bundles. A "combo of 5 size M t-shirts" or a "bundle of girls' clothes size 2 to 3 years" sells fast because the buyer feels they're getting a lot for little. The simple rule: if a single item doesn't justify the effort of making a listing, group it with other similar ones.

Photos that answer questions before they're 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 neatly made bed—you already have enough. Take these basic shots:

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

For shoes, add a photo of the sole and the toe, which is where wear shows most. For bags, show the inside, zippers and corners. The 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 listings fail. "Pretty blouse, barely worn" doesn't tell anyone anything. The marked size doesn't always match how it fits, so real measurements are your best ally. This is the minimum your description should say:

• Marked size and type (S/M/L, numeric, 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 item.
• Honest condition: new with tag, like new, good condition with details, or needs repair.
• The reason for sale ("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 upfront. Written honesty saves you that fight and leaves you a better rating for next time.

How to price it without inflating it

The most common mistake is pricing it by what it cost new. The secondhand buyer doesn't care about that; they care what similar items are posted for right now and what condition they're in.

Look at three or four active listings of something similar—same category, similar brand, similar condition—and place yourself in that range. If you want to sell fast, put yourself at the lower end. If the item is special (good brand, barely worn, hard to find), you can ask a bit more, but always leave room for negotiation: here almost everyone offers less than what they see posted.

• Avoid: posting "I'll give it away" with no number, calculating by the new price, or ignoring condition when comparing.
• Do: compare active listings, leave room for negotiation and lower the price if nothing comes in after a week.

In-person delivery, shipping and payments with your head on

The delivery method defines how many people write to you. For light items, offering shipping expands your reach; for something bulky or valuable, in-person delivery at a busy spot 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 "paying you extra" or sends a weird receipt, and don't share personal information or passwords. The National Police recommend using trusted pages and apps and protecting your information when buying and selling online. If you ship, agree on who pays for it and keep the tracking number.

This is not legal advice or a guarantee: a sale between individuals doesn't work the same as buying from a formal store, so agree clearly from the start on 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 falls on you:

Facebook Marketplace and sales groups give you a lot of local reach, but you have to filter curious people and repeat the same thing over chat (and it's good to follow the platform's rules). MercadoLibre works well when you're going to sell with shipping: it lets you post used products free up to a certain annual limit, with exceptions depending on the type of listing or user, so check their conditions and commissions carefully before listing. WhatsApp groups from your building or work are fast for simple things. And Colombia Move is a free option, with direct contact, no commission and designed so your listing is understood in 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 for selling used items in general, this guide on where to sell used things without paying commission.

Example of a good listing

To make it concrete, here's how I'd describe used sneakers:

White sneakers size 38 (EU) – good condition

• Brand and model, color and size 38 EU; inner insole of 24.5 cm so you can measure your foot.
• Condition: good condition, with slight wear on the sole (photo included); rest impeccable.
• Reason: they were too small for me, I wore them a few times.
• Pickup in person or shipping with tracking paid by buyer; payment upon inspection.

Compare that to "sneakers like new, cheap." The first gets messages from people ready to buy; the second gets a "price?" and then silence. If you want the complete formula for describing, check out how to write a listing that actually generates messages, and to manage chats without living glued to your phone, this helps how to reply on WhatsApp without spam.

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 usually work fine; if you sell often, a platform where you can gather all your listings in one profile is worth it.

❓ How do I price used clothes or shoes?

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

❓ What photos do I need to sell used clothes?

Your phone and daylight are enough: front and back of the item stretched out, 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 inside and corners. Showing real details attracts serious buyers.

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

It depends on the item and how quickly you need to sell. Brand-name items or those in very good condition sell better individually and bring in more money; basics, baby clothes, or simple accessories do better in bundles. If a single item doesn't justify the listing, group it with other similar ones.

❓ Is it safe to sell on WhatsApp or Marketplace?

It can work well, but it's not automatically safe. Let them inspect the item before paying, be suspicious of unusual payments or someone who wants to "overpay you," and don't share personal data or passwords. The National Police maintains an up-to-date guide for buying and selling online with trustworthy pages and apps.

❓ Does MercadoLibre charge for selling used clothes?

According to their official help, MercadoLibre allows posting used products for free up to a certain annual limit, with exceptions depending on the type of listing or user. Conditions change, so confirm commissions and rules on their site before posting (checked in 2026).

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