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Empty Your Closet For Cash or Trade at These Seven D.C. Stores

By Adele Chapin
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Images via Current Boutique/Facebook
By Adele Chapin

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Maybe one dress or handbag pops up way too many times in your Facebook timeline and it's time to move on. If it's in-season, in good condition, and someone else might love it, head to one of these seven consignment and resale shops in Washington, D.C. where you can exchange your clothes and accessories for cash or store credit.

We've narrowed the list to just stores in the District of Columbia for now, and after the jump, we've listed a few guidelines for the consignment requirements at each of the seven shops.


· This is a Lot of Chanel, Available Right Now at Ella Rue [Racked DC] Read More

1. Frugalista

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3069 Mount Pleasant St NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 328-2135
(202) 328-2135
Visit Website
What you can sell: This is where Ann Taylor workwear has a second life. Mall brands do just fine here. How much you'll get for it: Store credit only. Per their website, you bring in your bag of clothes, and for the items Frugalista is able to take, you’ll receive 50% of resale value in-store credit. [Image]

2. Current Boutique

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1809 14th St. NW
Washington, D.C.
(202) 588-7311
(202) 588-7311
Visit Website
What you can sell: As long as your item is in-season, Current will take a look at just about any brand that's not juniors. If you need more specifics, here's a list of brands Current is into, from Anthropologie to YSL. No appointment is needed for in-store consignment. How much you'll get for it: Consigners sign an agreement that Current Boutique sets the selling price for items (about 1/3 of retail price) and you receive 50% of the selling price for any of your items sold. Your account balance can be used as store credit, and you can receive a check for your account balance after 90 days. Your items will not be returned to you and Current Boutique reserves the right to donate any of the items not sold within 90 days. [Image]

3. Secondi Clothing

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1702 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 667-1122
(202) 667-1122
Visit Website
What you can sell: High-end pieces are what Secondi's about. Chanel, yes! Theory, yes! Burberry, yes! You need to make an appointment for your first consignment, and the items you bring must be in-season, and less than two years old. Here's a list of approved and unapproved labels, i.e. no Kors, Forever21, Gap, or Xhilaration. How much you'll get for it: 50% of the selling price of each item. Each consignor has an account, and once an item is sold, the money goes straight into your account and you call or stop in to arrange for payment. You can also use your account for store credit. Any unsold items are donated to Bread for the City. [Image

4. Tari

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1525 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20007
(202)-621-7500
(202)-621-7500
Visit Website
What you can sell: In-season, high-end brands are preferred at Georgetown's Tari. Here's a list of appropriate labels, from Ed Hardy to BCBG to Prada. Appointments are for less than 15 items only, and are generally available Tuesday through Thursday, and early in the day on Friday. How much you'll get for it: Consignors receive 50% of the selling price of each item. Tari and consigners set the selling price together, and it's usually a 50% to 75% markdown on retail price, depending on wear and tear. Consigners need to sign a contract in order to consign their items and receive payment. [Image]

5. Ella-Rue

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3236 P St NW
Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-1598
(202) 333-1598
Visit Website
What you can sell: Ella Rue loves high-end designer handbags, shoes, and dresses. So head here to consign designer items that are nearly new or new with tags. But sorry, no suits or pants, unless they are Chanel. Exceptions are always made for Chanel. How much you'll get for it: 50% of the final sale price. Ella Rue works with consigners to set prices based on the condition of the item, retail value, and relevance to Ella Rue clientele. You'll get a check the first week of each month following the sale. Ella Rue keeps your items for 90 days, and at the end of that time, you can collect any unsold items if you want. [Image]

6. Reddz Trading Georgetown

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1413 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 506-2789
(202) 506-2789
Visit Website
What you can sell: In terms of brands, Reddz in Georgetown takes J.Crew and up. They ask that your items be gently used and bought within the last year or two. No appointment needed, but they stop assessing items an hour before the store closes. How much you'll get for it: Reddz is resale, not consignment, so they buy outright and offer cash on the spot. If they like your items, they'll assign a price for it and give you 30% of that price in cash or 45% of that price in trade. [Image]

7. Buffalo Exchange

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1318 14th St NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 299-9148
(202) 299-9148
Visit Website
What you can sell: It's not about brands at Buffalo Exchange, it's more about whether your items are trendy. They'll assess whether what you bring in fit in with current trends, and whether it is in good condition. Women's dresses, blouses, and t-shirts and men's t-shirts and button-downs are bestsellers, and the prices for items in store hover around $15, according to the website. No appointments are necessary. How much you'll get for it: Here's another spot that offers cash in hand. Buffalo Exchange will pay you outright, offering 30% cash off the retail total or 50% in trade. [Image]

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1. Frugalista

3069 Mount Pleasant St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
What you can sell: This is where Ann Taylor workwear has a second life. Mall brands do just fine here. How much you'll get for it: Store credit only. Per their website, you bring in your bag of clothes, and for the items Frugalista is able to take, you’ll receive 50% of resale value in-store credit. [Image]
3069 Mount Pleasant St NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 328-2135
Visit Website

2. Current Boutique

1809 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
What you can sell: As long as your item is in-season, Current will take a look at just about any brand that's not juniors. If you need more specifics, here's a list of brands Current is into, from Anthropologie to YSL. No appointment is needed for in-store consignment. How much you'll get for it: Consigners sign an agreement that Current Boutique sets the selling price for items (about 1/3 of retail price) and you receive 50% of the selling price for any of your items sold. Your account balance can be used as store credit, and you can receive a check for your account balance after 90 days. Your items will not be returned to you and Current Boutique reserves the right to donate any of the items not sold within 90 days. [Image]
1809 14th St. NW
Washington, D.C.
(202) 588-7311
Visit Website

3. Secondi Clothing

1702 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
What you can sell: High-end pieces are what Secondi's about. Chanel, yes! Theory, yes! Burberry, yes! You need to make an appointment for your first consignment, and the items you bring must be in-season, and less than two years old. Here's a list of approved and unapproved labels, i.e. no Kors, Forever21, Gap, or Xhilaration. How much you'll get for it: 50% of the selling price of each item. Each consignor has an account, and once an item is sold, the money goes straight into your account and you call or stop in to arrange for payment. You can also use your account for store credit. Any unsold items are donated to Bread for the City. [Image
1702 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 667-1122
Visit Website

4. Tari

1525 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
What you can sell: In-season, high-end brands are preferred at Georgetown's Tari. Here's a list of appropriate labels, from Ed Hardy to BCBG to Prada. Appointments are for less than 15 items only, and are generally available Tuesday through Thursday, and early in the day on Friday. How much you'll get for it: Consignors receive 50% of the selling price of each item. Tari and consigners set the selling price together, and it's usually a 50% to 75% markdown on retail price, depending on wear and tear. Consigners need to sign a contract in order to consign their items and receive payment. [Image]
1525 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20007
(202)-621-7500
Visit Website

5. Ella-Rue

3236 P St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
What you can sell: Ella Rue loves high-end designer handbags, shoes, and dresses. So head here to consign designer items that are nearly new or new with tags. But sorry, no suits or pants, unless they are Chanel. Exceptions are always made for Chanel. How much you'll get for it: 50% of the final sale price. Ella Rue works with consigners to set prices based on the condition of the item, retail value, and relevance to Ella Rue clientele. You'll get a check the first week of each month following the sale. Ella Rue keeps your items for 90 days, and at the end of that time, you can collect any unsold items if you want. [Image]
3236 P St NW
Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-1598
Visit Website

6. Reddz Trading Georgetown

1413 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
What you can sell: In terms of brands, Reddz in Georgetown takes J.Crew and up. They ask that your items be gently used and bought within the last year or two. No appointment needed, but they stop assessing items an hour before the store closes. How much you'll get for it: Reddz is resale, not consignment, so they buy outright and offer cash on the spot. If they like your items, they'll assign a price for it and give you 30% of that price in cash or 45% of that price in trade. [Image]
1413 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 506-2789
Visit Website

7. Buffalo Exchange

1318 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
What you can sell: It's not about brands at Buffalo Exchange, it's more about whether your items are trendy. They'll assess whether what you bring in fit in with current trends, and whether it is in good condition. Women's dresses, blouses, and t-shirts and men's t-shirts and button-downs are bestsellers, and the prices for items in store hover around $15, according to the website. No appointments are necessary. How much you'll get for it: Here's another spot that offers cash in hand. Buffalo Exchange will pay you outright, offering 30% cash off the retail total or 50% in trade. [Image]
1318 14th St NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 299-9148
Visit Website