What Crossroads Trading is and how to sell there

Crossroads Trading is a chain of secondhand clothing and accessories stores that buys used items directly from customers. You bring clothes, shoes, bags, or accessories to a Crossroads location, a staff member inspects them, and if they meet the store's standards, you receive payment on the spot — either as cash or store credit. The amount depends on the item's brand, condition, and current demand.

Crossroads operates in California, New York, and online, with physical locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and other cities. You do not need an account or membership to sell; you can walk in with items during business hours. The process typically takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how many items you bring and how busy the store is.

The store focuses on contemporary and designer brands — think mid-range to luxury clothing from the past few seasons. Items must be clean, free of stains or damage, and in styles the store currently wants. Crossroads is selective; not every item you bring will be accepted, and the store may decline entire bags if pieces do not fit their inventory needs.

Key Takeaways

  • Crossroads pays you when ready in cash or store credit when you sell items in person at a physical location.
  • The store accepts clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories from contemporary and designer brands in good condition.
  • Payment amounts vary widely based on brand, condition, and what the store currently needs — expect 10 to 40 percent of the original retail price for most items.
  • You can also sell online through Crossroads' website, though the process is slower and involves shipping items to their warehouse for inspection.
  • Items the store declines are returned to you; you are responsible for picking them up or arranging return shipping if you sold online.

What items Crossroads will and will not buy

Crossroads buys clothing, shoes, handbags, belts, scarves, and some accessories from brands like Madewell, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Gap, Levi's, Nike, Adidas, and designer labels. The store also accepts vintage and secondhand designer pieces. Items must be from the past few seasons (roughly the last three to five years) unless they are vintage or high-end designer pieces with lasting appeal.

The store will not buy items that are stained, torn, faded, pilled, or showing significant wear. Undergarments, swimwear, and activewear are typically declined unless they are high-end brands in pristine condition. Items with broken zippers, missing buttons, or odors are rejected. Crossroads also does not buy fast-fashion brands like H&M, Forever 21, or Shein, or items from very old seasons that are out of style.

Condition matters more than you might expect. A shirt with a small stain or a pair of jeans with a small hole will be turned down. The store's staff inspect items closely, and if they see any flaw that would make resale difficult, they decline the piece. Bring items that look like they could be worn as-is without cleaning or repair.

How much money you can expect

Crossroads does not publish a price list, and payment varies significantly based on several factors: the brand's resale value, the item's condition, the current season, and what the store already has in stock. A gently worn designer blazer might bring $30 to $80, while a basic cotton t-shirt from a mid-range brand might bring $2 to $5. High-end designer pieces in excellent condition can bring more, but most everyday items fall in the $5 to $25 range.

The store typically offers 10 to 40 percent of an item's original retail price, though this is not a may provide. If you bring in a $100 pair of jeans, expect an offer somewhere between $10 and $40 depending on condition and how quickly the store thinks it will sell. Seasonal items sell faster and may bring higher offers; out-of-season pieces bring less. Items the store has too much of in inventory will be declined rather than offered a low price.

You can choose to accept the offer, decline it and take the items back, or ask the staff to hold items while you think about it (policies vary by location). If you decline, you leave with your items. There is no obligation to sell, and the store does not make counteroffers — you either accept what they propose or walk out with your clothes.

In-person selling versus online selling

Selling in person at a Crossroads store is faster and simpler. You bring items, staff inspect them while you wait, you get paid when ready, and you leave. You see the offer before accepting it and can decide on the spot. If items are declined, you take them home right away. Most people complete the transaction in under an hour.

Selling online through Crossroads' website takes longer but requires no travel. You create a listing with photos and descriptions, ship items to Crossroads' warehouse, and wait for staff to inspect them. The inspection process typically takes one to two weeks. Once approved, payment is issued via the method you chose during signup — usually direct deposit or a check. If items are declined, Crossroads returns them to you at your expense, or you can forfeit them.

Online selling also means you do not see the final offer until after inspection. Crossroads may offer less than you expected, and you have already paid for shipping. For this reason, in-person selling is generally better for most people: you know the offer before committing, you get paid when ready, and you avoid shipping costs and delays.

How to prepare items before you go

Wash or dry-clean items if they need it, but do this before you decide to sell — Crossroads will not accept items that smell like detergent or have visible water stains. Make sure everything is completely dry. Check zippers, buttons, and seams; if anything is broken, the store will decline the piece. Look for stains, pilling, fading, or odors; if you see any, leave that item at home.

Organize items by type (tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, bags) so the inspection goes faster. Bring items on hangers if possible, or fold them neatly. Have your ID ready; Crossroads requires identification to complete a sale. If you are selling designer or vintage pieces, bring any original tags, receipts, or authenticity documentation you have — it can help the store value the item higher.

Check Crossroads' website or call your local store before you go to confirm hours and ask whether they are currently buying. Some locations temporarily stop accepting items during busy seasons or when inventory is full. A quick call saves a wasted trip.

What happens if items are declined

If you sell in person, declined items are returned to you when ready. You take them home and can sell them elsewhere, donate them, or keep them. There is no fee for items the store turns down. You only pay for items Crossroads accepts and purchases from you.

If you sell online, declined items are shipped back to you at your expense unless you chose the forfeit option during signup. Forfeiting means Crossroads donates or discards the items and you receive nothing, but you avoid return shipping costs. Most people choose to pay for return shipping so they can try selling the items elsewhere or donate them themselves for a tax deduction.

Crossroads typically declines 20 to 40 percent of items people bring in, depending on condition and current inventory. Do not assume everything will sell. Bring items you are genuinely willing to keep if they are declined, or plan to donate them if the store says no.

Crossroads compared to other secondhand selling options

Crossroads is faster than online resale platforms like Poshmark or Depop because you get paid the same day. You do not photograph items, write descriptions, or wait for a buyer. However, you receive less money per item because Crossroads buys in bulk and resells at a markup. A shirt that might bring $15 on Poshmark might bring $3 to $8 at Crossroads.

Compared to consignment stores, Crossroads is simpler: you get paid when ready instead of waiting weeks or months for items to sell, and you do not have to pick up unsold pieces. Consignment stores typically offer a higher percentage of the final sale price, but you wait longer and must retrieve items if they do not sell. Crossroads' model trades higher per-item payouts for speed and convenience.

Donation to a thrift store like Goodwill or Salvation Army gives you a tax deduction but no when ready cash. Selling to Crossroads makes sense if you want money now and do not need the tax write-off. If you have time and want to maximize what you earn per item, online resale platforms usually pay more, but they require more effort and patience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make an appointment to sell at Crossroads?

No appointment is required for in-person sales. You can walk in during business hours with your items. However, some locations may ask you to call ahead during very busy periods to confirm wait times. Online sales do not require an appointment; you submit items through the website whenever you want.

What ID do I need to bring?

Bring a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. Crossroads requires this to complete any sale. Without ID, the store cannot process your transaction.

Can I sell items that still have tags on them?

Yes. Items with original tags are often valued higher because they show the item has never been worn. Keep tags on if you have them, but do not assume tags may provide a higher offer — condition and brand still matter most.

What if I disagree with the offer Crossroads makes?

You can decline the offer and take your items home. Crossroads does not negotiate or make counteroffers. If you think your items are worth more, you can try selling them elsewhere, but you cannot haggle with Crossroads staff.

How long does it take to get paid if I sell online?

Payment is issued after inspection is complete, which typically takes one to two weeks from the time Crossroads receives your package. The actual deposit or check arrival depends on your bank or mail service, so plan for two to three weeks total from shipment to payment in hand.