Second-hand - what is it, and why is there so much noise around this concept? How many can dress stylishly, buying things, consider for nothing? Feedback on the second hand sales of employees and customers helped build a common understanding. This article details the history of the emergence of such institutions and the features of their functioning.
History of creation
What is second-hand? This phrase, in general, translates as "second hand". Immediately comes the understanding that we are talking about something used or supported. It can be anything: clothing, accessories, household appliances, jewelry and even personal hygiene items (such as shampoo or moisturizer). Second-hand shop is the most affordable point of sale where you can find everything you need at low prices.
The term itself appeared in the seventeenth century in the era of the kings of England. Then the rulers gave their subjects unnecessary clothes, which was considered a manifestation of respect and great honor. The most significant item was the royal cloak, which was transmitted to the most devoted and successful vassals. If anyone received such an element of wardrobe, then he was considered the chief assistant to the king. Some called it "second hand", from which came the famous phrase.
The second-hand stock itself began more than seventy years ago. At that time, Western European and other developed countries had a high level of economic development, which allowed citizens to update their wardrobe as often as possible. Unnecessary things were sent either to a landfill, or as humanitarian aid.
In the CIS countries they learned what it is a "second-hand" in the early nineties. Initially, the work was organized in warehouses that were located away from the city center. Clothes were thrown into baskets, and sales were carried out by weight.
Appearance factors
The appearance of a good second-hand can be logically explained. Several factors contributed to this:
- on the territory of England in 1943 for the first time organized humanitarian aid to support the French Resistance forces;
- financial well-being of Europeans, which makes it possible to regularly update the wardrobe (so things do not have time to wear out);
- culture and education, which simply do not allow to throw a suitable thing;
- people’s reluctance to spend big money on high-quality things.
In addition, goods from Asian countries (China, Vietnam, India) previously differed in poor quality and inappropriate cost (now the picture has changed a bit). To buy used high-quality things at low prices was a much better solution than to give the same money for rags.
Second hand geography
The condition of the clothes largely depends on the supplier country.
- United States of America. It takes the last place for two reasons. Unbelievably huge sizes of clothes and lack of cleanliness.
- Ireland. The best supplier of used baby things.
- Australia. Fairly good level, except for one point. There are practically no winter things here.
- United Kingdom. The number one among the second because the British are very wealthy and can afford to change their wardrobe frequently.
- Norway. It may well converge with Australia. From here comes a large number of jackets, coats, hats and other warming things.
- Germany. The clothes are delivered in poor condition, and home accessories are of high quality.
- France. The most controversial supplier. Quality depends on the areas where clothes are collected.
Garment assembly
There are several types of assemblies:
- Storefront. After seasonal sales and during collection changes, brand stores collect unsold items and sell second-hand sorting factories at low prices. Often companies do not want their products to be sold at a low price, which will damage the reputation of the company. Therefore, you can see cut tags and labels.
- Home (family). Employees of private enterprises and charity organizations personally ask or send letters to families asking them to collect unnecessary clothes and shoes. Moreover, the main requirements of the assembly are the absolute cleanliness of things and their excellent condition, the shoes should be paired and tied with laces.
- Containerized. In sleeping areas near shopping centers or parking lots, specific containers are placed in which anyone can throw off unnecessary things. It is much poorer and more chaotic, because in this case there is no control of cleanliness.
These are the three main types of assembly. Sometimes they collect things in educational institutions, mainly in schools in Ireland and England. Students receive money for the clothes they bring.
Sort by quality
Second-hand clothes are divided into several categories, which depends on quality. Depending on this, the following types are distinguished:
- Brand second-hand, stock or Eurostock. These are things that have not been in use, on which company tags and labels have been preserved. The product is collected from the remaining collections by the end of the season.
- Cream. Here there is clothing and shoes brand new or without visible signs of use. At least a quarter of the things are kept by labels, while others are brought with cut-off labels (it is possible that this is exclusive and ready-to-wear clothes).
- Extra and luxury - a minimal level of wear is noticeable. Most often you can find a line of inexpensive European brands (mass market) such as Bershka, Pull & Bear, H&M, Zara and others.
- The first category is clothes and shoes with visible wear, torn, dirty, with defects in tailoring, etc.
In most cases, the last type of product is suitable for floor rags, so it is simply transferred to processing companies.
Sort by product type
Second-hand goods are also divided as follows:
- Mixed, or mix. In this case, different things are collected in one package. It is the main species and includes the best in all respects (quality, trends and condition) robe.
- By type of clothing. Here we are talking about sorted wardrobe items. For example, jackets, coats, t-shirts, skirts, jeans, trousers, etc. It differs from the previous type in poorer quality, an expanded assortment and unique positions (holiday suits, military equipment).
Often shoes, bedding, SHPP (scarf, hat and gloves), caps and hats, bags and backpacks, jewelry, and household items are sorted separately.
Packaging and handling
Before packaging, clothing must go through all stages of sanitization and sorting (as previously indicated). Processing is carried out by specialized companies, which is fixed at the legislative level. This is done in order to destroy any vectors of infectious diseases and other pests. Things are processed throughout the day. First they are steamed, later they are disinfected with a special gas at a certain temperature regime.
Future goods on shelves and hangers are packed as follows. Things are neatly folded into plastic or polypropylene bags and packaged from five to one hundred kilograms. The bags are marked accordingly, indicating the category of clothing.
Range
Well, what exactly second-hand can boast of is really the broadest choice. Arriving here, buyers' eyes just run up. On the shelves, customers can easily find both the latest innovations and truly vintage items.
Most people come here to form the base of the wardrobe, but already inveterate experts focus on unique things. For example, jackets that were fashionable in the nineties; denim vests and trousers of the beginning of the two thousandth; sneakers that were in demand even under Bill Clinton in the States. Casual lovers will surely appreciate the old collections from Levis or the must-have from Burberry, Lacoste or Stussy.
Many can boast that they found on the second-hand from Europe the most delicate Zara blouses. Practical skirts with jackets from Atmosphere and River Island.
Customers
A large selection leads a motley audience. Someone visits such stores because of extreme need; someone to save money on the wardrobe and at the same time look stylish; others are looking for a rare treasure to create bright accents in everyday outfits. Therefore, the most common buyers are:
- The representatives of old age. Some come for reliable and cheap new products (and even a little well-worn). Some are caught by nostalgia, there is a desire to return to the old days and put on an old Adidas tracksuit.
- "Practice". This category of people skimp on clothes a little, which explains the other costs. For example, travel, family, study or a favorite thing. As they say, do not care what sneakers, most importantly - in Paris.
- "Hipsters." This audience considers themselves "headhunters." They know about all the trends, color combinations of the year and season. Therefore, it will not be difficult for them to find a windbreaker of the necessary shade, or a lacquered skirt, or dumplings (this list can continue all further).
- "Vintage lovers." And now this is not about obsolete collections, but about truly unique things with brand marks and unique decor.
As you can see, second-hand customers can be anyone.
Second-hand online
The trend of recent years has embraced the online market (which is not surprising with a huge number of users of social networks and the Internet itself). This area attracts many venture investors. This is due to the transience of fashion trends.
Previously used clothing was sold only at live spots, but is now massively sold online. Some sites made huge profits for selling more than ten million pieces of clothing. Such a second-hand is based on a photo and a detailed description of the goods.
Myths
Among the most common myths are:
- In your pockets, it’s easy to find money and jewelry that is passed on to those in need as assistance. In general, this is a matter of chance and good luck. Since the abandoned material values are most often forgotten by the owners.
- The product is saturated with poison to get rid of the poor. As previously described, second-hand clothing is only treated with steam and special gas to kill infections.
- Clothing is removed from the corpses. No one can say for sure about this. In any case, it is amenable to processing, but if a thing arrives in poor condition, it is scrapped or recycled.
Then what is it - second-hand? In the right application, this is a good opportunity to find a favorite thing from a famous designer. It is also an effective way to be always trendy at low cost.