meet the Seller: Q&A

Let’s get to know some of our most successful Yaga Sellers that sure stand out from the crowd. We’re curious to know what they consider as the secret to their success, and tips they would give others. Let’s chat!


Meet the Seller: @A2ZBooks

 
 
  1. Tell us more about your Yaga shop and what inspired you to open one? 

    I love to read and was running out of space for all my books. I thought Yaga would be a safe platform to rehome some of my books. This grew into me picking up extra copies of books I have read or that are on my TBR (to be read) list to share with all my fellow bookworms.

  2. What is the biggest value you get from Yaga? 

    The peace of mind that all transactions are safe and secure.

  3. What advice can you give to other Sellers on Yaga? 

    Make sure you use good quality photos of your products and use more keywords to make it easier for people to find your items. 

  4. What genre of books are Buyers shopping currently?

     Non-fiction books especially self-help and finance.

  5. What are your fave shops on Yaga?
     My favourite shops on Yaga are Emm’s Gems and charity pages such as For the Love of Cats, Plumpets and JustThrifted.

Meet the Seller: @keana-nieuwoudt

 
 
  1. Tell us a little bit more about your Yaga shop
    I started my Yaga shop in 2020 when I moved back to South Africa and didn’t have enough space to fit everything. Most of the items I sell on Yaga are clothes and shoes from travelling and living abroad or items I have collected over the years. I also like to experiment with my style and Yaga allows me to experiment sustainably. 

  2. What is the biggest value you get from Yaga? 

    I enjoy the security that Yaga offers in the shopping process. I also love being creative when packaging and sending out items.  

  3. Is there any advice you can give new sellers on how to start their own Yaga shop? 

    You’d ideally want the pricing of your items to be competitive with similar items being sold on the platform. Be consistent in posting regularly and at the right times like evenings, weekends, and end of the month. 

  4. What has been your favourite preloved find on Yaga so far? 

    I have found many niche designer items on Yaga. My favourite purchases so far have been my AKJP dress, my Jane Valken jacket, and my Zara genuine leather cowboy boots 👇

 
 

5. Do you have any heart warming stories about an interaction you had with a buyer? Or What is your favourite part of the Yaga selling process?  

When people send snaps of them wearing their purchase, they always look fabulous and confident in the item! It’s really special when my items meet their perfect match, and it brings the buyer joy! 

Meet the Seller: @rethread

 
 
  1. Tell us a little bit more about your Yaga shop
    Our Yaga shop is an additional platform where we mostly sell goods that aren't on our website, like donated or consignment items from our clients. As well as pieces from our previous collections, samples or any overruns and some of our curated preloved leather jackets.

  2. What inspired you to open a Yaga shop?
    As a small business, it’s tough to reach new people. So to me, Yaga is a really great way to tap into a community that is already interested in buying preloved clothes and who understands sustainability. It's a great way to sell additional items that help boost our overall sales.

  3. What are your tips for new Yaga sellers to boost their sales?
    1) Don't sell anything that you wouldn't want to buy yourself. Make sure your stuff is clean and in good condition and that you would be happy to receive the items if you bought them from someone else
    2) Put some effort into taking pictures. If it's clothing, I think you should definitely wear it, Otherwise if it's accessories just make sure you have multiple angles and clear pictures against a neutral background
    3) Just be patient. I remember things started picking up after a few weeks when we made our first sale. Engage with other stores and use social media to get some traction form new and existing clients

  4. Have you had any special interactions with clients as a Yaga seller?
    I recently had a really sweet interaction with a buyer. We had a pair of silver Michael Kors sliders that she had been waiting for 3 months to buy for her sister as a gift. We decided to sell it to her for the price she was willing to pay. They're on their way, hope her sister likes her new shoesies :) 

Meet the Seller: @pennybunthrift

 
 
  1. Tell us a little bit more about your Yaga shop and what inspired you to open one?
    I wanted to make some space and noticed that I have a lot of clothes that I have hardly (or ever) worn! Two of my girlfriends wanted to do the same, so we started selling it on Yaga. It is also a great way for us to give back by donating 10% of our sales to a couple of animal charities we support, while still making a bit of extra cash for ourselves.

  2. What is the biggest value you get from Yaga?
    I’ve only been selling for a few months and the best thing about Yaga is the ease of it for both the Buyer and the Seller. It’s such a simple way to buy and sell preloved items!

  3. What advice can you give to other Sellers on Yaga? 
    I think you need good photos of your items that show the items clearly and are styled nicely on a person. This helps Buyers to visualise the items on themselves and increases the chances of them buying. 

  4. What kind of items are Buyers gravitating more towards currently?
    Buyers seem to buy more special items with a difference like pretty dresses, cool coats, and flared jeans rather than basics like t-shirts or skinny jeans. We also noticed that brands like Zara and Poetry do really well.

  5.  Do you have any great stories about an interaction you had with a Buyer?
    A lot of my buyers have given feedback that they are happy with their items. It always makes me glad to know that these items are going to a home where they get to be worn and are appreciated.

Meet the Seller: @sg-closet

 
 
  1. Tell us a little bit more about your Yaga shop and where your items are from?
    SG Closet was started by my sister and me. We are a vintage boutique with a modern take on preloved and unworn fashion items. Initially, we sold our own preloved clothes, but now we mainly source pieces from thrift markets and shops.

  2. What inspired you to open a Yaga shop?
    We love fashion and how people use it in different ways to express themselves and believe that everyone should have access to unique quality clothes. When we learned about the negative impact of the fashion industry on the environment, we decided to put purpose to our passion and opened a Yaga shop. 

  3. You’ve been a Yaga seller for almost a year now, what is the biggest value you get from Yaga?
    It’s fulfilling for us to be able to share our love of fashion while playing our part in taking care of the planet. We’re always excited to see all the initiatives Yaga takes to continue growing and making an impact on the fashion industry.

  4. What advice can you give to other Sellers on Yaga? 
    Our advice to Sellers is that they should know their brand, their values, and who their target market is. This will help them focus on their unique offering. Being highly active on social media platforms also helps Sellers stay in touch with their audience and to get shared on Yaga’s social media which helps Sellers stay relevant and recognisable.

  5. What kind of items are Buyers gravitating more towards currently?
    Buyers always jump at the opportunity of getting their hands on any unique, quality, one-of-a-kind item. Our ‘show-stopper’ items always sell fast in our shop.

  6.  What has been your favourite preloved find on Yaga so far?
    There is this ‘homemade’ pink denim jacket with red trims and a semi-opened back that we absolutely love.


 

Meet the Seller: @the-aviennew

 
  1. You’ve been a Yaga seller for a little bit more than a year now, what do you enjoy the most about having a Yaga store?
    The main reason I love Yaga is the exposure my store gets. With the growth of the culture of buying second hand in SA, more and more people are coming onto the the site. That makes the chances of selling and ultimately success great. I get repeat buyers but also new buyers who may be buying for the first time and that's encouraging.

  2. Have you noticed any changes in the buyers’ shopping habits in 2021? E.g. what kind of items are buyers gravitating more towards currently?
    I think more people want to look unique. They realise that mass production means someone in the room at an event might be wearing the same clothing item as you. Buyers are going for unique pieces that set them apart from the crowd.

  3. We have to chat about your shop images, they are always so creative! Where do you come up with ideas for your shoots?
    I always think about how I'd wear something in a non traditional way and put that into a look I want to shoot. I try to make ordinary everyday items more high fashion!

  4. We know well known brands get lots of attention, what would your advice be to sellers who don’t necessarily have branded items to sell?
    Generally I steer away from thrifting and reselling common brands but I've had success anyway. The key for me has been to style it in a way that's catchy. I spend time building looks so I can make the front page. That really boosts sales.

  5. As there are more users joining the platform, what advise can you give to some of the original sellers to deal with increased competition?
    Stay unique but do some research to see what stores are doing well. There is always room to grow even as a seller who has been on the platform for a while. Don’t be resistant to change but stay true to your "brand".