Selling Used Underwear: How to Actually Make Money Without Getting Scammed

Selling Used Underwear: How to Actually Make Money Without Getting Scammed

Let's be real. The idea of where can i sell used underwear used to be the kind of thing people only whispered about in dark corners of Reddit or sketchy forums. Now? It’s basically a full-blown side hustle. I’ve seen people pay off student loans or cover their rent just by mailing out a pair of worn briefs or socks. It sounds wild, I know. But it’s a legitimate market driven by a very specific, very dedicated niche of collectors and enthusiasts.

Money is money.

If you're sitting there wondering if your laundry basket is actually a gold mine, you aren't alone. Thousands of people are looking for ways to monetize their "scent" and their aesthetic. But here is the thing: it’s not just about throwing a pair of Hanes in an envelope and waiting for a paycheck. There are rules. There are massive safety concerns. And honestly, there are a lot of time-wasters who just want free "chat" without ever opening their wallets.

The Best Platforms for Selling Used Underwear Right Now

You can't just hop on eBay or Poshmark and start listing your worn thongs. You’ll get banned faster than you can click "post." Those mainstream sites have very strict hygiene policies. Instead, you have to go where the community lives.

All Things Worn is arguably the heavyweight champion in this space. It’s a massive marketplace specifically built for this. What I like about it is the transparency; you can see seller ratings, which helps weed out the flakes. They don't take a commission on your sales, but they do charge a monthly subscription fee for sellers. It’s a "pay to play" model that actually keeps the quality of the site higher because it discourages scammers who aren't willing to invest $20 to $30 a month.

Then there is PantyDeal. This one has been around forever. It’s a bit more "wild west" in terms of the interface, but the traffic is undeniable. If you want eyes on your listings quickly, this is a solid bet. They offer a free tier, but honestly, your listings will get buried if you don't upgrade.

Sofia Gray is another big name. It feels a bit more "boutique" and high-end. They vet their sellers, which adds a layer of professionalism that some of the other sites lack. If you’re worried about the "creepy" factor, Sofia Gray tends to feel a bit more clinical and business-like.

Don't sleep on Twitter (X) or Telegram either. Many high-earning sellers use these platforms to build a personal brand. They use the big marketplaces as a storefront but do their marketing on social media. It's about building a "persona." People aren't just buying cotton; they’re buying the idea of you.

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How the Pricing Actually Works (It’s Not What You Think)

A basic pair of panties might go for $20. That’s the floor. But the real money is in the "add-ons." This is where the business gets granular.

Buyers will pay extra for specific things. You want me to wear them for three days straight? That’s an extra $15. You want me to wear them while I’m at the gym? Add another $20. You want a photo of me wearing them? That’s a digital upcharge. It’s essentially a menu of services.

Most successful sellers have a "price list" pinned to their profiles. It keeps things efficient.

  • Standard 24-hour wear: $25
  • 48-hour "intense" wear: $40
  • Workout/Gym session: +$15
  • Vacuum sealed packaging: Included (usually)
  • Personalized note: $5

Prices fluctuate based on your "stats" too. If you have a specific body type or a following, you can charge way more. I’ve heard of "top tier" sellers moving single pairs for $100+ because they’ve built that level of demand. It's basic supply and demand, really.

Staying Anonymous and Safe

This is the non-negotiable part. If you’re looking into where can i sell used underwear, you have to prioritize your privacy. People are weird. Some are harmlessly weird, others are... not.

First, get a PO Box. Never, under any circumstances, ship from your home address. Even if you think the buyer is nice, you don't want a stranger knowing where you sleep. Some sellers use a "ghost" return address or a shipping service that anonymizes the sender.

Second, use a dedicated email. Don't link this to your personal Gmail or your LinkedIn. Use a protonmail account or something encrypted.

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Third, watch your photos. Metadata is real. Every time you take a photo on an iPhone, it embeds the GPS coordinates of where that photo was taken. You have to strip the EXIF data before uploading. Also, check your mirrors in the background. Does that photo show the view out your window? Does it show a specific landmark? Crop it. Blur it.

Lastly, payments. PayPal is risky because they hate "adult" transactions and will freeze your funds if they catch wind of what you're selling. Plus, PayPal often reveals your real name to the sender. Most pros use Crypto, Wishtender, or specific platform-internal tokens to keep things anonymous.

The Psychology of the Buyer

Why do people do this? It’s easy to judge, but understanding the "why" helps you sell better.

For most buyers, it’s a sensory thing. It’s about the scent and the connection. It’s a fetish, sure, but it’s often a very lonely one. Many buyers are just looking for a brief moment of intimacy or a "piece" of someone they admire.

You’ll encounter "time-wasters" or "tire-kickers." These are guys who will message you for three hours asking about your day, pretending they want to buy, but they’re really just getting off on the conversation for free. Experienced sellers shut this down fast. "Payment first, then we talk." It sounds harsh, but it's a business. Your time is literally money.

Packaging and Shipping Logistics

You can’t just toss them in a paper envelope. The scent will dissipate, and the post office might flag it if it’s... pungent.

The gold standard is ziploc bags inside vacuum-sealed bags. You want to lock that scent in. If a buyer pays for 3-day wear, they expect it to smell like it when they open it. Some sellers even spray a bit of their signature perfume on the tissue paper inside the package to give it a "branded" feel.

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Use padded mailers. They look like any other Amazon return or clothing shipment. Discretion is key. The mailman doesn't need to know what's inside, and neither does the buyer's nosy neighbor.

Taxes and the Boring Stuff

Yeah, the IRS wants their cut. If you make over a certain amount (the threshold changes, but usually it’s $600 in a year via payment processors), you’re going to get a 1099.

Treat this like a small business. Keep track of your expenses. The cost of the underwear, the shipping supplies, the site subscription fees—these are all tax-deductible. It feels ridiculous to write off "10-pack of cotton briefs" on your tax return, but it’s 100% legal if it’s a business expense.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

The biggest mistake is over-promising. If you say you’ll ship on Monday, ship on Monday. The "used" market relies heavily on trust and reviews. One bad review saying you sent "clean" underwear when they paid for "worn" will tank your profile.

Don't get too personal. It’s easy to start feeling like these buyers are your friends. They aren't. They are customers. Keep that boundary firm. If someone starts asking for your real name or your city, block them. No sale is worth your safety.

Also, don't quit your day job immediately. This market is fickle. One month you might make $2,000, and the next month you might make $50. It’s a supplement, not a salary for most people.

Actionable Steps to Get Started

If you’re ready to take the plunge, don't just jump in headfirst. Do it systematically.

  1. Research the niche: Spend a few days lurking on All Things Worn or PantyDeal. See what successful sellers are doing. Look at their photos. How do they write their bios?
  2. Set up your "Fortress of Solitude": Get that PO Box. Set up the burner email. Create a stage name. Never use your real name.
  3. Take high-quality, anonymous photos: You don't need a DSLR. A modern smartphone is fine. Focus on lighting. Show the product, maybe a bit of skin, but keep your face out of it unless you're comfortable being "public."
  4. Draft your "Menu": Decide what you are willing to do and what you aren't. Will you do custom requests? Will you sell socks too? (Socks are actually a huge sub-market and often easier to deal with).
  5. Start small: List two or three items. See how the interaction feels. You can always scale up once you get the hang of the "lingo" and the shipping process.

Selling used items in this category is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to build a reputation. But for those who are consistent and savvy about their branding, it's a remarkably low-overhead way to generate extra cash. Just remember: stay safe, stay anonymous, and get paid upfront.