Since becoming a parent, I’ve realized that the actual period during which children’s items can be used is much shorter than I had imagined. The T-shirts I bought last year no longer fit this year, and my child gets bored with toys in the blink of an eye.
I don’t have the space to keep clothes that no longer fit or toys that are no longer played with forever.
Whenever that happens, I always think, “What a waste.” So, I sell them to someone else through a flea market app, and in turn, I buy children’s items from others, thereby recycling children’s items.
What I do when I sell:
When selling children’s items on a flea market app, I first clean and iron them to restore their shape. I take photos of the items and clearly note any stains or scratches that cannot be removed.
Next, once the item has been purchased, I carefully package it to prevent any new scratches. I also attach a sticker that says “Thank you” as a token of my appreciation.
Here’s a glimpse of my listings page: I’ve listed children’s clothes, shoes, toys, and other items that no longer fit. Although they’re not shown here, I’m constantly listing items I no longer use, such as adult clothing and miscellaneous goods.
Since this is an old photo, it says “Sold Out,” but it usually takes anywhere from a few days to a few months for an item to sell out after it’s listed.
Instead of selling the clothes my child had outgrown, I bought a cute jacket with cat shaped pockets.
This cat jacket was in excellent condition, with no stains or damage. It was a great purchase.
What Makes It Work in Japan
How does this cycle work in Japan? I believe there are three reasons. First, people take good care of their belongings and clean them before putting them up for sale. Second, it’s very important to be honest about the condition of an item, as this directly affects user ratings on secondhand apps. Third, Japan has long held the concept of “mottainai” (waste not, want not), and even before the advent of secondhand apps, there was a culture of passing down children’s items to friends and siblings rather than throwing them away.
In Japan, many parents frequently buy and sell children’s items using apps like “Mercari.” This stems not only from a desire to save money but also from a desire to value the entire lifespan of the items themselves.
Everyday Tokyo 