Selling to Lululemon Like New
Hello friends! I wanted to provide my thoughts on the Lululemon “Like New” Program. Basically, you bring in your used items to your nearest local store that accepts used items (search here) and they go through your old Lululemon clothes, select what they are allowed to accept and pay you in a gift card for their selections.
Honestly, from the get-go, I don’t love that they give a gift card instead of cash, but it ends up being fine with me since I know I shop there anyways, but if you don’t habitually shop at Lululemon and your used item or two were gifts then at best you can trade your gift card here.
The reason you’d want to trade your gift card in, rather than using it to shop is because if you only have a couple of used items to trade in, you’re likely not going to have enough money to buy something new, since trade-in credits are as follows:
Shirts, shorts and skirts: $5
Hoodies, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Pants, Crops, Leggings, Dresses: $10
Large Bags: $10
Outerwear: $25
So, if you bring in a jacket you paid $298 for, you’ll get $25 to spend in-store on something new. If you bring in a pair of leggings you paid $128 for, you’ll receive $10. That is, of course, if they accept your trade-in. To me, this is not worth it, unless you really don’t feel like listing your items. If your items are in good enough (like new) condition to be accepted by the program, it’s likely you’ll be able to sell them online, or at a different second-hand shop where you can, perhaps only receive comparable values, but at least leave with cash-in-hand. If you sell online, you’re likely to receive the best value for your goods. I wrote an article a long time ago about best practices for eBay that I’ll link to here. I also think Poshmark works well for Lululemon items these days and I’ve found some great deals on there myself. Also: I do have a “Sellers Series” of posts I wrote about Lululemon specifically too.
Suffice it to say that I’m disappointed with the trade-in payouts in dollar value, but am personally ambivalent about the fact that they pay you in gift cards. Fine with me, may not work for others, nuff said.
Like New Shop and Prices
Moving on now to the shopping side of the “Lululemon Like New” arena. Considering that they’re giving only approximately 10% of the retail value back when they purchase used items, the sale prices on their Like New site must be very fair. This is where I’ll say it’s hit or miss.
The first example I’ll give is of a Swiftly Short Sleeve. A very common top Lululemon has been selling for years. Currently, the price on a new one is $68. If you buy one from the Lululemon Like New website, you can get it for $39. Or, you could buy one new, but on sale at Lululemon for $49. Nothing wrong with any of these options, but I’d probably prefer to spend the extra $10 and get the new one.
However, it’s not all down side! There are some good deals I spotted here and there, but the prices are not bargain basement.
I can especially see a use case scenario for if you’re looking for something specific, you might be able to find it on the website. For example, I happen to really like the old No Limits tanks tops from back in the day. Now, mind you, there were none available in my size, but there is a modest selection of them on the website. If I were faster, or if I checked often enough, I might be able to find something I’ve been searching for (Like a Blurred Blossom Flow Y bra in a size 8 #ISO). So, this is actually a great way to use this website. You’ll end up paying for it, but at least you’ll be able to find what you’ve been looking for.
There are good deals to be found, you just have to look for a little while. I found a 105F Singlet with the scalloped edges, very pretty, $29. Maybe not the best deal ever, but fair enough and one of those pieces with the details I love.
So, at the end of the day, would I sell to the Lululemon Like New program? Only if I had exhausted all other options. So, for example, I had listed on eBay and it wasn’t moving, then I brought it to my local second hand store and they weren’t interested for whatever reason, maybe they’re over stocked on something, or what have you, the last resort for me would be to get $5 for my top on a Lululemon gift card.
Would I buy from the Lululemon Like New store is a different question. It’s unlikely that I would buy from browsing or just going on there one day and seeing what they have. However, if I go back in a week or two and they have a No Limits tank in Blurred Blossom in a size 8: I will pick it up. Because, at that point, it’s not about price, it’s about the availability of the item. Or if they have Bhakti shorts in a size 10 with the Petal Pop waistband, those will be mine. So, I guess, keep your eyes peeled if you’re on the hunt for anything.
Let me know if you have any questions! I will update you if I end up using the services at all! Have you tried it? What’s it like? Worth it? Let me know in the comments below!
