Shoppers are taking advantage of a growing number of web sites that make it easier to sell and buy gently worn clothing and accessories. Here are a few:

PORTERO

Niche: Focuses on accessories such as handbags and jewellery from top-tier luxury brands such as Chanel, Gucci, Hermes and Rolex.

Number of customers: Hundreds of thousands but company declined to give specific number.

Number of items listed on average day: 5,000 items

Services: Portero.com assists clients in finding coveted pre-owned luxury items.

Consignment policy: Portero’s items are sourced from vetted suppliers to ensure the authenticity of the items for sale. Consignment is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Return policy: Accepts returns on all items except those marked final sale. Every product description states the allowed return time period. If there is no deadline stated, the policy is seven days from receipt. Return shipping is at shoppers’ cost

THEREALREAL

Niche: The company offers limited time only sales events of gently worn top tier luxury fashions, accessories such as handbags and fine jewellery. It expanded into art last year. Among the 500 brands it carries are Chanel, Tom Ford, Valentino and Gucci.

Number of subscribers: 2.4 million

Number of items listed on average day: 50,000

Services: Will pick up customers’ items at their homes in 16 cities across the country for free. For $5 per month, customers can get 24-hour advance access to sales and special invitations to monthly promotions.

Consignment policy: Consignors receive free shipping on accepted items. The RealReal sets the price and may be changed from time to time without notice to the consignor. Customers receive 60 percent of the net selling price, excluding tax and shipping of items, sold totaling $7,499. Once shoppers break the threshold of $7,550 or more, during that year, the rate goes up to 70 per cent. Each of the items is authenticated with experts employed by the company.

Return policy: To return clothing and shoes, customers must make that request within 14 days of the shipment date and return the item within 21 days of the shipment date. TheRealReal doesn’t accept returns purchased during a Final Sale.

THREDUP

Niche: ThredUP focuses on mainstream fashion and accessories brands such as 7 For All Mankind and Banana Republic for women and children. Recently, it has expanded into higher-end names such as Tory Burch and J. Brand. The company also has handbags.

Number of customers: Over a million.

Number of items listed on average day: 250,000

Services: Customers order a bag that comes with a pre-paid, pre-addressed shipping label to ship back to ThredUP for free.

Consignment policy: Pays consignor up to 80 per cent of the resale value. Items that it doesn’t accept go to charitable partners or textile recycling companies. Or they can be mailed back for a $12.99 shipping fee. ThredUP gives customers the ability to adjust the recommended price - within the first seven days that the consignment item is listed on the site.

Return policy: Customers are charged for return shipping costs except if there’s an error on ThredUP.com’s part.