Ding Fring is not a classic thrift store. The brand, powered by collections from Relais, applies a selective sorting process that directs each item towards either solidarity resale or textile recycling. To successfully sell second-hand clothing through this network, one must understand its selection criteria, its valorization circuits, and its seasonal commercial levers.
Selective sorting by Relais and criteria for resale at Ding Fring stores
Relais collects textiles through bins and local partnerships, then conducts industrial sorting into several categories. Only a fraction of the recovered clothing makes it to the racks of Ding Fring thrift stores. The rest goes to recycling (shredding, industrial rags) or export.
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The selection in-store is based on strict criteria: impeccable cleanliness, absence of stains, holes, or visible wear on seams or closures. Damaged lingerie and accessories are systematically refused, regardless of the brand.
We recommend preparing each item as if it were going directly onto a rack. A washed, ironed, and properly folded garment has a higher chance of passing the filter. Items with minor defects (missing button, loose hem) are generally set aside, even if the fabric remains in good condition. This requirement distinguishes Ding Fring from traditional donation circuits where selection is less rigorous.
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The process of selling clothes with Ding Fring does not operate on a fixed scale: compensation methods vary depending on the collection point and the period. Some stores offer vouchers, while others direct towards a pure donation with a redirect to the solidarity sector.
Ding Fring commercial operations: synchronizing deposits with demand
Ding Fring stores organize thematic promotional operations that create spikes in attendance. Special sales around sporting events (jerseys, technical outfits), seasonal promotions, discounted bundles to address purchasing power constraints: these marketing mechanics generate targeted demand.
The benefit for the seller is direct. Depositing clothing that corresponds to the theme of an ongoing operation increases their likelihood of being selected for sale in-store rather than redirected to recycling. A batch of sports clothing deposited the week before a special jersey sale holds more value for the store than during a slow period.
- Follow the local Ding Fring stores’ Facebook and Instagram pages to anticipate operations (dates, themes, targeted categories)
- Adapt the contents of deposited bags to the commercial calendar: summer clothes before summer sales, branded items before special sales
- Take advantage of open house days to directly discuss with store managers about sought-after items
Some stores offer bundles of several items at a fixed price, which directs the type of accepted pieces towards complementary and wearable items together.
Ding Fring e-shop on Label Emmaüs: the online solidarity showcase
Recently, Ding Fring has an e-shop integrated into the Label Emmaüs marketplace. This online extension changes the reach of the network: an item deposited in a physical store can now find a buyer well beyond the local area.
Combining in-store deposits with online visibility multiplies resale chances. Vintage or branded items, which sometimes stagnate in-store due to a lack of local clientele, find buyers more easily on the solidarity marketplace. The e-shop functions as a complementary showcase, not as a direct buyback channel: the seller always deposits physically.
We observe that this dual exposure particularly benefits clothing in very good condition and items with identifiable market value (recognized brands, limited editions, dated vintage). Basic items or those without a value marker continue to be sold in-store through promotions.
Sale in Ding Fring thrift store or online resale: which circuit to prioritize
Comparing deposits at Ding Fring with resale on platforms like Vinted or through wardrobe clear-outs requires clarifying what each channel optimizes.
- Ding Fring via Relais: solidarity circuit with no logistical management for the seller, variable compensation (voucher or donation), outsourced sorting, no price negotiation
- Online resale (Vinted, Leboncoin): price set by the seller, management of listings, photos, shipping, but potentially higher margins on branded items
- Consignment in independent thrift stores: commission on sales, often more restrictive selection, variable turnover time
- Donation to Emmaüs or Relais without going through Ding Fring: no financial compensation, but acceptance of all types of textiles in good condition
The choice depends on the volume and unit value of the items. For a massive closet clean-out with everyday clothing, Ding Fring absorbs the volume without logistical effort. For high-value items, direct online resale remains more profitable.
Preparing a coherent batch to maximize acceptance
We recommend separating items into two categories before any deposit. On one side, branded or vintage clothing in excellent condition, to be photographed and sold by oneself. On the other, acceptable pieces but without high market value, to be deposited at Ding Fring in a coherent batch (same season, same target).
A homogeneous batch facilitates sorting in-store and reduces the rate of redirection to recycling. Store managers handle large volumes: a bag mixing baby bodysuits, men’s suits, and summer dresses complicates sorting and slows down shelving.
The Ding Fring network remains a relevant lever for selling volumes of second-hand clothing in a solidarity framework, provided that deposits align with Relais’s selection criteria and the commercial calendar of the stores. The online dimension via Label Emmaüs adds a layer of visibility that benefits the most identifiable pieces.