You can often find free or cheap mannequins on Craigslist or Freecycle. If you are brave you can go dumpster diving behind a retail store or mall because retailers frequently throw away mannequins when a store is closing or remodeling.
Warning sometimes FREE mannequins can end up costing you more if you factor.
- time spent searching
- the mannequin has missing parts
- no consistency if you want multiple mannequins
- transport headaches
The next best option is to do a google search for retail display fixtures in your city. The industry term for mannequins is “display fixture” and many vendors who primarily sell store fixtures also sell mannequins on the side. But since mannequins are not their primary business, their store might have a name like Store Fixture Plus. They frequently will have a section with used mannequins.
At Mannequin Madness we recycle mannequins for retail chains when they close or remodel so we have a wide variety of used mannequins in addition to new mannequins.
We have used mannequins that are slightly distressed and deeply discounted which appeal to DIY customers who are going to upcycle the mannequin into something artistic.
And we have premium designer mannequins like the ones in the photo below which come from luxury stores and are in mint condition. This are ideal for retailers and museums who can buy more with less, because we sell the mannequins at a fraction of what they would cost brand new.
And these mannequins are much high caliber than the cheap imports that you can find on Amazon. It is like buying a used Mercedes instead of a new Hyundai. The used mannequins from high end retailers are built to be more durable to withstand the abuse they get in retail environment.
The shipping costs for a used mannequin is the same as a new one, so that is why it is ideal to buy used mannequins locally whenever possible.
We also sell used mannequin arms, hands and legs.
Should you need to borrow a mannequin for a short term purpose, there are many companies that will rent a mannequin to you which we have listed here. Not the same as free, but not as expensive as buying a mannequin if you just need one for a week or less.
Visit our website to shop for mannequins and dress forms, rent display pieces, or recycle your old mannequins.
