It’s that time of year again..the Consignment Sales are out in Full Force!
I can remember, years ago, (probably pre-kids), where I couldn’t imagine putting my precious baby in anything used. You know..first time Mom syndrome? Only new tags for my sweet little baby…fast forward to having a baby and my eyes were OPENED to consignment sales. Gently used, low priced and beautiful clothing? Plus: strollers, highchairs and more for low prices? Shoes with almost brand new soles for 5 bucks? And that is just For the shopper!
For the seller: tag your items, drop them off and get a check?! Yes, please! AND the biggest JOY is donating your unsold items to those in NEED! We are such a society of “more and more,” but this is such a chance to “Give Back!”
Incentives:
Not only can you shop, but you can shop early. Sign up to volunteer and you can be in the first group of mommas getting their hands on the goods. Sometimes you can volunteer for more than one shift and get in even earlier! Are you a First Time Mom? Check out the First Time Mom’s shopping hour. Most sales will have honor those special ladies.
I have worked my fair-share of sales and even co-chaired a couple. If you have an upcoming sale, here are my best strategies.
Consigning:
- Buy your safety pins early. Make sure you have the right hangers and a lot of them!
- Go through you bins of seasonally appropriate clothes. Ie: no sweaters for Spring Sales. Sort through what you will donate and what you will sell. Most Sales will have guidelines on what they will and will not take.
- Separate into a boys pile and a girls pile. Then separate into sizes, keeping them by gender.
- Find a fun show on TV and start to enter your items into the software program, that most Sales will have. As you price things, think about what YOU would pay for that used item. I would take half off the retail price and then go down another 20 percent or so. Example: Cute Girls Gymbore Shirt and Pants= 8-10 dollars for the whole outfit. Target T-Shirt=2.50 or just donate. Smocked dress (yes for the southerners)-no more than $20.00..I promise they do not sell for 30 dollars, no matter how much you LOVED it! Crib Mattress: 40-50 dollars. Highchairs-25 to 35 dollars. If you have a brand new item, with tags: take 20 percent off the price. These are all examples..not the rules.
- Here’s a hint: boys clothes sell better than girls. Mommas are dying for nice clothes for boys and they are hard to find! Boys Dress Shirts-6-8 dollars, depending on the brand.
- Here’s another hint: Infant clothes are tough to sell. You MUST be price competitive.
- After you have entered your items by size and gender. Look over them to see if they need to be ironed. The better they look, the better they will sell.
- Hang them on hangers and make sure you know what KIND of hanger your sale will accept.
- Pin the tags on the front of the clothes–see your guidelines.
- Keep them in their piles according to gender and size.
- You are ready for DROP off!
For the Shoppers:
- Make a list of what you are looking for. Don’t get caught up in what other people are hunting. Prioritize your list and head to your number one item first!
- Bring a cart, basket, or bag for your items. Your arms can only carry so much.
- Get in line early. They usually move quickly, but the early bird does get the worm.
- Be kind to those around you. No elbowing or dirty looks. Help each other while you are at it!
Don’t care about consignment sales? Think about volunteering. The sales are successful because of those who participate. All efforts are felt city or even world-wide.
And so many families will clothe their children because of our support!
Need to find a Sale in you area?
Kids Consignment Sales (list sales nationally)
Nh Consignment Sale (for all my NH friends)
Itsy Bitsy Thrifty (SeaCoast sale coming up)
Mt Bethel CCS : Yes their sale is this weekend! I miss you and love you Marietta peeps!
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
