Consignment Advice

I went to Once Upon A Child and I was not impressed. For example they only offered me a quarter for a $60 infant jacket because it was last seasons style. I donated the jacket in the end because I refused to get a quarter for it!! They did the same to my friend. I would try to sell it on Craigslist. I plan to use them next time I need to sell something. Plus you might be able to bargin for something else you need.

There is a lot of great advice here! I agree with all of the girls who suggested consignment sales rather than stores or craigslist as I have had a better return doing things on my own as well.
I would also suggest ebay. I know it can be a little intimaidating but it is so worth it if you want top dollar for your items. You can get a good idea of what you should charge visiting consignment shops to see what they are selling things for and then list the items with a reserve. You can even make the bigger items for local sale only so people can pick things up. My husband and I do not have an "ebay" business but we buy and sell on a regular basis everything from kids clothes to cars!

I'd go for Craigslist for the bigger things (swing, etc.)...I just sold some things through there and probably got more than I would have taken them to consignment stores. Although the folks at Kid to Kid in Allen were very nice to deal with from a consignment perspective, I got much less than I actually expected for toys & bedding.

My experience has been... Kid to kid is very picky about what they buy from people so that's good for knowing that what you buy from them is going to be good. Make sence? But they don't typically take "everything" that you bring in. Once apon a child however takes just about everything (to an extent obviously) but then you might also be purchasing things from them that are less then acceptable condition... You simply have to watch what you chose to buy from them.

If you are selling clothes etc go to Once apon a child, if you are buying and don't have time to really inspect the items, then buy from kid to kid. If you have the time to really shop Once apon a child has a huge inventory and you may have to dig but that's how you find the treasure!

I love consignment shops so... Good luck! :o)
~T.~

I have dealt with Kid To Kid in the past(the one in McKinney)and I was not impressed with them. They do not give you the amount that you think you deserve, especially when it is a brand new item. They prefer name brands like the Gap, Old Navy...etc etc. They also only take clothes that are in season at the time. I havent tried once upon a child yet, but I am willing to give them a try. Kid To Kid really stinks.

Hi A.,

Depending on how much you have, and how much you are willing to work. You could do a consignment sale, like Divine Consign or Just Between Friends. They take out $10 and 30% of your sales (I think). It would get you more for your stuff than going to a consignment store, but you would have to do a little work tagging, organizing, and dropping off your stuff. I think the fall sales are coming up in September.

Craigslist is good, because you don't have to pay anything and people will come pick up, but I've found it's sometimes harder to get what you want for your stuff, moneywise. But, that may not be true for everyone, just my experience.

I used to go to Once Upon A Child, but got burnt out not getting near what I could for my kid's stuff.

Good luck selling!
C.

Hi A. -

I found craig's list to be so much more convenient and profitable. I took pictures and usually sent the "sold" items to work with my husband - he either met the person that purchased the items at a convenient place or they drove directly to his office in Las Colinas.

I don't think you ever really get your items true worth by selling through a middle man.

Good luck!
M.

The previous post mentions Cute as a Button. I loved Cute as a Button--I was so sad when they went out of business. I shop at Cutie Patootie but for some reason they are very difficult to consign with---and they are kind of rude about it. I've taken in Janie & Jack and Children's Place with tags on and they haven't taken it for whatever reason. I've done alot of consignment with Kid to Kid in Plano and they take alot of your stuff but they don't give you much money. It's always better to take the store credit there then take the cash because they will give you an additional 10% if you take the store credit. good luck

Unfortunately, my favorite went out of business... Cute as a Button. I like Once Upon a Child in Plano. I've used Cutie Patootie as well, and have also been unimpressed.

I am interested in what others have to say. At this time we have been waiting for the big Fall consignments that run from Thur-Sat.. We've had success with those in the past.

A.,

I own a consignment sale that is going to be in August in Lewisville. You can earn up to 80% if you tag it yourself or 50% if we pick it up from your house and tag it for you. Either way it is alot more money than either Kid to Kid who offers 20% or Once upon a child who can offer up to 30 %. Please let us know if we can help you out at all. Best of Luck.

M. Fetterman
www.bbconsign.com

I have tried consigning both kids and adult clothing (name brand items), but have found that it just isn't worth the hassle. They barely take anything and when they do, you hardly get anything for it. My suggestion is just to try to sell it in a community garage sale or on craigslist. Craigslist would be especially good for the hard goods. Everyone I know swears by it and since it's free you have nothing to lose. Good luck.

I usually sell used childrens clothes on eBay, but occassionally when I haven't had the time I've used consignment stores. The Once Upon A Child in Carrollton is one to stay away from - very rude! However, I had a fairly good experience with the Once Upon a child in Plano. If you have the time you'll get a lot more money for your things on eBay. I would try consignment sales or Craigslist for larger items.

I just took some stuff to Once upon a child in Plano and I was pleased with the experience. This was the first time I have ever done this and got more money than I thought. I had to drop the stuff off and it took a couple of hours before I heard back from them, but they informed me that there would be a wait. I understand that bigger items they will take care of when you arrive. They issued me a check when I came back to get the things they were not interested in. Good luck.

I am a new grandmother of a grandson, and I am looking for a bouncer, and high chair to keep in my home. If you decide to not sell them in consignment, please let me know, and I would love to talk to you about purchasing.

D. Godfrey
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Hi everyone! I have a suggestion: donate! I have found that donating to charity and asking for a receipt for a tax deduction is so much easier than consignment. Your time/gas/frustration level is not worth it, and most charities will pick it up from your home. How easy is that? Plus, you'll feel good knowing you're helping others. I know this will only work for those who itemize their taxes, but just wanted to share what's worked for me.