Opinion on Once upon a Child

I had some shoes my son out grew. He may have worn them twice. ( Nike, Striderite, Timberland, K swiss) They were still in the boxes very good condition. Once upon child would only give me around $7.00 a pair. I then looked around the store, and Osh Kosh gear with orig. tags on them ($22.00) the store was selling the items for half price of the orig. I hope this helps you. I donated my gently used items to a womens shelter.

I personally like Kid to Kid. There are a few different locations. Here's the website...

http://www.kidtokid.com/

You could also try selling on craigslist. You could probably get more profit.

You call them and make an appointment and they go through your stuff while you wait. They don't give much. I would try to sell it on craigslist first.

I personally think you would get more for your money by consigning it, that's what I do. I didn't get very much for the stuff I took in to Once Upon a Child. There is a consignment sale coming up called Bye Buy consign...here is their website: http://www.bbconsign.com/

I did not do too well at Once Upon A Child. They offered me very little for very expensive items. Then to go through the store and realize they are selling something at $8 they paid me .50 for. I would do a garage sale or sell on Craigslist.

Check with Rugrats resale on Camp Bowie West. I know she buys clothes and toys outright instead of consignment. More money faster.

I don't htink they pay enough to get your stuff personally. Check out....'just between friends'. This one is a hair mor ework but the benifits are great.

My experience with Once Upon a Child was not plesant. I had tons of clothes, saucer, swing, you name it. I had my baby with me so it took me several trips back in forth with the cart to haul everything in (about 20-30 minutes...they said they had no one to help me). Then they told me to come back in 60-90 minutes. Your gonna love this...when I returned the clerk told me out of everything I brought in (most of the clothes were from Gap and other name brands) she wanted to only take 2 outfits totaling $1.30 WHAT??? I had to laugh it off. I spent over 3 hours packing the car, unloading to the store, walking around for no reason, then to repack everything and bring it all home.
So, what did I do with all my stuff? I sold it on craigslist.com I think I made over $300 if not $400. It best to group clothes together and have them take a "bag" for X amount. I set up my living room with all the toys and clothes like a garage sale and within a week or so it was all gone.
Hope this helps.
Have a blessed day

I had a bad experience at Once Upon a Child. I called to see if they took all seasons, which they do, and was told to bring all of my items in for resale. I took 4 boxes of clothes, was there for over an hour, and they bought $12.50 worth of my things (a total of maybe 5 outfits). I was told they are VERY picky, and they can only take certain kinds of clothes. Had I been informed of that before my trip, I would not have gone there.
Good luck!

Try Just Between Friends Sale. I think you can go to JBF.com or google it. JBF has sales in the spring and fall.
I believe you get 70%. Check out the website for more info

I'm not sure about Once Upon a Child but there is a place called Kid to Kid close to the Parks Mall in Arlington. I used to take my daughter's clothes and toys there and they would give me money on the spot! It was great because you didn't have to wait for it to sell first. You should call first and make sure they are taking things at this time and they will set up an appointment for you to bring your things in.

Blessings,
R.

I have not used Once Upon a Child bt I have used Kid2kid and they don't pay you squat for your stuff, but they are a great place to go for inexpensive stuff. We had paid for all our baby items brand new and some were never used but 1 or 2 times and we still only got 5-10 dollars for 70-250 items that we thought we should have been paid more for. WE went with the store credit since otherwise they give you even less as casah payment.

K.

Full-time Working mother of a hansome 14 mos old and happily married for 10yrs.

I am in the same boat as another person who posted. I had a horrible experience with OUAC. I took ALL BRAND NEW, with tags items to them. Name brands, Carter's, Osh Kosh, in season clothes, 5pc crib bedding set, Pademm Pad (featured on the Oprah show), etc...it was about 25 items, and they offered me $12! Not only frustrating after all the time I spent taking the stuff there, but insulting, that they'd offer such a low figure for BRAND NEW, NAME BRAND ITEMS! So that's my take on them! I vote for CRAIGSLIST ALL THE WAY! I sell TONS of stuff on there!

With all due respect, I would not approach selling items with the mindset of making money.

New moms need help and many shop exclusively there. I have bought several items at such a discount. It's a great place.

I would just sell your items to them, be content with whatever money you "make" and walk away happy.....knowing you are going to be helping out another mom down the road.

Just my thoughts.

You get 5 times more if you write it off on your taxes. Kid to Kid and Once Upon a Child hardly give anything. As far as shopping at Once Upon a Child, I have purchased from them but each time told myself I wouldn't again due to the staff.

S.,
I've sold to them and to kid to kid in highland village many times. It is really easy. They don't take everything though. Nothing too warn, old, stained, or something they currently have enough of. They take some things out of season, but only the really good stuff.

They price things at about 25% of the retail cost, then they give you half. They price high end name brand things a little more than 25%, so you get a better return.

Bring in all your stuff folded and clean (no hangers).
They will go through everything and call you back that day to pick up the things they can't use.

You have two choices really; You can do as above and you sign something saying you will agree to the prices they quote for your things. Then when you come back they have the check waiting for you.

Or you can make an appointment to be there as they go through your things. This doesn't change the price they give, but if you think they are offering too little, you can decide not to sell that perticular item.

Kid to Kid gives you the option of taking cash or store credit. If you take store credit, I think they give you 5% more for your items.

You can also decide to donate the items they (at both places) don't take, that way you don't have to take anything back home with you.

You may also find it helpful to start with one store, get back your items they won't take, then take them to the other place. Every time I have done this, the second store ends up taking some of the discarded items.
Hope that helps!
A.

If you want to get the true value, I would try selling as a "lot" on Craigslist or Ebay. I've had much better luck there than the resale shops. I think they only give you 20-25 cents per dollar of the resale value at Once Upon a Child.

I second the Just Between Friends sale! I had a lot of clothes from my son and daughter that I hung onto because I wasn't sure that I was finished having kids. When I had decided that I was done, I put my stuff in the sale and made over $1000! That's the most I've made and now I average about $350 per sale with just the two seasons worth of outgrown clothes, shoes and toys for two kids. The JBF spring/summer sale is at the end of this month in Mesquite. You can check out their website at http://dallas.jbfsale.com/. It takes time to get your things ready, but it's well worth it!

I agree with some of the others. I tried consigning at OUAC. I took about 100 articles of clothing, some of which were brand new with tags still on. They refused these items because they were last seasons line. They did, however, offer to buy one item out of the 100 because it was Ralph Lauren. Which, by the way was three years old.

As far as consignment, I have had good luck with smaller mom and pop stores. 50% of the selling price. You won't make a ton of money but you can use credit to purchase clothes and it's easier than all the work of a garage sale.

I've had the worst experience with Once Upon a Child! I took my things back the 1st time I went there, and I was desperate the 2nd time. I will never go back there.

You're best bet is Craig's List or Ebay, then a garage sale, & then Once Upon a Child.

About 10 to 20 cents on the dollar - you will make more with a garage sale. They are extremely picky with what they take, too - all sets have to be together, etc.

Good luck
S.

I've tried once upon a child and they really don'tpay. At least with the items that I had that were big ticket items. Like a high chair they offered $5.00, or a play pen they offered $6.00. And then they turn around and sell it for much much more.
I now do the Just Between Friends consignment. I sell and buy from there and then sell again. A great way to all someone else to have what you don't just want to throw away.

S.,
Hi! I would have to agree with the majority of responses. OUAC is very picky in what they choose to buy. I had items they would not purchase that looked much better than what they were selling. (My opinion, I realize).
I would agree that you should donate to any shelter, church, etc. and take the tax write-off.
If you would prefer to have the cash, they do provide a quick alternative.

Good Luck!

Hi,

I have bought and sold a lot at Once Upon a Child. My advice is to try to sell your stuff at a garage sale, if possible, before taking it to Once Upon a Child. They were very picky and did not pay very much. I had clothes that still had tags on them, and they did not buy them. I guess it depends on the size, gender, and season of the items. Call them first, and find out what they are needing. They won't buy certain equipment or carseats, at all.
I like Kid to Kid in Bedford better for selling.

Hope it helps! Good Luck!

N. Salter

They are a great store but like all retail resellers they can only offer you a fraction of what you will want. HAve you considered doing a consignment sale? The best one Divine Consign just ended yesterday in Plano. They give you 70 percent of your asking price. There is another one here in Allen called Little Lambs coming up in March. You definitely get much more when you do consignment sales. Look them up on the web for your area locations.

Good luck.

Hi S.,

I know of a children's consignment event going on in plano right now (through Saturday I believe). I know several people who used them. They are very friendly people, and my guess more reasonable in what they offer than the big consignment stores. Here's the link to their site: http://www.sweetpeastyles.com
(To consign your items go to the "Contributor" page)
I hope this is helpful.

My expeirence with Once Upon a Child has been this: they pay better than a garage sale, but not as good as a consignment shop. They do pay within the day in cash or store credit - where with consignment you have to wait for the item to sell. I did find out the hard way you don't get more by accepting store credit- 95% of the time so ask before making a decision. If you're going to get the same amount take the cash so you can use it anywhere.

They aren't horribly picky, but do want the clothes to be clean, in decent shape, and not outdated.

Hi S.,

If you clothes are in nice condition, you will not be happy with what they give you....almost NOTHING! I recommend selling them on Craigslist or Ebay or simply donating them. Personally I prefer Craigslist because it is easy and local (no shpping required). I took a bunch of clothes and REALLY nice Discovery Toys to Once Upon a Child and was shocked at the small amount of money that they gave me (about $15) for EVERYTHING!

Not worth it. We had a perfect crib ($500) and they offered us $80. I realize it was used and I did not expect $500 for it but GEES.....

You come out better to :

1. Donate and get the tax benefit
2. Go to Craigslist or Ebay
3. I don't know anything about the other sales mentioned on here.
4. I don't do garage sales...

I have never sold clothes but did sell alot of toys about 4 years ago (ride-on, infant, etc each one easily purchased at $15-$50 each and in mint condition) and I only got back $35 for the whole lot. Not worth it in my opinion. If Craigslist had been around then, I would have gone that route. I would go with Craigslist, ebay, or one of the local consignment sales, you are bound to get more back.

S.,

I highly recommend staying AWAY from Once Upon a Child.

I had several nice things that I took in there one day. First of all, they were very rude to me. It is like I was a major inconvenience to them. Secondly, out of many, many items, they only bought my sons HUGE firetruck. You know, the ones that cost over $150 because they move, make noise, etc...? They paid me $7 for it. It was in great condition.

I don't know why I even took the money for it. I should have just took it back home.

I suggest you try craigslist instead. You will get much more money if you bundle your stuff up and sell it on there.

BTW, the OUaC I went to was in Mesquite.

I have not sold anything through Once Upon a Child but have heard that they only offer 50% of the sale price. I believe they price it for you. Not sure if you have heard of Just Between Friends. The link to the website is www.jbfsale.com. The link to the Arlington sales is www.arlington.jbfsale.com. There are sales currently going on in the Metroplex. Several cities here in Texas have sales twice a year, usually spring and fall. Advise if you need additonal information.

I would sell my stuff at the just between friends sale. It comes twice a year you have to tag all your items but you get to set the price and can pick if you want your stuff discounted at the end of the sale. I sold all of my baby equipment and my son's clothes and made over $800.they do all the advertising for you,it is also a good place to buy things.check out there website they are having there sping/summer sale this weekend at the will rogers memorial center the website is jbfsale.com.

There is also another big resale group called Just Between Friends. There are several in the area. I live in Prosper and I know there is one in the spring and fall at our church in McKinney, TX. They have others all through the year in different places. Go on the internet and look up Just Between Friends for details.

Dear S.,
Don't know about that stor . But here where I live the consigment stores what they do is give you a number and the things that sale they give you half.I had very good luck with them here. What I would do is call them and ask them. Then what don't sell in a sertant length of time you pick up are they domate them. Good luck
J. G

I have tried a flea market *Kathy is the owner*,on Cherry lane north of brewer middle school, and get about the same results. It is a small store and she does have better quality than once upon a child in regards to stains and tears. I was offered 50 cents on an item, yet on the shelf she had one like it for about 3 dollars. Way better than once upon a kid. Also there is one on Alta Mere just south of Calmont, east side of road. They want things on hangers, and again, ok quality. Both want *in styles*. My sister in law goes to one in Weatherford, it is the only one, it pays better than here in fort worth and has a lot to sell at decent prices. My sister in law found a crib at a garage sale, paid 10 dollars, cleaned it up and they paid her 80 dollars for it. Wish I new the name, I want to go there.

I brought a TON of stuff there after I had my last child and I think I only got $40 for what they decided to keep. I tought I had some really good stuff (I'm sure everyone thinks they have really good stuff), but I had smocked dresses that they didn't even want! They kept mostly my gymboree stuff. After doing it, I went to kid to kid and got $12 out of the remaining stuff that that store wanted and then I brought it all to GRACE. It would have saved me a lot of time and effort if I'd just brought it all to GRACE to begin with.

You are NEVER going to get back what you paid for any of your items. You probably won't even get half of what you paid for it. The fact is, it's used. And people aren't going to pay a lot for used. Especially if the items is something their child will grow out of quickly.

If you have the time, then craiglist or ebay will be your best bet. But in this arena, the clothes should probably be higher end quality. A garage sale is probably going to be only a little better than Once Upon a Child. Keep in mind for garage sales most people aren't going to want to pay more than $1 or $2 for an outfit.

If you have a Kid To Kid nearby, you can check that store out too. It's the same concept as Once Upon A Child, but their prices are better as far as what you would have to pay if you bought something there. They don't give you much for what you bring in, but you can take a cash price. Or you can get a little bit more if you opt for store credit.

I have taken loads of nice children's items to Once Upon A Child and have always left disappointed...first, they were extremely picky (which is understandable, but when I was browsing through items they were already selling, I saw many stained, faded, outdated, and less than gently used clothing, shoes, toys, etc.), second, they only gave me 1/3 of what they planned to sell the item for (I usually got $2-$13, which I felt was a rip-off...), and third, most of their employees were un-friendly and would barely acknowledge I was there. That was my experience with my local store, here in Wichita Falls, however, I've always liked shopping there, at least for everything but there furniture, which is way over-priced.

I know that a new consignment store opened where the Once Upon a Child on Cooper closed, in Arlington. The owner was paying about 30% of what she would sell the clothes for. I find consignment shops to be so picky (they only have so much room after all) and don't pay too well. I second the Just Between Friends Sale. The Ft. Worth spring/summer sale is going on right now so you just missed it in order to be a consignor. I know the Arlington sale is next month. I have consigned at both and the owners of the Ft. Worth sale have GOT IT TOGETHER for pickup and drop off. The Arlington owners are newer and it wasn't as convenient to drop off and a pain to pick up last fall. HOpefully it will be better this time. I'm sure they're learning as they go. I am consigning at the Arlington sale so it is worth giving it a shot to me. The fall/winter sale will be in September (in FW) All the info is on the jbf website.

Good luck!