Talk to me about consignment stores

melody921

So, I've been to consignment sales before and scored some good deals for the kids. I was a consignor once, but it was such a PITA tagging everything, that I really can't see myself doing that again. But, I've started noticing we have a lot of consignment stores in our area (for kids and adults), and I'm wondering if:

1) It's worth trying to sell anything there and

2) If anyone has good luck finding cute, inexpensive clothes at consignment for themselves. I get so tired of paying an arm and a leg for clothes, only to have them not even hold up that well.

PenelopePond

Any consignment stores I've used I have not had to tag anything. The store does it all. I've had very good luck with it.

I've never purchased anything for the boys from a consignment store, but I have from Once Upon A Child. I've found good deals there, but it's often crowded (lots if clothes smushed together) and I get frustrated.

MarisaKathleen

I've never found anything "great" for myself, but I've found a ton of stuff for theme parties.  Probably not what you're talking about though.

As for selling stuff there, it depends on the store.  We have Once Upon a Child and New to You Kids and their selling standards are higher.  Nothing in bags, everything freshly washed and folded in bins, no stains, no rips, nothing outdated, nothing faded, etc.  I have a whole box full of Nancy's nicer clothes I'm planning on taking this weekend.  The thing that I was unaware of is that you should call ahead, at least to the ones in my area.  They only take so much merchandise per day, so it's helpful to either go early or call ahead to see if they're still accepting that day.

hmp1

I keep my clothes long enough that I have never really felt the need to buy consignment for myself. I have never sold to a true consignment where I price it and don't get paid until it sells, but have sold to Once Upon a Child. You get about what you would get selling at garage sale and you don't have to deal with setting it all up and pricing. The better named brand stuff I sell on FB BST groups but stuff like ON, Children's Place... I find it is about the same profit for me to sell to a store than to pay shipping and pp fees. 

Mom2Mack1

We have a kids consignment store. I buy & sell the kids clothing there. I've found the older the kids get the selection, and quality goes down. Obviously because they wear it longer. When I consign I drop off my clothes, and they call me when they are finished going through it. I get 20% more if I take store credit. I always do this. They also sell melissa & doug toys so I'll use my credit for toys at birthday or Christmas time.

miss50

1.  I just recently started selling things at consignment.  Once Upon A Child gives you cash on the spot and you can choose to take the price they give you or not.  I took (2) 5 gallon rubbermaid containers and received $75.00.  Plus, I had half of the items returned to me for various reasons.  I then took the rest to Stuff and so far I've gotten $3.50 back from $280 worth of product.  I'll see how well the items sell and go from there.

Also, a big AW, I found a Janie and Jack shirt for the Sage for $2.50.  I instantly thought of you @hmp1 Total score!  They didn't know what they had on the rack. 

2.  As for myself, I have found a few items at a place in the higher end town nearby.  A chico shirt ($2) that I am just in love with and a couple pairs of jeans ($9).  Honestly, I don't usually look for my stuff.  Definitely worth it if you are looking for something specific and have time to sift thru the items.  We have a ton in our area and I know which ones have my style clothes and which ones do not. 

Good luck!  I love consignment shopping, but I have to be in the mood.  I've noticed if I just happen to drive by a place and stop real quick, I have the best of luck.

melody921

hmp1 said:

I keep my clothes long enough that I have never really felt the need to buy consignment for myself. I have never sold to a true consignment where I price it and don't get paid until it sells, but have sold to Once Upon a Child. You get about what you would get selling at garage sale and you don't have to deal with setting it all up and pricing. The better named brand stuff I sell on FB BST groups but stuff like ON, Children's Place... I find it is about the same profit for me to sell to a store than to pay shipping and pp fees. 

Does OUAC pay up-front? That's how our newest consignment store is. They determine a price, pay you when you drop off and you don't have to worry about if/when it sells.

I've thought about BST groups, but I don't want to fall into the trap of driving all over, if I could just unload a lot of stuff in one place. Hmmm

melody921

miss50 said:

1.  I just recently started selling things at consignment.  Once Upon A Child gives you cash on the spot and you can choose to take the price they give you or not.  I took (2) 5 gallon rubbermaid containers and received $75.00.  Plus, I had half of the items returned to me for various reasons.  I then took the rest to Stuff and so far I've gotten $3.50 back from $280 worth of product.  I'll see how well the items sell and go from there.

Also, a big AW, I found a Janie and Jack shirt for the Sage for $2.50.  I instantly thought of you @hmp1 Total score!  They didn't know what they had on the rack. 

2.  As for myself, I have found a few items at a place in the higher end town nearby.  A chico shirt ($2) that I am just in love with and a couple pairs of jeans ($9).  Honestly, I don't usually look for my stuff.  Definitely worth it if you are looking for something specific and have time to sift thru the items.  We have a ton in our area and I know which ones have my style clothes and which ones do not. 

Good luck!  I love consignment shopping, but I have to be in the mood.  I've noticed if I just happen to drive by a place and stop real quick, I have the best of luck.

That's an awesome find!

Pokedot

I've never sold to a consignment store but I've bought several things for DS there. A few things were a bit pricey in comparison to new items but I always seek out name brands. We've been to Once Upon A Child. I wish we actually had something like that around here. Closest one is 2 hours South.

hmp1

melody921 said:

hmp1 said:

I keep my clothes long enough that I have never really felt the need to buy consignment for myself. I have never sold to a true consignment where I price it and don't get paid until it sells, but have sold to Once Upon a Child. You get about what you would get selling at garage sale and you don't have to deal with setting it all up and pricing. The better named brand stuff I sell on FB BST groups but stuff like ON, Children's Place... I find it is about the same profit for me to sell to a store than to pay shipping and pp fees. 

Does OUAC pay up-front? That's how our newest consignment store is. They determine a price, pay you when you drop off and you don't have to worry about if/when it sells.

I've thought about BST groups, but I don't want to fall into the trap of driving all over, if I could just unload a lot of stuff in one place. Hmmm

Yes, they either buy it on the spot from you or you take it back home with you. They only buy in season clothes so I can't take our winter stuff until around Aug/Sept when they are trading out their inventory.

The BST groups I do are not local so I ship what I sell. I just include shipping in the price when I list it. I have a little kitchen scale and print the shipping label at home with paypal. It is really easy and I don't have to leave my house. I just sold a few shoes and outfits last week and made $200. I would have made half that at OUAC because people here won't pay $30 for used Livies like people on the L&L BST group will.

MommaP12

I've never sold anything to one, but the ones I've been to usually do the tagging.

I have to admit, maybe it's the area I live in, but I think they are kind of a joke.   We have a kids one here called The Second Child and the clothes there are more than if I got brand new at TJMaxx/Marshalls or ON!  Seriously, $15 for a Polo shirt?  No thanks.    Same for the adult stores.  A Banana Republic top for $40?  No thanks.   I guess mine suck?

miss50

Pokedot said:

I've never sold to a consignment store but I've bought several things for DS there. A few things were a bit pricey in comparison to new items but I always seek out name brands. We've been to Once Upon A Child. I wish we actually had something like that around here. Closest one is 2 hours South.

Sounds like a business opportunity!