Kid's Consignment Sales

[MrsPinecone]

http://www.kidsconsignmentsales.com/index.htm

Seasonal consignment shopping is a fast growing trend, especially for baby and children's items. Kids grow so fast, and items like clothes, strollers, car seats, cribs and toys many times seem barely used. Seasonal consignment sales offer a unique venue for both sellers and shoppers. These sales set up shop for a weekend or a few days more in the spring and fall. Some sales also offer a holiday sale around December that specializes in toys and holiday clothes.

Has a listing of sales by state.

[PHmom]

I did for the first time this week and I'm not sure whether I want to do it again so please chime in and tell me whether my experience is normal or not.

This was a first time sale for this group, they are planning to have twice yearly sales (fall and spring they're calling them, to be held in July/Aug and Feb/Mar). They seemed pretty organized over all, when I emailed for info I got a call back quickly and when I had more questions they were very friendly and helpful.

But...

I priced my stuff using their recommendations, seemed a little high for some things but they said that they didn't want things priced too low. Well, only about half my stuff sold which was very disappointing b/c I had some really nice stuff. I hope that doesn't sound like I'm bragging b/c I'm not, I just want you to get the full picture here.

So, is selling half good or bad or just about normal?

Also, please tell me if these fees are normal:

I get 65% of what my items sold for, they keep 35% and then charge a flat $8 fee that comes out of your check too. I will get my check in about 2 weeks.

So, should I do this again with this group or try to find another one here in town (there are others around)? Opinions? Advice?

[thecooperhouse]

I have only done about 4 consignment sales. So I am sure there are others out there that know more than I do! I think half of your stuff selling is probably normal or better than normal. I probably sell about half of my stuff or less. That depends on what you have too. I think a lot more of the big items go pretty easy. I usually have a TON of clothes. I over do it with my daughter as far as clothes go!! I think the rate is about normal, maybe 5-10% higher than what my last one was. I would stick with that group as long as they bring in a lot of business. If they are good at promoting and bringing in customers, that is super important!

[my3girlz]

Oh now you're scaring me...lol. I don't have any words of wisdom, as I am getting ready to participate in my first in about two weeks. We only get 55%, so you did better on that end.

The one I'm participating in has a minimum $4 charge for each item(s). Only name brand stuff (no Wal-Mart or Target). It seems like a lot of preparation (uploading info to database, printing barcodes, washing, ironing, placing on hangers), so I hope it's worth it.

[thecooperhouse]

I haven't heard of one saying name brand only stuff!! Or a minimum charge!

[texaslady22]

I *love* Consignments Sales - I always spend wayyyy more than I make (he he).

But they're really great for things like socks, blankets, etc.

I got 65% and we could price however we wanted.

I had items like 3 pairs of kids pants for $3 and they still didn't sell. So plan on ALWAYS having items left over.

[oscamaya]

can't believe I missed this yesterday....and i was looking for something to do....

[JenAtKCS]

Hi All!
I'm new to the board. My name is Jenifer and my business partner and I own KidsConsignmentSales.com, we also own a seasonal sale in Nashville and own a magazine about consignment. I couldn't resist posting to some of your questions... I hope you don't mind.

Seasonal sales offer splits anywhere from 55%-75%. It depends on what the standard is in your area. The nationwide average is 65%. The more sales there are, the higher the percentage goes. In Nashville, where we have a sale, the standard is 70%. New sales in a highly saturated market may go as high as 75% to compete for customers. It just depends on what your market is set at.

Piece of advice #1. Volunteer! If you want the BEST stuff and the BEST deals, you want to volunteer to get the first pick. Depending on what you are looking for, the savings can be HUGE. There may be 3 playhouses, the same style, same wear, but one may be priced at $10 and the other 2 at $100 each. It's true. You can save big bucks by being the first ones to shop. Another bonus to volunteering is that you will make great friends. All who have kids and know what you are going through. It's like a big support system of Moms.

Advice #2. Your goal is to sell HALF of what you bring. Baby clothes are in abundance and you won't sell as much in babies as you will in bigger sizes. Also, once you get over size 10, the kids get picky and you don't sell as much. Now, if you have girls, mothers of girls tend to over buy and there will be 3x's as much girls stuff as boys stuff. Price girls a little less simply because you can have the cutest clothes in the world, but you have tons of competition! Boys 4-7 are in HIGH demand. You'll sell almost all of it and can price it a little higher because boys are hard on their clothes and the selection is thin. Equipment: 1/2-1/3 of retail and let it go 1/2 price if you don't want it coming back. If you have it priced right, it will sell for full price, if your price is too high, it will sell on 1/2 price day. Either way, it isn't coming home, and ultimately that is what you want : )

Minimum charges: Believe it or not, minimum charges are actually a good thing. No one here does it, but a sale organizer wants you to make money. Think about it this way: If you price an item for $1 and it goes 1/2 price, the selling price is now .50 cents. But don't forget... you're getting 55% of that .50 cents. Is it really worth your time to clean it, press it, hang and tag it for a quarter? Not really. I don't know how other sale organizers run their sales, but I can tell you that our goal is for you to make enough money from this round of items to pay for your next round of items. The other thing a minimum does is it keeps the junk out. If you have people who are valuing their items super cheap, you need to ask what quality you're getting. Many times people will put in stained items and say "well, it's just a buck, someone will buy that." That may be true, but you don't want to dig for the good stuff. Minimums help keep people from putting junk into the sale.

How much can you expect to sell? Like I said, the goal is half your stuff. If the sales you are participating in can bring in enough people to liquidate 1/2 your stuff... stick with them, it's a good sale.

Fees: Fees range usually from $5-$15. The Nashville standard averages $8, so I would say you're on average there.

Checks: 2 weeks is the standard time for checks. The main reason is because the sale organizer needs to make sure that all the customers checks clear before she sends out her consignors checks. And also allows the organizer the time to check and double check your tags to insure that you are paid correctly.

Even though you may be disappointed, it sounds like it may have been a good sale to participate in. Just remember that boys stuff and toys always sell better, girls stuff has such a large selection that 1/2 in girls is a great sale to participate in!

Good luck with the upcoming sale season! I'm about to go through my boys closet and dig up some more stuff to sell so that I can get into the presales here : )

Jenifer

[lilymaid]

I went to a consignment sale this past spring & although I'm not sure if it was through this website that Jenifer co-owns, it was the same idea. I was going for the sole purpose to look for maternity clothes. I found a lot! I thought the prices were great...higher than garage sales, but usually similar or better than Goodwill. And Goodwill's selection of maternity clothes isn't so hot...at the consignment sale I went to, it was almost all modern/current maternity. Nearly all maternity there was either Motherhood or Liz Lange...and Liz Lange is a Target brand, so apparently this sale didn't have a "No Walmart/Target" rule.

[DiannaK]

oooh!
Now, I'm excited!
I'm in KY, and we have a big one coming up next week. I'm getting my maternity things together to sell there. It's a $10 seller fee, 70% goes to seller, and that will go up to 75% if you volunteer.

At my local twins moms group, we also do a huge consignment sale, twice a year. It's a $10 fee, and sellers get a 90% take! WOO HOO! Only the members of the club can sell. It's open to the public, for a $1 admission fee. I've never been, but it's a HUGE thing around here.

I'm having trouble with pricing for maternity clothes. Much of what I have is Old Navy, Gap, Mimi, Motherhood, and Japanese Weekend. Any thoughts on what to charge for pieces??