Tell me about consignment shops

[Mommy Of A Little Angel]

Craigslist has been frustrating me (people saying that will show up and surprise surprise, not showing up!) So, there are some local consignment shops in the area. Are they worth it? I have some normal baby things that I want to get out of the house (exersaucer, bouncer, pack 'n play). Would it be worth it to take it all there?

[zephyr]

I only go there to get rid of ds's play clothes that people have given me and he won't be able to wear them for whatever reason. Anything nicer isn't worth it IMO. Here's why: the consignment store I go to has this policy: 40% if you want store credit and the clothes are in season, 30% if you want cash for your stuff. I think it's 50% for baby gear. Also keep in mind that they do keep prices pretty low. I was looking at floppy seats and there was one in great condition and it cost $8, so that means the person who took it in to the store only got $4 for it. For me it wouldn't be worth it to take that floppy in, you could've sold it for at least $10 on ebay, if you know what I mean. That's just my opinion. HTH.

[Wife_and_mommy]

I take my stuff to a nicer part of town(near my parents) where I get 50% and no fees. I figure I'm getting more than if I'd donated it and I get spending money for the shopping I do there. I buy boutique brand clothes, shoes, and toys there. I also got dd's bedrail there. $15 for a really nice $40 one. I was pretty pleased.



I love them most when they are sleeping.--Me
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[Wife_and_mommy]

I take my stuff to a nicer part of town(near my parents) where I get 50% and no fees. I figure I'm getting more than if I'd donated it and I get spending money for the shopping I do there. I buy boutique brand clothes, shoes, and toys there. I also got dd's bedrail there. $15 for a really nice $40 one. I was pretty pleased.



I love them most when they are sleeping.--Me
http://b4.lilypie.com/HSUwm4.png http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif

http://b2.lilypie.com/pXphm4.png http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif

[supercalifragilous]

Our local one runs similarly, but we only get 50% or less of what she's selling it for.

This is their pricing system (when you go in to purchase, this is what to expect):
NWT: 40% of orig. retail price
Used: 30% of orig. retail price

If you are turning stuff in, you only get half of the "40% or 30% of retail" she is selling it for. And that's if you're wanting store credit. If you want cash, you get less than that.

For instance, if you want to consign a sweater that retails brand new for $40... If it is NWT, she will sell it for $16. Used, $12.

That means you will receive $8 NWT or $6 used if you choose store credit, or less if you want cash.

It probably could've gone on eBay for a LOT more, but then you have to factor lugging all the pros & cons of eBay (not to mention the inconvenience).

[supercalifragilous]

Our local one runs similarly, but we only get 50% or less of what she's selling it for.

This is their pricing system (when you go in to purchase, this is what to expect):
NWT: 40% of orig. retail price
Used: 30% of orig. retail price

If you are turning stuff in, you only get half of the "40% or 30% of retail" she is selling it for. And that's if you're wanting store credit. If you want cash, you get less than that.

For instance, if you want to consign a sweater that retails brand new for $40... If it is NWT, she will sell it for $16. Used, $12.

That means you will receive $8 NWT or $6 used if you choose store credit, or less if you want cash.

It probably could've gone on eBay for a LOT more, but then you have to factor lugging all the pros & cons of eBay (not to mention the inconvenience).

[ajmom]

If you do a search you'll find there have been several good threads about consignment shops...

IME, they all operate a little differently. The one I frequently take items to gives me 50% of the selling price after it's sold. If it doesn't sell, I get it back at the end of the season. Some others that I shop at buy the items outright for only about 25% of the selling price. I've found that the stores that buy your items outright are not as profitable as the ones who pay you once the item has sold. For example, I took a laundry basket full of clothing to Once Upon a Child and they only offered me $20 for all of it. I took it to my local consignment shop and got about $50. The drawback is that you have to wait for your money rather than getting a small sum and being done with it.

I take things to my consignment shop that 1) probably wouldn't doo very well on ebay (brands like ON, Target, George, and other off-brands) or items that I don't want to hassle with shipping (large baby items like swings, PNPs, etc.).

[ajmom]

If you do a search you'll find there have been several good threads about consignment shops...

IME, they all operate a little differently. The one I frequently take items to gives me 50% of the selling price after it's sold. If it doesn't sell, I get it back at the end of the season. Some others that I shop at buy the items outright for only about 25% of the selling price. I've found that the stores that buy your items outright are not as profitable as the ones who pay you once the item has sold. For example, I took a laundry basket full of clothing to Once Upon a Child and they only offered me $20 for all of it. I took it to my local consignment shop and got about $50. The drawback is that you have to wait for your money rather than getting a small sum and being done with it.

I take things to my consignment shop that 1) probably wouldn't doo very well on ebay (brands like ON, Target, George, and other off-brands) or items that I don't want to hassle with shipping (large baby items like swings, PNPs, etc.).

[KBecks]

Like others have said, don't expect to make a lot, but it can be a convenient way that's less hassle than Ebay or a rummage sale.

[KBecks]

Like others have said, don't expect to make a lot, but it can be a convenient way that's less hassle than Ebay or a rummage sale.