How to Get the Most Out of Consignment Sales

Raising children can be expensive. In addition to diapers and formula, you also must provide them with clothing and shoes. In my experience, children grow very quickly. In a lot of cases, the clothes and shoes are barely worn before new ones are needed. For this reason, the purchase and sale of sued children's items is very popular.

If you plan to sale your used children's items, yard sales are an option. However, you must organize and work your yard sale. People also come to yard sales expecting items to be cheap. Therefore, you cannot price your items for very much money.

Selling online at auctions such as Ebay is also possible. Money can be made this way but it takes time to get pictures and descriptions downloaded. You must own the proper technology. You also take the risk of having to pay the listing fee even if your item does not sell.

I have tried both of the methods listed above. However, I have found that neither option works as well as selling the items at consignment sales. Consignment sales are usually held two times a year. One is for the selling and purchasing of fall and winter clothing and the other is for summer and spring clothing. Consignment sales are generally a great way to buy and sell children's items. I have been participating in consignment sales for over four years now. I spend on my children's new clothing what I make from selling their outgrown clothing. Toys and baby items also sell well.

There are some things that you can do to save time and increase your consignment sale profits.

When storing your children's outgrown clothing, mark it. I place mind in plastic bags or containers and label them with the season and sell or keep. This way, I do not spend time going through bags of clothing that my children can still wear.

Search for the sales that have the most consignors, the highest buyer traffic, and the most city central location. I began with local rural consignments sales where I live. I now sell at a consignment sale in a larger city that is one and half-hours away. The sale is bigger and generates more buyer traffic. More of my items sell. The location is in a city and the cost of living is higher than where I live. I can price items higher and have better luck selling them.

Read tagging descriptions carefully. Tagging takes time. No one wants to have to double tag due to mistakes. Some sales can be very picky. Read all of the details before you begin tagging items.

Do not buy hangers. Purchasing hangers can eat up some of your profit. Go to the local cleaners and ask for hangers. They will give them to you. I usually visit two or three different cleaners for hangers.

Check for lost buttons and spots. If an item has a spot or a lost button, do not trash it or price it low. Sew on a new button and pull out the spot remover.

Iron expensive items. You can ask more if the item looks good. If you have a dress that can bring more money, iron it and make sure that it looks good.

Use attractive descriptions. When tagging your items do not just put physical facts about the item. List things such as cuts and great condition. If the item was used for pictures or for Christmas, write "great for pictures" or "cute for Christmas" on the tag. This will generate thoughts in the buyer and possibly lead to more sales.

After your items are tagged, check to see if you know anyone who might be interested in purchasing the clothing. Call them up and tell them you are about to take the clothing to consignment sales and see if they want a first look. You can make more by selling on your own without the consignment deduction fee. Even if you drop the price on the tag by one dollar you will likely still come out ahead. Having your items on hangers and tagged and offering first dibs usually entices people to buy and pay more.

Selling at consignment sales can be very profitable.