Preparing your items to SELL in person!
We want you to be successful as one of our consignors. So please use this information to help you prep your items for our sale. Taking a few minutes to make sure you clean and organize your items will benefit you by making your items more desirable to purchase and bring in more money to you!
Tips for Preparing Items
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Everything MUST be CLEAN.
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Wash all clothing, bedding, and anything made of cloth - Check for damage, stains, rips, tears, missing buttons and snaps.
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Wipe down all toys. Sanitize with Lysol/Clorox wipes. The cleaner they are, the newer they look, and the better they will sell.
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Clean, fresh smelling, and like new items appeal to shoppers, and YOU will SELL MORE!
Got Clothes? - This is my personal strategy for organizing clothes to sell...
You have this huge pile of unsorted clothes. It seems overwhelming, and where do you start? We all know the feeling. These are the steps I use to get my clothing items ready for a sale.
Work in the evening after the kids go to bed and only work for an hour or two in a night. Doing a little bit at a time will make this less overwhelming.
If you have to stop before hanging your items (#5 below), use clean garbage bags to put each size into a different bag until you return to prepping for the sale another evening.
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First, wash all of the clothes.
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Sort them by size and gender. Remember that you go with the smallest size on the tag. Example “6-9 month” items go into the 6 month pile. And if the item is gender neutral, put with the boy’s clothing pile. Do this in the room with the best lighting in your house.
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LOOK for stains, rips, worn knees, missing buttons and any other items that need to be set aside in the “Not For Sale” (NFS) pile.
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If they are wrinkled, now is the time iron. You can also use wrinkle release or put them in the dryer for a few minutes with a wet towel.
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Next, hang all of the clothing items. Hanger should point to the left (make a “?”). Button, snap and close zippers. Look for more stains, missing buttons, snaps, broken zippers and put to the side with the earlier NFS pile. Keep each size and gender pile separate as you are hanging.
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Take the NFS items from step 3 and 5. Try stain treatment methods on the stained clothing (see Item Prep page for more information on stains) and wash them again. If there is a button to be sewed on, do your sewing. Any items that cannot be fixed, should be disposed of.
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Now, place post-it notes or index cards with the gender and size on the first hanger of each pile. I use a small piece of tape to make sure it stays on that first hanger. Example: “Boy 3 mo” or “Maternity Medium”. Or rubberband the piles together by size.
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Put all the piles away hanging in an extra closet, in a box or storage bin. Only leave out the pile(s) you want to inventory and tag that evening.
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When entering tags, start with one pile of hung clothes. You know that everything in that pile is the same gender and size, so all you really change is item description and prices as you go through the pile. Log in and input items.
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As you finish entering the item, make a new pile of entered items face down. Adding the next entered item on top of the first item still face down. Continuing on through the whole pile keeping them in the order (this will make tagging faster; printed tags will be in same order as your pile).
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When you have finished entering everything in the pile, turn over the entered stack (the stack with everything face down). Now they are in order from first entered item on top to the last item entered on the bottom.
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Print tags. Cut our your tags and stack the tags so they are in order from first item to last item entered. Thus, they will be in the same order as your stack of clothes! NO need to hunt through the pile for were that one item went to.
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Tag your clothes. Do random checks every item or so to make sure that you are tagging the correct item (just in case you got them out of order when you were cutting). But most of the time, you can just tag the first item to the last in a few minutes using this method. PLEASE make sure you are following our tagging guidelines so you are not putting holes in your clothes!
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Keep that post-it note with the size and gender on the first hanger of each group. Put them back in an empty closet, storage bin, or box. This post-it note will assist you with drop-off.
How to Tag Hanging Clothing Items
When hanging and tagging clothing, it is important to adhere to the following standards for the uniformity of shopping.
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Launder & press your clothes. The better it looks the more customers are willing to pay. Please note: Ironing is not required but extremely wrinkled clothing will not sell as fast as smooth, cared-for clothing.
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Clothing must be on hangers (they sell better than bagged items). The hanger hook should point to the LEFT, when the front of the item is facing you (the top of the hanger should look like a “?” question mark).
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Use a tagging gun, to secure the price tag to the item. The most important thing to remember while tagging your items is to NOT tag in a way that will cause damage to your item(s). Just remember “Tag or Seam”. If you are using a tagging gun, tags can be attached to the inside “manufactures/brand tag” on a garment or through the seam allowance of a garment to avoid damage. Never tag through the material of a garment with a tagging gun. It will damage your item and cause it to be pulled from the floor. Put the tagging gun needle through the price tag first, then put the needle through the manufacture’s clothing tag. If no manufacture’s clothing tag, then use an INSIDE seam allowance to tag on the right side as the item faces you (or the actual left side) of the garment.
Example of item tagged through seam allowance
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Speaking from personal experience, there is nothing more frustrating than to buy a shirt, take it home, and remove the tag only to find a hole were the tag was attached! This is why we strongly recommend you to use a tagging gun.
***Any items that are tagged through the front or back of the garment (and NOT using our "tag or seam" method) will be turned back to the Consignor. This creates a hole in the item, and is deemed damaged. *** -
If you do not have a tagging gun, please use 1 1/2 inch safety pins to secure the tag to your item. Just remember “Tag or Seam”. Tags can be attached to the inside “tag” on a garment or through the seam allowance of a garment to avoid damage. Never tag through the material of a garment. It will damage your item and cause it to be pulled from the floor. This is to make sure you do not put a hole in your items. We also suggest you use a piece of clear packing tape over the safety pin only to help prevent tag switching.
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If hanging pants, skirts, or shorts on a regular hanger, we suggest you use zip ties or cable ties to secure them to the TOP part of the hanger, not the straight bottom edge. This keeps them from sliding around and helps to display them. ONLY use safety pins to secure pants, skirts, shorts to hangers when a zip tie will NOT work. Zip ties can be wonderful when tagging! Punch a hole through the center of your tag, thread zip tie through and attach to pant with belt loops, shoes, belts, anything you can secure a zip tie around. Easy and removal does not cause damage!
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If hanging sets be sure both items of a set are the same size. Otherwise, please sell separately. Start by hanging the top first. Then the second item using a second hanger facing the opposite direction of the shirt so as you have the hangers together both sizes show the fronts of the items. Secure the hangers together using a Zip tie through the triangle (not around the neck or it will slip off) or secure using a rubber band. If using a tagging gun you can attach the manufacture’s clothing tags or inside seams together to secure the pieces.
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Button all buttons, zip all zippers, and snap all snaps.
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Be sure the clothing will not fall off the hanger.
Remember – if you are using safety pins, please DO NOT use pins on items where the pin could damage the material: (leather, silk, satin, raincoats, delicate items, athletic shirts (Under Armour type material) anything that will pick or leave a hole)
Clothing – We currently go up to sizes 18 in Boys and Junior or Girls size 18. See our page on Accepted Items for more details on clothing guidelines.
Hats
For individual hats, please use your tagging gun to attach the tag to the manufacture’s label on the inside or use the seam allowance. Do not put them in a bag. If you are selling multiple hats together, you may use this same method with the tagging gun to keep them together.
Onesies
Please hang your onesies. Do not bag them. Clothing sells better hung.
Socks
Please group together a few pairs by size. Place in a zip-lock bag with price tag. Please make sure that bottoms of socks are NOT worn or dirty. Please do not seal bag shut until after drop off inspection.
Preparing Toys, Furniture, Bedding, Books and more
Make sure that all toys are clean. All parts need to be included, and toys must be in working order! If they require batteries, please replace with fresh batteries so toys can be tested by customers.
Small Toys
Package small toys in plastic baggies. Seal with clear packing tape along the top.
Attach tags with one piece of clear packing tape above the bar code. It is important to not cover the bar code, as it will not scan through the tape.
If toys have small parts, put small parts in a baggie, sealed with clear packing tape and wrap the small bag of parts to the larger toy with plastic wrap or tape.
Multiple Piece Items
Group items together in a plastic zip-lock bag. Pin or tape the tag on the OUTSIDE of the bag. Seal the top of the bag with packing tape AFTER inspection.
Large Items with Extra Pieces
Put extra pieces into a zip-lock bag and secure to the larger item. Do NOT attach your tag to your large items; we will use multi-piece/tear tags when you drop off so please bring the printed price tag unattached. For the extra bag(s) - use painter’s tape -OR- an index card and write “1 of 2″ and “2 of 3″ on along with your consignor number and the item number (NO BARCODES) on the tape or index card so shoppers and VIPs know that they belong together!
Both equipment and furniture are very popular items and do well at consignment sales if they are presented & priced well. Be realistic with pricing, if a shopper can pay just a little more and get it brand new then the item probably will not sell.
Also, with these types of items the more information you can provide a buyer the better. If your item is a higher end brand or has special features, note these on a separate card and attach to the item. Better yet, if you can find a brochure or picture from a website stating the retail price and product features, attach it to your item noting “Retails for” or “Price when purchased”. Always attach the original instruction booklet and/or warranty information whenever possible.
Please note that you will be required to assemble anything that requires set-up. Examples include: bassinets, port-a-cribs, changing tables, swings, slides etc.
Outdoor Toys
Outdoor toys should be cleaned (and pressure washed when possible). You can take them to your local self-service car wash and use the pressure washing wand.
Outdoor toys will be tagged at drop-off using our claim tags, so bring your tag unattached.
Puzzles
Assemble puzzles and count pieces to verify it is a complete set before sealing the package, then mark "all pieces included" on tags and seal to prevent loss. Please secure pieces of puzzles together in Ziploc bag and tape to the back. Or you can use saran warp to wrap the puzzle with pieces in place and use clear packing tape to secure. Please do NOT use “Press N Seal” or Tape on the puzzle pieces, as it will tear off the paper fronts/pictures when it is removed. You can put your price tag on the back using blue painter’s tape. Or you can wrap it under the saran wrap.
Games
Check games to make sure all pieces are included. Seal the box and attach the tag with blue painters tape.
Books
DO NOT put them in plastic bags! DO NOT tape them together. This ruins the covers when the tape is removed. If you are grouping multiple books together please use a heavy twine or string. Tie the twine around your items as if you would tie a bow on a boxed present. This will catch the items on all sides and prevent them from separating.
Be sure to be detailed in your description (list all books to be sold together on the tag) so if they do get separated our VIPs can place them back together! Write the titles of each book in your set. Tie your price tag onto the twine adding a small piece of tape to top of tag to reinforce it from tearing. Or use blue painter’s tape to attach the price tag to the back cover of the book.
If the book was previously owned by a library, it must be stamped "withdrawn" or "discarded". Otherwise it still belongs to that library and will be rejected during inspection. Unstamped lawfully purchased books can be stamped by contacting the library they were purchased from.
CDs & DVDs
Please make sure that the correct CD/DVD is in the correct case. Please check the back of your DVD's for scratches and cleanliness! Tape shut and add consignor tag to the back of the case using blue painter’s tape. If you have multiple/sets then group set with twine or string (like books). You may also add a piece of blue painter’s tape to the inside of the CD/DVD with your consignor number and item number on it.
Bedding
If possible, please put bedding into heavy clear plastic bags (like the ones they come in). Do not tape the zipper closed until after it has been inspected. Please adhere price tag to the narrow side of the bag. This way the customers will see the tag as it is displayed. We suggest using a safety pin and a little tape at the top of the tag. Even better, include a picture of the set on a bed!
Blankets
Please use a pant hanger if possible so your blanket can be hung. If there is a manufacture’s label, please put the tagging barb through that label so you do not put a hole in the blanket when tagging.
Toys, Furniture, Equipment
All must be clean and in working order (batteries included – the dollar store sells batteries for $1.00). Bag small parts and attach to the main part securely. For the extra bag(s) - use painter’s tape -OR- an index card and write “1 of 2″ and “2 of 3″ on along with your consignor number and the item number (NO BARCODES) on the tape/index card so customers/VIPs know that they belong together! Use ziplock bags when ever possible to group parts and secure together. Use a tagging gun, zip tie, or safety pin, if possible, to secure price tags to items. If a pin would ruin the item, be creative! Each piece is different. Just remember you do not want to ruin your items with tape & pins. Be smart about how you merchandise your things. The better they look, the faster they'll sell!
Car Seats
Car seats must be 4 years or newer, please check the expiration date printed on the seat. We can NOT accept car seats that have been in an accident, even minor ones. Please remove your cover & straps and WASH THEM! It might look clean to you, but once it's under our lights we'll see every spot!
Video Games/ Handheld Games
Since these games can be small and easy to lose we ask that you:
1) Attach your tag to the case of your games along with a separate note that says
“Games will be given at the register at the time of purchase”.
2) Then put the actual game in a clean Ziploc type bag with a duplicate tag (be sure to
mark the duplicate tag “DUPLICATE” on the face of the tag) and tape it shut.
3) At drop off let the inspector know that you have video games to consign. We will put your games in a basket that we will keep behind the register.
If no longer have the case for you game:
1) Secure your game to a piece of cardboard with zipties by poking a hole on each side of the game, then thread the zipties through the holes to secure the game cartridge.
2) Tape tag to the cardboard.
3) Place the your game/cardboard into a Ziploc bag, bigger the better, and tape shut.
Other Toys
Large collections of toys like Rescue Heros, Thomas, Groovy Girls need to be packaged in Large Ziploc Bags that are secured closed by tape or tied. You do not want little hands to toss your items about. Pictures of the items inside are helpful too.
American Girl/Bitty Baby doll clothing should be packaged in ziploc bag with index card facing out that details what's inside. Children's clothing that will sell w/doll clothing should have a full index card attached to it stating what is included for both doll & child if it is not obvious to the eye. Please mark if the outfit is for Bitty or AG.
A dead battery on a Barbie Jeep may keep the item from selling. For the price of a $30.00 battery at a discount store, you can easily sell the item for $75.00 if in good to excellent condition. Keep in mind that most manufactures sell replacement parts via their website.
When in doubt about how to tag an item, please email us to ask!
Shoes
We ask that you bring only your best. Shoes must be clean and look like new. Shoes that are dirty or have scuff marks will not be accepted into the sale (they just do not sell).
Shoes are very desirable, but get tossed about at a seasonal sale. To ensure the sale of your shoes, please make sure you securely attach your shoes together either by tying the laces together or by using a zip tie to attach them to each other using the eyelets or tabs on the heels of the shoes.
We recommend putting a piece of packaging tape across the top of your price tag where you’ll hole punch/pin it. This prevents ripping of the tag. It’s also good idea to take a piece of painter’s tape and put your consignor number and item number on the soles of each of the shoes.
You can either use the shoelaces, zip ties or curling ribbon to attach the tag to the shoes. DO NOT poke a hole in the shoe with a safety pin. Be creative attaching your shoes, but do not do something that will ruin them. Use cheap ribbon to run inside buckles on shoes.
Place infant shoes that you cannot zip tie together in a Ziploc bag and seal shut with clear packing tape. Make sure the shoes are dry before sealing bag, they will mold quickly.
We will not allow shoes unless they are secured together.
Please don't damage the shoes. For example shoes that are taped together could be damaged when the customers tries to remove the tape.