I have some toys and such that we want to get rid of, but are too nice for donation. There are a couple of consignment sales coming up in our area (Wee-sale and Wee-cycle), but I am not sure what is better, money wise, doing one of those sales, or having a yard sale on your own. I don't have any clothes to sell except for the girls' holiday dresses from years past, but those I am going to take to a higher end consignment shop here.
people who come out to your yard sale will be SOOOO stingy. total pita if you ask me.
and those consignment places take a cut.
i'd put them on CL first and then see how it goes.
Ok-good thought. One of the things is the LeapFrog Clickstart and all of the games-she just never got into it, but some of the games were never even used.
And I know that the sales have a half price day, so you get less that day, or tell them you won't sell for half price.
And you are definitely right about yard sales-people are always trying to get a bargain, aren't they?
How would you price things? Is there a general rule about a certain % of the original price? (depending on condition, of course)
I participated in one of those consignment sales last Spring, and am doing it again next week.I have sold on CL(or tried) and at a Yard Sale.Pros and cons of each:
Yard sale:
Cons: Totally agree with Apies, people are stingy and will want to pay less than a dollar for anything.
Pros: you just open up your bins and let people go at it.No prep required. Toys sell really well too.
Craigslist:
Cons: Again, at least here, peeps are stingy.They want stuff practically free. I also found it time consuming to upload the pics, re-post if something didn’t sell right way, and arrange for pickup/exchange.Also it sucks if people don’t end up buying what they said they want.
Pros: you set the price, if people don’t want to pay it, too bad. Done from the comfort of your own home, on your own time.Probably best for larger toy items?
Consignment Store (We have an “Other Mothers” here that will go through your stuff, tell you how much they will give you for it, and you can take a percentage of that in cash, or store credit)
Cons: they are trying to make a profit, so your “return” is lower. They discourage giving cash, so its even lower then. Some things they don’t want or need, so they may not accept a lot, can depend on the “market.”
Pros: easy, you drop your stuff off, a few hours later, they give you an estimate or an “offer”, you walk out with a check, they will donate the rest if you want them to (but no tax write off for that).
Consignment Sale:
Cons: you have to prep your stuff (tag it) and at least here, there are requirements for that , kid wire hangers, special tags, not too pricey, but, about $15 in equipment to prep your stuff. The prep took a lot longer than I thought it would, which meant I didn’t get nearly as many items ready to sell as I had hoped.Before it was hand tags, this time it is computer printed tags, its going faster, but I’m not finished so we will see.Prep also requires hanging things, bagging things, etc
Here you have to work a shift, otherwise your “cut” is lowered.So, for example, I have to be there next Friday eve to put out my stuff, and then I am working a shift on Sat morning from 7am-10:30 am. (Obviously, the fact that they take a cut is a con, but, I simply mark my stuff a bit higher than I would on Craigslist anyway).There is a minimum number of items of 30 for us.
Pros: the buyers are assured some quality control, so, they come ready to spend money (as opposed to a garage sale).Ours was very well publicized and attended and practically everything sold. I ended up making over $500, but I had some larger items I was selling (an exersaucer, bouncy, etc). I like that it is a one-time deal. It takes some time, but, its far less irritating to me than working to sell one shirt or toy at a time.
Some things to consider in deciding:
-What prep is required?
-What is your commission (ours is 65%, or 75% if you work a shift – wee cycle looks to be less?)
-What are you selling? (I wouldn’t do it if I was only selling single clothing items (tshirts, shorts, etc). But, I have lots of Robeez, some “gear” and some outfits, costumes, etc, so I think it will work for me again)
-Can you or are you willing to work a shift? (No kids allowed while you are working, but Kiera loved shopping for toys, and I loved that they were super cheap).
- Is there a half price time period? Last time, there was a half price after noon on Sunday deal.Well, that led to squatters, including someone that held onto my stroller system for 5 hours (!) to get it half off. Grr… Our sale got many complaints and will not be doing that this time. If they do, simply insure that your stuff will not sell for half price.
- How well publicized/attended?Our consignment sale was super well advertised, they called in the media, lots of lfyers etc.There was practically nothing left when it was done.
people who come out to your yard sale will be SOOOO stingy. total pita if you ask me.
and those consignment places take a cut.
i'd put them on CL first and then see how it goes.
Ok-good thought. One of the things is the LeapFrog Clickstart and all of the games-she just never got into it, but some of the games were never even used.
And I know that the sales have a half price day, so you get less that day, or tell them you won't sell for half price.
And you are definitely right about yard sales-people are always trying to get a bargain, aren't they?
How would you price things? Is there a general rule about a certain % of the original price? (depending on condition, of course)
Thanks!!!
Depending on the item, I priced it between 50-75% of full price.
Example of consignment sale - I sold a Vsmile with cartridges. I put everything back in the box, and I printed out the internet page from Amazon or Walmart or some such, stating that included its specs. and price and taped it to the side of the box. I sold it for about $60. I did the same with a Papasan Swing, sold it for $85 (new it was $115 or so.)
As for craigslist/consignment, there were some things that I was like if I cant get $80, I would rather just give it to a friend than sell it for $20, you know?
Thank you so much Erin!! That is definitely helpful info!!! I know the sales here are similar in that you have to work-my SIL always does Friday night (the preview night) so she can get first dibs then anyway on other stuff.
And they have a half price Sunday-but the whole day is half price, not from noon on. I am SURE tons of people wait to go that day-I don't really get why they do it, tbh. I wouldn't agree to sell on the half price stuff-like you, I would rather give it to a friend or something than sell it for 1/2 price or some piddly amount.
I am still not sure what I am going to do, but I am going to print off what you typed up here, and look it all over.
