Just Between Friends & Consignment in General

[mjhd]

Just saw that there is a Just Between Friends consignment sale coming to my area in October. I have tons of new with tag (and used) kids clothes that I bought to sell on ebay but aren't selling. I thought this would be an excellent way to sell them but am hesitant about consignment in general.

I would be interested in hearing others stories - I just feel like they may lose my stuff! Do I have to sign a waiver about them not being responsible if they do? Also, how do you price NWT stuff? 50% of retail or more? (most of my stuff is Gymbo but I have lots more as well) Please help me feel more secure entrusting them with thousands in retail product!

 

[WDWorBUST]

I didn't have NWT items, but I did use JBF and had a great experience. I was lazy so only got maybe 25 hangers of stuff submitted, but everything sold. What I love is that you set the price, you decide if you want it to go half off, and you decide if you want to pick it up or donate it. I plan on doing our fall JFB sale again, and hopefully will be much better prepared. I definitely made at least triple or quadruple or more than what I would have at a garage sale. We even have electronic tag printing which made the tagging process easy even.

 

[SummerGirl]

I didn't have NWT items, but I did use JBF and had a great experience. I was lazy so only got maybe 25 hangers of stuff submitted, but everything sold. What I love is that you set the price, you decide if you want it to go half off, and you decide if you want to pick it up or donate it. I plan on doing our fall JFB sale again, and hopefully will be much better prepared. I definitely made at least triple or quadruple or more than what I would have at a garage sale. We even have electronic tag printing which made the tagging process easy even.

I see that you live in Oklahoma, which sale did you do? OKC or Norman? My sister is trying to talk me into doing the fall sale as well. Both of us have a lot of gymboree (we have 6 kids b/w the two of us), but we have great success at garage sales. What do you price an excellent condition outfit, say a 4 piece that would include sweater, shirt, skort & tights. My sister said they get 30% so I'm really wondering what the net amount would be.

Thanks for the help!

 

[mjhd]

I would love to hear more! How did you price your items? Were they pretty organized and quick about getting your stuff back to you (and sending you the money?) Thanks!

Okay, also just to add to the equation - they are doing this the week we are in Disney! I would need to hire someone to take my items and then pick them back up again. Anyone doing the Grand Rapids sale and want to earn some extra $??? any ideas on how to find someone responsible enough to do this for me? Also, how long is the pick up/drop off process - how much should I pay them? Thanks so much!

 

[PaulaSue]

Just saw that there is a Just Between Friends consignment sale coming to my area in October. I have tons of new with tag (and used) kids clothes that I bought to sell on ebay but aren't selling. I thought this would be an excellent way to sell them but am hesitant about consignment in general.

I would be interested in hearing others stories - I just feel like they may lose my stuff! Do I have to sign a waiver about them not being responsible if they do? Also, how do you price NWT stuff? 50% of retail or more? (most of my stuff is Gymbo but I have lots more as well) Please help me feel more secure entrusting them with thousands in retail product!

Not sure if it is the same name but here they have ones like that and you print up the tags, 25-30% of retail is what I am guess people price things at. Anymore and I doubt they would sell unless BNWT. They are nice and it is a big turnout with many regulars that come. They actually do it at the local rink twice a year.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I actually did the Owasso sale (it's just north of Tulsa). I priced my stuff to sell - I would say I made about $70 and had maybe 25 things. I did have some Gymbo stuff....but not much and nothing new with tags. I marked them probably 30% or so of retail - maybe 50% if exceptionally nice. I sold PJ Pals for $3 (and although they still had a lot of wear left they were not like new). I followed their recommendations on my pricing which is 1/3-1/2 of retail. It was my first time so I was kind of feeling it out. I'm planning on getting rid of all my dd's clothes (except for the "special" stuff) and the next fall and then spring sale. I don't know about getting my stuff back because I chose to mark it half and then donate anything that didn't sell (I only had maybe 1 or 2 items that didn't sell though). Drop off was a mad house, but it really was fairly organized. I would say for the amount of work you put into the return investment is really good.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Hi OK JBFers!! I do the Norman/OKC sale every season. I make $500+ per season with a rack of clothes and a couple totes of miscellaneous. DS has mostly Gap clothes, and I price shirt/jeans sets around $15-18 and rarely do I bring any back home. I sell his coats for $20, and I've always sold every coat. I bundle 5 books and sell them for $7-10. I price toys about 1/3 of retail.

I've lost a few things (well, people have stolen, as you don't really lose triple safety pinned pants but not lose the safety pins), but if someone is pathetic enough to steal from a consignment sale, he/she must need the clothes more than I need a few bucks.

I volunteer (18 hours) to get the 70% (but you only have to volunteer for three, I believe...I just like the 18-hour pre-sale). A lot of sales are using (or starting to use) the point of sale system, so you can track your sales online. It's so much fun! JBF always pays for all of our meals at WDW and a good bit of souvenirs. I can't recommend it highly enough.

 

[GoofItUp]

If you want to be sure your stuff that doesn't sell gets back to you, volunteer to work during "break down" time. I'm thinking you could go 30 minutes or so ahead of your scheduled time and gather your items so they're in one area and ready to be taken out. I know the last time I picked my items up, there were a few items mixed in with mine. (I had LOTS of stuff.) I tried to get the items back to the correct person, but had no luck. Maybe whoever you hire to drop the items up could gather them at the end for you, too, since you'll be gone.

I would think that if you discounted the NWT items 50% they would sell. It's hard to say, though, since people are looking for bargains -- especially lately. It's a very low investment to try it, so you might do it once to find out.

 

[mjhd]

Thanks again everyone! Just bumping to see if anyone else cares to add their two cents. The date is getting closer and I'm getting nervous!

Also, how do you hang pants for this sale? I have some pants hangers, but not a lot. Do you just fold them over it? I would think they would fall off that way. Also have some teen jeans I'm wondering about. Thanks!

 

[MrsPooh]

JBF started having a sale around here about two years ago. We have an independent person who runs an awesome sale twice a year and it is much bigger and better than the JBF sale.

Personally I wasn't happy that JBF actually charges people to get in the first day. Here I noticed that the prices seemed higher and the selection much smaller. I just went one time to shop, was shocked when asked to pay to shop and then found nothing worth paying the asking price.

The other consignment sale is great and I participate every time. I think it just depends upon the area. Our other sale charges consignors $8 plus 30% of the sale price. If you consign you get to shop ahead of the open shopping times. If you volunteer to work you get to shop before the other consignors and if you volunteer to work two shifts you don't have to pay the $8.

I've had great luck at the consignment sale. I usually make about $100 after my expenses and can get nearly everything my daughter will need for the next season for about $130 so I only spend about $60 per year on her entire wardrobe.

I price my items to sell and look for quality, great condition stuff priced well. I usually spend about $7 for a two piece gymbo outfit although last spring I got four gymbo outfits including socks and hairbows for about $7.50 each. I've seen some gymbo stuff priced $15 for an outfit but I never pay that. My opinion is that I'm not a clothes snob and if I shop sales I can get a two piece outfit for that on sale so I won't pay that much for worn clothing just because of the brand.

As for pants...I have found the best thing is to use wire hangers. I purchase smaller wire hangers for the kids clothes at Walmart. If you use clothes pins and pin them on the upper part of the hanger they will stay in place nicely and work great.

Good luck with the sale.

 

[Disneylush]

I haven't done JBF but we have a privately owned one I take part in and I LOVE IT!

hanging jeans: We can't use wire hangers (only plastic) but I use rip ties and attach them from a belt loop to the hanger and then put clear packing take over it to hold its place.

when it comes to pricing I error on the side of... I want it gone!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

One of our fall JBF sales is this weekend!! Well, drop-off and pre-sales are this weekend. I'm so excited!!! I finished tagging everything last weekend, so I'm ready!

If you are coming to the OKC sale, I'll be there all day Saturday inspecting your clothes.

Hmmm, tips...
If you have bags of toys or pjs, tape them well, I've seen lots of open bags that may or may not be missing items. Someone stole DS video games out of a Ziploc during one of the spring sales.

Have everything sorted by size and hanging the right way (most people forget to hang pants from the top of the hanger and button buttons/zip zippers). At OKC/Norman, you'll have to fix them, and that can take a while.

Shop your heart out!! Or just sit back and wait for your check.

 

[kfeuer]

Bumping this to ask a pricing question of my fellow JBF sellers. I buy stuff at garage sales to resell at the JBF sale, and I've got something I don't know how to price--girls gymnastics leotards. They're by Motionwear, size 6x-7, excellent condition, and they all have cute designs on them. What would be a good price to charge for each of these (I have four)?

To the person who asked how to hang pants, I safety pin them onto wire hangers. I know at our sale racks can get packed very tightly and anything not securely fastened can end up on the floor (it stinks to get something back with foot prints on it ). I also use tiny pins to secure shirts if they're stretchy and could be pulled off the hanger. If I put something in a plastic bag, I seal the top with moving tape.

Two weeks to go until drop-off. I have so much work to do!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Bumping this to ask a pricing question of my fellow JBF sellers. I buy stuff at garage sales to resell at the JBF sale, and I've got something I don't know how to price--girls gymnastics leotards. They're by Motionwear, size 6x-7, excellent condition, and they all have cute designs on them. What would be a good price to charge for each of these (I have four)?

To the person who asked how to hang pants, I safety pin them onto wire hangers. I know at our sale racks can get packed very tightly and anything not securely fastened can end up on the floor (it stinks to get something back with foot prints on it ). I also use tiny pins to secure shirts if they're stretchy and could be pulled off the hanger. If I put something in a plastic bag, I seal the top with moving tape.

Two weeks to go until drop-off. I have so much work to do!

Leotards at our sale are in the $5-$7 range.


I'm so excited! At our first sale JBF sale for the fall, I made three times my average!!! My JBF check will cover all our meals at Disney and then some (with lots left over!!).

 

[lovebuzz]

Here is my tip that I learned from my first sale. Do not put anything 1/2 price. I price my items to sell because I do not want them back. Well I think somebody hid my items in a different size and then came back on Saturday to purchase it for 1/2 price. I had some cute stuff, Gap, Gymboree etc.. that should have sold on Friday. Now I do not add that option and my stuff sells for regular price. I made $426 dollars just last month.

 

[kfeuer]

Leotards at our sale are in the $5-$7 range.


I'm so excited! At our first sale JBF sale for the fall, I made three times my average!!! My JBF check will cover all our meals at Disney and then some (with lots left over!!).

Thanks, I was thinking $5 but wasn't sure if that was too much. Congrats on having a great sale! I'm going for a high total myself--the kids are getting nervous when they see me eyeing one of their toys

 

[mjhd]

I am totally getting excited! Thanks everyone for the replies! Ours is the last weekend in September and I am only about 1/2 done with pricing, etc. I have TONS to do. For those that safety pin the pants onto the hanger, do you go through the belt loops? It pains me to push that safety pin through some of my clothing knowing it's going to leave a mark...

 

[jstbcuz]

Our drop of is today and tomorrow. I have never done the sale, and Im hoping to get rid of things, while still make a fair amount of money. Im a little nervous about it..........mainly if I priced things. I went mainly off of a suggested price sheet so will probably be ok.

Good luck everyone!!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Our drop of is today and tomorrow. I have never done the sale, and Im hoping to get rid of things, while still make a fair amount of money. Im a little nervous about it..........mainly if I priced things. I went mainly off of a suggested price sheet so will probably be ok.

Good luck everyone!!

I always second guess my pricing (thinking I might be too high), but I always, always sell those items! People who shop retail Gap, etc. know it's a bargain to get a two or three piece outfit for less than $20, so they'll snatch them off the racks. I sold every one of DS's Gap coats (I think he had seven...he was very warm last winter ) for $20 a pop this sale. However, my aunt does the Lawton sale, and those prices are much, much lower. It all depends on your area. Norman people will pay higher prices (as will OKC, usually, as it includes Edmond and North OKC shoppers).

I am totally getting excited! Thanks everyone for the replies! Ours is the last weekend in September and I am only about 1/2 done with pricing, etc. I have TONS to do. For those that safety pin the pants onto the hanger, do you go through the belt loops? It pains me to push that safety pin through some of my clothing knowing it's going to leave a mark...

Would you rather have a small hole in the pants or have them fall off and get lost? If it's part of an outfit, you lose the whole sale if someone can't find them and match them. I find that the holes are pretty much a non-issue, especially since most shirts will cover the waistband (where the holes should be). No worries!

 

[madge]

Bumping this to ask a pricing question of my fellow JBF sellers. I buy stuff at garage sales to resell at the JBF sale, and I've got something I don't know how to price--girls gymnastics leotards. They're by Motionwear, size 6x-7, excellent condition, and they all have cute designs on them. What would be a good price to charge for each of these (I have four)?

Is Motionwear a big name in gymnastics wear, or is something that can be bought at Target or Kohl's? I bought a couple of ballet leotards last Fall for $4 each. I'll probably put that on them this fall.

To the person who asked how to hang pants, I safety pin them onto wire hangers. I know at our sale racks can get packed very tightly and anything not securely fastened can end up on the floor (it stinks to get something back with foot prints on it ). I also use tiny pins to secure shirts if they're stretchy and could be pulled off the hanger. If I put something in a plastic bag, I seal the top with moving tape.

Two weeks to go until drop-off. I have so much work to do!

that's how we're supposed to do pants... with the wire hangers and safety pins. Sometimes I wonder if I'm not better off donating the pants, because it would save the wear and tear on my fingers, LOL!

I got the 2 week warning for my sale yesterday. SO not ready. But I'm motivated -- I'm hearing sales at consignment sales are up because of the economy!