Kids Resale shop

[kyra's mommy]

I have a love hate relationship with our local kids resale shop. I love to get a bargain- as in just bought 9 uniform shorts/skorts for $35 for school- some of which still had the Old Navy tags on them! However, today I finally get myself together and bring four boxes of my dd's clothes in. I am carrying 18 mos. old ds in one arm and a box at a time in the other arm- it's 110 degrees here in AZ. I bring a lamp, and a couple other odd items. The resale shop wants everything transferred to their bins. Okay, so I transfer all my stuff while trying to keep ds close by ( not easy ). Then, after I finish, manager or owner- not sure- says "have you sold here before" and I say "yes" but it's been awhile. So she says, "Okay, well we only take one bin and we only want age 3 and 5." ***!?! (excuse my abbreviation it's for dramatic affect and not used in real life- lol). This has already taken me 1/2 hr and I'm sweating like crazy. So, I sort for another 20 min. or so, again trying to keep crazy 18 mos. old close, who is now shoeless and trying to get behind the counter at all costs. I finally finish and then have to haul all my other stuff back out to the car, again holding ds in one arm and yes it's still 110!! I wait for 40 min. for my stuff to be sorted through, of which they give me 1/2 back- another trip to car. In the meantime, ds falls and does a face plant into a toy producing one bruise and a bloody mouth. No one cares, this is a resale shop, not Gymboree.

Finally, I pick up some first reader books for dd and a pair of very nice Kenneth Cole brand new shoes for ds. I turn them in, they take from my credit of $49 and now I walk out with $38 and a bunch of stuff in my trunk that I now have to figure out what to do with. Off to dd's school to buy two new uniform shirts for guess how much, $38! Not so easy come, but very easy go!

That's my story. Obviously more venting then contributing to anything. Just so sick of it and I don't think I'll ever sell to them again, I'm just giving everything away. I was trying to save for our trip and get things cleaned out but that it simply too exhausting!

Sorry for any typos or bad grammar. I have been raising kids for six years now and progressively becoming more stupid and unattractive- kidding (but only a little).

 

[SaraJayne]

I hate selling at our local Once Upon a Child, too.

I once "sold" 10 pair of Levi's that looked brand new. They offered me $12. I laughed at them and walked out.

Sorry your experience was so bad ~ I was so soured on mine that I vowed never to return there ( to shop or sell) and I haven't. It was a total joke.

 

[jenlynn0808]

I have sold once, but one item that they didn't want stands out.

It was a Spiderman baseball jersey style shirt with matching navy blue shorts, tags still on. They refused it, wouldn't tell me why...nothing wrong with it, no stains-just given as a gift and when DS could wear it it was the wrong season-kwim? Also this particular shop will not buy overalls (pants or shorts). DS is super skinny, so overalls solved that problem of finding pants that were long enough, but he could keep up, for us. Lots of nice ones, denim and dressier ones. Only buy if it is a set.

Not sure I am going to try selling again or not. This is the only resale shop around, 2 others have closed in the last month and this is the only one that is surviving.

 

[Sandi S]

I feel your pain - not a big fan of the "chain" consignment stores. I'm glad to have a local independent consignment boutique that will take everything and give me half of what it sells for.

 

[logan&tylersmama]

ughhh - just went to once upon a child today.
took a TON of nice toys, games, discovery toys stuff, a baby gate, ride on toys, baby play yard -
went by myself - it was super HOT today - brought in teh stuff - said right away - oh we cant take that. took some stuff back to the car - waited over an hour and walked out with $39.90 -----
added it to the disney fund - but come on - wnder if i could have done better on craigslist.
came home and added the stuff they wouldnt take to craigslist.
what a pain
the only thing i like about that place is i have been finding a TON of leapster games for my boys for $4.00 a piece.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I had a hard time selling maternity clothes on CL and found a consignment store looking for maternity 40 minutes away. Said they have a 'huge demand' for it.

Drove there, the store is a dump but left the stuff anyways. I left over 50 pieces, tons of Gap capri's and cute summer dresses that looks EUC. My 90 days was finally up last week, now I need to drive back and pick up the 30 remaining pieces and my whopping $71. What a waste of my time, I never drive to this area! It is all summer stuff, so now I need to store it again until next summer or just donate it! I was really hoping for at least $125.

 

[NYCDiane]

ughhh - just went to once upon a child today.
took a TON of nice toys, games, discovery toys stuff, a baby gate, ride on toys, baby play yard -
went by myself - it was super HOT today - brought in teh stuff - said right away - oh we cant take that. took some stuff back to the car - waited over an hour and walked out with $39.90 -----
added it to the disney fund - but come on - wnder if i could have done better on craigslist.

You could have done better on CraigsList, ebay, a yard sale. I HATE "once upon a child". They are such rip off artists. I would never, not in a million years go to that store to sell or buy. I'd rather Freecycle the items than sell to those crooks.

 

[KirstenB]

You could have done better on CraigsList, ebay, a yard sale. I HATE "once upon a child". They are such rip off artists. I would never, not in a million years go to that store to sell or buy. I'd rather Freecycle the items than sell to those crooks.

This was my experience too. Brought in all Gymbo, matching 3 pc outfits, pants, top and sweater, multiple outfits, plus a winter Gymbo coat. I think I got a whopping $40.

 

[Piecey]

I've never tried to sell to Once Upon A Child but I browsed in there once not too long ago....

Their prices to buy are crazy to me! I get stuff cheaper brand new on clearance. I have so much for Lucas for the next few years that I've bought on clearance. Hoodies, jeans, a Mickey sweatshirt (that is in the ridiculous size of 5T haha) for cheaper than how they priced a T-shirt!!

 

[kyra's mommy]

It really is frustrating how little you get. Plus, they reject things that to me look great compared to some of the junk in the store. I have done very well finding shoes and some clothes for the 18 mos. old. I look for the same brands I like in the malls and once in awhile I find something great that is actually a fair price. Since he's still at that age where they barely use their clothes before they grow out of them I find it easier for him. My dd's uniform bottoms are the only good buy I've ever found for her.

Overall, I just don't like the treatment I receive there. It's so hard to be a Mom with really small children and a little help would be appreciated. Also, when I'm selling them a $40 sweater and they're giving me $3 for it, that stings and maybe they could seem a little kinder since I'm getting robbed. They will sell it for $12-$15, I see sweaters priced that high all the time. I'm just too lazy for a garage sale but that's probably what I should do with the clothes. I do Craigslist bigger stuff, like my changing table. I'll sell the table soon and probably get $40 for it vs. like $15 at the Once Upon A Child.

What do you do? We are all stuck with this stuff since our kids are growing at such a fast pace. We spend all this money just to watch some of the clothes not even be worn. Frustrating.

 

[irish dancer]

I feel your pain! While I don't have a little one to contend with when I go in the issue with what they do/do not accept and how much they offer really gets under my skin. I've had brand new, tags still attached outfits rejected in addition to things that were nicer than I've seen for sale in there. I've sold there 3x and each time I try to tell myself over and over that what I get is more than if I'd just given the stuff away just trying to convince myself but it is really maddening. I have two baskets of nearly new Gymbo stuff that I refused to bring in but now I'm faced with trying to find a way to sell them that is fairly easy. Ugh!

 

[kyra's mommy]

Maybe the trick is getting 10 or more Mom's in the neighborhood and having a clothing/ kids stuff sale altogether. Might work, but I don't know if I'd actually want to go to all that trouble.

One thing I am really, actively working on is spending less so that it's not such a bitter pill. With my dd I really bought way too much and would spend way too much. I am trying with ds to buy less and buy great quality and only if it's a good deal. In fact, the changing table I will sell soon I bought second hand for the same $40 I plan on selling it for. Hopefully, once I really start selling or giving away his stuff it will be easier. I still don't think I'll ever sell to the resale shop though, I just can't understand watching me sweat like that and brings all those loads in with my little guy, and not help, and turn away 90% of what I hauled in because you have a one bin policy. If they made the mistake of not telling me when I first asked for a second bin to start filling then they should have made an exception.

 

[cvjw]

Why not try a local church consignment sale? Our church hosts a sale twice a year, and you can get much more for your clothes selling there. It is more work, you have to price and tag your items, but for me, it is worth it.

 

[left210]

You should try a local kids consignment sale. It takes a little work tagging the items but you really do sell alot more for higher prices. It is worth it plus you get to shop early when you sell at them which is a savings for things you need to.

 

[Anne34]

You could have done better on CraigsList, ebay, a yard sale. I HATE "once upon a child". They are such rip off artists. I would never, not in a million years go to that store to sell or buy. I'd rather Freecycle the items than sell to those crooks.

The only problem with yard sales is that (in our area) you don't get more than $1/each for clothes. Craigslist is hit or miss too -- I have had to wait for people who don't show up multiple times. Once upon a child is buying things at yard sale prices and you don't have the hassle. I don't love the store either, but they aren't really crooks. You have a choice.

 

[ZPT1022]

...I HATE "once upon a child". .... I'd rather Freecycle the items than sell to those crooks.

That about sums up my feelings. I find it easier to just hand stuff over to my cousin to use for her kids then to hassle with bringing the stuff over to OUAC. I have also used freecycle but my cousin wants/needs the stuff so why not help family first.

I just hate that they buy something from me for maybe $1-2 and then turn around and sell the same item for $8-9. That's insane!

I've never tried to sell to Once Upon A Child but I browsed in there once not too long ago....

Their prices to buy are crazy to me! I get stuff cheaper brand new on clearance. I have so much for Lucas for the next few years that I've bought on clearance. Hoodies, jeans, a Mickey sweatshirt (that is in the ridiculous size of 5T haha) for cheaper than how they priced a T-shirt!!

I've had the same experience. I could maybe part with the clothes for cheap if I knew I could also pick things up on the cheap but I am selling things for a teensy fraction of what they're worth and I turn around and can't even buy nearly the amount of clothes I just sold. I'd much rather give the clothes to someone who can use them and then just keep a lookout for good sales

I feel your pain! While I don't have a little one to contend with when I go in the issue with what they do/do not accept and how much they offer really gets under my skin. I've had brand new, tags still attached outfits rejected in addition to things that were nicer than I've seen for sale in there. I've sold there 3x and each time I try to tell myself over and over that what I get is more than if I'd just given the stuff away just trying to convince myself but it is really maddening. I have two baskets of nearly new Gymbo stuff that I refused to bring in but now I'm faced with trying to find a way to sell them that is fairly easy. Ugh!

I wish there was a way to swap stuff mom to mom even if you're not local to each other because I'd love to say "Hey, show me what gymbo stuff you've got and we'll work something out", kwim?? I'd be more willing to let my stuff go for a bit less if it were going directly to another family rather than a store that is going to sell it for 500% or more than what they paid for it.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I just have to share this. You all know what it feels like when you have a huge bargain score!

I was saying earlier in the thread I had 50+ maternity pieces on consignment, only 1/2 sold for a net of $71. Needless to say I was really bummed. So today I made the trek 40 minutes away to pick it all up (I never, ever go to this town) and decided to stop in a Target I hadn't been to before. I scored a Graco Nautilus booster seat 50% off!! It was still marked 15% off but rang up for 50%! I had been to 3 other Targets this week with no luck. I finally feel like my maternity consignment fiasco was worth all the hassle! I saved $85 on something we were hoping to buy and would have never of found it if I didn't go to claim my maternity clothes!

I do have decent luck at Children's Orchard resale shops. I just got tap shoes yesterday for $9.99, are $32 on zappos. They have a gir's name written in them but have never been tapped in!

 

[princessbride6205]

I agree - I have a love/hate relationship with Once Upon a Child, too. My first experience there was good, but since then it's been varied between mediocre and bad. This past weekend I decided to go to a different OUAC and had really great customer service. The girl was perfectly nice and explained why they didn't take certain stuff - that's a first! Still, they didn't take 2/3 of the clothes I brought. Even with her explanations, there were some items I still couldn't figure out why they wouldn't take it. Like Carter's pajamas, khaki pants, etc. I have purchased clothes there exactly once - the quality and prices are not good. I think that's one of the most frustrating things (that and how they turn so much stuff away). I do think it's funny that they wouldn't buy back items I purchased from them. LOL I guess the styles they want sometimes change?
I do wish they were better at communicating the items they will take - maybe their website could be updated more often.
Here are the things I've found out:
* Toys must have batteries - seems simple, but I had forgotten I'd taken them out for a whole round of items I brought.
* Items must be assembled (high chairs, etc.)
* They will find even the faintest teeniest stain you didn't notice
* You have to be happy to part with the items for $1
* No seasonal or holiday items - if it has so much as one snowflake on it, they won't take it

I've figured out my strategy now: I try to sell my mid-range clothes here - Carter's, Kohl's, Cherokee, etc. Donate Target brand to Salvation Army & try to sell Gymboree stuff myself (or pass on to cousin's kids). I sold some toys that weren't worth enough to me to sell on Craig's List. My best find was the Fisher Price Play & Learn Piano - it was in excellent condition, I purchased it for less than half the retail price of a new one, and my daughter LOVED it.