Once Upon a Child

[mantysk8coach]

Does anyone here have any experience with selling kids clothes at Once Upon a Child? I am drowing in kids clothes, but don't quite have enough to do a rummage sale. I don't do eBay or any of that either. I just want to be able to walk into the store, and walk out with cash in hand.

Just looking for experiences of people who have done it. What did they all take? Were you happy with the amount they offered? Did you get more for name brand clothes? (I have a ton of Gymboree).

I want to go there tomorrow, but just thought I'd see if I could get an idea of what to expect first.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mjhd]

Hi! IMO they pay less than what I would like and are pretty choosy. Expect less than $1 for off-brand clothes and $1-2 for Gymbo, etc. Some designer brand items (Guess, etc) pay more - $4ish. Books are .10-.25 and toys are pretty low. Again, only my opinion. Usually they take about half of the stuff I bring in - they also will not take anything that is damaged in any way. It is a good way to get some quick cash and I have taken a lot there. and been paid a lot too. I love going to church sales where they have stuff a bag at the end of the day and taking that to OUAC - I have made some good money that way! A couple tips - try not to take the rejections personally (like I tend to do) and ask for a receipt BEFORE they pay you so you can see how much they paid for each item and have it on file for next time. You are always able to review the prices for what they want to buy before you sell. Good luck!

 

[wickywinn]

I prefer selling my clothes in bi-annual consignment sales than practically giving them away at OUAC. Also they're pretty picky about what they'll take. At consignment sales you usually set your own price (general rule of thumb being 75% less than retail). They pay 75-80% so I come away with several hundred twice a year. And if you consign you get in earlier than the general public (volunteer a shift and you get in even earlier). Be forewarned it can be addicting and it's actually alot of fun. You may want to do a search for consignment sales near you. I know there's one in particular that's pretty prevalant across the u.s so I'm sure there's one near you.

 

[cjnix29]

Not impressed at all. I took in some good stuff, and they turned it down. Disgusting when I looked at what was on their racks, and wouldn't buy any of it for what they were asking for it. I would rather take the tax deduction and take it to goodwill than take it to Once Upon a Child. Just my opinion.

 

[Inigo]

I sold a bunch of DD's clothes years ago when the OUAC opened in our area. I was one of the first to sell to the owner, when she was trying to build up stock before opening. I had tons of adorable dresses, and I was happy with what I was paid.

The next time I took things to her to sell, I didn't get as much money, but the clothes weren't as nice and the owner wasn't in as much need for stock.

 

[memy26]

I took stuff there one time and will never do it again. I had saved all of ds's baby clothes in case I had another. Well my second was a dd and born opposite season so even neutral item wouldn't work. So I took tons of stuff to OUAC, and nice stuff at that (ds was the 1st grandchild so he got everything) and they bought very little of it and didn't pay much at all.

Never again would I waste my time with it. What little I got from it wasn't worth my time and energy taking all the stuff over there.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I prefer selling my clothes in bi-annual consignment sales than practically giving them away at OUAC. Also they're pretty picky about what they'll take. At consignment sales you usually set your own price (general rule of thumb being 75% less than retail). They pay 75-80% so I come away with several hundred twice a year. And if you consign you get in earlier than the general public (volunteer a shift and you get in even earlier). Be forewarned it can be addicting and it's actually alot of fun. You may want to do a search for consignment sales near you. I know there's one in particular that's pretty prevalant across the u.s so I'm sure there's one near you.

MTE. I did much better with the consignment sale. I plan to do that again in the Fall.

I was really disappointed with OUAC and what they offered for the clothes. I did it one time. I won't do it again. They gave me a very low figure. I did ask for a breakout of pricing but they hedged. I don't remember what they said exactly, but they didn't want to do it. I debated taking the stuff back home, but I left it. Walked away feeling somewhat robbed.

 

[mantysk8coach]

Hmmm...thanks for the input. I was set on the idea of going tomorrow, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe I'll look into the consignment sale thing. I think they may have just started doing them around here...I vaguely remember seeing something on the local news about it.

Thanks again!

 

[PinkRhombus]

CALL AHEAD.

Some places make you set up an appointment to bring in your clothes. They may not be accepting certain items, either.

 

[PrincessGracie]

CALL AHEAD.

Some places make you set up an appointment to bring in your clothes. They may not be accepting certain items, either.

Yes, definitely call ahead. Our local OUAC doesn't even take Saturday appts!!

I totally agree with the previous posters....I haven't been all too impressed with the money they are willing to pay.

I've been doing consignment sales lately...making a lot more money than I would at OUAC. More time to prepare...but totally worth it!!

On the flip side though...I do like to shop from there occasionally.

Our local OUAC has 2 sales per year where they mark down the previous season stuff down as low as a dollar!!!! I've gotten a lot of really nice stuff for my kids!!!

Good luck!!

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

I think you might be able to get more like a PP said at a kids sale. OUAC are super picky about what they take and even how long they will take to look through it. Ours doesn't take walk-ins half the time. They just put a note on the door saying no drop-offs today. I feel bad for the people that take in bags of clothes and walk out with them again because only 2 of their items are being purchased. I've found that the 2 closest to us have totally different standards and prices. Some of the items are so dated and they are priced higher than just buying a newer item. I don't get it. I'm not putting my kids in puffy powdered blue striped overalls with hotair balloons and teddy bears. I've found a few bargains here and there.

Maybe check out your local churches. A bunch by us have huge sales just for baby items. The county does the same thing 2x a year. A bunch of moms also get together in the next city over and hold a baby item only GS and put the ad on Craigslist.

 

[lpandorf]

I know you said you did not want to ebay, but I'd consider it. Gymboree does well on ebay. Each collection has a line name, I can point you to a website that shows all the lines if you are not familiar with line names. I find it helps to include the line name in the ebay description. I would not mess with ebay for non Gymbo or GAP items, though.

I've taken things to OUAC and did not get much. I was really surprised what they did not take. Some of the stuff was nicer then what I saw on the racks. I put together a nice lot of the TCP toddler boys things they turned down and put in on Craigs list as $50 or best offer and got $50 right away. Craigslist may be another option. Sell all the Gymbo in one lot, or two if you have tons.

 

[jennyf2]

I'm not a fan of OUAC. The few times I've been in there I was not impressed! Most of the clothes were stained, worn out, & in awful shape. I brought a bunch of nice/name brand clothes in & they took a few & offered me almost nothing.

 

[PHXscuba]

I go to Once Upon A Child occasionally to buy (special dresses, Halloween costumes, plus they just bought the stock of a resale dance clothes/shoes place) but I've stopped selling. Half the time when I went by, they weren't buying that day, so two more trips. Most of my son's stuff is in good shape, but not high-end brands. I never felt like I got much money.

I finally decided that the pittance I was getting back wasn't worth the hassle, especially now that my son is 4 and growing out of stuff slower. I found a mom at church with a son a couple sizes smaller and have been giving DS's outgrown stuff to her. I feel like it is more appreciated and used than selling it for pennies.

If I had a big lot of similar-sized Gymboree, I'd probably sell it on Craigslist.

PHXscuba

 

[itutorfortravel]

I once took in a huge tub of clothes all in excellent condition. When I came back, they wanted to offer me some ridiculously low price for them. It was honestly almost an insult! The clothes I took were nice labels, some smocked items, etc. Well, I took my stuff and sold it on eBay and made close to $300! So, I never went back to them again...just sold the stuff myself.

 

[mantysk8coach]

Okay, I did decide to go, and came away surprisingly happy! I think because I didn't set my expectations too high to start with. I took two bins of clothes, and a few random pairs of Robeez shoes, a few snowsuits, and one of those playmat things that babies use for tummy time. They rejected what seems like almost half of it, and I still came away with $106.45! I had told myself I'd be happy with $50.00.

So for the very little bit of work it took to pull it all together, I am satisfied!

Thanks again for all your input though!