Once Upon a Child?

[BeatingtheOdds]

Does anybody consign their kids clothes at this store? I've been wondering if anybody understands the "buy back" process as I've been a bit baffled the last few times I've taken DD's clothes in to sell. I know each store probably runs a bit differently though...

I'm basically just curious if they reach some kind of quota and can't take any more of that particular type of item ( for example 3-6 month girls sleepsuits, rompers, onesies, etc etc.) ? Or if they don't buy items that are out of season? Is it just up to the workers to decide what they "like"? I asked one of the girls working today as I brought in a small tote of name brand clothes still in excellent condition and didn't sell a single item. I didn't really understand her answer when I asked about their selection process and I'm just wondering if anybody has anymore insight.

I tried to sell a couple Carter's long sleeve onesies & short sleeve onesies, Old Navy onesies, some Osh Kosh outfits and a few Carters rompers and shirts. Like I said, everything is in perfect condition (barely worn) and some stuff was even new. It seems I haven't had much luck the last couple times I've tried to sell there and I'm wondering what the deal is

It's odd too because I saw them turn away a lot of other people's stuff for being "too worn" and yet a see a lot of stuff in rough condition on the shelves and I've seen a lot of stained items. Anybody have any ideas?

 

[ten6mom]

I have only taken things there once and honestly it took so long and I got so little that I never bothered going back.

I am sorry I can't offer insight on their buying practices. I did browse the shop while I was waiting for them to go thru my items and it seemed I could buy brand new items at Target for less than they were selling their used things for. I guess I am just not into name brands?

 

[BeatingtheOdds]

I have only taken things there once and honestly it took so long and I got so little that I never bothered going back.

I am sorry I can't offer insight on their buying practices. I did browse the shop while I was waiting for them to go thru my items and it seemed I could buy brand new items at Target for less than they were selling their used things for. I guess I am just not into name brands?

Yeah, I'm starting to think it's just not worth the trouble! And you're definitely right, some times the prices are still kind of ridiculous in my opinion. I know I can get new jumping beans brand clothes or circo clothes for the same amount if not less than some of their consigned items. I've lucked out a few times and found some good deals on cute stuff but the store really confuses me! I browsed today and left with a few things but I saw SO much stuff that was in such bad shape I wouldn't even put it in a garage sale in that condition. And yet, they took none of my items! Who knows

 

[navywifetill2002]

Some of the stores near me don't take sleepers or onesies. Others are very brand specific and only take high end brands (old navy and Carter's don't qualify there).

 

[jrw118]

I was only in this store once to sell some shoes/ sneakers. It was pathetic. .35 for brand new never worn new balance??? I donated them instead.

 

[texasroni75]

The Once Upon a Child in our town seemed to have a similar quirk. I only brought items in to sell ONCE. I will never try to sell to them again. I brought a basket that included items brand new with tags that my kids never wore and they rejected them. Yet when I browsed the shop to buy clothes, I found many very faded obviously worn items that weren't even "current" styles. (As in - my oldest DD is 18 years old now and they had styles that I would have put on HER when she was a toddler). It didn't seem to make any sense to me. I can see them rejecting a big percentage of infant clothing due to the sheer quantity they probably get every day. But, their selection for anything over size 2T was hideous!

I would shop there for bigger items like strollers and exersaucers, etc., and maybe for a special occasion outfit for the kids like an Easter dress and shoes. Everyday clothes - you can do better at sales at your local Target/Walmart/Outlet mall.

If you're looking to sell items that are still in great shape, you will definitely get more money selling on Craigslist, Ebay or even at a garage sale.

 

[MrsPete]

When my kids were younger, I liked to shop at Once Upon a Child, but I didn't sell to them. Their stuff is nice, but they are extremely picky about name-brands and the amount of wear -- yet they pay only pennies on the dollar.

I saved up the kids' clothes 'til I had a good pile, and then I'd have a yard sale. Eventually I found a privately owned consignment store that was much more fair in its buying practices, and I started selling to them. It wasn't convenient to my house, but I'd wait 'til I had a bunch of stuff and make a special trip.

As for finding things on the shelves that're worn, I'd rack that up to multiple buyers. These things are subjective.

 

[Gorechick]

I noticed they tend to go for the brand names rather than condition. They'll take a worn Gap outfit over a brand new lesser brand outfit. I think the place is a rip off. I went there once for some quick cash, but never again.

 

[LynnTH]

I tried taking stuff there years ago when kids were younger. I had 4 bins of stuff. They were going to give me $70 for all the bins. I told them "No Thanks". Put the items in my garage sale and made about $400 on the same items. Never tried to consign there again - big ripoff.

 

[Kimmumum]

I have friends who use them every so often. It is my understanding that they only buy the current years stuff AND they are only allowed to take a certain percentage of the stuff you bring in. Never bring in bins and bins. They will only be allowed to take a certain number of pieces. They have to come across as being "picky".

Something I did when my kids were younger..... I found someone who was willing to pay $25/bag of my boys clothes. They got nice brand named clothes and I got a few bucks. It was more than I would have gotten at a resale shop and I didn't have the hassle.

 

[bohemian74]

I guess I'm in the minority but for the amount of effort I put in I think I get good $. If the clothes don't fit someone anymore and are in good condition I launder them then put them in a bin in the closet. When the bins full I bring it in and usually get between 70-100 per rubbermaid. They are mostly gymboree, children's place and gap stuff. I know the employees look over the item for wear and tear then they enter it in a computer. The computer gives them back a price that's set by their corporate system (they are franchises), so that's not up to the individual buyer. Sometimes they are full on sizes, the other day I had a box of stuff under 12 months. She said they had too much boy 12 months but knew it took some effort to come in so she gave me their "kids cash" for a few bucks and just told me to hold on to it. I like the cash on the spot rather then traditional consigning. I will say they don't pay much for equipment at all and they sell that for high $, which is annoying.

I could get more if I listed it on ebay or possibly at a garage sale. But I've got twin babies and a 6 year old, so I invest the least possible time in selling. Whatever doesn't sell gets passed on to friends or donated.

The company also has a new line of stores called Style Encore, women's consignment. They are opening up all over the country. When they first started buying I was getting some good money for my stuff, as they fill up they are getting pickier. But I made $300 pretty quickly. All my clothes/consign cash goes straight into my disney fund-we paid for an upgrade to Deluxe pretty quickly!

 

[delmar411]

The one by our old house gave good money for the amount of effort involved. I ever really felt ripped off by the prices they offered and they always liked our stuff.

 

[NYCDiane]

Once Upon a Child is a ripoff. I wouldn't bring anything to them!

You'd be much, much better off donating the items to a church or to a women's shelter or a family shelter. The items will be much more appreciated and you can leave knowing you did some good for the community (as opposed to getting pennies from some rip-off resale shop!)

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I stopped going to the Once Upon A Child out my way years ago. Not only were they overly selective about what they would buy back, but also who they would buy back from which I noticed after several visits. It was frustrating because I would see plenty of worn, stained, and even smelly merchandise on their racks and they would only offer to give me literally just $3 bucks for a few pieces of clothing out of a bin full of clothes that I made sure were in very good condition and took the extra time to rewash, iron and fold for resell - no thanks. So, if our kids can't hand down their stuff to a younger sibling or cousin we have been just donating items to Goodwill or church. I can find nice, new kids clothes on the clearance racks at several major retailers for the same price Once Upon A Child tries to sell used clothes for. I also do well with coupons, sales, and reward points at stores like Gymboree, Justice, and the Children's Place. For deals on certain toys or baby equipment I will wait for big sales and deals at Target, Walmart, or Babies/Toys R Us (I got my Maclaren Triumph stroller 50% off from there years ago because it was a floor model) or even look around local yard sales too.

 

[writersblock42]

It is not just Once Upon a Time. I sold some stuff to Kid to Kid (also a chain) and it seems like they have similar quirks. I actually brought stuff in once and they said that they loved it but I needed to rewash everything because it had dog hair on it. (They were right there was some dog hair on it). I took it home and carefully laundered it and put it straight from the dryer into a bin so no dog hair could get on it. Then I took it in and they said it would just be a little while so I decided to wait. Two hours later I finally walked out with $25 in store credit. It would have only been about $15 in cash. The stuff was in really good shape and name brand clothes but they told me that some of the clothes had stains, there were not complete outfits, not the brands that they were looking for etc. The standard stuff they tell everyone. Like you I didn't get why they turned some of my really nice stuff away but then on the shelves, they had much much worse items. I think that they get some stuff donated or something because that was one of the options.

 

[zoemariesmamma]

I usually save my clothes and have a yard sale once a year. I then take everything that is left over to once upon a child and drop off while I take everything else to donate to goodwill. It doesn't pay much per item but I usually make an extra $50. Anything they don't take then goes to a little girl at church. Doesn't take much time since I drop them off and don't wait. I never shop there though, I think it is way too expensive.

 

[BeatingtheOdds]

Wow! Seems the consensus is it's just not worth it...I thought maybe it was just our local store that's like that I think from now on I'll just hold on to things for a yard sale or donate. Thanks!