Pricing question/Is it worth it?

[kristilew]

Well, we had the great closet clean out yesterday for DD10. I have a stack of like-new name brand clothes. Whenever I talk about selling them on craigslist or taking them to Once Upon a Child, DH says the hassle isn't worth the money I'd get from them, just donate them and take the tax deduction.

So my question is: Is it possible to sell some kids clothes for enough to be worth doing it?

If I would only get a dollar or two, I would think not. But I'm talking about dresses from American Girl that were $40-50 new, or Lily Pulitizer outfits, or Abercrombie sweatshirts. Could I get say, $10-$20 for these, or are people just not willing to pay that for used?

I don't have an ebay account, and don't imagine I would have enough stuff over time to sell that would make it worth it to get one, so I'm thinking of trying to do this locally.

Any opinions would be appreciated!

 

[DisneyMom2008]

I know when I sell items like that to OUAC they usually pay me $3-$10 for each item. If it is not alot I would try it to see what they offer you.

 

[tinkerlisa]

I haven't sold any clothes on craig's list but I have sold other things. All the money we make off selling stuff we dont want/use anymore goes into our "Disney Vacation Fund" coffee can. It does add up after awhile. I have a whole bunch of my boys' clothes that I am going to put up for sale on there and see what happens.
We thought about doing a consigment shop, but they take a percentage of what they sell the clothes for. The one nearest to me is 50%. If I sell one shirt for $2 through them I only make $1. Where as if I go through craigs' list I can get the whole $2! It doesn't sound like much but it does add up after awhile!

 

[musclemouse]

I know that Childrens Orchard has a list of items and what they can give you for these items. My sister was given a Burberry dress for her daughter (hand-me-downs from a co-worker) and when my sister was ready to part with it she thought about taking it to CO but we figured she wouldn't get what the dress is worth. I sold it on Ebay for her for $50. But that's Burberry for ya. Name brand clothes will usually sell pretty well on ebay. As for CO or OUAC the clothes have to be in really excellent condition. I would usually get $1 to $3 per item. This for items from the gap and old navy. This is my experience.

 

[ladybuglydia]

In our area there are lots of local consignments sales for kids items. They are usually held twice a year in early spring and early fall. I usually make anywhere from $700-$1000. The host of the sale usually gets 30% and you get 70%. Here's a great site that might help. It's called thebargainwatcher.com

 

[HM]

I'd definitely try consigning them. Ask to get them back if they don't sell, and then donate them. You can't claim much for such nice items when they are donated. It's definitely worth trying to sell them first.

My old neighborhhood had a twice yearly yard sale that the Moms Club organized. It was well run and we could actually get a good price for the name brand items at the sale. People will pay more than a couple dollars for those kinds of things.....as long as it's still in good shape and it's less than they'd have to pay for them at the store on sale.

 

[tlbwriter]

I use the software that comes bundled with TurboTax to get the value of my clothing deductions (I can't remember if it's called Itemize It or Deduct It or what - it used to be sold separately) and I'm always surprised at how much they're worth.

 

[Nicki828]

You would definitely get more money selling on ebay over OUAC.

 

[NotUrsula]

The software is "It'sDeductible": http://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/itsdeductible/index.jsp

The allowances for good condition items are VERY generous, more than you would get at OUAC in most cases. However, to be safe with the IRS in case you're audited, it is a good idea to photograph all of the items you donate to charity.

 

[beckanoah]

I went to our Once Upon a Child yesterday, and they only took 1/3 of my clothes (all in GREAT shape btw) and I got 14.00. What they took was
1 Hanna Andersson dress
2 pairs old navy pants
1 sweater
2 or 3 skirts
and a few other things. I was really annoyed by the time I left. I donated the rest to my thriftstore because I didn't want to deal with ebay!

They refused 3 pair sweatpants, 2 pair jeans (one was CANDIES brand, brandnew, btw), and 4 sweaters, 2 sweatshirts and a coat. but they wanted me to "donate" that to them there at the store.