Selling at consignment sales

[CyndiLooWho]

Gee, never thought I'd be asking this question, but I really need to.

I got a seller spot for the premiere consignment sale in our area. I sold at this sale twice a year for at least 3 yrs, but it's been 3 yrs since I've sold at this or any other sale (we lived overseas for 2 yrs and I wasn't organized to do this again yet). And not only has it been 3 yrs since I priced and sold, the economy is in the toilet, so people are likely looking harder for bargains. I don't know if that means price higher, lower or the same as 3 yrs ago.

So, can those of you who have sold in the last year or so give me pricing hints? We live in KY, where the economy hasn't been hit too hard, but where things are still tight for most families.

I have a lot of Lands Ends outerwear (parkas, ski bibs, fleece lined raincoats and raincoats); prodigious amounts of jeans, l/s tops and sweatshirts; a lot of sweat "sets" (top and matching pants); and some nicer sweaters and slacks for Christmas wear. The dressier clothes are all LE, Polo, and Claiborne, and the every day stuff is a combo of Old Navy, WM, and JCP.

Please help!!!

 

[CyndiLooWho]

And here are some examples of past pricing, taken from old inventory lists:

Carters pjs - $3
WM pjs - $2
Osh Kosh or ON denim overalls with shirt - $7
sweat sets - $3-5 depending on maker and style
toddler coats - $10
jersey jackets - $2-3
blanket sleepers - $3 for 2
ON jeans - $5
other jeans $3-4 depending on condition


I will be combining into outfits or sets (ie, 2 pr 6 slim jeans) as much as possible b/c we are limited to 150 priced items. An item is any grouping that sells for 1 price, like 2 pr of jeans for $7 or a single coat at $15. I have 3 yrs of stuff for 2 kids and need to move as much as possible with as few things coming back to me at the end of the sale as possible.

I appreciate any and all suggestions.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

I think it depends on the condition of the items, and how bad you really want to sell them ...ie letting them go cheaply.

My rule of thumb is good condition, like new...about 1/2 what it cost new (our consignment sale has a half price day at the end, so I make sure I can live with getting half that price).

New with tags...3/4 what I paid b/c people still won't pay full price for something new at a consignment sale.

Some items I will 1/3 of what it was new just b/c it might be a hard to sell item....some baby items, larger toys, etc.

Good luck...

 

[sweet-n-lowe]

I try to go with about 20% of the original cost, but nothing under $1 (common rule.) I am planning to use the same prices I typically go with - not changing it any due to economy. I actually plan to buy more higher priced (designer) items this year b/c I am trying to avoid the cute overpriced boutiques and feel I can justify it. I will be consigning quite a few dresses and outfits in the $15 & up range since they were pricey to start with.

 

[Daytonamom2]

I love the DIS. I was just going to ask how to price things for JBF sale. I am in Florida and they are having one at the end of this month. Any one else in Florida been to this one or any others? I have mostly Limited Two stuff but lots of it. Does barbie dolls/clothes sell at all. I have nice stuff and put together with carry cases al labeled. Any ideas????

 

[CyndiLooWho]

I remember the % rules now. I just need to remember what I paid for these things that long ago...

 

[britfish]

while I have never sold at a consignment sale I buy often! My general limit is $12 for a two piece outfit in excellent condition and I usually lean towards Gap, Gymbo, and Lands End clothing lines.

 

[kfeuer]

I've been doing this kind of sale for the past 4 or 5 years, I've lost count. I think you're on the right track with the prices you listed. People are looking for bargains, not to pay what they could get it for in the store on sale.

I buy clothes, toys, baby stuff etc. at garage sales to resell, so I sell a wide variety of stuff and have a pretty good feel for what things go for. Here's my random thoughts:

My theory on pricing is that I want as much as possible to sell at full price, so I don't overprice and hope I get it. I've also found it's not worth trying to eek an extra $1 out of things (i.e., I'm better off if something sells for $3 then if I price it at $4, then it sells at half-price day for $2).

Jeans (and pants in general) are good sellers. You can price them a little higher if they're slims. I price jeans at $4-$5 depending on condition and I always get it. Dress pants (like Claiborne or Polo) I price at $5.

The smaller the size, the more there is of it and the harder it is to sell. This is especially true of baby girl clothes, I rarely buy those to resell even if they're a quarter. Price your smaller stuff cheap if you don't want it to come back to you.

Putting stuff in outfits is a great idea.

I let almost everything go half-price, unless it's a big item. I'd rather the small stuff sell for half-price then have to lug it all back home.

Outerwear is a great seller. I usually price my coats (which are Gap, Gymboree, Talbot's, etc.) at $12-$15 and they sell.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your sale! It's a lot of work but it's worth it when you get that check!

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Kfeuer - you're right where I want to be. I have always taken in 150 items and I normally come home with around 10-15. I'm also one of those rotten sellers who rarely mark things half off, but it's always worked well for me.

Interesting thought on the slims - my older son is a stringbean and his brother is a moose, so their jeans only go through one kid and I have a lot of slims. I had wondered if slims s/b priced a little higher b/c they're harder to find.

And I never even tried to sell my little baby clothes, unless it was just really cute or really practical. I'd rather give them away than have them all come back to me at the end of a sale.

I think I've pulled out everything I've got, and I really need 2 seller numbers, LOL. It's not allowed, but man, I've got a lot of clothes.

I know I'm in for a lot of work, but I'm hopeful of getting a nice check at the end of it. I know I can't top the times when I was selling our high end baby gear, but I'm hoping for enough to cover the property taxes on our 2 cars and motorcycle.

 

[disneynewbeemom]

I think your prices are a little low. I have sold at consignment sales in KY also and am getting ready for the next sale. I was looking through my inventory list from last year. I paired jeans with a shirt and priced my items between $10-15. Most of my jeans were Childrens Place, but many of my shirts were just generic brands. I priced PJ's and blanket sleepers for $4 and sold all 11 pairs! I priced winter coats at $20 and sold them. I have two Lands End coats that I am going to sell and will probably price them at $20 each also. Throw in a hat and pair of gloves and it will sell. What sale are you selling at?

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

I sell at JBF, and here are some of my prices from things that sold last fall:

Gap Jeans & Striped Oxford - $18 (had about 10 of these sets, all sold)
Gymboree Coat - $20 (sold 2)
OU Hoodie - $8
OU Windsuit & Tee - $15 (sold 2)
Two Long Sleeve Gap Tees - $10 (sold 6)

We're in Oklahoma, and I sell at the Norman/OKC sales. I've sold at the Lawton one (she was just getting started and needing more consigners, so we signed up), and those prices were considerably lower, but the selection was quite a bit smaller and not as many name brands. I go at about 30-50% of the original price since DS has a giant wardrobe and everything is in great condition (and several things still have tags). Have fun! I need to get started for our fall sales!

 

[neatokimmo]

I priced my stuff pretty cheap this last time and sold a bunch!

I priced carters sleepers at $2 each and hung them up. Everyone else wadded theirs up in Ziploc bags in sets for less. All mine sold.

The REALLY cute ones, I put $2.50-3 on. Any new ones (and these were mall Carter's sleepers, not child of mine) were marked $5-6.

I sold my NWT stuff for 1/2 - 1/2 of the tag price because I bought it for a lot less.

Summer dresses were $2-$5 depending on the brand. I sold her extra crocs for more than they cost on the website. (not complaining tho!)

Little adorable baby outfits? $1. A lot of them sold. Our sale is overrun with little pink things.

All my little boy stuff in all sizes sold. The boy section is like 10% of the sale.

All my yard sale finds in size 3T or bigger sold. My larger jeans sold for $6-8 a pair. My coats sold for $15.

 

[Daytonamom2]

Anyone selling at the Orlando one this month. Question?? How do you price $4 or 3.75/3.90. Any tricks. I know on hangers looks best. And I have read making an out fit. I have mostly limited two. What about shoes. Do you tie them together???

 

[neatokimmo]

Our's only allows prices in 50 cent increments and nothing less than $1.

On shoes, I put them in Ziplocs and put a tag on each shoe in case they are separated.

 

[neatokimmo]

Anyone selling at the Orlando one this month. Question?? How do you price $4 or 3.75/3.90. Any tricks. I know on hangers looks best. And I have read making an out fit. I have mostly limited two. What about shoes. Do you tie them together???

Do you know any consignment sales going on the first couple of weeks in Sept near Disney?

 

[Daytonamom2]

HI Neatokimmo

I am new to this Orlando has a JBF sale in Maitland Aug 30th and Melbourne has one Oct 23rd. The one in orlando must be small because it is at a church.

Does anyone know of any discussion boards that talks about these sales. I am sue people have hints and how to be a good seller.

 

[pjupton]

Cindi, I know that sale! Congrats on getting a number. If you have more after your fill your 150 item limit, you are certainly welcome over at the Everything For Kids sale sponsored by the Bluegrass Parents of Multiples Club.

I try to price 1/3-1/4 of what items were new, and 1/2 for items new with tag, large toys, baby gear, etc. Think really hard about what YOU would be willing to pay for those items!

 

[madge]

I should have read the whole thing before asking my question. LOLOL...

good luck in the sale!

 

[DisneyDazed]

Wow many of you get great prices for your items. I live in a very nice area but all the people are CHEAP! I sold with several friends and while I made $800 I barely made a dent in what I had to sell. I had many NWT items Gap Gymbo Marked $5. $5!!! people complained. I was so irritated. They would come up and start looking and if it wasnt 1 or 2 bucks they walked away.
I say price what worked for you before and what you are happy with. Good luck.

 

[reagan75]

I own an adult consignment sale and this is the #1 question I get-"how do I know what to price my items?" I, personally, don't want to see these things back in my house and I would rather get a dollar or two less and sell it than bring it back home. I say to price it higher than you would at a garage sale but not so high it will be overlooked. And you always have the 1/2 price option.