Selling Kids Clothes

[hlkeck]

I have been putting the clothes my kids outgrow in plastic bins for years, in the basement. the time has come to clear this clutter out!

Where, dear budget board friends, is the best place to sell kids clothes? Ebay? Craigslist? Or take them to a "Once Upon a Child" type used clothing store?

Finally have some time to get around to moving these items out - anything that doesn't sell, I'm happy to donate (which should still be a lot), but I'd love to recoup a few bucks. The clothes are all brand name and in great condition.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[leadfootlevi]

You'll probably get the most $ from Ebay (I would only bother selling the name-brand items on Ebay).

I wouldn't deal with clothes and craigslist. I'm not sure why, but I just wouldn't. It seems to me that you would be having an indoor garage sale and that bugs me.

I don't know a lot about resale stores, but most are fairly picky and will offer significantly less than they will re-sale for. But, this is the easiest method.

I've done E-bay and had good success.

 

[Swimalie]

I take mine to a twice-a-year consignment sale. They keep 40% and I get 60%. They inspect everything for spots, stains, in season, good condition over all, etc. So you customers know they are buying good things and you know you can charge a bit more since it's in good shape. First time I did it I made $240. This last time I didn't take as much and still made $78.

 

[mommy2twingles]

I agree about the 2x yearly consignment sale. That is where all my kids outgrown clothes have gone for the past 2 1/2 years. I always get a good check at the end and you have the option to just donate whatever does not sell.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I do several things...

Name brands (Hanna Andersson, Gap, Gymboree, Lilly Pulitzer) either Craigslist or an upscale resale store. I called two weeks ago, my consignment account of 50 pieces dropped off a early Oct is up to $160... I will get a check in January. I also list complete outfits like Hanna Playdresses with leggings on Craiglist. I met a woman on CL last year who now goes through my entire stash before it goes to resale. She has bought off me three times now and has never spent less than $100.

For clothes like Target, Old Navy, Childrens Place I take it all to a Children's Orchard resale shop. They pay much less per piece, but you get cash on the spot and it only takes 30-60 minutes. What ever they don't take goes to Goodwill.

Pajamas- I sell them on Craigslist in a 'lot'. I listed 8 pairs of 5T fall and winter Carters pajamas in EUC back in Sept and got $25. Womam was so happy with the conditon of them that I have her name on file for next year. When I got rid of a bunch of infant items (onesies, pj's, knit pants/shorts) I listed it as "one bag of size 18 month summer clothes- 60 pieces" and listed how many of each item and what brands. I think I got about $35 for it on CL. I also list specialty items like snow boots on CL with good luck.

I did eBay a few years ago but have no desire to do it again. With the horror stories lately of how people dispute a purchase and eBay/PayPal always sides with the buyer, I am done with them. Plus I used to use a auction hosting site and it is no longer free and eBay fees are crazy.

 

[bjscheel]

I have good luck on eBay. When I sell DDs clothes, I usually sort out any really special outfits to do on their own, then I make a lot of casual dresses, and a lot of church dresses, and then a big lot of everyday clothes. When you have several listings in the same size, you can get a lot of interest. It's a lot of work, but I do eBay all the time so it's not a big deal for me. If you haven't done it before it may seem overwhelming.

A garage sale or consignment store will probably yield less but may be easier- no pictures, no listing, no shipping.

I haven't sold clothes on Craigslist, but if I did, I would probably have lots by size and they have to buy the whole lot instead of waiting for them to cherry pick through everything.

 

[mrsltg]

I take mine to a twice-a-year consignment sale. They keep 40% and I get 60%. They inspect everything for spots, stains, in season, good condition over all, etc. So you customers know they are buying good things and you know you can charge a bit more since it's in good shape. First time I did it I made $240. This last time I didn't take as much and still made $78.

Classy Kids Consignment, by any chance? I see there, too, and I love it!

 

[Swimalie]

Classy Kids Consignment, by any chance? I see there, too, and I love it!

Yes!! I wonder if we've been there at the same time. I'll be back at their next sale with more stuff to sell

 

[Mickeyfollowers]

I take my kids old clothes, toys, and baby gear to Once upon a Child.

 

[mommy22pumpkins]

Would you say it's worth it to bring your items to once upon a child? They are telling me they average $2 or $3 per brand name item. I have alot of clothes that have never even been worn and are expensive. Would it be smarter to list these on ebay?

I didn't seem to make alot on ebay for all the work it takes to list, describe and take pictures of everything though so not sure if it's worth it.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

I have a cycle.

Good stuff (gymbo, janie and jack, baby gap and matilda jane) go onto Ebay. Anything that doesn't sell on Ebay goes onto a clothing board resale. And the left overs from that join the rest of my clothes (children's place, old navy, target, etc) at the mom to mom sales I do twice a year.

You can make money on Ebay, nut it IS hit or miss. This season I barely sold ANYTHING! In the spring I made a killing. I try and wait for free listing times, so I'm not out the listing fee.

I don't do our local consignment stores because they take 50% and charge a "fee" to "join". And I hear OUAC rapes you.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I do the 2x a year sale too. I made $230 this last sale and only did clothes (and its paying for DH's Christmas gift without him knowing hehehe). They also take lots of other things (toys, baby items, outdoor stuff, books, movies etc etc). The one I went to took 30%.

 

[Ava]

I would put anything name brand on eBay. Seperate them into lots by brand & size (or just by size with mixed brands, depending on how much of each brand you have). eBay is doing a promo, no listing fees from now until Jan 7th. So you only pay if your items sell. Anything that doesn't sell after being listed a few times, you can try consignment. Anything the consignment shop won't take, donate. That's what I'd do.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

We do Just Between Friends (kids' consignment sale), and I made around $800 this fall(that's between two sales in the area)...and this was a SLOW season for me. I keep 70%, they keep 30%.

I've heard Once Upon A Child isn't worth it unless you just want to get rid of the clutter (and take the minor monetary offer).

 

[Rania]

I have had great success selling my childrens clothes on Craigslist. It is alot of work but I definetely think it is worth it.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I have had great success selling my childrens clothes on Craigslist. It is alot of work but I definetely think it is worth it.

I'm thinking of doing craigslist. What seemed to work best?
Did you sell in lots, by size, by items-pant tops etc?


I was thinking of selling by size in lots. Plus thinking of meeting in a public place. Any tips would be appreciated