Yard Sale vs. Consignment Sale

[MissBritt]

I would go with the consignment sale and then Craigslist bundle or yard sale the leftovers.

 

[Marshay]

I did best on Fri one weekend and Saturday the next weekend. Sunday was usually a bust. But people seem to be more reasonable on price earlier in the weekend. The last day, they're looking to nickel and dime you even more. Since we had the space in the outside storage, I wasn't about to let people start taking things for almost free. If I wanted to do that, I'd save the time and donate it to Goodwill.

Yeah, I can always freecycle or give to my church but I wanted to try to make a little money this time, for the nicer things. The play clothes I've already given away via freecycle.

I haven't tried consignment, but I took some of our kids' clothes to a resale store, where they pay you up front. What they offered me was a joke. From then on, I have been participating in our development's bi-annual yard sale. They hold the sale on a Friday and Saturday in May and in October. The development/community yard sales around here are a huge hit! We get our most traffic on Fridays, believe it or not. It seems like that's when the most serious shoppers are out. We average about $150-$200 per sale. Most of the money is earned by selling our kids' clothes (I have two DS, and as the younger one gets older I sell all of the clothes we have from both boys that he has outgrown); the rest from other "junk" from the house. I price our kids' clothes at $1 for one piece items, $2 for two piece items, $3 for three piece items, and so on. I haven't had any trouble getting my asking price. I've had one or two people grumble and move on, but then someone else will come along and pay what I'm asking. Kids' clothes are a huge hit at yard sales, at least around here. Anyway, I've been participating in our development's yard sale for a couple of years now and I absolutely love it!

I know when I shop in our commuity's yard sale, there are tons of people. I was thinking the same prices as you for clothing if I do a yard sale. But if I do a consignment sale, then I may go a bit more, esp b/c I have to factor in the 1/2 price sale, too.

I know I'm a frugal shopper so will not pay more than $3 for an outfit unless it's really nice. But I see all these other women with mutliple shopping bags overflowing and I know the outfits are running $3-10...so I'm back to leaning toward doing a sale.

Okay. Classy Kids may be a bit too far for you to go. But it's a great sale. Everything is done on line and once you enter an item, it carries over to the next sale if it doesn't sell.

yeah, Classy Kids is a bit out of the way since I'm closer to Leesburg.

I have participated in a consignment sale for the past four years. I LOVE it! I price my own items and make 70% of the total sales. I volunteer for one two-hour shift so I get to shop early. Our tags are all done online now....makes the process really easy.

When I first started selling and I was getting rid of the baby equipment, I easily made $425-450 per sale. Now I average around $300-350 because my kids are older and I don't have many large items left. I would highly recommend these types of consignment sales!

Wow -- those are some great results! I'd love to make $300 but not sure if I can. I know I have a few big items -- 2 swings, 2 exersaucers, 2 Bjorn baby carriers, 2 bouncy seats, 3 pack-n-plays and then toys, clothes and baby "extras". Now I'll need to consider how much to price them...I may just have to price higher for this sale and then try again in the fall at a lower price ...still learning...

I would go with the consignment sale and then Craigslist bundle or yard sale the leftovers.

Oh, this is a good option, too. I haven't sold on Craiglist but can look into that.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Try the consigment first!! Ours has two sales a year (but in two locations, so four in all). I average $700 per season when I'm getting 70%. I can price MUCH higher than at a yard sale. I sell DS's Gap coats for $20, shirts and jeans for $15-20 a set, tees for $7, etc., etc. I'm always thinking I should go down, but I always have less than 10% of my items leftover to pick up at the end of the sale. I'm also super surprised when my "grab bags" sell (aka bags of all the crap I'm tired of stepping on...McD's toys, little cars, etc.). I sell those for $3 a gallon bag...always sell!! Consignment sale money always goes in the Disney fund!!

Leftovers and items that aren't up to par (maybe a little faded, small stain, etc.) end up in our yard sale. I sell clothes for $1 a piece. Definitely not making the same kind of cash. Anything that doesn't go there goes to our local shelter.

 

[Marshay]

Try the consigment first!! Ours has two sales a year (but in two locations, so four in all). I average $700 per season when I'm getting 70%. I can price MUCH higher than at a yard sale. I sell DS's Gap coats for $20, shirts and jeans for $15-20 a set, tees for $7, etc., etc. I'm always thinking I should go down, but I always have less than 10% of my items leftover to pick up at the end of the sale. I'm also super surprised when my "grab bags" sell (aka bags of all the crap I'm tired of stepping on...McD's toys, little cars, etc.). I sell those for $3 a gallon bag...always sell!! Consignment sale money always goes in the Disney fund!!

Leftovers and items that aren't up to par (maybe a little faded, small stain, etc.) end up in our yard sale. I sell clothes for $1 a piece. Definitely not making the same kind of cash. Anything that doesn't go there goes to our local shelter.

Wow! You are really getting those prices at a consignment sale? Maybe I need to rethink this. I was thinking $1/piece for clothes at a yard sale and then either $2 or $3 at the consignment sale...which didn't seem to be a lot more money to do the consignment sale since I'd only get 65% or 70% if I volunteer (which I would, or rather my DH would!

Ok, next weekend I will start pulling everything down and trying to see what is in excellent shape and start to research prices on-line.

I see 2 sales that are in later March/early April so that should give me enough time to sort through and tag everything.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[princessmorgan]

I live in Loudoun County and have done a few garage sales when my community does them. I usually sell clothes for $1 a piece and some people even think that's too much! A lot of my clothes are Gap and Gymboree since I have worked there. Even at the high traffic yard sales like the South Riding yard sales, I've seen people try to sell nicer clothes for a little more, but they are usually left there. I would love to try a consignment sale, but I haven't been organized enough yet. Yard sales are good if you just want to get rid of stuff.

 

[MissBritt]

here is suggested pricing for one of the sales in my state:



http://jbfsale.com/files/JBFPricingGuidelines.pdf

 

[SandrA9810]

If you do an advanced search on Ebay, you can pull up the completed listings for like the past month. It's an easy way to find out a fair market value. And then you can do a search on Craig's list in your area for similar items to see what people are trying to get for them.
Just don't price yourself out, and don't cheat yourself.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Wow! You are really getting those prices at a consignment sale? Maybe I need to rethink this. I was thinking $1/piece for clothes at a yard sale and then either $2 or $3 at the consignment sale...which didn't seem to be a lot more money to do the consignment sale since I'd only get 65% or 70% if I volunteer (which I would, or rather my DH would!

Ok, next weekend I will start pulling everything down and trying to see what is in excellent shape and start to research prices on-line.

I see 2 sales that are in later March/early April so that should give me enough time to sort through and tag everything.

Thanks again everyone!

I know!! It's crazy! Like I said, I always think I'm overpricing, but it all sells. In fact, the things that are usually leftover are no-name clothing items at lower prices. I think a lot of the shoppers at our sales know the actual retail prices, so they're willing to pay for these things in good condition. I bought a $75 Peg Perego Aria. The lady checking me out thought I was crazy for spending that much on a stroller, but she didn't know about anything aside from Graco (or other mass merchandiser brands), so she didn't realize it was a good deal for what I was getting. So, a Gap outfit is around $50 retail ($30 jeans, $20 top), they'll justify it by that figure. The kids' consignment sale is a whole subculture, and I always hear "Well, if I'd bought it retail..." to justify.

 

[Marshay]

I live in Loudoun County and have done a few garage sales when my community does them. I usually sell clothes for $1 a piece and some people even think that's too much! A lot of my clothes are Gap and Gymboree since I have worked there. Even at the high traffic yard sales like the South Riding yard sales, I've seen people try to sell nicer clothes for a little more, but they are usually left there. I would love to try a consignment sale, but I haven't been organized enough yet. Yard sales are good if you just want to get rid of stuff.

Yeah, sounds to me like a yard sale may not be worth it...I've come around to thinking I will do a consignment sale. I may just price things kind of high for the 1st sale and then whatever doesn't sell, I'll price a bit lower for the 2nd one.

here is suggested pricing for one of the sales in my state:

http://jbfsale.com/files/JBFPricingGuidelines.pdf

Thanks! I printed that out as a guide!

If you do an advanced search on Ebay, you can pull up the completed listings for like the past month. It's an easy way to find out a fair market value. And then you can do a search on Craig's list in your area for similar items to see what people are trying to get for them.
Just don't price yourself out, and don't cheat yourself.

Thanks Sandra! I didn't know about the completed listed...will check that out too. So I need to find that fine line between making money and not having everything left behind. Since the groups charge me $5-7 anyway in addition to their % cut, I need to make sure I do sell stuff. Besides, it all goes to Disney to support my addiction!

I know!! It's crazy! Like I said, I always think I'm overpricing, but it all sells. In fact, the things that are usually leftover are no-name clothing items at lower prices. I think a lot of the shoppers at our sales know the actual retail prices, so they're willing to pay for these things in good condition. I bought a $75 Peg Perego Aria. The lady checking me out thought I was crazy for spending that much on a stroller, but she didn't know about anything aside from Graco (or other mass merchandiser brands), so she didn't realize it was a good deal for what I was getting. So, a Gap outfit is around $50 retail ($30 jeans, $20 top), they'll justify it by that figure. The kids' consignment sale is a whole subculture, and I always hear "Well, if I'd bought it retail..." to justify.

I'm just a really cheap buyer! I only like to spend $2 max on clothing when I go to one. At the fall sale, I got my DD a $5 gymboree top that looked nearly new, was super cute with buttons, frills, etc and actually matched the outfit that I had bought for her the year prior. I felt like I "got taken" since I never spend that much ...but I did tell myself, that if I bought it retail it would have been more and I can't get those tops anymore. And I do admit, everytime she wears it, I love her in it so it was worth it to me. However, that was a very rare exception for me to buy.

And you remind me ... I do have a Peg Perego stroller that my parents bought for us but we hardly ever used since it just didn't work out for us.

 

[Marshay]

OP here, another question:

Is it better to group like items together or sell individually?

Does it matter if it is toys vs. books vs. VHS vs clothes vs baby items?

I'm thinking it'll be less work to tag a bundle and hopefully I can get a higher price than to piece everything separately.

Also, (maybe?) a bundle will stand out more?

Thx!

 

[MissBritt]

The JBF sale here recommends you bundle small, cheap items (bibs, hair bows, socks, plain onesies etc) and sell them that way. Some sales take books and DVDs and such, others are strictly clothes and gear. Large items like cribs and strollers go for 50% or more of retail price if they are in good condition, so those are the money-makers. You really have to look in the sale you want to do to get specifics.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

We do JBF, too, and we bundle small toys, books, like items, etc. Like I mentioned, I throw all the junk toys in a Ziploc. Actually, this time I filled a bag a blanket came in and marked it a teeny bit higher. We'll see if that still sells. I bundle socks, PJs and under shirts. I put the clothes in sets as often as possible.

 

[iluvdiscruises]

We do it a little differently here. Each person pays $35, and then keeps 100% of their profit. The $35 pays for the rental of the space, the event insurance (required by everywhere here that rents space) and Pennysaver advertising. It works really well, and because you are drawing the "right" audience for kids items, people sell tons. I also do tag sales, but find that you need to have really varied items, i.e. tools for the "tool" person, jewelry for the "jewelry" person, etc. And yes, items definitely sell for MUCH more at a Children's Sale. My items that don't sell go in a $1 bin at my next tag sale, but those are few and far between, because most stuff sells.

I am also a "grouper", i.e. grouping like things together. I sold so much in ziplocs last time...kids plates/cups, bibs, socks, outfits, small toys. I also group book sets together, like dvds together (all sesame st for example) and find that helps.

Our sale is coming up in late March and I find that the biggest thing that people underestimate is the time they need to prep their items for selling. I am starting NOW with pulling out clothes that no longer fit, etc. and will start tagging shortly. I also make sure everything looks good...there is no point in trying to sell things you would not use for your own child, as they won't sell.

We allow people to sell everything from infant to age 8, with the exception of car seats and cribs. We sell clothes, toys, baby gear, strollers, high chairs, dvds, books, bikes, outdoor toys and much more. It's always a fun day too, especially when your bins empty out at the end of the day ! We group like items together at the sale and have one central checkout. So, all bikes are together, all strollers, all girls size 4, etc. Our shoppers LOVE that.

 

[twobits06]

I am running a new kids seasonal consignment sale in Nova. Would love to have you register. The sale is March 11th-13th in Fairfax. Check out my website which I can't post here b/c I am a new member But my company is Second Helpings Consignment

BTW the JBF post for prices is a good indicator of what you can expect to get for your items.

 

[Marshay]

OP here...so I decided to sign up for one consignment sale which is this weekend and I have over 200 items (some grouped together).

This sale does everything by bar code so I'll be able to see my totals same day. Hoping it pays for a good portion of our train ride down to WDW but at this point I'm just happy to get rid of a bunch of stuff so marked everything 1/2 price, too. Only donating the stuff I really don't want back and probably won't sell anyway.

How did you all do?

 

[budafam]

I've done both and prefer doing a yard sale. I usually have 2 a year and sell whatever is leftover on Craigslist or on Ebay. Consignment sales aren't that popular here. We have some stores that do it but they donate the clothes if they don't sell within a certain amount of time and I can't see just donating Gymbo clothes. I would rather take the time, put them in lots and sell them on Ebay even if I'm going to only make a few dollars on each item.

I will willingly pay more for Gymbo at a garage sale but not outrageous prices either. Of course, the cheaper the better and it really depends on what you're trying to do. If you want to get RID of everything, then price it cheap. If you're trying to make money, price it higher and expect to be stuck with a lot more of it after you're done. You'll get some people that will try to get you down on prices... bargain with them. So what they go down a dollar or two? You're getting rid of it!

The last day I have a sale, I usually put everything I don't want leftover on a table and say "fill a bag for $1, $2 or $5"... people love that stuff.

The bigger items, I would definitely Craigslist them.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Can someone explain how consignment works? How much does the store get? I have designer purses and looking to sell them. Thanks

 

[Marshay]

I've done both and prefer doing a yard sale. I usually have 2 a year and sell whatever is leftover on Craigslist or on Ebay. Consignment sales aren't that popular here. We have some stores that do it but they donate the clothes if they don't sell within a certain amount of time and I can't see just donating Gymbo clothes. I would rather take the time, put them in lots and sell them on Ebay even if I'm going to only make a few dollars on each item.

I will willingly pay more for Gymbo at a garage sale but not outrageous prices either. Of course, the cheaper the better and it really depends on what you're trying to do. If you want to get RID of everything, then price it cheap. If you're trying to make money, price it higher and expect to be stuck with a lot more of it after you're done. You'll get some people that will try to get you down on prices... bargain with them. So what they go down a dollar or two? You're getting rid of it!

The last day I have a sale, I usually put everything I don't want leftover on a table and say "fill a bag for $1, $2 or $5"... people love that stuff.

The bigger items, I would definitely Craigslist them.

Thanks for your advice! Interesting that consignment sales aren't popular in your area. Around here we (myself included) line up about 1 hour in advance of the opening. And it's for every sale (there are usually 4-8/season). Then the crowds line up about 30 minutes prior to the 1/2 price sale. Then about 15 minutes prior for the "dollar dash".

There were over 150 people waiting for the 8am public opening ... there is no way I'd get that many people at a garage sale all day.

Also, garage sales, I usually pay 25-50 cents per clothes item. No more than $1 max. At the consignment sales, they are selling the same for $1-5 each. Even though I only get 65% of the sale, that's still more than I would get at the yard sale.

So that's how I decided to do the consignment sale. I guess our area is just really "cheap" for yard sales ...

I'm not a fan at all of people coming to my home so don't do Craig's list and don't want to run all around meeting people someplace public.

I did sell some of my Cricut cartridges on ebay and made some $$ ... but wanted to see how the consignment sale goes first before doing ebay again. I like how I can get rid of a lot all at once and know it's either selling for "x" or "1/2 of x".

 

[Marshay]

Can someone explain how consignment works? How much does the store get? I have designer purses and looking to sell them. Thanks

The consignment sale I am talking about is only for baby/kid stuff. An organization organizes the event and you bring things to sell to the general public. You tag and price everything and then drop it off. The organization takes a portion of the sale and you get the rest (usually 60-75% depending if you volunteer). These are usually one-three day events in spring and fall.

There are also permanent stores that do the same (thrift shops) with adult and kid items, too. You generally leave your item and if it sells, you get a portion of the money. If it doesn't, you get nothing. Stores will mark down the item continuously (week 1 full price; week 2 @ 25% off; week 3 @ 50%, etc).

A new store opened up here called Plato's Closet. It is only for teens and adults and designer/name brand items only. They will pay you up front for your items and then they sell them for more. Wish they did baby stuff!

 

[usnuzuloose]

The consignment sale I am talking about is only for baby/kid stuff. An organization organizes the event and you bring things to sell to the general public. You tag and price everything and then drop it off. The organization takes a portion of the sale and you get the rest (usually 60-75% depending if you volunteer). These are usually one-three day events in spring and fall.

There are also permanent stores that do the same (thrift shops) with adult and kid items, too. You generally leave your item and if it sells, you get a portion of the money. If it doesn't, you get nothing. Stores will mark down the item continuously (week 1 full price; week 2 @ 25% off; week 3 @ 50%, etc).

A new store opened up here called Plato's Closet. It is only for teens and adults and designer/name brand items only. They will pay you up front for your items and then they sell them for more. Wish they did baby stuff!

Thank you for answering I think I will see about a consignment shop.