Yard Sale vs. Consignment Sale

[Marshay]

What are the pros/cons to a yard sale vs. consignment sale?

We have a bunch of children's items (mostly baby but also toddler/preschool) that I would like to sell since we don't need them anymore and to help pay for Disney. These are good quality things (swings, gymboree clothes, bouncy seats, walkers, exersaucers).

I'd like some advice on whether to have a yard sale at my home (and thus keep all the money but do all the work) or consign (and have more people shopping but only get 60-70%).

I have consigned in the past so I'm somewhat familiar with the process. I shop at yard sales, but never had one myself. If I consign, I also get to shop in the pre-sale but I honestly don't have a lot on my "to buy" list since we are trying to downsize a little. Our community also has a Spring Yard Sale day so I can take advantage of free advertising and extra shoppers in my neighborhood.

Which do you do and why?

 

[SydandPaige'sMom]

I do a sale through a local mom's group here. We get about 60 or so vendors. Tables are $25 each, rack spaces are $15 and you keep 100% of your profits. I've made over $800 at every sale I've done (about the last 4 years, twice a year)...and this is only selling kids clothes really. I would see if there is something liek that around you.

I wouldn't do a yard sale. Just from previous experience, reading what other people went through, it wouldn't be worth it. People that go to yardsales are just looking for bargains for the most part. Most people would balk at spending $10+ on a used outfit/dress set, even though it's Gymboree/Gap/MJ etc.

You could always price your items at what you would want for them and try the community sale that they have in your area. If it doesn't work, I would move everything to a consignment sale/store.

 

[Reddy]

If I go to a yard sale then I won't pay more than $1 for a childs top $2 for jeans

everyone I know that has had a yard sale complains about the time it takes & not making much from it.

Consignment shops - I'm pretty picky on what I buy but would be willing to pay more

I either give my boys stuff to other family members or take to "Hope" - figure it isn't worth my time on something I would throw away if I wasn't taking to family or hope
I don't buy often & not really a name brand hunter (mostly Wal-mart) now we wear until it is trash so no more passing on

 

[SandrA9810]

Yard sales are for nickel and diming you. And it's tough to set everything up, then take everything down. If you want a bigger profit, go with the consignment. When I did it for my aunt, it was all about downsizing and getting stuff out of the house.

 

[platamama]

For bigger ticket items I use craigslist.

Yard sales don't yield much for me because nothing over $5 sells, so I tend to go with consignment sales. Based on the amount of sales I'm expecting, I might also do a volunteer shift at the consignment sale for the extra 5% or so they give volunteers if I think it could be worth it.

I've also used eBay judiciously. Not too long ago I sold something there for almost double what I paid for it, just some silly Fisher Price toy. But eBay takes more time and effort than it's worth in most cases.

 

[Swimalie]

I see you are in my area. I've done yard sales and barely made anything. People are looking to pay $1 for high quality clothing. But, I do the Classy Kids Consignment sale every year (it's held more often but I don't have that much stuff to sell) and I make a lot more there, even with only making 60%. I highly recommend doing theirs. It's coming up in Manassas soon. http://www.classykidsconsignment.com/

 

[Marshay]

I thank you all for the advice.

I was thinking that for all the work to tag everything and not get 100% of the profits, it would be better to do a yard sale. But if I can get more at the consignment sale, even at only 60% (70% if I volunteer) + $5 cost for advertising, then maybe that's a better way.

And I can always go to the consigner/volunteer sale to get clothes for the next season.

Ok, gotta take stock of what we have.

If anyone has other thoughts and advice, I'd be grateful for it.

 

[Marshay]

I see you are in my area. I've done yard sales and barely made anything. People are looking to pay $1 for high quality clothing. But, I do the Classy Kids Consignment sale every year (it's held more often but I don't have that much stuff to sell) and I make a lot more there, even with only making 60%. I highly recommend doing theirs. It's coming up in Manassas soon. http://www.classykidsconsignment.com/

Yep, right near Dulles Airport. If I consign, 'm thinking of doing the My Child's Closet since they are going to a much larger location this year -- the Loudoun County Fairgrounds and they give consigners an early shopping day before the general public. I also need to look into Dani's Duds and Catholic Consignment. I don't like the last two since they charge an entrance fee and tax on your purchases, respectively but I need to see who gives the greatest % back to consigners.

The classykids one in Leesburg wasn't that good ... but I only went to the 1/2 price sale...

 

[njmom47]

I would try an organized consignment event. We have had one in our area (in our minor league baseball parking lot) where the vendors get 65% of the money they make. My mom also does consignment, but they take all types of clothing, not just kids stuff. That place gives you 50% which isn't terrible but for example my son's Levi's jeans went for 6.00 a pair (when I paid 34.00 ) so I only made 3.00 on each pair. But I think the workers are older and don't really know the value of things. So I try not to send high quality stuff to them; I would rather give them to someone I know that needs them.

 

[zoemurr]

I sell the "play" clothes at a garage sale for $1 each. Most people won't pay more than $1 at a GS even for gymbo. My girlfriends and I have a garage sale every year so the set up is not big deal as we have it down to a science. We have a great time sitting together in the sun all weekend and working. I don't usually make over $150, but it sure moves a lot of junk.

For consignment they only take clothes that are absolutely perfect, so that can be tough. However, I make more like $3-$5 on most items. I don't sell a ton, but usually make another $150 a season there.

 

[Marshay]

I sell the "play" clothes at a garage sale for $1 each. Most people won't pay more than $1 at a GS even for gymbo. My girlfriends and I have a garage sale every year so the set up is not big deal as we have it down to a science. We have a great time sitting together in the sun all weekend and working. I don't usually make over $150, but it sure moves a lot of junk.

For consignment they only take clothes that are absolutely perfect, so that can be tough. However, I make more like $3-$5 on most items. I don't sell a ton, but usually make another $150 a season there.

Hey, can I have your "cliff notes" for the garage sale?

 

[zoemurr]

not sure what you need to know.. but here goes..

See if a few friends or neighbors will go in with you. More people always show up to a "neighborhood sale" or a "multi-family" sale. Make sure it is not on the same weekend as some other huge sale in another part of town. We do best the earlier in the season we have it.


If you are doing it with others pick the house that is near the biggest intersection.

About a week before post an ad on CL. Lots of descripiton, directions, and list of what you have. Make signs with arrows to your house. Big, clear writing with all the signs the same color. We used to buy an ad in the paper, but it's not as popular anymore and can be very $$.

We set up large tables in the garage a day or two ahead, so in the am we just have to bring them outside. Sawhorses and plywood make great tables too. Set up like things together. Price everything. If going in together use initials or different colored stickers. I usually put kids clothes in large bins by size so they don't get all mixed up. I hang a few of the nicer things, but like I said, most of these go to consignment anyway. Have a "free" box. It keeps kids busy while adults shop. Books we lay in a cardboard box or laundry basket. Be careful of candles or crayons in the sun.. they will melt.

Put your best stuff closer to the road.. it will get people to stop.

Have lots of change. I guarantee your first customer will buy $1.50 worth of stuff and only have a $20 bill.

Have somewhere ready for people to plug things in to see if they work.

Have a fanny pack or strong box for $ and a safe place to keep it. Have the phone and snacks outside so you don't have to keep going in.

That's all I can think of.. if we have a "bad" sale then we sometimes bring it all to someone else's house and try again, but like I said we like hanging out all day. Find out the best day for a sale. Here Th/F is better than Sat, but I know it varies by area.

Have fun!

 

[Marshay]

not sure what you need to know.. but here goes..

See if a few friends or neighbors will go in with you. More people always show up to a "neighborhood sale" or a "multi-family" sale. Make sure it is not on the same weekend as some other huge sale in another part of town. We do best the earlier in the season we have it.


If you are doing it with others pick the house that is near the biggest intersection.

About a week before post an ad on CL. Lots of descripiton, directions, and list of what you have. Make signs with arrows to your house. Big, clear writing with all the signs the same color. We used to buy an ad in the paper, but it's not as popular anymore and can be very $$.

We set up large tables in the garage a day or two ahead, so in the am we just have to bring them outside. Sawhorses and plywood make great tables too. Set up like things together. Price everything. If going in together use initials or different colored stickers. I usually put kids clothes in large bins by size so they don't get all mixed up. I hang a few of the nicer things, but like I said, most of these go to consignment anyway. Have a "free" box. It keeps kids busy while adults shop. Books we lay in a cardboard box or laundry basket. Be careful of candles or crayons in the sun.. they will melt.

Put your best stuff closer to the road.. it will get people to stop.

Have lots of change. I guarantee your first customer will buy $1.50 worth of stuff and only have a $20 bill.

Have somewhere ready for people to plug things in to see if they work.

Have a fanny pack or strong box for $ and a safe place to keep it. Have the phone and snacks outside so you don't have to keep going in.

That's all I can think of.. if we have a "bad" sale then we sometimes bring it all to someone else's house and try again, but like I said we like hanging out all day. Find out the best day for a sale. Here Th/F is better than Sat, but I know it varies by area.

Have fun!

Thanks a bunch! I'm going to look into the consignment sales and also talk to some friends/neighbors to see if they want to do a yard sale. I agree if I had some friends to do it with, that would be great.

Right now it would just be me, as my DH would watch our 2 kids (5 and 1). I do worry about being the only person running the yard sale.

Wow -- people have yard sales on Th/Fr? So are they in the morning before work and school or afterwards? I haven't seen any in our area except on Saturdays ... a Sunday yard sale is an oddity in our area!

 

[zoemurr]

a very regional thing. Here they are Th/F from 9-2 while the kids are in school. Mostly SAHMs and elderly shoppers. There are some on S/Su but we never have as much luck then. They usually start the end of April, early May due to the cold.

My mom is in FL and she says they start theirs very early in the am and are done by noon as it gets too hot.

 

[Marshay]

Thanks Zoemurr!

Swimalie -- I just researched and realized the one I went to in Leesburg was NOT classy kids like you recommended but it was Kid's closet. Two different ones.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

I love consignment sales!! I'm in your area, too. I use http://consignmentmommies.com/ for listings of local sales to go to, and I consign at one. I prefer to shop (and consign) at one that the money goes to an organization, rather than just a company (even if they donate some of their profits). For our area, I think yard sales are too rough - if you do one on the day your neighborhood has one (and half the time the neighborhood sales are all on the same day), you may get some shoppers, but it's tough. Consignment sales at least bring in a lot of traffic - making 70% for volunteering brings in enough for us to make the tagging worth it, and volunteering lets you shop earlier anyway. I guess it's almost as much work as getting ready for a yard sale, but without the sitting and waiting and bargaining. I'm so looking forward to the consignment sales this year! I'm currently trying to find some warmer-weather outfits for our trip to Disney soon, and wishing the sales were first.

 

[SandrA9810]

Wow -- people have yard sales on Th/Fr? So are they in the morning before work and school or afterwards? I haven't seen any in our area except on Saturdays ... a Sunday yard sale is an oddity in our area!

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.

 

[pam95]

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!

 

[Swimalie]

Thanks Zoemurr!

Swimalie -- I just researched and realized the one I went to in Leesburg was NOT classy kids like you recommended but it was Kid's closet. Two different ones.

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.

 

[dismom301930]

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!