Consignment Stores That Buy

Jessica,

I totally understand your frustration, I've felt the same way myself many times! You should list your baby items on www.youcrave.net. It's another "classifieds" site, brand spankin new so not a lot of traffic or items on it yet but it's a clean, crisp site with much better functionality, better search results, and some really cool buyer and seller features craigslist doesn't support. (ie. email alerts, saved lists, view seller's other items, etc.) We are really trying to get it going locally here in the Mesa/Chandler/Gilbert first. It's totally free to list, so why not?

K.

Kid to Kid in Ahwatukee on Ray. It is right across the street from Babies R Us and it is the same parking lot as JCPenny

How about Small Change - you can find locations by going to www.mysisterscloset.com

Try another Once Upon a Child - they are all independently owned. I find the one on Val Vista & Baseline is better than the one on Alma School about buying clothes.

I used to be a frequent seller(four times a year) at Once Upon a Child and I have found out some little secrets to selling with them.

1. Go when the store first opens. It should be your goal to be the first person in line:) The earlier you go, the more money they will have since they have a daily buying budget.

2. Take clothes that are in season or will be in the next season coming up. For instance, if you are going now take only summer clothes and maybe light weight jackets and jeans.

3. Inspect your clothes for stains and tears. THEY DO! Stains show up better under florescent lights, so they might be able to see something you didn't. Take your clothes outside in better lighting and check for the stains.

4. Once you have separated the clothes that you would like to take, re-wash them. I usually spray every item with stain remover and then throw them in. I neatly fold the clothes in my OWN white laundry basket, so they "look" cleaner and newer.

5. Clean shoes with a swipe of a baby wipe just before leaving the house. They, too, will appear to be cleaner.

6. If one store doesn't take your stuff, another one probably will:) I usually take my stuff to the Once Upon a Child on Alma School and Warner FIRST! Their budget is higher than the other ones and they are able to take more out of season items. I then go to the one on ValVista and Baseline. They usually end up buying the rest of my items, with the exception of a few outdated items.

I know that this sounds like a lot of work and it is, but you will definitely be rewarded for your hard work. It really is so much better than letting your $16 Old Navy jeans that were worn once, go for .50 at a garage sale:)

I don't really sell my children's clothes anymore because I give them to one of my daycare families, so I haven't done the clothes thing in the past six months. I know the store on ValVista and Baseline has changed a great deal, that is why I would try the other one first. Good luck and sorry so long!