The Kids Closet was voted # 1 place to shop resale in the Illinois Times Best of Springfield issue this week. Thank you to all our loyal customers and to all who voted in IL Times. We work very hard to try to offer the nicest in recycled goods at great prices. Thanks again.
While a lot of people just want to get rid of things they no longer love, doing even a little “homework” first can help you get the most money for your items. If you have things that are just too nice to give away, don’t want to suffer through a garage sale to get 50 cents each for your items, or just want a way to make some cash, visit your local consignment or resale shops. Ask how they receive items, times they accept items, what items they are looking for (and what they are not able to sell) before you show up on their doorstep with boxes and bags. Many have websites and may have their requirements on the net.
Most shops require items be in excellent condition. If it is faded, pilled up, dirty, out-of-style, or shop-worn no one wants it, especially not someone trying to sell things.
Freshly cleaned is the number one requirement at most shops. If they open a bag and it smells like an ashtray, a garage, a mildewy basement, or any odor other than clean laundry, they will usually close it right back up and ask you to launder it. So, save yourself a trip and embarassment by washing your items before you take them to sell. Home decor and furniture items will also bring better prices if they are clean and polished. You’ll receive better prices for your goods that come into the shop ready to tag and put on the sales floor.
Do not try to sell knock-offs. These are fakes of brand-name merchandise and are illegal to sell. Whether you bought it on the street or a website, your local shop doesn’t want to be put out of business for selling illegal merchandise. If you have toys or infant equipment, check cpsc.gov for recalls or information on the new CPSIA law. There are many items that resale stores can no longer sell due to this legislation.
Take your items in at the beginning of a season. Fall shoppers start buying in July or August and in January and February, people start looking for spring merchandise. The sooner you get it in, the better chance your items will sell before being reduced in price.
For best service, try not to sell on Saturday. Most shops are inundated on Saturdays by all the weekend warriors and you may have to wait a long time.
Ladies clothing sells best in larger sizes. Stores can sell sizes 14 and up much faster than size 6’s as the American public is only getting generally larger. Also, most ladies styles sell best if less than three years old. And, unless an item is more than 50 years old, it’s not even considered vintage.
Know your shop, use a little elbow grease, and turn your no-longer loved items into cash!
If you’d like to keep up with the latest at The Kids Closet, just look for kidsclosetkitty on twitter. I’ll be posting the newest news for all to see.
Thanks,
Kitty
Due to economic conditions, we are now buying all seasons for store credit only or will accept current season on consignment. Seasonal accepting dates are spring and summer January through June and fall and winter July through December.
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