Consignment/Resale Stores: Each store has a different policy for consignement or resale...please check the individual store for their specific policy. Some stores offer you credit immediately, where others give you credit once your item(s) sell. A few even offer cash in return for your items, either up-front or at the end of your consignment period. Again, check with the specific store for their exact policy.
In general, here is how consignment/resale works...
You bring your clean glently used clothes, free of tears, stains, rips, etc. to the store during their specific drop off times. The store goes through the clothes and decides what to keep for consignment/resale and what to return to you (often because of overstock in a size, wrong season, not a name-brand, poor condition, out-of-date, etc.). As a rule-of-thumb...name brand clothing (Gymboree, Gap, Hanna Anderson, Baby Lulu, Children's Place, etc.) are often more desired and resale better than box-store clothing (i.e. Circo - Target; George - Walmart; Sprockets - Mervins). Some stores only accept name-brand, boutique clothing.
You then receive credit for the items at that time (resale) OR you receive credit for the items when they sell (consignment), depending on store policy. Often you receive credit between 30% - 50% of the resale price. With consignement, there is a set time frame for your items to sell, usually around 60 days. After that, items are discounted for another period of time. At the end of your consignment period, unsold items are either returned to you or they are donated to a local charity.
Keep in mind that many consignment/resale stores accept other items as well as children's clothing. Many accept maternity clothes, toys, equipment and furniture. Check with the specific store for the items they accept and/or need...I know several stores have waiting lists for Pack-and-Plays, Medela breast pumps, and other equipment. Please remember that all furniture and equipment must meet current safety guidelines!
Other ways to sell the outgrown clothes or purchase "new" quality used clothing for your little munchkins...
Resale Events: The Portland metro area is the host to several children's and maternity consignment sales events. These are EXCELLENT events for consigning your gently used, clean children's and/or maternity clothing, toys, and baby equipment (i.e. bouncers, strollers, high chairs, etc.). Consigners typically earn 70% - 80% of their sales, depending if you choose to volunteer and work the event as well. Consigners also get special shopping times, before the general public!
These events are also fantastic for finding great deals on clothing, baby gear, toys, shoes, costumes, and more as consignors price their own items. Some set clothing as low as $1.00! At several of the events, the last day also means 50% off tagged prices for many items...so even more bargains galore!
I have shopped at several of these events, getting bags full of name brand clothing for around $20! Last Spring, I consigned many of my daughter's clothes and baby items at two of the different events listed below...and made well over $600 total. Minus my limited supplies to tag items (hangers, safety pins, tagging gun, and cardstock) and the amount of money I spent on "new" clothes for my daughters, I still had a net gain of over $500...and came away with OVER 50 items of name brand clothing (Gymboree, Hanna, Baby Lulu, Gap, etc.), name brand shoes (Umi, Robeez), and toys (Fisher Price Little People, Eric Carle books, etc.). For a couple hours work, the payback was fantastic!
These sales events are held in a large building over a weekend and typically happen twice a year...late Spring for Summer clothing and early Fall for back-to-school and Winter clothing.
- PASS IT ON
Hillsboro, OR & Portland, OR Fall event: 2 dates & locations...-Portland Event DATES: TBD at 1625 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland-Hillsboro Event DATES: TBD at Washington Co. Fairgrounds Spring event: 2 dates & locations...-Portland Event April 16th - April 18th, 2010 at 1625 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland -Hillsboro Event March 18th - March 21st, 2010at location TBD- SUPERKIDS RESALE
Location: Old Gresham Goodwill at 223rd & BurnsideFall event: Dates TBD, 2010Spring event: April 8th - April 11th, 2010- JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS
Portland Expo Center - Hall A, Portland, ORFall event: TBD, 2010Spring event: April 30th - May 2nd, 2010- KIDKONSIGNNW
Red Lion Hotel at the Quay, Vancouver, WASummer Event: Dates TBDFall Event: Dates TBDSpring Event: Dates TBD, 2010- BABY'S BOTTOM DOLLAR SALE
Tigard Mason Armory, Tigard, ORFall event: TBD, 2010Spring event: March 10th - March 15th, 2010- EVER AFTER RESALE
Colossae Chuarch, Tigard, ORFall event: TBD, 2010Spring event: TBD, 2010- WEE-CYCLE LLC
Milwaukie Community Club, Milwaukie, ORFall event: TBD, 2010Holiday event: TBD, 2010Spring event: March 5th - March 7th, 2010- TWICE AROUND THE BLOCK
Milwaukie Elks - Ballroom, Milwaukie, ORFall event: TBD, 2010Spring event: April 23rd - April 25th, 2010- TRENDY NOT SPENDY CHILDREN'S CONSIGNMENT SALE
531 S. 28th St. Bldg. 4, Washougal, WAFall event: TBD, 2010Spring event: TBD, 2010- FULL HOUSE MOMS & DADS RESALE
1625 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, ORFall event: TBD, 2010Spring event: April 9th - April 10th, 2010Ebay: Ebay is a source I have used for both purchasing and selling new and gently used infant and children's clothing. I like Ebay because I can search by a specific brand, size, line (like from Gymboree) or find something I can't find in a store in Oregon (like a Nebraska Husker bib for my little one). I have found that name brand clothing sells much better and fetches a higher price. I've also found that selling an outfit or a small "lot" or group of clothes sells better than a single item. If you plan to buy items or sell items on Ebay, I strongly suggest you get a PayPal account. It is the easiest way to collect money for your sales. Plus many sellers prefer or only accept payment via PayPal.
Craigslist: Craigslist is an excellent source for finding used clothing and items for babies and kids. In fact, there is a whole section devoted to just those items. Everything from clothing to baby toys to furniture to formula and coupons are listed on Craigslist. Craigslist is free to advertise and free to search. I love using Craigslist for items I'm looking to give away or sell at a very discounted price. I've had success giving away coupons and trading formula checks. I've also had some success selling maternity clothes and baby clothes.
However, there are some drawbacks. First, always check over and test what you are purchasing to make sure it works or everything is there...don't just take their word for it. I had a friend buy a box of "name brand clothes" for $50. She didn't go through the box on insistance from the owner that all clothing was there. It even looked good on top but...when she got home...the rest of the box was full of old, dirty, stained clothing and rags. I have also had several experiences where arrangements were made for a sale and trade and the other party never showed...not even a phone call to cancel. A final note...always take cash or money order. Never accept a personal check as you don't know if it is valid or not.
Donations: Besides the Goodwill and Salvation Army, there are several other local charities that are very much in need of gently used clothing and baby items and equipment. Check back here for updates!
- Northwest Children's Outreach
503-828-1472
Looking for clothes? Have a ton of outgrown clothes? What to do...
If your children are like mine, they grow like weeds and before you know it, you are in need of not only a whole new wardrobe for the upcoming season, but you also have tons of clothes that no longer fit. And yes, all those totes in the closet are full of clothes and there are more under the beds!
What do you do with all those clothes that are too small? Where are you going to get a whole new wardrobe of cute and stylish clothing on today's tight budget?
The answer...the children's consignment and resale stores in the Portland metro area.
Your stop for finding Children's consignment and resale stores in the Portland area!
Little Munchkin's Closet
A Resource for Children's Consignment and Resale Stores in the Portland metro area!
