How to Make Money Selling Kids’ Items at Consignment Sales

Here are a few quick and easy tips for selling clothes, shoes, toys, and more

Fact checked by Suzanne Kvilhaug
Reviewed by Ebony Howard

Many parents face a common problem: too much stuff piling up. At the end of each season, you might find yourself with piles of clothes, shoes, used toys, and other odds and ends that your children have grown out of. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering selling these items on consignment—that is, if you’re enlisting a third person between you and your buyer.

Key Takeaways

• Consignment sales are a way for parents to sell the piles of clothes, shoes, and toys their children have outgrown.
• A consignment sale is a local, organized shopping event held over a few days.
• Sellers drop off items with event organizers, who are responsible for promoting and running the sale in exchange for a portion of total sales.
• To sell your items fast and for the best price, be sure to present your items nicely, price your items correctly, group similar items together, and discount heavily on the last day of the sale.

Why Sell at a Consignment Sale?

Garage sales are great for selling items quickly, but selling your kid’s stuff on consignment will likely make you more money.

One option is a consignment shop, where you drop off your stuff for the shop (the consignee) to sell.

However, this isn’t your only option as a consignor. Another place to sell your children’s items is at a local consignment sale. These sales are usually a few days long and happen a couple times a year. They often allow you to set your own prices. The person running the consignment sale takes a sizable portion (perhaps 30% to 40%) of your sales.

All you have to do for a consignment sale is price your stuff and drop it off. The consignment workers will do the rest of the merchandising. They organize the items, advertise, and keep track of your sales.

Since there will be a lot of shoppers, you can charge a better price for nicer items. For example, your Baby Gap sweater may have only earned you a dollar at a yard sale, but at a consignment sale, you can sell it for $5 to $8.

How to Find a Consignment Sale in Your Area

You can search online for the most popular city near you plus the phrase “consignment sale” to see if anything comes up. You can also go to the Just Between Friends website and search for local consignment sales.

Presentation Is Everything

Consignment sales can be picky about what they will accept. They do not want any clothing item that is torn or stained. They will also not take broken items or recalled objects. The best thing to do is to give all of your clothes a quick wash and spot treat any questionable items. Make sure clothing hangs nicely from the hanger and is not wrinkled. Wipe down any toys and replace the batteries.

Pricing Matters

Generally, it is best to price your items 50% to 70% less than the retail price. For example, if a toy was $20 when it was bought new, it should be priced at $6 to $10. Clothes are usually priced $2 to $3 for everyday styles, with brands such as Cherokee and Carters. You can charge more for clothing with other brands, such as Baby Gap, Guess, and Gymboree. Don’t price an item higher than $5 to $8, unless it’s a special item, such as a high quality jacket, dress, or full outfit.

Important

Remember, you are pricing to sell. Consignment shoppers are looking for great finds at great prices.

What Will and Won’t Sell

You can sell almost anything at a consignment sale, given that it is the right price and a desirable item. The hardest things to sell are baby items and maternity clothing. These sales are overcrowded with baby clothes and items, so don’t expect to get as much for your newborn clothing or basic baby items, like bathtubs.

If the sale falls right before Christmas, then toys will sell quickly. Most shoppers are buying their Christmas gifts in advance and are willing to pay a little more for nice and gently used toys.

Discount to Make Even More

Consignment sales will typically offer a half-off day on the last day of the sale. This is your last chance to make money and get rid of your stuff. It’s a good idea to mark your items half off if you want them to sell. Parents working with a tight budget often wait until the last day of the sale, knowing this is the best time to bargain hunt.

Group Items Together

To sell your items at a higher price and at a faster pace, group like items together. For example, though a shopper might not want to buy a onesie for $5, they might want to buy a set of five onesies for $15. You can also group similar books together or similar small toys together.

What is Consignment?

Consignment is a way to sell products that includes three parties: the person who owns the product (the consignor), the person or shop who sells it (the consignee) and the person who purchases it (the buyer).

How Does a Consignment Shop Make Money?

A consignment shop takes a portion of the sale of the products it sells, either as a percentage or as a flat fee.

Can You Flip Toys?

Yes. One way to do this is to shop yard sales several weeks before a consignment sale, looking for items you can easily flip. You are looking for clothing, books, and toys that you can sell for a profit at the sale. For example, you can purchase toys for about a dollar each at yard sales and then sell them for $5 to $7 each, depending on their retail value. This method will not make you a lot of money, but it does add up.

The Bottom Line

If you need to get rid of your baby and children’s items quickly, a consignment sale is the way to go. Typically, you can earn more for bigger items, such as strollers or baby furniture, through Craigslist ads or through one of the popular alternatives to Craigslist. However, using a consignment sale to sell these bigger items is quicker and allows you to avoid dealing with troublesome buyers directly.