Before the recession continued and continued and continued, it seemed like it was easier to make ends meet. Jobs were easier to find and salaries were more negotiable. However, as the recession has continued, employers have tightened up their budgets while supply prices keep increasing. The debt continues to amount and we struggle to figure out how we will pay for school supplies, tuition, or even car and house payments.
A great way to help alleviate some of this pain in our pocket books is to look at becoming a consignor. For those who don’t have the time to dedicate to tagging and organizing items, a consignment store might be their better bet. Frilly Frocks, a consignment store in Leesburg, VA, is a great place to consign both women’s and children’s clothing. They do only take like new condition and name brands for the most part, but it is a great way to try to make a few extra dollars Another great place to try is Twice Upon a Child, where you can unload kid’s toys, clothes, shoes, and accessories. While they don’t pay top dollar for what they accept, you can also elect to get store credit to purchase what is needed for their children.
If you are looking to make more money from reselling items, it’s a great idea to find consignment sales to participate in. While it does take time to organize and individually tag your items, you will find you are able to make more money if your items are priced right. It is always a good idea to know the general pricing of particular venues so you don’t put too high or too low a price on your items. For example, a pair of jeans might only sell for $2 at one sale while it will sell for $4 at another sale. But if you have overpriced your item, you will be taking them home at the end of the sale.
Look for sales that can result in higher sales. If you are able to travel to other counties to price items higher, it might be worth the effort. Of course, if your area is anything like northern Virginia, you might be having to pick between two or three sales on the same weekend to sell at. Also remember if it is the first year of a new consigning company, you might not get the same traffic flow as you would a more established company.
What consignors need to do no matter if they are selling at a consignment store or a consignment sale is to ensure only good products are being sold. If there are any stains on clothing or missing parts to toys, you should note that on the tag so you don’t have a disappointed buyer. This can result in bad press for the consignor (which if it’s tracked can result in black listing you from participating in sales) or the consigning company (which costs foot traffic, which costs every consignor money). Some sales also accept returns so it is best to just ensure products are complete and in good repair. Present your items in a way that people will want to buy the items. If you have a lot of little toys or accessories, consider putting them in a bag together to increase the probability of the items selling.
Whether you are just looking to unload outgrown clothing or toys or looking for ways to save money on the items and clothing your child currently needs, consigning is a great way to go. This can also be profitable if you are given lots of free clothing and toys or purchase items at a yard sale as consignment sales can be priced higher to bring in more money. Lastly you can always individually list the items on Craigslist to continue to make sales. While you personally won’t get as much foot traffc as a consignment sale, you can keep 100% of the money from the items sold. Whatever you decide to participate in, know that this can be a great way to help make those bills that are getting increasingly difficult to make.