How to Hold a Childrens' Consignment Sale

After cleaning out your attic you realize that you've accumulated a ton of childrens' clothing and toys through the years. Then you think, "Hey, this stuff is worth a few bucks. I could sell it." If you have the time and are willing to put in the effort, holding a consignment sale can be profitable for yourself or a favorite charity.

Instructions

1. Find a location. It is important to have enough room and enough parking for your sale, and an easily accessible location. If you are holding the sale as a benefit to raise money for a charitable cause, a church or community center will probably give you a spot for free or just ask that you help cover the extra electric and water use for that day. You will probably also be responsible for clean-up. Or, offer to donate a percentage of the sales to them in exchange. Yard sales and flea markets may be another option, but remember that most people going to those types of sales are looking for real bargains that cost next to nothing.

2. Gather the items. If you decide to ask others for items and share the profits with them, make sure that you find a way to keep track of each individual's inventory in order to give everyone their correct amount of profit money. Many consignment shops give the reseller a certain percentage of the sale price for all of their items sold (and minus the cost of having the sale, you get to keep the rest). If you are going to do this, however, make sure you have specific guidelines for accepting items such as cleaned and sanitized toys, no holes or stains in clothing or freshly washed clothing. If you do not wish to get your items directly from other people, you may be able to buy bulk clothing or toys from thrift shops (some thrift stores may allow you to buy clothes by the pound, or charge for toys by the box for example).

3. Organize your items. Since most people will be shopping at your sale looking for items for specific genders and sizes, your clothing should be organized as such. Toys should also be organized by age level. Also, look at the place where you are having the sale and take measurements and figure out table sizes. This will help you plan specifically where you want to place your items.

4. Advertise your consignment sale. Design and print flyers, place an ad in a local newspaper or shopper's guide and get the word out in a church or community newsletter. If you are donating to a charitable organization, make sure you put that in your ad--it's good press. Placing flyers in strategic locations is also a plus. For a children's consignment sale, grocery stores, daycare centers and community centers are good places to find parents who would be interested in what you're selling.

5. Get some helping hands. Make sure you have enough people to collect money, bag items, set up and clean up-this will help your sale run smoothly. You may want to recruit the people you have gathered items from in exchange for a greater percentage of the sale of their items (for example, increase their profit from 65 to 70 percent or, if you have charged a flat registration fee, reduce or waive it.

Tips & Warnings

• When gathering items from other people, immediately tag or label the items when they are given to you, and keep an inventory sheet of all items collected.