Save the date! Wee Trade's Fall/Winter Sale is August 4th - 6th, 2023.
I look forward to this sale all year as it is truly the Super Bowl of shopping. Back when I was teaching, money was tight and it was the best place to stock up my classroom with books, educational materials, games, and more at a fraction of the retail prices. Then I became a Mom and I was truly HOOKED!!! It is a one stop shop to find anything and everything you need for an infant through to a teenager.
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Don't just take my word for it. They were voted the best consignment sale for all of Western North Carolina. Now the earlier you shop, the bigger the selection you'll find which is why I decided to try my hand at consigning. Not only do you make money, but you can shop a whole day earlier than the general public. It is seriously worth it.
If you feel overwhelmed, don't have the time, or you have stuff that you simply want to donate, Wee Trade offers a VIP tagging service where a fellow Mom who is eager to earn some extra cash will do the work for you in exchange for a portion of your profits! The deadline for this awesome service is July 20th!
If you choose to enter the items yourself, you can keep 70% of the profits (75% if you sign up to volunteer) and all items must be entered by Sunday, July 30th. Click here to register to consign. If you mention "Macaroni Kid Asheville" when registering, you can score a free $5 shopping credit!
Whether a rookie or a veteran, use the tips below to help you be successful.
Tip 1: Start early!
I keep several bins in our attic. One that's for the spring/summer sale, one that's for the fall/winter sale, and one that's for toys, books, and more! Anytime my daughter or son outgrow something, are no longer playing with something, etc., into the bin it goes. Then when it's sale time, all I have to do is take the bins down and all the stuff is already gathered and ready.
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Tip 2: Save hangers and safety pins all year long.
Anytime during the year that you might buy your child(ren) new clothes on a hanger, save those hangers. If you shop at a consignment sale, save the hangers and safety pins from the items you purchase. Usually dry cleaners will have stacks of hangers for free too; however, I don't ever have to purchase a single hanger when it's time to sell because I've saved them up all year.
Tip 3: Presentation is everything.
With a consignment sale right around the corner, it's time to open up those bins, take out the clothes, and inspect them. Make sure there are no stains or holes. I like to wash the clothes too and promptly take out of the dryer and hang up so as to ensure no wrinkles. Clothes with wrinkles, lint, or dog hair are not going to sell and you want to maximize your profits by having your clothes in excellent condition. Use magic eraser to clean up shoes and plastic toys, a lint roller to remove possible dog hair, and Goo Gone to take stickers off things if needed. The nicer and newer something looks, the more likely it will sell.
Tip 4: Hang up your clothes first and then make your tags.
Now that your clothes are washed and ready, it's time to hang them up with the hanger facing so it looks like a question mark. When hanging shorts, pants, or skirts, be sure to safety pin them to the top of the hanger so they stay put. If you safety pin them at the bottom of the hanger, they will slid to one side, become bunched, and most likely be overlooked at the sale. Once everything is hung up, I usually grab a glass of wine, turn on some music or a Netflix show, and start entering the items in the system.
Tip 5: Use zip ties and painter's tape.
Zip ties are perfect for keeping bathing suit straps on hangers and pairs of shoes secured together. It is so disappointing to find a shoe you love only to not be able to track down its match. Painter's tape is great to use on puzzles and games as packing tape will cause it to tear when removed.
Tip 6: Be very detailed in your descriptions.
If your tag falls off, you want it to be very easy to locate your item; therefore, being descriptive is key. Rather than saying "4T shirt," be sure to describe more thoroughly such as "4T Old Navy pink ballet shoes shirt."
Tip 7: Price competitively!
Your goal is to sell as much as you can, so in order to do so make your items a bargain. I often ask myself if I would be excited to see this item for this price. Be careful to not let emotional attachment to certain clothing items cloud your pricing judgement.
I choose to discount all my items as well because I would rather make a little something than nothing at all. Additionally, I choose to donate all as 1) it allows me to shop even earlier and 2) I am happy to support our local community.
Happy tagging; you got this!
