So, you want to sell or shop for consignment?

Emily Eileen Carter
Updated ·4 min read

Children grow like weeds. You just bought new clothes, and – it seems like overnight – their pants are two inches too short. But for another family, they are perfect. The solution? Get ready for fall consignment sales

“Kids grow and change their interests so quickly, and consignment shopping allows parents to find gently used items that perfectly suit their child's current stage. It's like ‘trading up’ without the high costs,” Anna Quinn Harrelson, event coordinator for Wee Trade of the Carolinas, said.

For this reason and many more, shopping for and consigning your children's clothes makes a lot of sense. Read on as area consignment experts weigh in on the value of consigning and becoming a part of this upcycling business.

Why consign? Here are some common reasons:

Economic/budgetary

One of the biggest benefits of both shopping consignment and consigning your children’s clothing is the budgetary bottom line.

“It’s a great way to earn cash for that clutter, while knowing your consigned items are giving another family discounted options for their kiddos,” Sally Ann Mertens, owner of Seeds and Sprouts Kids, said. “Win-Win!”

Raising children is expensive, and consignment makes more sense than ever before.

“The cost of everything has increased over the past few years and children's clothes are no different,” Ashley Tolbert, owner of Lollipops Limited, said. “Even brands that used to be sold at the lowest price points have increased due to inflation. With consignment, you have the ability to buy great styles and great quality clothes at an equally great price.”

Environmental/Recycle/ Reuse

In addition to the economic benefits, consigning is a sustainable practice that keeps items in circulation and out of landfills, Mertens said. The environmental factor is huge.

“It is the best policy to reduce, reuse and recycle,” Tolbert said. “The ability to buy and sell lightly used items rather than trashing perfectly good clothing can benefit our environment and decrease waste.”

Lyndsi Devito co-owns The Littlest Birds with her husband Justin Devito. She said there are lessons in the process of readying items for sale.

“Not only are parents helping the environment, but they are teaching their children the importance of reusing items,” she said. “It teaches our children to reuse, and the importance of being conscious of their consumption. My older boys, now teenagers, continue to shop secondhand, and it’s really neat to see that we’ve passed on that value.”

Keeping it Local

On top of the economic and environmental benefits, consignment helps the local economy. Devito said by working with a local consignment shop, customers are putting pockets back into the pockets of families in our community.

“By consigning and shopping at local communities, parents not only save money but also support other local families,” Tracey Stebbing, event coordinator of Wee Trade of the Carolinas, said. “It’s a collective effort to help one another and make a positive impact.”

Here are some pro tips for consigning your items and shopping consignment:

1. Quality is key.

Stebbing said that it’s very important to make sure items you're consigning are in excellent condition. Clean them thoroughly and repair any minor damages. Quality items attract more buyers and yield better prices. Devito added: “Stain free, odor free, for larger items make sure all the pieces are included. Everything is clean.”

“If you are consigning on your own, be sure to promote your items,” Harrelson said. “Utilize social media platforms and word-of-mouth to let your friends, family and local community know about the items you're consigning. Increased exposure can lead to more sales.”

2. Shop savvy and smart.

Parents shopping consignments, especially for the first time, should take their time, explore and be sure to ask questions.

“Be savvy and explore. Consignment events are full of hidden gems. Take your time to explore every aisle and section. You never know what amazing finds await you, whether it's high-end brands or unique toys that spark joy,” Harrelson said.

3. Check quality control and ask questions.

“While shopping, inspect items carefully to ensure they meet your expectations,” Devito said. “If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask the staff.”

Get started with these consignment stores and sales:

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: So, you want to sell or shop for consignment?