Consign or Ebay for selling high-quality used clothing?

[RosemaryS-F]

I have some high-end children's and baby clothing that I would like to sell, and I can't figure out if ebay or consigning is the best option. I like ebay because I can do it all myself, but I hate shipping things and going to the post office. Consignment stores sometimes seem like they don't pay well, but we have several children's shops around me. I just don't know what to do--these are pricey brands like Petit Bateau, Le Top, Oilily, Miniman, Marcel et Leon (I guess they are all French!) There will be inconvenience either way, and I'm prepared to deal with that. Anyway, input would be nice.

[lilyka]

I would start with consignment.  Even better if you can go straight to a resale shop who will pay you cash.  Then there is not waiting.  What they don't take I would sell in bigger lots on ebay.

[Polliwog]

I disagree. I would either sell them on EBAY or possibly a children's resale group on Facebook (which I've done quite often.) We've got really great local resale stores but you aren't going to get more than a few dollars, even for good names. You could also use a EBAY trading assistant who may end up helping you get almost as much as you would doing it yourself (with much less work.)

[RosemaryS-F]

Originally Posted by Polliwog 

I disagree. I would either sell them on EBAY or possibly a children's resale group on Facebook (which I've done quite often.) We've got really great local resale stores but you aren't going to get more than a few dollars, even for good names. You could also use a EBAY trading assistant who may end up helping you get almost as much as you would doing it yourself (with much less work.)

I've noticed that the consignment shops offer just 50% at the most, and that they sell things pretty low, which is why I'm interested in ebay. But I don't know about Facebook children's resale groups--I will need to look that up--any leads? Also, not sure what a trading assistant is--could you elaborate? Thanks for the responses!

[sunflower.mama]

I have had a lot of luck with ebay...but only for brands that people know of to search for.  So my luck has been with Gymboree and Mini Boden.  I would plug your brands into ebay and search to see if people are bidding on those brands.  Make sure you are selling in season.  Consignment stores are a total ripoff.  I would look for special websites to sell high end kids clothes before I dropped them off at a consignment store.

[alaskanmomma]

I'd take them first to the consignment shop, and whatever doesn't sell, list on ebay :)! I've found in my experiences that I make more money off of ebay than I do from consignment shops however. And all my kids clothes are the brand names, they are just rip-offs most of the time, but whatever you can sell easily never hurts!

Also, may I suggest ThreadUp?

[Caneel]

I had horrible luck with used kids clothing shops, the prices offered to me were a complete joke (like $2 for a current year, never worn LLBean toddlers snow suit) yet a close friend of mine gets good prices for her kids "junky" clothing that she deems not good enough to keep around for the next kid.

I have purchased a far amount from Ebay over the years and I always searched for specific brands.  I agree that listing, packing, and mail is a pain in the butt.  I have nearly new Keens and other "good" brands in a give-away pile right now because I just don't have the patience to sell the stuff.

[RosemaryS-F]

I went for ebay, and I made a lot (a lot!) more money than I would have consigning. It was a pain to ship, but worth it. I'll definitely do it again after this baby is born and outgrows some of the clothes.

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by RosemaryS-F 

I went for ebay, and I made a lot (a lot!) more money than I would have consigning. It was a pain to ship, but worth it. I'll definitely do it again after this baby is born and outgrows some of the clothes.

Even though I hate to ship stuff, too, Ebay is usually good to me, too.  I think weighing the stuff and printing labels from home or using the prepaid mailers (priority) makes it easier.  :)

[frugalmama]

Another vote for Thredup here too - if you list in needed sizes you can even get credits to pay for future boxes. That's what I'm doing with all my kid's outgrown stuff, as the resale shops here don't give you anything unless it still has the tags still on brand new. 

[carmel23]

I've tried thredup and have tons of boxes owed me, but have trouble finding stuff that we need.  I think part of the problem in that my kids can't wear character shirts to school, even though it is a public school (charter).  And there are always character stuff in the boxes.... but it is great for my little one!  I've gotten really good stuff for him.