Anyone sell stuff to Once Upon A Child?

[Wausau74]

Just wondering what your experience was. From the prices I see at the store, it doesn't seem like one would make too much. Any thoughts?

[Sasha_girl]

I haven't had very good luck selling stuff there. A buck here, a buck there, never enough to be of much use.

[baileyandmikey]

spent over an hour one day waiting for them to check my stuff,a nd i had a ton, i only left with $35, thought that was a rip, since they have high prices on stuff.

[Wausau74]

Thanks for your replies.
hmmmmmm

Any one else have any thoughts/

[twindaze]

I've never done it, I hear that they're very picky and only take the very best/name brand stuff and then give you little money for it. Plus they want it clean and on hangers etc. Not worth the trouble to me, I'd rather garage sale or donate.

[bluets]

is it location-dependent? we have a store and i see lots of moms going in with totes full of stuff - doesn't look like anything is on hangers...

[twindaze]

Originally Posted by bluets

is it location-dependent? we have a store and i see lots of moms going in with totes full of stuff - doesn't look like anything is on hangers...

That could be. I'd check and see.

[organicmommy]

I have sold to them and I personally think that if you can find a consignment shop you will do better. They only pay you pennies on the dollar for stuff and want to have it be perfect and such. Plus they are very picky and want you to bring stuff back in 2 weeks when their stock drops etc. I took in a TON of childrens stuff from when I had a daycare and left with less then 100.00 where as I would have gotten probably closer to 300.00 if I woudl ahve taken the time for a garage sale.

Hugs
Jessica

[mountainsun]

I do business with them every once in a while - I agree, they really do not give you much for your trades, and your stuff has to be in MINT condition. I took in a 3 piece jumpsuit, (pants, a sweatshirt, and a long sleeved tee-shirt) that I got as a gift and had never been worn becasue I didnt like it - it still had the tags, and they gave me 3 dollars for it : it would have sold retail for like 20. But I took what they gave me and got a few things I needed for ds.

DEFINATELY cheaper to garage sale/ thrift store it! I have to say though that my Once Upon a Child has good clearance deals though. Sometimes I think if you shop clearence in say, Target, you can get stuff cheaper then at Once.

My 2 cents.

[kewb]

I never had a good experience with them. The same as PP's experiences. They give pennies on the dollar. Plus, I think they are overpriced.

[Ilovelife]

I agree with the others. They are VERY picky about wear and condition, as well as only like to take name brand items. Then they pay you practically nil, after you've waited for 30 minutes or more for them to look through the things. Yet on the racks, I see clothes in all sorts of conditions and I, personally, find their prices to be high. I've had much better luck consigning at my local consignment shop and also better luck in purchasing at second-hand stores (or here on the TP!).

[amj'smommy]

We no longer have a "Once Upon A Child" around here but I've sell often to "The Childrens Orchard" I think they're a nationwide company and I usually do very well there. They give you half of what they'll sell it for and you get paid right then. I went once with 5 good sized trash bags full of clothes and left with $150 and 2 bags were still full. They do take all seasons any time of year but I find if I hold off on the off season clothes till its a month or two before that season I'll tend to get more then.

[lilyka]

Once upon a child claims that you get 1/2 what they sell it for but that is such a lie. They are my last stop for stuff. They do better with equipment than clothes. So not worth your time. it is more complicated to go to the locally owned consignment shops but I find I get much more money that way and thier prices are generally cheaper (they take non-name brand stuff and sell it for much less).

I really dislike once upon a child and only rarely shop there but unlike the locally owned, non-franchise places they take check and credit cards. I just don't see why places resist that. they would increase sales to the point of off setting the fees. I would even be willing ot pay an upcharge on those fees (3%) but I digress. I just hate shoping there.

[snuggly mama]

Boy, I wish I had seen this thread last week I spent an hour or so there, with 3 kids in tow, and only walked away with $20 and a little outfit for dd. I agree that their prices are too high -- I can get clothes at Target for much less, and it's new! Even a good clearance sale at Children's Place has better prices. Now I just need to find a local consignment shop . . .

[Aeress]

Nope, I won't buy or sell to them. My local "true" consignment store just closed but they opened a cash and gift card based store even closer to me. they pay 30% cash and if you want a gift card they will sell for 40% of what they would expect to get. everything has to be in excellent condition, but doesn't have to be on hangers. plus, I love the clothes I get from there
i have been to the one in erie pa and been very dissapointed,

[BusyMommy]

Used to but now I'm happier giving to charity and taking the tax write off. I feel like I'm making more $ and bypassing the middleman.

[rebeccalizzie]

I did it twice--it was a waste of time, and they made me feel like a nasty person because some of the clothing had tiny stains--I didn't notice them, I wasn't trying to get the stains past the buyers! Also, they supposedly "donate" anything they don't buy from you to a local thrift shop. A few weeks after my last experience I was shopping in the store. Yup...my clothes they were supposed to donate were on the racks. Two jackets had DD's initials on the tags, so I'm absolutely positive. I always wondered why they had old looking stuff on the racks when they only bought super perfect stuff...that's why. I said something and was told it was a "mistake". Yeah, my butt it was a mistake. I wish I could get them for theft or something, but I can't figure out how.

I shop at a local place now, and donate our old stuff. I probably get more for the tax write off than I would selling the stuff, and it's easier.

[sabrinat]

I had some pretty good luck. I usually just donate to GW, but I thought I would give it a whirl and they took most of everything I had and gave a pretty fair price.

[MoonJelly]

Originally Posted by rebeccalizzie

Also, they supposedly "donate" anything they don't buy from you to a local thrift shop. A few weeks after my last experience I was shopping in the store. Yup...my clothes they were supposed to donate were on the racks. Two jackets had DD's initials on the tags, so I'm absolutely positive. I always wondered why they had old looking stuff on the racks when they only bought super perfect stuff...that's why. I said something and was told it was a "mistake". Yeah, my butt it was a mistake. I wish I could get them for theft or something, but I can't figure out how.

Man, I would have pulled them down off the rack and walked out with them! That just sucks and is totally wrong.

Btw, I have overheard owners in consignment shops telling the client that they will donate what doesn't sell, but I always assumed that you have the choice to take the item back instead. Is that how it normally is? I would take my items back and donate them myself to get the tax deduction.

Also, has anyone here eBayed their stuff and compared it to what they get at a consignment shop. To me, eBay seems like a sellers market for sure.

[rebeccalizzie]

Originally Posted by MoonJelly

Man, I would have pulled them down off the rack and walked out with them! That just sucks and is totally wrong.

Btw, I have overheard owners in consignment shops telling the client that they will donate what doesn't sell, but I always assumed that you have the choice to take the item back instead. Is that how it normally is? I would take my items back and donate them myself to get the tax deduction.

Yep, you definitely have the choice, but I was so mad I didn't want to ever sell there again!