If you are looking for ways to earn a bit of extra money, you may have a resource right within your own home. Head to your child’s closet and chest of drawers to see if he has outgrown or unneeded clothing or shoes that you could sell.
Begin by sorting through her current wardrobe. Are there any pieces that are already too small? How about outfits that she doesn’t like and rarely wears? Does she own four pairs of tennis shoes? Once you have collected those items, go through any out-of-season clothing that may be stored away. Follow the same process, checking sizes to see if there are clothes that don’t fit or if you have a large supply of a certain type of clothing that you can do without.
Once you have gathered up the clothing that you wish to sell, there are several steps you can take to prepare the garments for sale. Clothing that is clean and free of tears, stains or odors will sell more quickly and at a higher price.
1. Launder each item, pre-treating any spots with stain remover. In the case of shoes, clean or polish them as much as possible.
2. Once clothes have been washed and dried, look for any loose strings that need to be cut off. Check the hem on each item to see if it needs to be repaired. Ensure that buttons are attached tightly and things such as sashes on girls’ dresses or belt loops on pants are secure.
3. If an item is excessively wrinkled, go ahead and iron it.
4. If you have separate pieces for an outfit, such as a dress with leggings or a boy’s suit with pants and jacket, make sure you hang or fold the pieces together. Attach any matching items such as socks or hair accessories. Outfits with coordinating pieces often sell at a higher price than individual items.
5. Group items together by gender, size and season. This will help you see exactly what you have to sell.
6. If you are the one determining the sale prices for your clothing, do some research so that you can price the clothing knowledgeably. Think about what you paid for the clothing originally and the condition it is in now. Check online auction sites, such as eBay, to see the price for which similar items are selling. Realize that often in-season clothing sells for more than off-season items. While some shoppers will be planning ahead, many are buying to dress their child for the current weather. You may wish to hold on to your off-season garments and try to get more for them at a later time. The amount a person will pay for used items also depends on the brand and style of the clothing.
You have several venues for selling pre-owned children’s clothing. There are local independent, as well as chain, consignment stores; seasonal consignment sales; rummage or yard sales; and auction websites. Explore each of these options and determine which will provide a good profit on your clothing while still being convenient for you to manage. Having items well-prepared can help you make the most money possible on your children’s used clothing.
