Sell Your Stuff! 

Why consign with the Spring Chicken?

That's an easy question.  Here's why:

Here's how it works:

You set the price for the items you sell. You tag each item with that price.  You bring your items to the sale on Thursday the week of the sale.  You get one pass to shop during the Friday morning pre-sale.  You pick up any unsold items after the sale ends on Saturday (or you can choose to donate them to charity).  We collect the tags for your sold items, tally the total, and send you a check for your consignor percentage.  It's that easy!

Volunteer and earn more!

You can earn more than 50% of your sold items by volunteering at the sale.  If you volunteer one 3-hour shift, your consignment percentage goes up from 50% to 60%.  If you volunteer for two 3-hour shifts, then your consignment percentage goes even higher to 70%!

What types of things are accepted for consignment at the fall sale?

We accept:

Also, The fall sale will not take any spring or summer items: bathing suits, shorts, sandals, sleeveless, spring themes, pool or beach toys.

Anything else that is baby or kid related will be considered! If you have questions on whether we can take it, please send us an email.
 

How do I sign up to be a consignor?

  1. Read the consignor agreement (downloadable in the File Downloads section on the left)
  2. Fill out the webform on the Registration page
  3. You'll be contacted shortly with your consignor number so that you can begin preparing your items for the sale
  4. You must bring a self addressed, stamped envelope with you when you drop off your items (2 stamps please on a standard #10 envelope)
  5. Drop your items off on Thursday, August 26 from 2:00–7:00 PM
  6. If you are picking up any unsold items after the sale, you must bring a large cardboard box with your consignor number on it with you to the item drop off. You may not get your original box back, please don't leave one that has emotional significance to you!

Pricing and tagging

As a consignor, you set the price on all items that you are selling. Remember that bargain hunters are looking for good deals, so be reasonable with your pricing. A good asking price is normally about 30% of the retail price for the item.

Items must priced in multiples of 25 cents.  For example, an items priced at $1.75, $3.50, or $4.25 are acceptable. An item priced $2.99 or $1.49 is not.

Please use the tagging template that can be downloaded from the File Downloads section on the left.  If you need a copy sent to you via US postal mail, just let us know. You can get copies made by the sheet at Staples or you can print them off on your computer.  Just be sure to print or copy your tags on card stock paper.

The color of the card stock will determine your donation status.  If you do not want certain items to be donated, use brightly COLORED card stock tags instead of white (no pastels, tan or cream as they are too close to white).  Use white card stock tags on items that you would want donated to charity if they do not sell (sorry, no tax deduction paperwork is available for donations).  Also note that all white tagged items will be offered at half price during the last two hours of the sale.  This gives you a second chance to sell items that you'd be donating anyway.

Here's the best way to price and tag your items:

  1. Be sure to write you consignor number in the appropriate space on each tag.  Hint: if you write in the numbers before you photocopy your master tag sheet, then all your tags will have this information.
  2. Write each item's price in the boxes at the top and the at the bottom of its tag. Forgetting to price items is one of the most common oversights. We reserve the right to price items that do not have a price on the tag.
  3. For item #, write in the number you are assigning this item according to your inventory list if you are using one (if not, this line is optional). Start with number 1 for your first item and continue from there.
  4. In center of each tag give a brief description of the item. Note the gender of the item in this space also. This is very important. If your tag accidentally gets removed from an item we may be able to locate the item because of the tag description.
  5. In the size line, please write the most exact size. Please do not use S, M, L except for maternity clothing. Use 3-6 months, 4T, etc.
  6. Tags with prices or consignor numbers marked through will not be accepted. This is for security reasons. If you need to change a price please make a new tag.
  7. You may use a hole punch to make a hole at the top of the tag, then you can secure it to your item with a safety pin, or a piece of string threaded through the hole. Tagging guns are also an acceptable alternative to pins.
  8. Safety pin your tag to your clothing item through the section that says  “pin here.” Only secure your tag to the item, not to the hanger, or to any packaging. We ask that you attach your tags to clothing on the right front side (when the item is facing you, see example below) or to the item’s neck tag.
  9. For toys, books, videos, cribs, baby equipment, etc., tape price tags with clear packing tape so that they are clearly visible.  Make sure you still only tape the top portion above the dotted line, as the bottom portion will be removed during check-out. Don't be afraid to use a lot of tape–these items get handled a lot!
  10. Multi-piece item tagging instructions:  For non-hanging items (such as a multi-piece bedding set) with multiple separate pieces, put a tag on EACH piece. In the description section, write "1 of X" where X is the number of pieces.  Complete each tag with consignor #, description, and "2 of X", "3 of X", etc.  But DO NOT write the price on any tag except the first!
    Hanging items with several pieces (such as an “outfit” of clothes) should be pinned to the same hanger or if on separate hangers, they should be rubber banded together.  But use only ONE tag.


Proper tagging is very important.  Items with missing tags cannot be sold and will be added to the charity donation at the end of the sale. So be sure to attach all tags super securely. If a customer wants to purchase your item but the tag has come off we still cannot sell it.

Tags that do not have a consignor number on them will be sold and the proceeds will go to charity. Be sure to put your consignor number clearly on each tag.  Again, some consignors have made a master copy of the tag sheet and photocopy tags with heir consignor number on it so they never forget this step!

As you tag, you may want to fill out the inventory sheet as you go (the inventory sheet can be downloaded from the File Downloads section on the left).  Filling out the inventory sheet is an optional step. Drop it off with your items and we will keep it on hand during the sale in case questions arise about your items. We will return it to at item pick up or with your check, unmarked, so you can use it to determine which of your items sold. You may request your tags a few weeks after the sale, if you have questions about which items sold.

Preparing your items for the sale

Clothing must be clean, free from odors, tears & stains, and in excellent used condition. If you take a minute to steam or press your clothes, it will increase their desirability for shoppers. Hang all clothing on a hanger. The hanger needs to face left so it looks like a question mark (?) as shown here.

All clothing must be hung on a hanger to be accepted at the sale.  If you need some hangers, check freecycle, or ask for leftovers at local stores.  Pants/shorts/skirts need to be safety pinned to a hanger if you are not using a clip type hanger.

Make sure that any shoes for sale are lightly worn and clean. Shoes may be tied together with string, shoelaces tied together, held fast with safety pins or, if it won’t hurt the shoes, held together with clear packing tape. Shoes may also be put in a clear plastic Ziploc bag. Please do not put in shoes boxes. Shoe bottoms must be scrubbed (no one buys dirty shoes!).  Also do not leave shoelaces loose.  Either tie the shoelaces together or place the shoes and laces inside a clear plastic Ziploc bag.

Accessories and smaller items sell best as a lot (hair accesories, onesies, socks, etc.). Package these items as a group of 3 or more in a clear plastic Ziploc bag.  Be sure to tape or pin a price tag to the bag that has a description.

VHS videos, DVDs, and computer games must have original cases and packaging.  Books must not be torn or written on.  If putting tape on a book will damage it, please package the book inside a Ziploc bag.

As a consignor, you are responsible for checking for item recalls.  You will be asked to sign a waiver stating that no item in your lot is on a recall list.  Check through the website at www.cpsc.gov for current recall info.

For any items that need assembly, please come to the drop off prepared to assemble them with your own tools and with printed instructions on how to disassemble the item (so that the buyer can take it home).

 

Notes about car seats

All car seats sold at the sale must have been manufactured within the past five years. Car seats must have a sticker on the base that gives manufacture and date information in order to be accepted.  All seat covers and straps must be thoroughly cleaned.  Seats must not be subject to recall and should not have ever been present in the car during an accident.  If you are not sure if your car seat has been recalled call the toll-free D.O.T. Auto Safety Hotline in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT.
 

Toys and games

All toys must be clean and in working order.  Any batteries must be installed so that buyers can see that the toy works.  Please Ziploc small parts and attach the Ziploc to the biggest “part” of the toy item (if there are drawers, doors or some other place to attach them inside the item, please do it that way).  On the inside of the Ziplock put a tag with your consignor number and with the description “1 of X parts” as the description (where X is the total number of pieces, including the Ziplock).  If the item has other large parts, follow the directions given above for multi-piece items (above).

Board games and other games should be taped closed. Puzzles, books, and small toys should be put in Ziploc bags with the tag facing outward. Then, tape the Ziploc closed with clear packing tape.  Please also write your consignor number on the Ziploc with permanent marker just in case the bag is opened or tampered with. Theses are the most handled items at the sale, please package super duper securely!  TOYS WHICH ARE NOT PACKAGED APPROPRIATELY WILL BE TURNED AWAY.

Things to remember

What about items that do not sell?
You have two options in regard to your items that do not sell at the sale.

  1. You may pick them up after the sale. The pick up time will be Saturday, August 28 from 4:15–5:15 PM.  If you are choosing this option, please remember to tag your items with a COLORED tag. Any unsold items not picked up by 5:30 PM Saturday will be donated whether designated for charity or not.
  2. You may donate your items to charity.  All white tagged items that are not sold will be donated to a not-for-profit charity. Check this space for the Fall 2010 charity designee as the date gets closer. If you desire to donate your items, please be sure to tag your items with a white tag.