Consignors FAQ

We want to hear from you! If you have any questions or you’d like more information, please email us and we’ll get back to you right away. We’ll also post your question and our answer on our FAQ page for everyone else to see! Look at you helping people already. Way to go!

Q. Do you only accept infant items?

A. The Giving Tree Consignment sale is a children’s consignment sale. So that means we accept anything related to babies, toddles, or children.  For more information, review the entire list of Acceptable Items. 

Q.  How many items can I sell?

A.  We ask that each consignor bring a minimum of 10 items to consign at the sale. There is no limit to the number of items you may consign. 

Q.  Who sets the prices for the items?

A.  Consignors set their own prices.  Price your items to sell! We suggest you start your price at 30% of the original price.  Items typically should not be priced over 30% unless they are new, never used, in the original packaging with tags. Price items in $1.00 increments.  View our Pricing Guidelines page for more detailed information.

Q. What is the minimum price a consignor can set? 

A.  The minimum price per item is $1.00 and then in whole dollar increments.  If you feel an item should be priced lower than $1.00, we suggest grouping it with other items.

Q. Can sellers negotiate prices at the sale?

A.  During the sale, there is no negotiating the prices. That’s why it’s important consignors are thoughtful about the price they are asking for each item and price them to sell!

Q.  Why are you so strict about quality? Can’t I consign “play clothes?”

A.  The Giving Tree Consignment strives to have the highest quality merchandise possible.  As a result, all accepted clothing must be in good to excellent condition.  This means no stains, tears, missing buttons, etc.  All items will be inspected at drop-off and any item that does not meet a standard of quality will be returned to the Consignor.  Please see our Items Not Accepted page for additional detail.

Q. What is the half price sale?

A.  On the last day of the sale, there will be a designated time where items can be reduced to sell for half price.  Consignors decide which of their items will be discounted on that day.  Half price items will be identified on the sales tag. (Consignors may designate half price items when inputting inventory and creating tags online)

Q.  Why is there a $5 registration fee for consignors?

A.  The registration fee is designed to help cover the cost of the venue rental, insurance, advertising, etc.  The fee is deducted from the consignors proceeds check at the end of the sale prior to it being mailed out.  

Q.  How much money will I earn?

A.  Every Consignor will earn a minimum of 60% of their sales, minus a $5 consignor’s registration fee.  Consignors who volunteer can earn a higher percentage of their total sales! The more you volunteer, the more you earn, up to 75%! See the Volunteer Information page for more details.    

Q.  When will I get my money?

A.  Checks will be mailed within 3 weeks from the close of the sale.

Q.  Why can’t I hand-write my tags?

A.  All items must be tagged using our easy online system. (hyperlink to the information on tagging) We use tags with a barcode on them which will allow us to scan them at checkout.  The system is more efficient for shoppers and allows you, the consignor, to see what has been sold from your inventory throughout the sale! You can literally watch as you make money!  Additionally, we do not allow hand written tags to ensure no one can make changes to the pricing once it’s been set by you. For more informatoin on how to tag your items, visit our Tagging Your Items page.  

Q.  Why are detailed descriptions on tags important?

A.  Having a detailed description provides more information to the seller potentially making it more appealing. I.e. “Girls pink top” is accurate but "Gap, girls pink top, worn twice" provides a better description of what the shopper will be getting.

Q. What happens if my tag gets separated from my item?

A.  If this happens, having a detailed description of the item will help us to more easily find items that have been separated from their tags.  I.e.  A tag with a description of ‘purple shirt’ vs. a tag with a description of ‘Gymboree purple shirt with sparkle flowers’.

Q.  Is there a way to track which items have sold?

A.  Our online software system allows you to track each item as the sale progresses. You can login each night of the sale to see what items sold that day. 

Q.  What happens to my unsold items?

A.  Any items that remain unsold at the end of the sale will either be returned to the Consignor at the designated pick-up time or donated to a local charity.  If you would like to donate your items, please be sure to check ‘Donate: Yes’ during the inventory/tagging process online. Any items not picked up by the designated time will become property of The Giving Tree Consignment and will be donated immediately following the sale.  

Q.  How do I find my items after the sale? Do I have to sort through the racks to find them?

A.  No, after the sale we will sort all items and have them ready for you to pick up.  

Q.  Will I get my hangers back?

A.  No, we leave the clothing on the hanger at check-out.  Most clothing items will be pinned to hangers and removing them at check-out is time consuming and slows the process down. .  For consignors that choose to pick up any unsold items, their items will be returned with the hangers.  You can often get free children’s hangers from children’s clothing stores.  Call ahead before you go, however, as not all stores give out free hangers. You can also purchase inexpensive hangers from the Dollar Store and Target.

Q.  If I am consigning items, do I need to be present for the sale?

A.  No, that’s what we are here for!  All you have to do is prepare and tag your items and drop them off at the designated time you choose.  After that, we do all the work for you! And remember we offer a VIP Tagging service for consignors who don’t have time to tag! If you choose to donate your items, your work is done and all you have left to do is receive your check.  If you choose not to donate your unsold items, then you must return to pick up your items at the designated time you choose.  View our Pick Up Process page for additional detail.

Q. Can I sell in more than one of your sales?

Yes and we hope you do! Once you have registered in online system you are a Giving Tree Consignor. This means that you will keep the same consignor number for all sales our sales so you don’t have to retag your items for each sale.  To assign your inventory in the online system to the next sale, Login and go to “your inventory”.  Then simply activate your inactive items that you want included in that sale!

Q. How do I consign my items?

Consignors first Register online at the Giving Tree Consignment website. Once you have registered you will receive a consignor number and choose a password.  This allows you to access your online account. Within your online account you are able to price and create tags for your items in our easy online system.  You simply preparing, tag and bring your items to the location prior to the consignment event.

Q. What if I don’t have time to tag my items?

A. We can help with that too! For consignors who would rather not tag their own items, we can take on that task for you. We will prepare, price and tag your items for you. We’ll also bring your items to the site and check them into the sale. For consignors who take advantage of this service the will be charged a $20 fee and receive 50% from the sale of their items sold.  The $20 tagging fee is for the first 100 items and will increase by $10 for each additional 100 items. For more information, visit our VIP Tagging page.

Q. What does “Seasonally Appropriate” mean?

A.  For each sale, Spring and Fall, we ask that you only bring “seasonally appropriate” items to consign. This means we will only accept items applicable to the upcoming season. I.e. for the Fall sale we will accept  Halloween costumes, snow gear, heavy jackets, special occasion/holiday dresses etc. but will not accept for the Spring sale. Conversely, we will only allow Easter Dresses, sand toys, 4th of July items etc. at the spring sale and will not be accepted at the Fall sale.

Q.  What if I am unable to pick up my items the last day of the sale?

A.  You can choose to donate your items to our selected charities or you can designate someone to pick up your items for you.  We will need your authorization with the persons name to release your unsold inventory.  We will not release any items to someone other than you without prior authorization. There will be no exceptions made to ensure the security of our consignors items.

Q. What if I registered to consign but am no longer able to participate?

A.  If you registered to consign but are unable to participate, please go into the online management system and unregister yourself from the current event.  It is extremely important to unregister as soon as you know you will not be participating so we have an accurate consignor count before the sale begins.  If you fail to unregister for more than 1 event, you will be blocked from registering for future events.

Q. What items do you accept?

A. We accept items infant and children’s items and clothing sized newborn through size 14. We also accept maternity related items and clothing. This includes gently used children’s clothing, shoes and accessories, toys (indoor and outdoor), furniture, bedding, strollers, baby gear, games, DVDs, and so much more.  For a detailed list please visit our Accepted Items page.

Q.  Is there an entrance fee?

A.  No, admission is free! The Giving Tree VIP Presale event does require a pass. For guests attending the VIP Presale with a Consignor or Volunteer, there is a $5 or 5 canned goods fee to enter which will be donated to a local charity. 

Q.  Is there a Fee for Parking?

A.  No, Parking is free and there is plenty of it!

Q.  Are there dressing rooms? Can I try the clothing on my child?

A.  Unfortunately, no. Dressing rooms are not available and items can not be removed from the hangers prior to purchase. 

Q.  What forms of payment are accepted?

A.  Cash, Check, Visa and MasterCard are the forms of payments we accept.  Personal checks require a valid MA photo ID and any returned checks will be assessed a $30 returned check fee.

Q.  What is your return policy?

A.   All sales are final.  We do our best to inspect each item prior to putting it on the sales floor but occasionally we may miss something.  As a result, we recommend you check any items prior to purchasing them.