Preparing Your Items for Consignment

Supplies Needed

  • Plastic Hangers (99 Cent Store, Dollar Tree, Walmart, Target)
  • Safety Pins (one inch or longer)
  • Zip Ties (Home Depot)
  • Clear Packing Tape
  • Ziploc Bags (For multi-piece items)
  • 60-67lb White Cardstock Paper (to print tags on)

 

Helpful Tips & Guidelines

The better your items look the more likely they are to sell and the more money you will get for them! Thoroughly inspect the items you are including in the sale. Make sure they are in gently used condition, free from damage and excessive wear.

  • All tags must be printed on 60-70lb white cardstock. Plain paper tags are easy to tear and will get separated from your items. (You can find 60-67lb cardstock at office supply stores or any Walmart or Target.)

  • Please do not tape over the barcodes on your tags. It makes it very difficult for the scanner to read.

  • Wipe your equipment clean and wash covers & fabric parts! There are often identical items for sale and the cleaner one cleaner one typically sells faster, even if it's more expensive!

  • Keep a donation box close by when preparing your items. If you find an item is not something you would purchase, it is probably best to donate it. If you wouldn't buy it for your child, neither will anyone else!

Remember the more care you put into cleaning and making your items look great, the more money you will get for the items and the faster they will sell!!

The following guidelines will help you prepare your items for the sale.

CLOTHING

We love when we see styles come back, but The Giving Tree strives to have the highest quality items at our sale. To help achieve that, we will only accept clothing purchased within the last five years.

Make your items look their best!

  • All clothing needs to be carefully inspected. Clothing cannot be stained, soiled, faded, pilled, torn, have holes, missing snaps or buttons, broken zippers, has unpleasant odors or animal hair.
  • Make your clothing items look new. Take time to wash and iron your garments. If an item has a spot, try the helpful tips at the bottom of this page to remove them. Button all buttons, snap all snaps, zip all zippers. A fabric shaver works great on balled or pilling fabric. (Can be purchased at Walmart or Target.)
  • Hang all clothing items on hangers with the hook facing left (it will look like a question mark "?" when facing you). Hang size 0-6 on child-size plastic hangers. Larger clothing (usually size 7-14) should be hung on adult-size plastic hangers.
  • If you're not using a tagging gun, items should be pinned to the hanger to help ensure they don't slip off.  Safety pins are best, and we suggest the one inch or larger size safety pins. Please do not use clothes pins to hold your items on the hanger, they won't stay on. Also, please do not any straight pins to attach your clothes. Ouch!
    Attach printed tags to your items with a safety pin or tagging gun to the upper right front of the garment as you are facing it. See the Tagging Guide for guidance on how and where to tag properly.
  • Clothing that is bundled as an outfit or set tends to sell better. Feel free to mix and match different brands but make sure the sizes are the same.
  • When pinning outfits in sets, pin the first piece to the front of the hanger and tag. Then pin the second "back to back" to the back side of the hanger so it is easier for the buyers to see and shop.
 

  • Rubber band or zip tie hangers together if selling multi-piece items on multiple hangers. (Remember to safety pin items together)
  • If selling accessories with an outfit (hair accessory, belts, socks, tights), safety pin the accessories to the clothing or place items in a Ziploc bag and pin to the hanger so it hangs in the front. Grouping items with the outfit will allow you to increase the selling price.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Sort all clothing by gender and size prior to drop-off.

SHOES

Each pair of shoes will go through a strict inspection during consignor drop-off. We will be very picky concerning the acceptance of shoes; they must be in near perfect condition. They do not have to be brand new...just look like it from top to bottom.

  • Clean all dirt and debris from shoes...including the bottom...wash them if needed. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers will remove scuff marks from most shoes.
  • Connect shoes together with zip ties or strong ribbon to prevent lost shoes and tags.
  • Attach the price tag with a large safety pin or you can punch a hole at the top of the tag and attach to the shoes with a zip-tie or strong ribbon. (If using ribbon, please double knot.)
  • Tags should be reinforced by placing a piece of packing tape around the top of the tag before pinning to prevent lost tags. We cannot sell any items without a tag.
  • Please do not bring shoes in shoe boxes. They will be removed.

 

TOYS

Clean all items completely. It is best to clean in all crevices, wash all fabric, and remove any scuffing, debris, marking, stickers etc.

  • All toys must work and include all parts. ALL battery operated items must have batteries and will be tested to see that they are in working order. (Batteries can be purchased at dollar stores). Your items will sell faster and for more money if the seller can see exactly how the item works!
  • Smaller and infant toys should be sold in Ziploc bags to keep them together. Attach the tag to the outside of the bag.
  • All games and puzzles must include all pieces. Please tape boxes closed and tape price tag securely to the box.
  • For DVDs, Games, and CDs, items must be in working condition free of scratches and must be an original, not pirated version. Please put items in the original cases so the buyer will know what they are buying at a glance. Tape all tags to the back side of the items so the front is visible.

  • For books, all pages must be intact with no folded pages, writing or damage of any sort. Tags are best taped to the backside of the books. Tape can tear books covers so keep that in mind before you tag. Any book that might be damaged by a tag should be securely placed in a Ziploc bag with the tag taped to the outside. Book sets should also be securely packaged in a Ziploc bag so they are sold all together.
  • Place small parts and accessories for toys in a Ziploc bag. Tape the bag shut \with clear packing tape.
  • For smaller items, group some together (toys, rattles, puzzles, books, etc.) in a Ziploc bag and price as a group. Secure bag shut with clear tape.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If selling multiple items together, include how many items on tag. (I.e. toys, rattles, puzzles, books, etc.)

 

BEDDING AND ROOM DÉCOR SETS

  • Mattresses cannot be sold at the sale.
  • Bedding must be freshly laundered, free of stains, rips, and tears.
  • Place all bedding and any matching accessories in a large clear bag. If the original package is not available, we recommend XL and XXL sized Ziploc bags (these can be found at the Dollar store, Wal-Mart, etc). Securely attach tag with clear packing tape to the outside of bag. Be sure that the bag is securely shut.
  • You may sell matching lamps and room decor with your bedding set but we recommend selling them separately.
  • When hanging quilts or specialty bedding, attach the tag with a safety pin
IMPORTANT NOTES: DO NOT use clear packaging tape to attach tag to an item that is made of cotton-like material (i.e. comforter). The tag will fall off! Place a piece of tape on tag before punching a hole. This will reinforce the tag so that it is not easily torn off your item. If selling multiple items together, include how many items on tag.

 

LARGE ITEMS

  • All items must be clean, free from excessive wear or sun damage and fading. These items must be in compliance with all safety guidelines and not be recalled.
  • Assembly: You are responsible to assemble all large items at the time of your drop-off. Large items will sell better if shoppers can see what the item looks like fully assembled.
  • Manuals: Make sure that all parts, pieces and/or manuals are included. If you do not have the manual we will still accept the item, though manuals give added value and benefit. Many manuals can be downloaded online from the manufacturer's website or by visiting www.manualsonline.com. 
  • Multi-Piece Tagging: If you have a large item with multiple pieces that might get separated we ask that you multi tag it. Only print a tag for the main part then put a piece of masking tape on the extra pieces and label them with your consigner number and a number identifying each piece. (1 of 4, 2 of 4, etc.).

BABY EQUIPMENT AND CHILDREN'S FURNITURE

All items must be in working order and include all working parts. ALL battery operated items must have batteries and will be tested to see that they are in working order. (Batteries can be purchased inexpensively at dollar stores). Your items will sell faster and for more money if the seller can see exactly how the item works!

  • Place small parts/accessories belonging to items in Ziploc bag. Tape bag shut with clear packing tape. Fasten the bag securely to the item with clear packing tape, safety pin or small zip tie. Items must include ALL parts.
  • Multi-piece items may be attached together with zip ties.
  • Cribs and beds MUST be assembled at the sale. A signed Crib Checklist and Waiver form must be brought to the sale with the crib at drop off. Please be sure to carefully review the crib acceptability guidelines to ensure your crib will be accepted. We cannot accept any cribs that do not conform to recently pass federal guidelines. For more information on crib guidelines, please see our Safety page.
  • Attach tags to your items with clear packing tape, safety pins, or by punching a hole in the top of the tag and securing with ribbon or zip tie.
IMPORTANT NOTES:  If selling multiple items together, include how many items on tag. Remember to bring tools required to assemble any items that need to be put together.

CAR SEATS

  • Car seats should have all their parts and be in working order.
  • Straps should not be frayed and covers should be cleaned and free from dirt and stains.
  • Car seats should be less than 5 years. Click here for recalls or call the Dept of transportation for recalls. 1-800-424-9393.
  • A signed car seat waiver is required for every car seat being consigned. Click here to download Car Seat Waiver.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You MUST attach a signed car seat waiver to the car seat. Place waiver and instruction manual if available into a Ziploc bag and safety pin or attach with packing tape to your car seat.

 

PREPARING AND TAGGING: MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

  • Please completely clean all items.
  • Group small or loose items like socks, toys, cloth diapers, bibs, hooded towels, wash cloths, bottles, dinnerware, safety items, nursing supplies, etc. in Ziploc bags. Group items together whenever possible because they are more appealing to shoppers and sell better! When selling multiple items together, include how many items on the tag.
  • Tape all bags shut with clear packing tape and attach tag to bags with clear packing tape.

 

STAIN REMOVAL SOLUTIONS!

  • Grease Stains: For dark spots on fabrics, which are usually a grease stain, use Dawn Dishwashing Liquid. Rub into the stain and wash as normal. Occasionally it will take treating twice.
  • Food & Yellow Stains: Mix 1/2 cup dishwashing detergent (such as Cascade) with 1/2 cup of Clorox 2 (the pink liquid) in about 1-2 gallons of water. Soak the stained item in the mixture for several hours, and then wash as usual. This works for other types of stains as well.
  • Ink Stains: Use alcohol, or try aerosol hairspray.
  • Blood Stains: Pour hydrogen peroxide on stain, let it sit a bit, then rinse in cold water. Repeat and wash with soap until stain is gone. Will not bleach colors. Always use COLD water.
  • Scuff marks on shoes: Use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! It works great at removing scuffs.
  • Other stain fighters: Resolve powder & prewash, Clorox 2 Spray, Oxy Clean stain sticks.