An Insider’s Guide on How to Easily Tag, Price, & Consign with Tot Trade

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Columbia SC Moms Blog is honored to partner with Tot Trade to bring our readers the following post. All opinions and experiences are our own.

An Insider's Guide on How to Easily Tag, Price, & Consign with Tot Trade - Columbia SC Moms Blog

My obsession with clothes and all things baby began when I found out I was pregnant with my son. As soon as the doctor confirmed I was having a boy, I hit the local boutiques, online stores, chain stores – you name it – I had a mission to outfit my son with the cutest things out there.

Only problem is, they only stay little for so long.

I had heard of Tot Trade and always kept it in the back of mind as a way to justify my spending. “Oh, a $30 jon jon? No problem! I can sell it back for $15 or $20 and then it’s only like I’m paying half the price!” Multiply these thoughts time 30 (or let’s be real, 130) and you can see how I wound up with a big problem and limited closet space.

The first time Tot Trade rolled around after my son was born, I checked out the site to get my game plan together. Heavy card stock paper? Facing your hanger like a question mark? Safety pins here and there? I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed and well – busy with an infant – so the clothes and items sat for two more years before I tried again.

Once my son turned two, I was committed. (And I wanted to reclaim the section of his room that was overtaken by bin after bin of too small clothes). I was still a little intimidated, but once I sat down undistracted and took the process in, it was actually REALLY EASY … and even better yet, turned out to be VERY PROFITABLE for me (to the tune of around $400!).

So pull up a chair, grab a stack of clothes, and I’ll give you the cliff notes version of how to easily price, tag and consign your old kid’s stuff.

Items You’ll Need

  • Hangers – I save all the hangers from the clothes I buy for my son throughout the year. In addition, I save any from clothes my husband and I buy, as well as those that com from the dry cleaners. It doesn’t matter what size, any hanger will work (and the last thing you want to do is have to buy some).
  • Safety Pins – I save these from any dry cleaning we bring home, but I have also had to buy them. Surprisingly, they cost more than you would think (like $8-$10 for a pack). You can pick them up at places like fabric stores or CVS.
  • Heavy Card Stock Paper – The last thing you want is or your tag to rip off and you lose an item (and the potential) sale, so heavy duty paper is a must. I picked up a pack of 110 lb paper from the Office Depot by my house for around $15. One package has 250 sheets and will last you sale, after sale, after sale.
  • Masking Tap and a Sharpie – You’ll need to put your consigner number on every item you bring to the sale. I take the old school route and write it on a piece of masking tape, but I’ve seen other folks print theirs out on labels and attach.

Tagging Made Simple

1. Tot Trade uses an online tagging system that is SUPER EASY. Create an account, pay the $9.95 consigner fee right then via PayPal and you’re ready to get started!

Tot Trade Registration - Columbia SC Moms Blog

2. After you have set up your account and paid the fee, the online consignment manager will take you take you to the home page. Select Enter Items.

Tot Trade Enter Items - Columbia SC Moms Blog

3. Now you’re ready to start entering! Pay attention to the fields with the red arrow next to them. This is the information you’ll need to fill out. Once these fields are entered, click the Add Item(s) button and a light blue row will display (as seen below) with the item information.

tot trade enter items details - Columbia SC Moms Blog

How to Price Your Items

Tot Trade suggests pricing your items at 1/3 the retail cost. Also take into consideration the condition of the item. When I’m pricing, I hold up the item and think about how much I would pay for it if I saw it on a secondhand rack.

Personally, I like a lot of Gymboree’s clothing, and will typically price a pair of Gymboree shorts around $5.00. If you don’t think a clothing item can sell for $3.00 on its own, consider pairing it with a matching top or shorts to create an outfit.

Don’t let sentimental memories affect your pricing. Sure it might be your favorite outfit that Johnny took his first steps in, but to a buyer, it’s just another piece of clothing they are looking to get a deal on. Keep focused on what someone would realistically pay.

Don’t let the percentage you make affect your pricing. Let’s face it, we all want to make as much profit possible, but pricing items a little higher so that you get the cut you want to receive is not worth it and could leave your item sitting on the rack unsold. Remember, the goal is to declutter your house and make money! Is an unsold item really worth the extra $2.oo you bumped the price up to?

Consider allowing items to discount. Many shoppers come back several times to see if they can score a great deal on the discount days, while other people only shop on the highest markdown days. Sure it would be great if an item sold at your original price, but what’s better, some money in your pocket or leaving with almost as much stuff as you brought in?

Tot Trade - Columbia SC Moms Blog
Awww … you’ll never forget the adorable outfit for baby’s first pics! To a potential buyer, it’s just another cute outfit on the rack. Don’t let feelings affect your pricing!

The Easiest Way to Enter Items and Tag

For me, the easiest way is to start sorting after I enter an item in the system. My system is this:

  1. Enter item in the system
  2. Place on hanger
  3. Create stacks based on size (all 12 month clothes go in one pile, all 3 month clothes go in another pile, etc.)

This system makes it easy to find the item I’m looking for when I’m ready to pin the tag on. I also sort all my tags by size once they are printed out, cut and ready to be pinned to the appropriate item.

How Tagged Items Should Look

  • Hanger hook should point to the left (like a question mark)
  • Tags on the top right
  • Safety pin secured in the center on the tag
  • Making tape with consigner number inside the item below the size tag

tot trade tag

My Favorite Things About Consigning With Tot Trade

  • It’s a well-oiled machine. They have been around almost 20 years and make the entire process easy for consigners.
  • The sale is well known. People come in droves from all over South Carolina to shop the sale. You can bet your items will receive the best possible exposure and there’s a high likelihood they will sell. I usually only leave with a few items that people didn’t buy.
  • Inspectors make sure items are in tip-top shape. It can be easy to miss a spot when you tagging all those clothes. A team of trained volunteers make sure quality products are being sold, which keeps the sales reputation high and buyers coming back for more!
  • It packs the house. Tot Trade is known for packing the Jamil Temple with everything you could imagine for children! It’s definitely a one-stop-shop.
  • You get paid the day you pick your items up. Nothing is more satisfying than getting a check at the same time you pick up your unsold items! Next stop, the bank!
  • Volunteer to earn more money! Looking to maximize your paycheck? Volunteer to work a few shifts and make a higher percentage on your sales. Plus it’s a great way to make new friends and shop early for the best items!

Interested in Consigning?

The sales starts opens to the public on Wednesday, March 16 at the Jamil Temple. Consignor registration closes at 11 p.m. on Thursday, March 10 and all items must be entered into the system by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, March 12. Items must be dropped off on Saturday, March 12 between 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. or Sunday, March 13 between 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Note: The later you wait to drop off, the longer the line will be. So if you show up at 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning, be prepared for a wait. Also, if you have a lot of stuff, make sure you bring a wagon, rolling cart, or several family members to help you transport your stuff in one swoop to the inspection line. You don’t want to be fumbling trying to figure out how you are going to bring all your items in.

For more details and information on consigning and the sale, click here.

Have you consigned with Tot Trade before? What tips would you add to the list?

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