An important aspect to consigning with Hugs & Kisses, is knowing how to tag and how to price when entering your items. This page will explain all of that. First, let's cover the pricing...
PRICING
When you price your items, remember to price them according to their age and condition. However, they will not sell if they are priced too high. We've learned from experience that it is better to sell an item for $4.00, for example, than to take it back home with the $5.00 tag still on it.
Hugs & Kisses suggest that you price your name brand items that are in good condition at approximately 1/4 of their original retail price. Gap, Gymboree, Children's Place, Old Navy, and boutique items sell very well.
*(PLEASE NOTE!) The smallest listed price we are accepting is $1.00 (the computer will not allow prices to be set at 50 cents). Now these one dollar items can still go for 50 cents on 1/2 price day, but they may not start off at 50 cents. If you have an item you feel may not sell for a dollar, combine it with another item and adjust the price. Also, please remember to list all items in 50 cent increments only (i.e. $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, etc.)
1/2 PRICING
By far the craziest part of our sale are our two 1/2 price days. Being open for these two days allows you a chance to make even more money. Remember, the more days we are open, the more money you can make. And with most items going for 1/2 price, it is crazy the whole day. Shoppers are coming for the bargains and they are finding them. Now please understand that all the items are NOT 1/2 priced...just the ones YOU CHOOSE to mark down. (And you choose to have them marked down when you enter your item online. Each tag will have a code telling whether or not it will be have price on Friday and Saturday.)
Here's how you do it... when you price your item and choose to "discount" it for our 1/2 sale, there will be a red star above your price. If you choose to sell your item at full price for the entire sale, (choosing "no" for discount), then a star will not be on your tag. And yes, these items will still be available to purchase on Friday and Saturday but at full price. But all red star items will go for 50% off on Friday and Saturday. These items will also go half price on Thursday night when all volunteers and consignors get to shop early for the 1/2 price sale. (NOTE: If you do not have a colored printer, a black star will appear. This is fine and will not affect anything.)
Just remember this consignors, if you're like me and don't want to take it back home, discount it to go half price. It's much better than taking those items back home. And believe me, any money you may feel you're "losing" by selling your items at half price can be easily made up in the bargains and great buys you'll find when you shop. *Please note that all items are Full Price through 6pm on Thursday.
TAGGING
All tagging for our sales is done online. You will need access to a computer, printer, and white cardstock paper (THIS IS MANDATORY...Cardstock only!) Each tag will have a barcode that will be scanned when purchased. If the paper is easily torn and flimsy, it will not scan and you will not get your money. Also, make sure when your tags print that they are not smeared and that the barcode lines are clean, clear, and crisp with sharp lines. Older inkjet printers tend to leave the barcode "fuzzy." So please make sure your barcodes are clear with clean lines before you tag! If not, please reprint that tag.
When entering your items you will be asked for a size (if applicable.) If you have an item that is labeled by the manufacturer as a "6-9 months" size - you should enter "6 months" on your tag. Choose the smaller number. This creates less confusion when items are placed on our clothing racks and makes for easier sorting. And if it's a little big, your child can always grow into it.
Now once you register, you can just follow the steps to pricing and tagging your items.
ATTACHING THE TAG
Once you've priced and printed out your tags, you're ready to attach them. REMEMBER, ALL CLOTHING MUST BE ON HANGERS! (We highly recommend plastic hangers because they hold up much better.)
In the past we have taken off the hangers. However, this year we will not being doing that unless we have a low volume of customers checking out. This will greatly speed up our check out process. But for any hangers we do have left over after the sale, they will be available on a first-come, first serve basis when you pick up your unsold items.
Now back to hanging your items...
The only exception to putting clothes on hangers is for items like onesies, socks, bibs, and any other clothing, that cannot be displayed by hanging. These non-hanging items need to be in a ziploc bag with clear tape placed firmly over the tag itself. Then tape the bag shut and tape the tag to the bag with packing tape. (This prevents it from coming off when being handled.) Now you may have one or several items in that ziploc but you should only have one tag per ziploc.
For onesies and other items placed in ziplocs, we will be opening them to look for stains when we are de-tagging at check out. Any items found unacceptable and not purchased by that shopper will be pulled and the consignor number will be recorded and put on a prohibited list. Yes, you read that correctly - prohibited from the next sale. We are serious about this being the best consignment sale for both consignors and shoppers. This procedure also includes DVD cases and other packaged items.
Again, all other clothing MUST BE ON HANGERS. The plastic ones hold up much better than the wire ones. You cannot sell your clothes if they are laying on the floor. When placing your tag on your hanging clothes, you will need to attach your tag to it with a safety pin. (I recommend a single hole punch first helps before pinning - prevents tearing.) Please do not use straight pins or tape the tag to hanging clothes. The tag needs to be in the upper left corner of the garment when being worn, (i.e. over the heart, over the pocket).
The securing of your tag is important to you receiving your money from your sold items. We are unable to sell items that are not tagged or have a missing tag. Therefore everything must be securely attached.
LARGE ITEM TAGGING - After much "research," we are implementing a new system for our large items. Our desire has been to allow shoppers the opportunity to continue shopping without having to carry larger items or having to take them to a holding area. We also needed for this to happen efficiently and securely...and we have our answer. So for the consignor, what does that mean for you? (So glad you asked ...)
When attaching tags to large items that shoppers do not want to carry around (such as: larger toys, cribs, pack-n-plays, strollers, high chairs, furniture, exersaucers, car seats, bassinets, swings, mattresses, etc.), please use one, small piece of tape and adhere your tag lightly to the large item. When you come to drop-off, there will be a section at the back of the sale just for these large items. From there, our volunteers will then assist you with your "LARGE ITEM CLAIM TICKET" that will be placed on your swing, crib, stroller, etc. These extra couple of minutes you spend at drop-off will lead to more convenience for shoppers and more sells for our consignors.
When attaching tags to other, much handled, smaller items (like toys), it's best to put tape over most of the tag to prevent it from coming off as shoppers and their children handle these items. Also, the toys at the sale will usually be played with by the children of shoppers. So please make sure all pieces are firmly attached. If their are smaller pieces with a toy or other item, put those in a ziploc and attach firmly to that larger item. (Remember: No tape on hanging clothes.)
When tagging shoes, zip-tie your shoes together. This not only keeps them together, but allows them to be tried on by a shopper's child. Also, run the zip-tie through the hole in the tag.
When tagging books, make sure that the tape will not tear the book (try Scotch tape). If you have multiple books you want to sell together, it's best if they are wrapped with string or twine. Or you can put them in a ziploc and put the tag on the ziploc (with packing tape). Just remember to tape the ziploc shut so they do not get misplaced. Just know that books do sell much better if they can be looked at before being purchased. And on the tag, just remember to list the book titles and how many books are in the ziploc.
For videos, place your tag on the back of the DVD or VHS cover.
Also include batteries in items that require them! Shoppers need to know the items work. We do not supply any batteries. (Psssstttt...but you can get them cheap at any dollar store.)
Once again, if you have any questions, please contact us.
Hugs & Kisses xoxo
~ Lori
