TotSwap Sale? Timonium? Being a consignor?

[Anonymous]

Ok - so the concept of these consignment sales is new to me but I've seen them mentioned on the boards quite a few times. Can anyone provide any thoughts on the upcoming TotSwap sale in Timonium? Anyone have perspective about becoming a consignor at the event? Is it worth it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok - so the concept of these consignment sales is new to me but I've seen them mentioned on the boards quite a few times. Can anyone provide any thoughts on the upcoming TotSwap sale in Timonium? Anyone have perspective about becoming a consignor at the event? Is it worth it?

I consign and volunteer at Gaithersburg Totswap. I've been doing it for 7 years now. I shop Timonium. I believe it's the biggest sale. If it's your first time and you have a lot of items it can be daunting. You need to make sure clothing has no stains, rips, tears, holes etc... Toys with batteries need to work. They have an option where you can have someone else tag your items for you as well.

As for whether it's worth it....I normally price my items low and I sell 75-90% of what I put into the show. For me, it's worth it, because I get outgrown clothes and toys out of the house twice a year (I do the spring and fall shows only right now).

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP - do you get to shop early as a consignor? Is that essential?

[Anonymous]

In general, I think consignment sales are awesome. You never know what you're going to find. So, go in with a list of things you'd like to find. I've picked up near $2,000 in stuff for around $300 this year.

When I first went, I didn't know what to buy at all for the baby. But now with a toddler, I know exactly what she'd like.

If you've never been to a consignment sale, I would check them out now and wait until the fall to consign. That's just me. I had no idea either. But, now I get it and I understand what's going on.

[Anonymous]

I consigned at the Gaithersburg sale last week. I did pretty good. Sold 60 of 150 items. Made $600.

Is the Timonium sale really the largest sale? I'm fairly (been here 3 years-actually live in VA)new to this area, how far is Timonium from Gaithersburg?

[Anonymous]

I've consigned at Gaithersburg. Sold ALL equipment/toys. Sold very little clothes, and those were a ton of work to iron, hang, safety pin tags on, etc. I now donate all my kids' clothes.

I do love shopping at TotSwap, and have bought tons of clothes there myself when my kids were smaller. Nowadays I love buying books there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP - do you get to shop early as a consignor? Is that essential?

14:03 here. Yes, volunteers shop first followed by consigners. Then new moms and then the general public. IF there is something very specific you are looking for it is great to be able to shop before the general public. Big items go fast (play structures, hard to find items, seasonal items--sand and water tables etc...) I shop on Sunday at Timonium. As far as clothes there are always a ton left (that show seems to get so much clothes wise). I don't feel like I missed out shopping first. From Gaithersburg it's a bit over an hour to get there, so I don't bother consigning there.

It also seems to be better for people with younger children. Up to about size 6x there are tons of clothes (a lot with the tags still on them). My kids are older and I don't do a lot of shopping there. I do go for finds though.

If you are going to consign, the rule of thumb is the price your items at 1/3 of retail and to make outfits out of your clothing. Things tend to sell better that way.

[Anonymous]

I have consigned twice at Gaithersburg. It is a lot of work and I didn't make a ton of money. Both times I made less than $200, but the bulk of my items were clothes/shoes. I basically took the money and put most of it back into the sale, buying stuff for DD. Clothes don't seem to sell for as much as toys or larger toys, ride ons, carseats, etc., or you have to sell A LOT to make any real money. WHOA, PP who made $600 ... I'm impressed.

Still, I would do it again. I have found a ton for DD there, esp. when she was younger than 2. There is more stuff for little ones.

[Anonymous]

Been looking on the website but I can't find anything about what percentage they keep and how much you get for each sale. Anyone know?

[Anonymous]

Generally, they give you 65%. It can be higher if you volunteer a lot.

Anyway, I love both buying and selling, and even though going Fridays (with the general public) is still awesome, either consigning or even paying the $7 for the "VIP" presale slots is even better pickins IMO.