Merchandise Preparation and Tagging

Here are some guidelines and suggestions for preparing, packaging, pricing, and tagging your acceptable items.

Clothing and Shoe Preparation

Proper presentation of your clothing is crucial for maximizing its appeal. Make sure all clothing has been recently washed (and ironed, if needed) so it smells fresh and is attractive on the hanger. Remember, all clothing should be of current style and season.

Hang shirts on size-appropriate hangers. Plastic hangers work best, but plastic-coated wire hangers are okay, too. Regular wire hangers are suitable for junior and maternity clothing, but aren't acceptable for children’s clothing because they're too large and will stretch little clothes out of shape, not a pretty picture! The clothing is hung correctly when the hanger hook is pointing to the left and resembles a question mark when looking at the front of the garment.

Pants and shorts should be safety-pinned on a single hanger (not folded over) so they won't fall off and are also easier to see. Pinning them to the top part of the hanger is recommended for the best presentation. Pant hangers with strong clips also work well.

Use safety pins to hang coordinated outfits together on one hanger. Hang the shirt first; then turn the shirt over and pin the waist of the pants/shorts/skirt to the back of the shirt at the shoulder seam. Please don't pin the “bottoms” under the “tops” or they can't be seen. Pin any accessories, such as matching socks, hats, bibs, and so on, to the outfit.

Shoes must be in like-new condition to be accepted at the sale. Place each pair in a size-appropriate Ziploc bag to ensure they don't get separated. Please do not seal the bag with tape. Buyers need to be able to take them out of the bags to get a better look at them.

Car Seats

DO NOT BRING a car seat that meets any of the following criteria:

more than 5 years old
subject to recall
involved in an accident
has missing parts
has frayed straps
is soiled or stained

Refer to the following website for information: www.carseat.org/Recalls/179NP.pdf.

Children's Market will have a car seat technician check all seats for safety standards before the sale begins. For the safety of your children car seats that are deemed unsafe will be pulled from the sale.

Entering Items into the Online Database

Only Standard Consignors will need to enter their items online.

As you enter your sale items into the online database, we recommend you group them together by size and gender to make the process much easier for you. Grouped items are also easier and faster to place on the sale floor.

To list your items online go to the “Consignor” link and choose “enter items.” You are now ready to enter your items. You will be asked for the following information:

Select category

Select size (when appropriate)

Description - Be as descriptive as possible, so tags and items can be reunited in the event they become separated. Matching a tag to an item is much easier if the tag reads “pink and white polka dot Gymboree jumper” rather than just “pink jumper.”

Select price - The minimum sale price for items is $2.50. Use only fifty cent increments when pricing your items. If you think an item isn't worth the $2.50 minimum price, group similar items together so their value equals at least $2.50. For example, pin two shirts together on a hanger or place onesies in a Ziploc bag.

Select quantity - Enter the number of items that are exactly the same and you can use duplicate tags for each item.

Check to discount - Select this option for items you're willing to sell for the discounted price on half-price day. The red star on the tag above the price means the item WILL go half-price if it doesn’t sell for the full asking price.

Check to donate - Select this option for items you prefer to donate rather than pick up if it does not sell by the end of the sale. The uppercase “D” in the lower left corner of the tag indicates you're willing for us to donate this item.

TAGGING INSTRUCTIONS

You must print your tags on white cardstock paper. It is very important to use 60 lb., 65 lb., or 67 lb. cardstock, which can be found at local discount or office supply stores. Don't use heavier paper that could soak up lots of ink, making the barcode un-scannable. Lighter weight paper won't stand up to repeated handling of the items.

To print your tags you will need to log in to your consignor homepage using your consignor number and password. Then select 'work with consigned inventory', and then select either 'print all tags' or 'print selected tags'. Your tags will print out six per page, cut them out and pin them on your items.

It is extremely important to attach tags in a secure manner with safety pins. After all your hard work entering items, you don't want the tag to become separated. WE CAN'T SELL ITEMS WITHOUT TAGS. We would have no way of knowing whom to credit with the sold item.

Now that I've entered my items, where do I attach the tag?

On clothing:

Attach tags with safety pins to the top right side of the clothing (as you're looking at it).

On shoes:

Place each pair in a size-appropriate Ziploc bag with the barcoded tag pinned through a shoe eyelet hole, hook, or clasp. In addition, put your consignor number and price on two pieces of masking tape, placing one piece on the bottom of each shoe. This will safeguard identification in case the barcode tag gets separated from the shoes.

On bedding:

Place bedding in a clear bag with the barcoded tag pinned to the outside. If you have the original bag, that's great. If not, use a large sealable bag (such as an extra large Ziploc bag) which allows for easy visibility of the contents. If the items in the bag (such as a multiple-piece bedding ensemble) are too numerous to list in the space allotted on the tag, list the items on masking tape affixed to the bag, or write the list directly on the bag with a permanent black Sharpie. Write your consignor number and price on the bag itself, in case the tag becomes separated from the bag.

On toys and other loose items:

Toys must be clean, in good working order, and complete with all parts including batteries. Small, loose parts can be packaged in a sealed Ziploc bag and attached to the main item with clear packing tape.

Loose items, like bottles, cups, bibs, socks, rattles, and so on, can be grouped together in a large Ziploc bag. Videos, DVDs, CDs, and books can also be placed in a bag. Seal the bag with clear packing tape to make sure items aren't lost. Safety pin the bar-coded tag to the outside of the bag. Use a permanent black Sharpie to write your consignor number, a brief item description, and price on the bag in case the tag becomes separated from the bag.

On Furniture, High Chairs, Exersaucers, and the like:

Attach tags with clear packing tape if pinning isn't possible. Be very careful to avoid placing tape over any part that could be damaged when the tape is removed. Never put tape over a barcode, because it won't scan.