Why Buy Secondhand for Your Little One ? Your mother wouldn’t have dreamed of shopping at a secondhand shop. If she did, she’d never want her friends to know. “Just a few decades ago, resale shops were thought of as dark, smelly, disorganized junk stores,” says Adele Meyer, Executive Director of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops (NARTS). “Now the stores are brightly lit, beautifully displayed and well organized.” The change in image has been dramatic, with resale now representing one of the fastest growing segments in retail. Gone are the “dark and smelly” days. Resale customers are now surrounded by scented candles, chandeliers, and comfortable seating areas with refreshments. Still, the biggest change in resale has been shoppers’ attitudes. Customers today love the thrill of the hunt, the rush from getting a great bargain and the excitement of bragging to friends about their savings. Children’s Resale “I like shopping resale because I can find quality merchandise at a very reasonable cost,” says Lauren Levy, mother of an infant and toddler. Levy is among those who know that shopping resale makes especially good sense when it comes to children’s clothes. Alan Fields, co-author of Baby Bargains and Toddler Bargains explains, “Babies and toddlers tend to outgrow clothes long before they’re worn out. Most secondhand stores carry nearly new or never worn children’s merchandise.” Benefits of Buying Resale JoJo Treadwell, mother of three, knows well the benefits of resale shopping. “As a parent, there are some things you’re just constantly buying. I can go to a resale or consignment store and get a couple pairs of pajamas for less than the cost of one at a department store.” Another nice feature of children’s resale clothes: if they’ve been worn, you can almost bet they’re pre-shrunk. Consumers who take advantage of deals on designer pieces at resale shops often get another benefit. Simply put, pricier name brands are often well made. “Parents can get more bang for their buck, when they buy higher-quality pieces for a fraction of the cost,” says Fields. Keep in mind: resale shops are interested only in items that they can sell. In general, pieces don’t make it to their shelves unless they’re durable and in good shape. Before she started shopping resale, Treadwell spent weekends combing garage sales for a plastic outdoor playset. “I’ve learned now to check the consignment and thrift shops—you can find lots of popular toys more quickly and for less than half the price.” Another factor in resale’s growing popularity is the benefit to those who sell to the stores. Most of us get at least a few gifts of baby clothing that never get worn—either we don’t get around to putting them on, or they’re out of season when they’re the right size. Selling to resale shops means parents get a little extra cash, plus the satisfaction of knowing someone else will get some use from the clothes. NARTS’ Meyer points out that, “Consignors and sellers make money by selling under-loved items at our shops, without the expense, work, and bother of a tag or garage sale. Having stores’ resale experts market and price their goods, sellers realize more income than if they tried to do it themselves.” Tips for Successful Resale Shopping Talk to the people behind the counter. It’s important to get to know the staff of your favorite resale shop, particularly if you’re looking for a particular item. Store owners who know you’re looking for an Easter dress or an infant snowsuit are usually happy to keep an eye out for you and give you a call when they’re in. Sign the store’s mailing list. This is a great way to get valuable information, special sale notices, and customer-only premiums. Learn the store’s buying schedule. Especially if you shop consignment stores (those that pay sellers only once items sell), it’s important to talk to the staff about the best day to find merchandise. “Some stores will consign only on a specific day of the week, take a day to price it, and offer their best selection on that third day,” explains Fields. Think location, location, location. People are unlikely to drive across town to sell items into consignment, says Fields. “So, shop the resale stores in the upscale or rich parts of town. Cast offs from the people in those big houses tend to be better stuff.”
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 23:48:18 +0000
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