Monday organizer: Consignment season is good time to purge
BY NOUR HABIB World Scene Writer
Monday, January 21, 2013
1/21/13 at 6:53 AM
It's still January, but that doesn't mean you can't start thinking about doing some spring cleaning, especially if you want to make use of the upcoming consignment sale season.
Daven Tackett, co-founder of the consignment sale event franchise Just Between Friends, offered some tips for individuals who want to make some extra cash from the things they no longer need, whether through a garage sale or consigning with a sale event.
The first thing to do is schedule time for the task, Tackett said.
Set aside at least four hours, she advises. "Because you're not just preparing for the sale, you're also purging."
Then, when you get around to the task, be sure you have all the supplies you need to avoid the frustration of having to interrupt your work flow to find something.
Make sure you have boxes, hangers, trash bags and something on which to write down each item's price. To stay encouraged, Tackett recommends that you start pricing the most expensive items first, so that you can see how much money you'll be making from the process. The website eBay can help you determine the market value of such items as baby furniture and electronics.
As for clothes, those that can be sold as a whole set - such as a dress with shoes and a matching bow - are likely to sell for more money, Tackett said.
If you're participating in a kids consignment sale event, don't forget about items like books or DVDs, which can help increase your profit, Tackett said.
"There is value in things that you purchase and no longer need," Tackett said.
As the co-founder of the 15-year-old Just Between Friends event, and as someone who has held and still holds numerous garage sales at her home, Tackett also offered tips on making the process easier.
Place a box in your home designated for items that will be sold or consigned, and place things in it as your kids outgrow them or as you no longer have a use for them.
"Then don't worry about it till you have a whole box full," she said.
She also advises those who want to consign not to "mess with things that are stained or have a missing piece."
"Just move on," she said, so you are not wasting time looking for items that are lost or trying to clean items to make them suitable to sell.
Tackett also said, if you can, involve your family. Assign everyone a task so that the process will be faster. Someone can sort, someone can price, and someone can set up the items on sale day.
Not for profit purging
If you'd prefer not to sort and price items as you purge your closet, consider donating them to help others.
Various organizations across the area accept donated clothing and other items for children and adults.
Kim Goddard, executive director of Broken Arrow Neighbors, said her organization is willing to take whatever individuals are willing to give - within reason. The organization still requests that the items are in decent shape, with buttons and zippers working, and with minimal staining.
"Individuals that are having a tough time in life, we certainly don't need to compound that by expecting them to wear clothes that perhaps we ourselves wouldn't wear," she said.
Goddard said charity organizations also appreciate it if the clothing that is donated is in season, so that clients can benefit immediately, especially because many of the organizations have limited storage space.
However, nonprofits also understand that people often clean out their wardrobes in the off-season.
Goddard said Broken Arrow Neighbors sometimes "gifts forward," or sends donations to other organizations like Emergency Infant Services, if they have an over-supply of that particular item.
But convenience is not the only benefit to donating items rather than consigning, Goddard said.
"For me, personally, I think it's absolutely wonderful to be philanthropically oriented without having to feel the pinch of that in your own personal finances," she said. "Because this is already an item that you have bought, yet you can bring a little bit of savviness to an individual who might not be able to have it. It's an easy way to give back."
Although Broken Arrow Neighbors accepts donations for all ages, some organizations serve more specific populations. Emergency Infant Services only accepts donations of items that can benefit children ages newborn to 5 years.
Where to donate
The following are some of the area organizations that accept donated clothes. Call to check on drop-off times and requirements.
- Catholic Charities, 2450 N. Harvard Ave.; 918-949-4673
- John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne Ave.; 918-587-1197
- Harvest House, 1439 E. 71st St.; 918-492-5511, ext. 32
- Emergency Infant Services, 222 S. Houston Ave.; 918-582-2469 or 918-592-2229
- Broken Arrow Neighbors, 322 W. Broadway Ave., Broken Arrow; 918-251-7781
- Children's Medical Charities Association, 1125 S. Utica Ave.; 918-579-1122
- Goodwill Industries of Tulsa, various drop-off locations; 918-581-1200
- The Salvation Army, various drop-off locations; 800-728-7825
Original Print Headline: Be ready for consignment sale season
Nour Habib 918-581-8369
nour.habib@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Andrea Reed puts labels on baby clothes at her home in Kiefer last year while getting ready for a consignment sale. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World file
Andrea Reed prepares labels to put on clothes as she gets ready for a consignment sale. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World file
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