Seeking Feedback on a New Store I Am Going to Open.

Good luck to you! I personally would buy the more expensive labels on consignment. But if it's a bunch of Liz Lang stuff - I can buy those brand new fairly cheap at Target.

I will buy pretty much anything at a resale shop if it is in good condition. Shoes are iffy because they rarely look new after several wearings. I have found my daughter several high end and funky things (even handmade!) that I would not have been able to afford new. My favorite resale shops currently are Childrens Clothing Exchange (30th and Division) and Piccolina (28th and Clinton). If you need items I have been saving all my daughters clothes hoping a close friend would have a baby. Now she is 4 and I still have an attic full of stuff!
let me know when you open up
K.
____@____.com

good for you! I have seen many shops open and close within a short time. I think the secret is to have name brands, in good shape and price to sell! I have been shopping at Robins Walk In Closet in Gresham for years. Her items move fast because she prices them cheap.
I used to shop at a store in Lake O but she was too picky at the items she took in and priced her items way too high. I could do better at a garage sale. Robin has a 50/50 split on the large items like strollers, bed etc. The cloting is 60/40.
(if my memory serves me right)
Keep an eye out for people who steal! Robin has families that come in, start a converstaion with her while the others steal her blind. You can not resale car seats and I would check the recall of items on line often!!
An area for young kids to hang out in is a good idea too.
Remember the seasons too, summer things in summer etc. Also remember that retail stores start selling summer items in January and Febuary......CRAZY! I often go to the consigment shop to find things that I can no longer find in the stores.

I'll stop by sometime. Good luck! :-)
D.

I live not to far away and would love a consignment store in our neighborhood. Is this near the fruit stand and Freddies?

Cloths and toys are nice but the resale store I frequent most is actually Milogas, and the reason is because of all of the locally made products, the nice group space and the fun kid friendly events they have. Picking up things while I'm there is just part of the fun.

Other ideas would be board books, shoes, baby items such as monitors, and definatly work maternity cloths (motherhood, etc.). My daughter is older now so hopefully others will have good ideas of brands, items etc.

Would love to hear more and be on the mailing list!

I love to shop consignment, although I haven't found too many since we moved here (I'm in Gladstone). Anyway, my biggest advice would mimic what somebody already said, organization and cleanliness. I recently tried a shop in West Linn and will NEVER go back, I was tripping over things and couldn't even keep my kiddos close to me because I had to step over things to look at something else. Very turned-off at this store. As far as items, I say be very careful about carseats, personally, I would never buy a used carseat, but thats just me. For clothes, I don't pay too much attention to brand, it's the price, quality, and look I like. I would take nothing with stains, tears, rips, etc, as people won't buy them and they will just take up your space and time. Final suggestion, if space allows, I would create a spot for kids to interact and play while moms shop. Maybe a table with some puzzles and books, maybe a small TV with Noggin or such shows, crayons & coloring books or just paper. Good luck and let us know when you have your Grand Opening!!

Whenever I shop consignment, I always look for Hanna Anderson clothing. It's cute, and it wears extremely well. (It's also very expensive to buy new!)

Congrats on opening a second hand store in that area. I lived in that area for 16 years and would have shopped for good condition cothing and Items for my kids. I would look around the area and see what retail store are selling. I believe there is an Walmart there. Look through there store and see what brands they are carring and what there prices are. You will more than likely going to get more of the local products. Then price to intice nore to purchase from your store.
I am not sure how the consignment part works. But I do have a lot of my youngest sons baby Items I need to sell. including crib

Hi A.!

Congrats on your new venture. Let us know when it's up and running.

I, too, love the Hanna Andersen clothes.

This is my advice regarding consignment shops (based on my experience shopping at them).

1. Keep the store as clear as possible (I know it's tough with so many drop-offs and small space) - I've seen moms try to get at an item and just give up because they would have to climb over mattresses, clothes, and boxes.

2. Try to keep the store clean (again, difficult due to the above). But I've been at stores where I've seen pins and safety pins on the floor, and crawling babies right next to them.

3. Be VERY clear about what you will and won't accept from others. I once dropped off a ton of items at a consignment shop. I asked the woman BEFORE I dropped them off and the day I dropped them off for advice on what she would accept. Her answer was vague.

To my surprise, three weeks later I got a card that said none of the items were accepted! Many of the items were brand-new, name-brand (from Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, etc.) infant and older baby clothes that I had received as gifts (my DD was too big to wear them when I got them).

Even when I went to pick my items back up, the lady couldn't give me a reason for why they weren't accepted. It did not leave a good impression and I have not shopped there very often since.

4. This is just an idea - you could have a monthly event for moms and babies/children at your store. One month could be information for expectant moms, one month could be bringing in a lactation nurse to talk about breastfeeding, and so on. I wouldn't charge for these - just use it as an opportunity to bring awareness and traffic to your store.

And have fun!! My husband works for himself and it's one of the greatest adventures. M.