Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the questions that we are asked frequently about clothing intake. If your question is not answered, please feel free to give us a call. We're happy to help!

What is the difference between children's clothing intake and consignment?

We purchase outright children's sizes 8 and under. This means that we purchase the items directly from you that we believe will sell. We rely on past and present selling experience to select the items that we purchase. With children's sizes 8 and under, you drop your items off at any point we are open, we go through them the following Wednesday and make our selections, and then you stop back the following Thursday-Saturday to pick up the items that we pass on as well as a check for what we purchase. Please view our children's clothing intake guidelines for more information and to assist you with preparing your items for intake.

Do you buy my consignment items?

Consignment differs from our children's intake as we do not purchase consignment items from you. We prepare and display your item in the store and when it sells, we pay you for the items sold. This differs from how we take in children's clothing sizes 8 and under as we purchase those sizes outright.

How does consignment work?

Children's clothing over size 8 and all women's items are taken on a consignment basis. With consignment, we select the items that we think we would be able to sell for you and put them on consignment. You'll receive 40% of the final selling price after your item sells. Items that we select are placed on consignment, meaning that you get paid as your items sell. Your consignment period begins when your items go on the sales floor {not the day we take your clothes}. After 8 weeks, your items may be sold at 25% off. After 10 weeks, we may sell your items for 50% off for the remaining two weeks of the consignment period. If room permits after your initial 12 weeks, we may sell your items at a reduced price and at a reduced percentage. Items that remain at the end of the selling period are donated to one of the charities that we work with; you do not get to pick up items that do not sell. Items brought in late in the season may go on sale prior to 8 weeks. Once an item is placed on consignment, you may not change your mind and take it back later.

Consignment intake hours are Monday-Wednesday from 10:00-5:30. Please view our consignment intake guidelines for more information and to assist with you with preparing your items for intake.

I have both women's and children's clothing. Can I bring them in at the same time?

If your clothing is sorted according to our guidelines for both your women's and children's items and it is the current intake season for both your women's and children's items, you can drop them off anytime that we are open and everything will be ready for pick up the following Thursday-Saturday. Please note that due to space limitations, if you only have consignment sized items, we are unable to hold your items for future pick up.

What is the best way to bring my items in?

Please have all items neatly folded in shopping bags, baskets, totes, or boxes. Please do not bring your items in on hangers. We also prefer that items are not brought in in garbage bags. It is your responsibility to bring your items in ready to be sold. Time does not permit us to clean garments and we cannot accept any garments that are not ready to be sold.

For both space and safety reasons, we cannot accept items that are in large containers. Heavy containers are not safe for our staff to safely carry. Thank you.

How many items can I bring in at one time?

We have an intake limit of two medium-sized containers per person per intake week. The 18-20 gallon sized Sterilite or Rubbermaid totes are a great reference point for sizing (and also work really nicely for bringing your items to us). All items must be sorted according to our guidelines and for the current intake season only.

Do I need an appointment to bring in items?

For consignment-sized items, we accept walk-ins (no appointment needed) on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday between 10:00-5:30. During these intake hours, someone is always available to take a look through your consignment-sized clothing items.

For children's sizes 8 and under, you can stop in anytime to drop off your items. We will take a look at them the following Wednesday and you'll be able to return the following Thursday-Saturday to pick up the items we pass on as well as a check for what we are able to purchase.

We take a limited amount of appointments for the intake of children's clothing sizes 8 and under on Wednesdays only. We will look through your items while you shop or run an errand and you can then pick up the items that we pass on on the same day. If you would like to make an appointment, please call the store directly to set one up. Appointments book several weeks in advance as we only take a limited number each Wednesday.

I see that your consignment intake hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:00-5:30. Unfortunately those hours do not work for me. Is there another option?

Our consignment intake hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:00-5:30 as one of the people who accept items for consignment are always working at these times. We understand that these hours do not always work for everyone. You are welcome to drop off your consignment-sized items outside of intake hours, however, we will not go through them when you are still in the store. We will take a look at your items when time permits and items that we don't think we will be able to sell for you will be donated to one of the charities that we work with. You are unable to pick up the items that we pass on if you choose to leave your items outside of our intake hours.

How am I paid for my items? Can I use my money as store credit?

We purchase outright children's sizes 8 and under. After you drop your items off, we'll select the items that we believe will sell. When you stop back the following Thursday-Saturday, we will have your money ready for you. Amounts over $20 are paid by check. Amounts less than $20 are paid in cash. Money not claimed after two years is forfeited.

Accounts are updated on the 15th of each month for consignment. You can check after the 15th of each month to see if items have sold and we have money for you. Amounts over $20 are paid by check. Amounts less than $20 are paid in cash. Money owed will remain on your account until you collect it. Money not claimed after two years is forfeited.

Yes, you can certainly use the money that you are owed towards purchases in the store.

I brought in items last month that were put on consignment, yet my account does not show a balance on the 15th this month. Why is that?

We pay on the 15th of each month for items that sold on consignment during the previous calendar month. It is likely that your account won't show a balance the month after bringing your items in as it may take us 2-3 weeks from the date that you bring your items in for us to process your items, tag them, and prepare them for our selling floor. Keep in mind that your selling period starts the day that we put your items onto our computer, not the day that you bring your items in. For example, if you bring your items in at the end of July, we likely won't process your items until the beginning of August. This means that your items wouldn't have yet been on our selling floor in July in time for them to sell and make our August 15th check. As your items are just beginning to hit the selling floor in August, you may begin to see payments for items sold on September 15th with an even greater chance of items selling by the October 15th check as your items would have been out for a greater amount of time by that point. We always use our best judgement as to whether or not we believe an item will sell when we make our selections, but cannot guarantee an item will sell if we take it on consignment. We always tell people to check for money for at least six months from the time that you originally brought your items in. This ensures that your entire consignment period is completed.

Do you accept accessories?

We may consider women's shoes and scarves. Please understand that we are very selective when it comes to selecting these accessory pieces due to our limited space. Shoes must look like new and have no scuffs or other marks. We do not accept any jewelry, purses, women's belts, women's hats, women's sunglasses, etc.

Do you accept equipment pieces like strollers and exersaucers?

Before bringing in equipment pieces, you must check and ensure that all items are free of recalls. When leaving items, you certify that you have checked for recalls. We never accept car seats, cribs, or bike helmets. Equipment items are taken on a consignment basis. All items must be current in style and function (purchased new within the last three years). Equipment pieces must be clean at the time that you bring them in and be complete with all pieces. We will not be able to accept equipment pieces that are not completely clean and we are unable to allow you to clean your item while in the store.

Our limited space requires us to be selective when selecting equipment pieces and there are times of the year when we cannot accept equipment pieces as our space is occupied by other items (such as our Halloween costumes during the months of September and October). Strollers should be brought in the spring only as they are more likely to sell in the spring and summer as people generally do not look for strollers in the fall. Please call prior to bringing your equipment pieces to ensure that we are taking equipment pieces.

It is best to bring equipment pieces on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday as one of the people who take in consignment items are always working on these days.

Do you accept maternity clothing?

Yes, we accept maternity clothing. Maternity clothing is taken on a consignment basis and is taken by season. As with all items that we accept, maternity clothing must be in like new condition and current in style. You can view our consignment guidelines to help prepare your items for intake.

Do you accept uniform scrubs?

Yes, we accept uniform scrubs on a consignment basis. As with all items that we accept, scrubs must be in like new condition and be current in style.

Do you accept swimwear?

Swimwear may be brought in during our summer intake window from approximately mid-February until the last Tuesday of May. As with all items that we accept, swimwear must be in like new condition and current in style. You can view our consignment guidelinesor children's clothing guidelines to help prepare your items for intake.

Do you accept plus-sized clothing?

Yes, we accept plus-sized clothing. Plus-sized clothing is taken on a consignment basis. As with all items that we accept, plus-sized clothing must be in like new condition and current in style. You can view our consignment guidelines to help prepare your items for intake.

Do you accept Halloween costumes?

Yes, we will take a look at your Halloween costumes if they are complete and free of tears and stains. If parts are missing or broken, we will likely pass. We rely on our past and present selling experience as we select costumes to ensure that it is something that someone likely would be looking for. Halloween costumes should be brought in starting in July. We often pass on costumes that are brought in close to Halloween as there isn't enough time to prepare it for the sales floor and allow time for it to sell prior to Halloween.

Do you accept men's clothing?

Unfortunately we do not accept any men's clothing.

How do you price your clothing?

We rely on our many years of past and present selling experience as we price items for resale. Many factors are considered when we price an item including brand, condition, and supply and demand. Our goal is to sell every item prior to the end of its selling period, so we set prices accordingly. We set a price on your items that fairly reflects their value and will help them sell for us both.

Are there apparel items that you never accept?

We always rely on past and present selling experience when we make our selections for both consignment and children's clothing. All items must be purchased new within the last three years as our customers are always looking for current styles and the latest fashions. Although an item may still be in like-new condition, we have to rely on what our customers are currently looking for as we make our selections. Please do not take offense if we have to pass on some of your items.

We will likely pass on the following items:

items with stains, fading, or excessive wear
advertising/event clothing
apparel with shoulder pads
knit turtlenecks
short-length tops
patterned jeans/pants
jeans/pants with frayed bottoms or a wide leg
formal dresses
pant/skirt sets and suits
items purchased four or more years ago

We will consider footwear only if in nearly new condition.

Do you accept children's books, toys, or games?

We consider children's books, toys, and games. Books, toys, and games must be complete and in like-new condition in order for us to consider taking them. Items with batteries or lots of pieces always go on consignment. Some items may be purchased outright.

We do not accept stuffed animals, McDonald’s type toys, toys or games with many pieces, bike helmets, or bedding sets. You must sign a document stating that you have checked to ensure that all toy and equipment pieces you are consigning have been found to be free of recalls.

Why are some of my items accepted and some are not?

We rely on our over 30 years of past and present selling experience as we make our selections. Many factors are considered as we select items including brand, condition, and current supply and demand. In order to ensure that our store is full of items that people are currently looking for, we rely on trend and style patterns. In order for an item to be purchased, it must be gently worn with no stains, tears, or wear. Sometimes stains show up in our bright florescent lights that are not visible at home. If you bring in an item that you currently see hanging on our racks and we do not accept it, it is likely because items like that have not been selling. Even though an item is new with tags does not necessarily mean that we will take it- it must still meet all of our guidelines. Please do not take offense if we have to pass on some of your items as we rely on what people are looking for as we make our selections. You can view our consignment guidelines or children's clothing guidelines to help prepare your items for intake.