MOMania

By scubber

February 7, 2007 07:50 AM | Link to this

I believe if you committed a few hours on a Saturday afternoon, making several readable signs and posting an ad on craigslist.org for a baby clothing yard sale, you would probably be rid of all of your unwanted clothes in less than two hours.

If you are looking for a tax write off or make an offer of goodwill to those in greatest need, you could donate the clothes to cvm.org.

If you have any cute Benetton dresses, lemme know and I will buy those off from you today!

By Jesse's Girl

February 7, 2007 08:07 AM | Link to this

Churches seem to have the most profitable consignment sales going. There are 2 churches in my area that are gearing up for their’s. Hope Methodist on Dallas Highway in Dallas and McEachern Methodist in Powder Springs on Macland Rd. The sellers make more money during these sales than any other shop I have seen. Maybe its the guilt thing…people buying from a church hoping to score some moral points. No matter the shopper’s reasons…it translates into you selling almost all your “stuff”. I am looking for a good twin bedroom set for The Boy if anyone is selling!

By Heather

February 7, 2007 08:11 AM | Link to this

Consignment sales and consignment shops have worked very well for me. In fact, you should look for a great community sale in your city. KIDS’ MARKET is an Atlanta tradition in its 14th year ~~ check it out at 1200 Ponce de Leon Ave., starting tomorrow, 2/8 and going through 2/9. See our ad in the AJC today and online!!

By Jesse's Girl

February 7, 2007 08:15 AM | Link to this

By the way…Theresa, where is your link on the Gwinnett page? Unless I am totally missing it…which is entirely possible…..it doesn’t appear to be there.

By Theresa

February 7, 2007 08:19 AM | Link to this

What are the stores that are there year round that you could sell one or two items at??

By TheOne

February 7, 2007 08:28 AM | Link to this

I donated all of my daughters outgrown stuff to my then churchs’ clothes closet mission outreach program……..a program where needy families from the community could come and shop for FREE. I found that to be most satisfying and a great example for her in giving back. Considering that you all sound like you don’t need the money from a sale, I challenge you all to do the same. And if you’re not a member of a church, find one that has a program that does this for free, not a church that holds a sale for profit. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not bashing anyone for their choices, but I’m a single mom and I definitely could’ve used the money, but again, I thought that this was a way to really give to the less fortunate…….and I’m sure some of you can afford to do so.

By Kat

February 7, 2007 08:32 AM | Link to this

Go to www.thebargainwatcher.com. This lists all consignment sales (and some community yard sales) in the metro area. You can sort by date or county. Directions on how to “consign” and what it means are available on the Web site. You probably have a lot more items than you think! Don’t stop with the strollers. Clothes in decent condition can fetch a lot at these sales. I was only a shopper until my friend brought home a whopping check from her efforts - several hundred dollars. And, if you want to donate what doesn’t sell, you can do that too. Check the percentages of what the sales location keeps - some are lower than others. The one I’m participating in lets you keep 90% of your sales!

By past50mom

February 7, 2007 08:33 AM | Link to this

Donate them to a women’s shelter.

By Kat

February 7, 2007 08:34 AM | Link to this

For the church sales, they keep a percentage of your sales to go to their mission trips, kids’ activities, general funds, and so forth.

By beth

February 7, 2007 09:01 AM | Link to this

Nothing wrong with Theresa trying to make a few bucks on her used baby items.

By fk

February 7, 2007 09:13 AM | Link to this

I donated most of the my son’s things to a local nonprofit charity that had its own consignment shop. The money raised helps those in need in the community. If you really want it to be a charitable donation, be careful where you donate. Some charities only get a percentage of what is sold as they hire others to come out and pick and dispose of the donations.

Every year, just after my son’s birthday, which is in January (he was on overload from Christmas…lots of relatives), we went thru his closets and donated items. I kept only his favorite things…a favorite t-shirt, Matchbox, Batman and Star Wars Lego stuff along with several favorite books. After another year passed, he was usually more willing to let go of something that he had held onto from the year before.

By MP

February 7, 2007 09:21 AM | Link to this

With 3 kids I have learned that you never get as much as you want for a used stroller, crib or set of clothes. I freecycle all of the kid’s stuff now. I usually have everything gone that day and someone who really wants it gives it a new home. Don’t worry about getting money off from a used item.

By past50mom

February 7, 2007 09:23 AM | Link to this

beth, I hope you didn’t impute from my post that it was wrong for Thresesa to sell her baby clothes. I prefer to give my used things away, and the women and children in the shelters are in need and very appreciative.

By abc

February 7, 2007 09:39 AM | Link to this

Donate that stuff to worthy charities. How much do you think you’ll make off of it vs. how much some people need it? Tax write-off, if anything.

By Kat

February 7, 2007 09:51 AM | Link to this

I used to donate my older items all the time thinking the tax write-off was the perfect method, until my friend came home with more than $350 from one of these sales. If sellers want, they can ask that their unsold items be donated to charity - the best of both worlds.

By Rachel

February 7, 2007 09:54 AM | Link to this

Cannon UMC Preschool, in the Snellville (Brookwood) area, has a kids consignment sale. I think they have a sale going on next week - you probably should check with the preschool office for the details. I have never been (always hand-down my good stuff to friends and relatives), but I have heard it is a big deal in the community.

By waterbug24

February 7, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

If you have things that don’t sell, or aren’t in great condition, let me suggest that you ask daycares, preschools, and schools if they have a clothes closet. Many times we need clothes when parents don’t send in extra, for children when they have accidents (apple juice, paint, ETC). This can be tax deductable also.

By Melissa

February 7, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

I have never been there, but I have heard of a consignment store in Atlanta called Crib It. You can consign baby furniture and equipment, such as strollers, there.

By Jennifer

February 7, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

My girls wear mostly Gymboree, so I sell in lots by size on E-bay. I donate jammies and play clothes, either to needy families I know or my friends know, sometimes to Goodwill. I’ve done the yardsale thing and you don’t make a ton of money. The exception to that is when I sold infant stuff like carseats, my glider, exersaucer, etc.

Needy people shop at yardsales and on ebay, too, so I don’t see how selling at a hugely discounted price on your own is any less noble than donating it!

By Lynn

February 7, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Theresa, as an accountant I can assure that donation to a non-profitable organization is the best way to go. This applies to household furntiture or whatever. You determine the value of the items you are donating based on actual purchase price and depreciate them based on use. Some things are still like new, so you take the full purchase price deduction. Depending on your tax bracket. Say if you donate 1,000 worth of items (which is easy to do) & are in a 25% bracket, it’s an instant 250 savings at tax time.

By Tina

February 7, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

There is a very worthy organization that can make good use of old toys (not plush stuff). It’s called Lekotek. They have a toy lending library and play therapy services that include an hour of play every month and a bag of “new” toys to play with and learn from for that month…you go back a month later, trade them all in and get another hour of play and another bag of toys. It is a Brilliant service, run amazingly well. They have 3 branches in Atlanta.

IF YOU HAVE TOYS TO GET RID OF THAT ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND ARE NOT PLUSH, this is the place to donate. They are LEKOTEK OF GEORGIA 1955 Cliff Valley Way (take 285 to 85 south, exit N. Druid Hills, turn left, take a left on Briarcliff Road, go appoximately 2 miles and take a left on Cliff Valley Way. They are near the end of that road on the left in Suite #102. Their phone number is 404-633-3430). They serve a variety of special needs kids including children with cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, autism, and many other developmental disabilities. Their website is at www.Lekotekga.org. They are happy to prepare letters for tax write-offs to mail to you after the delivery.

My son’s best friend goes there monthly because of his autism. It is truly a great organization.

By SpaceyG

February 7, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

All Saints’ Episcopal Church downtown at W. Peachtree and North Ave. has a wonderful outreach program to give (very) gently used clothing, free of charge, to those in need. Get in touch with All Saints’ THREADS program here.

By Wendy

February 7, 2007 01:08 PM | Link to this

I sell what I can at a consignment sale twice a year, it’s upcoming soon.. www.all4kids.com

I then donate what doesn’t sell, and give away to those I know who can use it.

By Alex

February 7, 2007 01:51 PM | Link to this

EBay definitely! It’s a bit more trouble but worth it for selling clothes. It’s a great place to buy stuff too. The larger, impossible to ship things are better off at church consignment sales.

By Teacher's Kid

February 7, 2007 01:58 PM | Link to this

I’m with Past50mom on donating the childrens’ clothes, toys, and stuff to your local domestic violence shelter. Oftentimes the women and children who go there arrive with nothing else but the clothes on their back. If you need to find out who to call, just Google domestic violence shelters in Georgia and there’s a very comprehensive list there from divorcesource.com that gives addresses and telephone numbers to contact.

By Bobby Elrod

February 7, 2007 02:14 PM | Link to this

Make sure you’re done having kids before you start giving stuff away. My wife and I thought we were done after #2, turns out #3 is on the way now, and we’re glad we never got around to giving the old clothes away.

By Theresa

February 7, 2007 02:20 PM | Link to this

My only reason i would want to sell those two strollers as opposed to just giving away is I want a new stroller for the third baby and my husband thinks that is nuts and wasteful. So if I fund the new strollers by selling the old strollers then he can’t get mad about it. Otherwise I am perfectly happy giving away all the baby stuff when we’re ready (I have less attachment to the equipment versus the clothes.) — I have a double stroller that i cannot push — it gave me tendinitis with my second and I thought I had rheumatoid arthritis my hands and arms hurt so bad (actually went to a specialist for it.) and the other stroller is an evenflo and doesn’t work wiht my graco car seat and on top of that the stroller never laid completely flat (to change a diaper) or went completely vertical when the toddler wanted to see things — so overall just a crappy stroller i’ve had for six years — hence my reasons but of course all hubby sees is two strollers lying in the garage —

By mwh

February 7, 2007 02:40 PM | Link to this

theresa-

what stroller are you looking at buying? we are getting ready for number two and while I love my venezia not sure if it works with my graco car seat (also have the graco matching stroller, but hate that one). considering getting a double, but not sure if it will be too bulky. may get one of the small compact little snap and goes, but not sure about that one either. always looking for a good stroller… possible topic! oh, and two strollers after two kids is not bad - my daughter is only 21 months and we have 4!

By Lynn

February 7, 2007 02:45 PM | Link to this

So tell him it’s not wastefull if you donate it for someone else’s use & reap the tax deduction from it as well as time saving. Running back & forth to consignment shops is a headache. I use to do it years ago and most of the time I just left my stuff without another inquiry. Unless your just one of those people who love to shop and have the time to deal with it, I would advise option 1 and go ahead grab a few other things you don’t use around the house as well. Salvation Army will take most anything & they generally ask you how much to make the reciept for.

By HL

February 7, 2007 03:06 PM | Link to this

mwh - I also have the Venezia. I love it. We have a Combi for travel. My cousin had a Venezia for the first and bought the Combi double for the second. You can fit through normal doorways with it. I would say the American stuff is not made well and is really bulky. My Venezia lays completely flat, had a boot for the bad weather or to make it look like a pram and the sun bonnet on it can actually touch the boot when it is on to block out rain or sun. It’s great. I have used it for a changing table. Not bad. Love the fabric. I love the big basket and the handle bar moves up and down to accomodate a taller parent. Also, the snack tray comes off. The handle bar can adjust to let you see the baby or let the baby see out. The graco car seat will not snap in, but it should rest inside. I love the Primo Viaggo’s car seat too.

By Jennifer

February 7, 2007 03:13 PM | Link to this

I would probably donate the strollers and write off the value because you just don’t make money on them unless it’s like a Macclaren or something!

By ROSE FORDHAM

February 7, 2007 04:29 PM | Link to this

I HAVE ALOT OF BABY THINGS AND NEED TO SELL THEM.

By tbt

February 7, 2007 04:41 PM | Link to this

I have 3 kids and I have always taken my stuff to a consignment store. But the one where I live closed, and for over the last year I have given my baby things to people I know and donated the rest. Also, those white drop off boxes that you see at daycares or gas stations. I asked the guy what they do with the items donated and they said that the sell them. So, I quit taking my stuff to them and to the battered womens’ shelter.

By Lisa Harris

February 7, 2007 05:15 PM | Link to this

I give my toddlers clothes to the American Thrift stores. If you would like to receive a profit try Once upon a child. There located in Metro Atlanta.

By Rod

February 8, 2007 08:38 AM | Link to this

As Lynn said (11:01), the best way to go is to donate the items to charity and claim the tax deduction - if you itemize. Some people say they like getting the cash by selling the items - that’s fine, if you like getting less cash!

Something that you might be able to sell for $20 at a consignment shop (when you eventually get the money weeks later, then pay their fee off the top) could be donated to charity at it’s retail value of say $60 and depending upon your tax rate, you’d come out about the same. Plus you get two other benefits: (1) you know you’re helping a charity that needs the item to either use or resell and (2) it’s much easier to drop the items off, get your receipt and be done. No more going around looking to consign your items, slowly getting money in over weeks, months as items slowly sell one by one.

Some people would rather feel the instant gratification of $100 now instead of saving that much on taxes. It works out about the same in the end, plus a needy charity gets a benefit. Win-win situation!

By ss

February 8, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

A good, twice-yearly sale in the Gwinnett area is Kinder-Klothes. They have a website for information: www.kinder-klothes.com. You get 2/3 of the sale price—and the rest goes to a church ministry. You can also donate anything that doesn’t sell.

By Lisa

February 8, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

I have luck selling clothes on Ebay, especially Lots. However, as a rule I state in my description that I do not want anyone to purchase my items if they intend to resell.. I only want people to buy the clothes because they need them. I would be happy for someone buy a few pair of jeans for .99 cents. In regard to large items, i just post them on the free section of craigs list. Again, I would rather someone in need come and get it.

By Fulton County Mom

February 9, 2007 06:32 PM | Link to this

Jesse’s GIrl — I got twin beds at the Goodwill store in Smyrna…a nice metal head and foot board with rails….then 5 cans of paint at HomeDepot (spray paint)…total cost was $30. I saw the same set (in the original colors) at a local home furnishing store for over $100.

The mattresses I got from a friend and were free. So I cannot help with that cost.

My bed is just a $2 frame to get the mattress off the floor. The mattress is from a well adverstised local manufacturer…I want a head board for it but have not found the one I want yet.

It’s a thought.

By DB

February 14, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

I think donation vs. selling is a personal choice and is not up for discussion as to which one is “best”. Inferring that someone’s choice to sell children’s clothing is somehow greedy because “other people need to save the money, and you probably don’t” is obnoxious.