IMLDS2
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posted on March 16, 2001 08:18:15 PM
I made the decision...I'm GONNA JUST DO IT! 
I've decided to open a kids resale shop and I need to know some stuff and of course I turn to my favorite group of people!
First off...I have NO BUSINESS EXPERIENCE..thats a good start huh? ...
I already have a license and a building picked out. I have friends who will help me with record keeping and displaying the clothes attractively.
So I need to know where I can get:
-LOTS and LOTS of childrens hangers?
-Paper tags in bulk to put on clothes with price.
-The racks to hang clothes on? How can I MAKE them cheaply?(I'd like the 2 row stand alone ones)..
-Liability insurance for injuries?
-Are business phones more expensive?
Since I live in a tiny town of less than 5000 people the 'rules' are quite lenient.
I still need a city permit..but thats only about $15 for the year.
The building will be a month to month for me to determine if I can make a go of it. Then it can go to yearly.
Water is included...so I only need to pay electric.
Thanks for your help...and PLEASE feel free to answer questions I don't know to ask
Carole
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rawbunzel
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posted on March 16, 2001 08:20:30 PM
I don't think reselling children is legal.
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barrybarris
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posted on March 16, 2001 08:26:45 PM
I don't think reselling children is legal
I believe that is correct.
But to make it worse they want to hang the childern
LOTS and LOTS of childrens hangers
Barry (I know this is in jest......) Barris
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IMLDS2
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posted on March 16, 2001 08:33:28 PM
OH NOOO...the truth be told..got 14 grandkids I'm putting up for sale (hahaha)..
OH WELL..it'll get a LOT of attention..don't know about advice though.
Carole
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rawbunzel
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posted on March 16, 2001 08:37:07 PM
Don't worry Carole,you will get some advice. I just don't have any for you on this subject. Sorry.
It probably is best just to sell the kids from your own family.
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gravid
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posted on March 16, 2001 08:45:39 PM
Why get a land line? My boss uses a digital hand held for his business. Way cheaper.
Especially woith long distance and he uses the call forwarding and voice mail a LOT.
All that stuff is extra on a hard wired phone, and you have to have it installed.
The PCS phone you stop in and pick it up.
Bif - bam done.
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debbielennon
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posted on March 16, 2001 08:52:03 PM
Tag attaching guns with the plastic tags can be found on eBay. I would imagine the paper tags are available at an office supply store (try an online store if there aren't any by you).
You will need to be up on recalls---look on the 'net for a good source for current recall info that you can check before you purchase any used goods to sell.
Don't know if this is anything you can use, but a children's resale shop I shopped at in NY State would give you half credit towards another purchase on anything you bought as long as you kept your original receipt. For example, I bought a baby walker. When my baby outgrew it, I returned it with my original receipt and got back half what I paid for it as credit towards a car seat. The store could then resell the walker again.
Keeps customers coming back!
Check your local papers for any stores going out of business--lots of times they sell their racks & fixtures.
Good luck!
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debbielennon
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posted on March 16, 2001 08:54:31 PM
Search eBay under "baby hangers" & you will find some.
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IMLDS2
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posted on March 16, 2001 09:41:02 PM
THANKS GROUP!
I did a search of hangers and discovered they were CHEAPER at Walmart...so off I trotted to walmart to pick up 250 kids hangers and 300 paper tags
Hmmm....forgot to get some receipt books.
As for the phone line...I was wanting to use my computer at the shop....I'd have to have a phone line for that wouldn't I?
This is soooo exciting! The cashier asked if I had a daycare(because I was buying so many hangers)...I explained I was opening a shop and told her where...the lady next in line heard me and inquired about it......both seemed interested and new exactly where my shop is located when I told them
I plan to BUY the clothes from people outright and not mess with consignments...any suggestions on prices to pay? By the piece? By the pound? By the box?
Thanks!
CArole
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gravid
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posted on March 16, 2001 09:44:21 PM
They make flanges to mount pipe to a flat surface with screws for sale at the hardware.
Two 1/3 sheets of heavy plywood and two 6' lengths of 3/4 pipe with flanges on each end will make a double sided rack. Get all the splinters and sharp edges smooth and paint.
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gravid
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posted on March 16, 2001 09:47:33 PM
Also save pieces that can't be sold out of a lot. They can be bundled in bales and sold for export or rags. That is what Salvation Army and Goodwill do with unsellables.
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IMLDS2
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posted on March 16, 2001 09:56:25 PM
Hmmm...I was thinking more on the line of purchasing ONLY the clothes that I think will sell...no rips..tears..stains...etc.
This will be a store you can come in with confidence and not have to spend all your time looking for spots etc on the clothing.
Any suggestions on those who will obviously come in with their kids to shop? I don't want their gooey hands etc on the cloths...and I don't want them playing in the racks...
Any way to stop this before it starts?
Thanks!
CArole
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debbielennon
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posted on March 16, 2001 10:01:27 PM
The shop that I mentioned earlier had a little play area for the kiddies---with a sort of gate in the front & some of those Little Tikes toys to play with. It was next to the cash register so the kids were kind of in view.
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IMLDS2
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posted on March 17, 2001 06:52:16 AM
bringing it to the top...
I also thought of a great idea last night...
I could off a CASH value for the clothes items or a larger 'STORE CREDIT'...
Since I already have tons of kids clothes this could be a good way to build inventory and customers...
What do you guys/gals think?
Carole
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VeryModern
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posted on March 17, 2001 07:02:02 AM
Carole, I think it is a very good business to be in with the economy the way it is. There is a constant demand for children's clothing, and people are not in the mood to spend $50 on a coat for their kid when they can spend $15.
One dilemma I see in a town your size is that parents buying used clothing may not want this to be obvious and especially with school age children. "Hmmmm.... isn't that Tammy's old coat..."
I would make an effort to "import" clothing from the "city" and then you would have clothes not available locally, and so unique. If you work this angle - you can be where parents come to get something "elite" as opposed to "cheap".
If your inventory is inexpensive *and* interesting and I don't think you can fail.
Good luck!
VeryModern Space Junk
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mybiddness
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posted on March 17, 2001 09:07:00 AM
The most interesting kids resale shop I ever visited was one that had a separate little room set aside for Tea Parties. The owner had two trunks full of fun costumes - big feather hats and boa's - costume jewelry, etc. and ran Birthday Tea Parties as a side business.
Good luck!
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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Zazzie
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posted on March 17, 2001 12:06:04 PM
When people bring items into your store and see the prices you are charging for things---they will expect a comparable price for their items--which in turn will lessen your profit.
If you really insist on owning your stock you would do much better with getting good prices by hitting the garage sales and flea markets---most of these open on Saturdays before retail hours--so you could do your store shopping in the morning and open for business in the PM.
One good thing about consignment is that if the stock doesn't sell--you are not out any money--and you can just return the items to the seller rather than having them crowd your store.
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collectcier
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posted on March 17, 2001 12:27:13 PM
As a mom with 2 small toddlers, I have also thought about a consignment shop. When my kids were first little I used to buy from consigments and turn in their gently used clothes for resale. I had clothes in 2 different shops across town, one store would make me about $35 p/ month and the other (more expensive part of town) would be about $100 per month. Even though you have said you don't want to do consignment I think this will be your only way to start. After you get the business going you could start to weed out the consigners and sell what you want. A plus with consignments is you don't have to worry about the loss, theft or fire damage of items because you wouldn't be responsible for them. So that is my 2 cents worth.
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Zazzie
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posted on March 17, 2001 12:36:53 PM
actually---with consignment you DO have to worry about fire, theft etc. People have left their items with you and in the end, you either have to produce the cash or the item---so if is stolen or destoyed--you'll have to pay up to the owner
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bobbi355
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posted on March 17, 2001 12:48:29 PM
Wow, you must be really busy now! Raising your grandkids and starting up your own business - that's a lotta work!
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collectcier
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posted on March 17, 2001 02:34:44 PM
Whenever I first started accounts with my consignment shops, they had a clause that stated they were NOT responsible for theft, damage,fire, etc...Most if not all insurance companies will not allow someone elses property to be insured, so insurance will not cover anything that happens to items just what the business owner actually owns. If it is put into the contract that they are not responsible, then people understand that and know that something could happen, not that it will.
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brighid868
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posted on March 17, 2001 06:07:54 PM
If there are any church daycares or regular storefront type daycares in your town, go in and put up a little card on the bulletin board saying 'clothing wanted'. This will also advertise your store. Or you could make flyers on your computer and copy them cheaply at a copy shop, and leave them at daycares and other places mom's go. Maybe also at your grandkids' schools, they usally have a bulletin board or something like that. Leave flyers everywhere. The laundromat, the local swim school, talk to the local girl and boyscout leaders, anyone who interacts with a lot of kids and parents. I think this is a good time for this kind of shop. i have a hunch you will do well. good luck!
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ypayretail
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posted on March 17, 2001 08:02:56 PM
Consignment for this kind of shop with hundreds of items would be an Accounting nightmare - IMHO. Then there will be those who stop by just to see how their items are doing - where they are placed etc.
I would stock up by doing the thrift sales and garage sales for about a month and then you should be able to start with 100 or so items and advertise from there.
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IMLDS2
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posted on March 18, 2001 08:58:05 AM
Yes..it is hard work raising the grandkids too! However, the good thing is they have taken my mind off of myself and I wake up looking forward to the day and have lots more energy!
I was planning on having a small section for my grandson (the rest will be in headstart)that will be 1yr old to play in. I'd put a crib etc for him in there.
I know of 1 store that offers the credit..an example is 1 of my kids took in some extra toys...they offered her $35. cash or $60 store credit. She was happy with that and chose the cash.
I have someone to watch the store and kids while I shop on Friday and Sat...
I know of a few stores that are consignment only...and some that are credit only. These stores have too much 'junk' on their racks that won't sell.
I want to be picky and I will make sure the racks are not so full you can't move the clothes to see the size or price tag
Every consignment store I went to said they couldn't keep enough kids items in stock..that is why I'm specializing in that area.
Thanks for all the info you guys!
Carole
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mrssantaclaus
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posted on March 18, 2001 03:42:18 PM
Good luck to you!
Some pointers I have learned from hanging out a bit at the local kids resale shop:
1. Consignment is awesome - no money out up front for you. It used to be 40/60 then went to 50/50, and is now 60/40, in favor of the store.
2. Be VERY particular of what you take - your reputation is ALWAYS on the line. Insist that it be laundered, pressed - and ready to hang.
3. Only accept clothing that is in the next season or so coming up. They can bring the other stuff back later.
4. Do not bring in stuff that is out of style. No one will buy it.
5. Advertise in the wealthier parts of your town. They will bring in incredible items - and your customers will quickly notice!
6. Keep track of what people like - I found a lady whose daughter was 1 year ahead in size of my daughter. She would call me when that lady brought in stuff. Instant sales!
7. My store has a very simple paper system with a filing cabinent. Each person is assigned a number. When your stuff is sold, it is noted on your account. When you stop in and ask for your money, they bring out the sheet and pay you - BUT of course, since you were shopping anyway ......
8. Each item has a color coded paper tag. The price is marked, along with the vendor number. Once it is sold, they tear off half of the tag for bookkeeping purposes.
9. They hold the tag for 48 hours in case of returns - but only if you ask. That saves a major nightmare!
10. Clothing prices are marked down according to the color coded tags - and that is agreed upon by the vendor when they signed up to have their items sold. You could donate unsold clothing to local shelters, etc. That would help to keep your merchandise moving. Of course, some people may want to come back in and pick their stuff up.
11. Computer programs are out there for free - I will try to find the link for you. That would take care of many of the paperwork problems for you!
12. Please keep in mind when using a business phone to hook up your computer: you are charged how long you are on the phone, how far away the call is. I have a cable hookup at my store. Much cheaper than the phone was for me - and it leaves my phone free for business use!
13. Please have someone come in every now and then and just "smell the air". A store recently went out of business here because she would buy stuff and put it up - not laundered. The whole place smelled of dirty clothes! YUK!
14. Now - jump in and have LOTS of fun!
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collectcier
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posted on March 18, 2001 06:33:37 PM
Mresantaclause, I agree! Anything that IMLDS2 does is going to be work, if she sells her own stuff from yard sales, etc... She will have to go looking for them, inspect for damage (formula stains are hard to see in different lighting), take clothes home, wash, sort and put on hangers. With consignment people will bring to store already cleaned and ready to tag and put out. My consignment store even wanted the clothes hung on the hanger a certain way for them to be ready to put out. Only offer refunds within 3 days for purchase with receipt, and with tag still attached. IMO consignment is the way to go but you just need to find what is best and works for you!
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IMLDS2
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posted on March 19, 2001 12:06:36 AM
Hmmm...
A lot of you are suggesting to try consignments...
So now I'm reconsidering....
[b] mrssantaclaus[b] did you find the link to the computer program you mentioned?
What do you all think about offering all 3 services?
-Cash-credit-consignment? I know I'd be the ONLY store in the surrounding areas that would offer all 3.
The closest one to me ONLY does store credit and nothing else.
I also would be the ONLY childrens only store anywhere around.
Please keep the tips coming! I'm making a little binder of them
Carole
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