‘Upscale-Resale’ Shopping (and Selling)

Preparing for a new baby is exciting, overwhelming – and expensive.  While having multiple baby showers and scouring the weekly sale fliers in the newspapers is still a general “rule” for acquiring the necessary new baby items like clothing, cribs, strollers, and baby-proofing equipment, many expectant mothers are turning to resale stores for their new baby items.  Children’s upscale-resale shopping is turning into a national craze, allowing expectant moms to find gently-used clothing, toys, and equipment and an endless array of  “baby things” – hundreds of adorable, brand name outfits, Halloween costumes, Bounce n’ Plays, booster seats, snow suits, etc. Expectant and new moms across the country are raving about the inexpensive, gently-used baby items and the money they are saving by shopping resale.

The best part of upscale resale shopping is finding the treasures that lie within these locally owned boutiques.  The items sold at resale shops are around 40-80% off the retail price – think GAP Kids items for $4, Gymboree dresses for $10, Children’s Place shoes and hats for $3, and even Ralph Lauren clothes for $6.

While children’s resale shops are great for expectant mothers to furnish a baby’s room or stock up on outfits, many first-year moms find themselves knee-deep in a stockpile of baby clothes, accessories, equipment and toys that they no longer need.  It seems silly to throw out barely-used toys or once-worn onesies that an infant quickly outgrows.  Now what?

Bring those items to a resale shop!  Many shops will accept those gently-used onesies, winter coats, accessories, and equipment and compensate the customer with cash or store credit. Essentially, many resale shops serve as recycling centers for kids’ items.

Resale stores afford new moms the opportunity to unload dozens of items that are collected since the baby shower and moms-to-be can benefit by getting a stroller, mobile, high chair, baby gate, breast-feeding pillow, monitor, or crib at a deeply discounted price.  With a brand-new, rapidly growing baby, you really can’t beat the prices, quality, or convenience that resale shops offer.

Finally, when shopping resale, make sure you note the difference between an ‘upscale resale’ shop and a consignment store. Unlike traditional consignment stores that take in all inventory and then give away or give back what they don’t sell, upscale resale stores are very picky about the products they take in. All clothing and accessories go through a stringent inspection and they stick to products from brand-name retailers.

Children’s Orchard is an ‘upscale resale’ boutique with nearly 80 franchised locations throughout the country that buys and sells gently-used, name-brand clothing and accessories for children.  For more information please visit www.childrensorchard.com.