Consignment Sale Advice

It's that time of year... TAG TIME!! So to provide a little motivation and encouragement, we looked to our expert friend, Kristen of Little Red Hen Tagging Service in Knoxville. Not only does this woman run one of the nation's top tagging services, but she's also managed to get her husband involved in the ironing too! POWER MAMA!!!
 

What’s your best “quick tip” for streamlining the process?

Make sure that you have an ample supply (it's best to overestimate) of all items required to tag, so that you don't waste time running about to source additional hangers, pins in assorted sizes, index cards, ziplock bags and the like. Have a dedicated tote or basket for these items in addition to your tagging gun, tiny scissors, a lint roller, calculator, pens, highlighter, etc.
Once you have a block of time in which to tag, you want to make hay while the sun shines, not be stymied in your efforts as you search high and low for (or worse - run out of) an essential item required for tagging.

Best money-making tip?

I'd say to purchase items with good resale value at the outset, be they new or used. If the items make it through your children unscathed, you can roll them (back) into a future consignment sale.
Also, make sure that the presentation of your items is top notch: Ironed carefully, every button fastened, zippers fully up, hung on child-sized hangers and pinned securely.

What’s your pricing strategy?

I typically price at 35-40% of estimated retail price, with careful consideration of where an item falls in a Tier category (some brands have higher retail value than others, usually based on original retail price-point) and its current condition. I always take advantage of Half Price days, allowing all items to go for half price. It's amazing how one's bottom line can be boosted by this final day of a sale.

What are your favorite brands? Best selling brands?

My favorite brands are ones that wear well and have high resale value at consignment sales. Personal favorites for our market in Knoxville, TN include: Gap, Gymboree, Ralph Lauren, plus all the boutique brands. Experienced consignment sale shoppers go beyond the first impression of an article and look for the brands that they know will last, and have good resale value.

How do you STORE all of that stuff?

We are blessed that our house has a 400 square foot finished attic, in which we have built an extensive hanging rack system.

Is your hubby REALLY that good with an iron?

Yep! He learned to iron as an Officer Cadet at the Australian Defense Force Academy (the Australian equivalent of West Point) in Canberra.

Little Red Hen? Where does the name come from?

Over the years, I've often joked with my family that I feel like The Little Red Hen, from the tale about a Hen who is innovated and motivated as she provides for her chicks. In the story she asks for help each step of the way, but no-one is willing to pitch in. Her response is a resounding, "Very well, I'll do it myself!" When I launched my tagging service, I wanted a memorable logo that other mothers would relate to. Most of us have felt like The Little Red Hen at one time or another, often with a sense of wishing that someone would take on just one task for us so that life wouldn't be quite so stressful and overwhelming. It's gratifying to lighten my clients' respective loads and to help them make money on items that otherwise would have been donated or remained in storage.

What’s your favorite supply item?

My Avery Dennison Mark tagging gun (Mark III Fine Fabric) has made the tagging process much more efficient, and enhances items' overall appearance at consignment sales.

Favorite supply trick?

I'm on the hunt for hangers year-round, and sort them into totes in our garage. Often clients will donate hangers that they don't need. If you develop relationships with local consignment sale owners, you may also be able to nab hangers from unsold items that are headed for donation.

Anything else you want to share?

The other day I was asked what I most enjoy about our tagging service. Other than the satisfaction of helping others recycle and make some money on outgrown items, it comes down to the delight of approaching a client's stash - big bags of assorted items that I can prepare to their best advantage. Each time it's a bit like being a kid at Christmas (not knowing what each bag will contain, and the delight of sorting through it) and when the items are ready for sale, there's a sense of accomplishment and a job well done. Better yet, it's a job that stays done!
 
Kristen Yartz, 40, is the mother of two and the owner/operator of Little Red Hen Consignment Tagging Service, which she launched in response to the oft-heard remark, “I’d like to consign but I don’t have time!.” Little Red Hen offers complete tagging services (with no up-front fees) for busy families, as well as Consulting Services for independent tagging start-ups across the country.