Consigning the Emotional Side

I spent a little time the other day visiting a newer consignment business and speaking with the owner. As we spoke, she reminded me of something I had forgotten—there is an emotional side to consigning clothes for many parents!

I remember the first time someone recommended I consign my children's clothes at a sale. As I began sifting through 16 crates of clothes I had saved over the last few years, I became overwhelmed with emotion. As I sorted through each piece of clothing, I recalled in my mind the time my daughter had worn each piece. I remembered what she was saying, how she was talking, how little she was and how that time had just slipped away.

Looking at the stacks of boys clothes, I began to recall what my sons were doing when they wore each piece and the times we spent at different places. Each piece of clothing sparked a new memory.

It seemed almost impossible to consign these clothes. I was attached to each for a reason! This was insane though. How could I be attached to this clothing when I had not seen these pieces in a while?

Then it was time for the shoe bins. The shoes, my goodness, they really threw me over the edge. I looked at each precious little shoe—with hardly any wear on them because they belonged to little kids—and thought how precious that time was. Where had those days gone, and how could I possibly sell what was once my own child's? As I began to recall the first steps and the holidays, I just did not think I could really go with this consignment thing.

I felt that putting the clothing up for sale was me giving away a little bit of each child's life. I remember feeling sad and rethinking my decision.

My friend, a seasoned consignor, came over and saw I had put everything back in the bins. She smiled! She told me about initially feeling guilty and attached to each piece of her own children's clothing. Then she said, "Dana, that feeling goes away the minute you find out it made someone else happy, and you make money on what you are not using."

I thought about what she had said for a minute, and found the following momentum. I had not seen these clothes in about two years. I had not thought about them and I had not missed them. Therefore, why did I want to store stuff I was not using that someone else could use. And, since it was all in such great condition, why not make some money on them? The sell-it, consign-it adrenaline kicked in and I washed and prepared 16 crates of clothing for consignment.

I don't have to tell you—as you probably already figured—I sold almost every last piece of that clothing that had been accepted by the store owner.

When I received my check, I had enough to purchase a new wardrobe for each child again. Of course, I bought their new clothes at the consignment store. The feelings of guilt and memories lost were taken over by the feelings of success in the sale and the new way I had found to frugally dress my children and not break the bank!

As a side perk to the selling and the money/credits, I became friends with the shop owner—and this was probably the best benefit of all. She was always very helpful in turning up those hard-to-find pieces for my kids. I always had the nicest dresses and the cutest accessories.

I also really did not pay for them at all because what I made from being a continual consignor became enough to just replace what I spent on newly- purchased consigned clothing. I knew when she got something new in, and then I purchased it.

I look back at those days and wonder why I ever had the feelings I did. I remind everyone to do the following few things to help you get through the first time consigning.

1) Keep a pair of shoes from the children and pack them away. Keep something small from that age period if you simply can not part with it, but keep only one bin marked "Kids Growing Up." Throw a picture of the your child wearing that particular piece of clothing into the save bin, or just snap a picture of the clothing and then pack it up to go.

2) Do not take it personally if all your pieces are not accepted by the consignment shop. The owners of these shops knows what sells in their stores/boutiques and what does not. They are very smart in their industry!

I think there would be nothing worse than a consignor who takes EVERYTHING and then you visit the shop and see that some of the pieces did not sell. Talk about being emotionally distraught! Remember, everyone has different markets. You can always consign at more than one store.

If something is not eligible for consignment, consider selling it on Craigslist or E-Bay. There are always other ways! If all else fails, donate.

3) Do not stop by EVERY DAY. I had a friend who did this because the guilt of consigning her kids' clothing was eating at her. You haven't looked at this clothing for a long time, so why do you need to go visit it? Give it time and remember the saying, "a watched pot never boils."

4) Enjoy your first check from consignment. Reinvest in clothing or credits from the same store you consign in. You will be amazed at the money you can save through buying consigned clothing.

Get Pittsburgh Frugal, get your kids' spring clothes ready and get them to your local consignment stores. Stay tuned as I provide you a few to try out. The only thing you have to lose is extra clothing that is taking up space!

Clean up, clean out, consign.

PFM Dana