Six Simple Steps for Seasonal Consignment!

Hopscotch has the goal of creating a simple and efficient system for seasonal consignment.  Don’t be overwhelmed, the steps are simple, and we provide helpful tips throughout to make the process easy and enjoyable.  Just follow the steps to success and contact us at any point with questions.  Also, be sure to join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to receive handy tips from Hopscotch and our consignors throughout the process. 

The simple rule of thumb is to ask yourself: is this something I would buy again in the condition it is in?  Hopscotch does not specifically limit name brands for children’s clothes and items, but they must be in current style and season and must be clean, with no stains, rips or pilling.  Please remember many children have allergies to pet hair, mold, and smoke. Clothing should be cleaned and presented with this in mind.  Hopscotch has the right to exclude items with obvious allergens from the sales floor. All toys and accessories must be clean and include all required parts in working condition.  Toys requiring batteries must include a fresh set.   For a list of acceptable items, please see the appropriate tab.

Safety is our first priority. You will be required to sign a statement stating that you have checked the CPSC guidelines and recall list.

Remember, not all items are suitable for consignment and not all items (even your favorites) survive your children.  Memories don’t sell but quality, gently used items do if you follow these simple steps.

Hangers
Wire hangers are recommended because they are sturdier and take up less room on racks but are not required.  Infant clothes should be on child size hangers to avoid stretching and ensure proper presentment. Please do not place sizes larger than infant and toddler on child size hangers; clothing placed on hangers that are too small tend to fall off. If your items aren't visible, they won't sell!

Safety Pins and/or Tagging Device and Tags
Safety pins should be used to secure items to hangers.  They are required for pants and skirts and recommended for tank tops, bathing suits and dresses that may slip off.  Clothes on the floor don’t sell!  Do not use gold safety pins (they don’t hold) or straight pins (they hurt!)

Tagging guns are acceptable but not required.  If you use one, please use double barb to ensure the tag is secure and always tag in a seam or on the tag to avoid large holes that can leave items unsellable.

Plastic Sandwich/Freezer/Storage Bags
Highly recommended for Infant and Toddler shoes. Small part for toys should gathered in an appropriately sized bag and, if necessary, taped to any larger pieces. It is recommended to combine chargers with electronics. Large storage bags are great for Lego sets and racetracks not in original packaging.  Also recommended for comforters and crib sets.

Painters Tape, Masking Tape and/or Clear Packing Tape
Painter's tape is recommended to attach tags to books, games, and media to avoid tears in packaging. Masking and packing tape are great to secure tags to toys and plastic items. Masking or packing tape is recommended to further seal storage bags and reinforce the bag’s “zipper”.

Clear Plastic Wrap
Great to keep puzzles together and lids on board games.  Also, useful to keep chargers with electronic toys and devices. Can be used to wrap electronics prior to taping tags to item.  Make sure item can be powered on and tested.

Cable Ties
Recommended for shoes that don’t fit in sandwich/freezer bags.

Cardstock or Printer Paper and Printer
Cardstock is preferred and better withstands the thousands of shoppers viewing your items, but printer paper is acceptable. If you don’t have a printer, feel free to use a friend’s or contact us to print your tags for a nominal fee. Colored paper is acceptable, but not required. 

​Some taggers use binder reinforcements to prevent tearing. Please do not use fabric tape to provide additional reinforcement as the fabric tape against some fabrics (fleece) is nearly impossible to remove and may cause damage to the clothing item. 

Launder items removing all stains. Hang clothing straight from the dryer, pressing or steaming if needed.  Remember, appearance is everything and a little extra effort will capture a higher sale price. Hang items with hook facing left, the hanger should make a question mark (?).  See image above for reference. Infant sized clothes should be on child size hangers. Make sure you pin pants and skirts by the waistband. Pants and skirts must be pinned to hanger (wire hangers are much easier to work with).  Do not fold pants over the bottom of the hanger, these cannot be accepted at drop off. For two-piece outfits, pin pants or skirts behind the shirt so both pieces can easily be seen. Do not put pants and skirts inside the shirt.

Shoes
Infant and Toddler shoes should be packaged in a sandwich or freezer bags if possible. Safety pins can be used to secure shoes together however, cable ties are recommended.  These can be fed through lace holes, zipper eyes or Velcro fasteners.

Toys, Games and Electronics
If an item has multiple pieces, extra parts, and accessories, place these inside a plastic bag and secure the opening with packing tape. Firmly attach to a larger item with packing tape if applicable.  Remember, hundreds of shoppers will be looking at your items including enthusiastic children, so secure all items well. Include user manual if available. Multiple toys can be combined to create a “grab bag”. You may be surprised how well these sell.

Inventory can be entered once you have all items ready to tag or you can enter and tag as you go.   When you are ready to enter inventory, log in to your consignor portal.  You will login using the consignor number you were assigned at registration and password you selected.   Don’t forget – if you are short on time, there are a limited number of Skip a Step Express Consignment spots that takes care of this step for you and greatly reduces your effort in all of the steps. 

The following information is required for all items.

• Consignor Number – assigned at registration
• Size – For clothing, list the size of the item.  If no size is available, select None.
• Price – Price can be entered in $0.50 increments only. 
• Discount – Please check box to discount if you would like to offer your item at a reduced price on the last day of the sale.  On half price day, any item showing “Discount: Yes” above the price will be sold for half the price listed on the tag.
• Donation – You’ll need to check whether or not you want to donate your item after the sale. Any item not donated will need to be picked up during the pick-up shift indicated for the current sale. Items not picked up during this time will be donated. You will also receive documentation to be provided to your accountant for tax purposes upon request.  Please consider donating your unsold items to worthy local causes aiding our community. 
• Description – Include name brand and brief description that can be used to locate the item if the tag and item become separated.  Most importantly, use this space to sell your item.  Indicate if the item is NWT (New With Tags) or if you have a Sibling Item in another size.  If you are offering a great deal, be sure to list the original purchase price. Please do not use generic descriptions (ex. "black shirt" or "onesie" or "small toy"). If your item and tag become separated, it is virtually impossible for us to locate items with generic tags and items without tags will not sell.
• Category - Please select the category that best describes your item.  If you have questions about which category is appropriate, please contact us.

Once all inventory is entered, you are ready to print tags.  Cardstock is ideal but printer paper is acceptable.  Tags will print 6 to a sheet and will need to be cut into individual tags.  If you do not have access to a printer, you can use a friend’s or contact us to print your tags for a nominal fee.  Using a minimum of 1” safety pins or your tagging device, secure tags to clothing in the top right side of the item as shown below (if using a tagging device, please secure in a right side seam, or on the item's tag to prevent holes).  Safety pins can also be used for shoes, some toys, and accessories.  For toys and equipment, you can also secure tag to item using painters tape or packing tape.  Remember, DO NOT cover the barcode with tape and do not change the tag in any way after printing.  If you need to make a change, you need to print a new tag.  Tip: use draft mode when printing to conserve ink and improve scanning quality. Both white and colored paper are acceptable. 

Organize items according to size and gender to make drop off a cinch (rubber bands are great to keep sizes together).  Bring your items to Hopscotch on one of the designated drop off day(s).  Leave your items in the car and check in at the table by the door.  Complete your Consignor Agreement and then bring your items into the sales floor to the designated spot. You will be required to place your clothing items out on the sales floor in the appropriate place. Your non clothing items will be sorting into the pre-designated bins. Lastly, you can collect your pre-sale shopping bracelet(s) and you’re done!  All items will be quality checked prior to being placed on the floor by one of our workers.  Any unacceptable items will be either donated or available for pick up depending on the selection indicated on the tag. If you wish to participate in the quality check at drop off, please make an appointment with Hopscotch. 

Now the fun really starts…..

At drop off, you will be given at least one bracelet that allows you to shop our Pre-Sale event.  The color of your bracelet will correspond to the time you are able to shop.  If you are the winner of one of our contests, you may receive additional bracelets for family and friends. 

For our Pre-Sale events, arrive early and bring a shopping bag or laundry basket to collect your treasures.  Cash and credit cards are accepted, no checks please.   Enjoy having a first look at all the great deals!

For shopping in general, only strollers with empty baskets will be permitted.  Unfortunately, we cannot allow any diaper bags, backpacks or other large purses into the sale for security reasons.  We want to do everything we can to ensure the security of your items and apologize for any inconvenience.

Throughout the sale, you can track your earnings by checking your sales report. Totals will be updated as soon as possible each evening.

The Rummage Sale benefits our charity partners and all items marked donate will sell for $1 (items tagged $20+ will be 20% of original price). This sale is open to the public and admission is $1 per adult, which all admission fees going straight to charity. On Sunday, from 2:00-4:00pm,  you can collect unsold items which are sorted according to consignor number. Any items not picked up by 4:01 will be donated and cannot be retrieved. You may consider bringing a box or tote to collect your unsold items. IF you choose to pick up your items and you do not pick up by 4:01 pm on Sunday, you will be charged a $30 fee to offset the cost of transporting your items to the charity.

And finally, GET PAID!  Checks will be emailed within one weeks of the sale ending. Lost checks can be reissued after the 90 void date, but not before.  Any check not cashed within 90 days will be void and will not be reissued.

Now, return to Step 1 and start preparing items for next season’s sale!!!