Merchandise Tagging & Preparation Guidelines

Items you will need to prepare and tag your merchandise for the Sale:

• Children’s size plastic or wire (any size) hangers
• Either:
  • The tag templates (either filled out or blank) sent to you when you received your Seller Code printed on card stock or
  • 3” x 5” index cards  (can use entire card or card cut in ½ lengthwise).
• Safety pins (available at dollar stores) – no small gold safety pins (< 1 inch)
• Ziplock or other zip-top bags
• Clear packing tape (do not use scotch tape or masking tape) (also available at dollar stores)

 

Creating tags:

 

All tags must be on card stock or index cards – NO EXCEPTIONS.  Regular paper just does not hold up well.

 

Please do not cross out or mark over any information on the tags.  If you make a mistake, please create a new tag rather than crossing out or erasing the information.  This is to protect you and the integrity of the sales price that you set.

 

All tags must include:

·       Seller code in the top left corner

·       Size in the top right corner (for clothing and shoes only)

·       Brief description of the item in the center.

·       Price in the bottom left corner (minimum price $1.00, and in $0.50 increments only)

 

The seller may also optionally put the following information on the tags:

• “DO NOT REDUCE” in the bottom right corner (for those items that you do not want sold at 50% off the marked price for the last 3-4 hours of the sale).  Do not use any other words than "DO NOT REDUCE".  We suggest that you highlight this, though it is not required.
• An item number in the top middle (in the cell just below “Pin Here” and between your Seller Code and the size).

 

Each seller who registers and provides an email address will be emailed two tag template files – one in Microsoft Excel and one in pdf. 

 

Using Excel:

The easiest way to create tags is to use the Excel file; type all of the information in the Excel file (copying the template as needed), print out the tags on card stock, then attach them to the correct items. 

 

Hand-writing tags:

In order to avoid mistakes, we suggest that you print out the tags from the pdf tag template file you were sent onto card stock paper and fill in the size, description, price, and indicate whether you want items reduced (“DO NOT REDUCE”). 

 

Alternately, you may use a 3” x 5” index card (either the whole card or ½ card cut in half crosswise).  With a marker or high-contrast pen, write your Seller Code in the top left corner, the size in the top right corner (for clothing and shoes), a brief description of the item in the center, the price in the bottom right corner, and (optionally) “DO NOT REDUCE” in the bottom right corner for items that you don’t want reduced for the last 4 hours of the sale.  If you leave this area blank, write “YES”, or indicate anything else, the item will be reduced if not previously sold. 

 

Preparing Merchandise:

 

CLOTHING

 

Clothing Must Be “Rack-Ready”:

• Clothing must be new or gently used in Excellent condition - no missing buttons, stains, tears, broken zippers, torn hemlines, etc. THE BETTER THEY LOOK – THE BETTER THEY SELL!
• Make sure your clothes are freshly washed, ironed and on hangers.
• Button all buttons, snap all snaps, tie all bows, zip all zippers.  The nicer your items look, the better they sell.
• Clean & odor free - please be very careful if your household is a smoking one - we are not able to accept items with smoke odors. No lint or animal hair.
• Current styles – Preferably name brand clothing.  The better the label and the better the condition of each garment, the quicker it will sell, and the better price it will fetch. 
• All items should be hung on wire hangers or child-sized plastic hangers with the hanger hook facing left - like a question mark.  If you don’t have enough hangers, ask your friends and neighbors for extra wire hangers – many people have an abundance of them.  If needed, you can ask a dry cleaner for some (they may charge a fee).
• Safety pin all tank tops and shirts (if necessary) to the hangers to prevent sliding off.
• Safety pin all sets and accessories securely together behind the top.
• Pants, skirts, shorts, and capris must be safety pinned to the top of the hanger with the pins close to the hook so they won't slide to the bottom part (otherwise they bunch-up and people won't buy them).  Do not fold them over the bottom part of the hanger – the buyer cannot fully see the garment if folded like that and we don’t want them to end up on the floor.
• Attach the tag with a safety pin to the top right of the item.

 

SHOES 

 

Please bring only like-new shoes that are in excellent condition.

 

Shoes must be secured together using the shoelaces, safety pins, a zip tie, or both shoes may be placed in a ziplock bag (sealed with packing tape over the seal). Attach the tag through the laces using a large safety pin or string, or for shoes in ziplock bags, the tag may be placed on/in the bag. 

 

We strongly recommend placing a small strip of masking tape with your consignor number and the price on the bottom of both shoes in case they get separated or the tag gets lost.  Please note that this step is option and does not take the place of properly tagging the shoes.

 

BABY AND CHILDREN’S BEDDING

 

It is best to package a bedding set together in its original plastic-zippered bag. These can be purchased at discount stores. If you don't have that, use a clear bag and tape your tag to the outside.

 

BOOKS

Tags may be attached to books on the outside front or back cover. 

 

You may place fragile books or groups of books in a ziplock bag and seal it shut with packing tape.  Tape the tag to the outside, and list all book titles on the tag.  If the books are too big for a ziplock, you can bind them together with plastic wrap.

 

VHS, DVDs, AND VIDEO GAMES

NO COPIES.   All media must be original, licensed copies.

 

All DVDs and other discs must be in a case.  DO NOT tape the case shut before drop-off, as it will be checked to make sure that the packaging and disc match.  It is OK for VHS tapes to be sold without a case, but the tag must be attached so that the original printing is visible on the VHS tape. 

 

You may group tapes or games together in a ziplock bag and tape the tag (listing all items) to the outside. 

 

FURNITURE, OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT, HIGH CHAIRS, RIDE-ONS, OTHER LARGE ITEMS

 

THESE ITEMS GENERALLY SELL VERY WELL AT CONSIGNMENT SALES IF WELL-PRESENTED AND APPROPRIATELY PRICED.

 

Must be clean and fully assembled.  Premoistened wipes (diaper changing wipes or Clorox-type wipes) work well to clean plastic toys and ride-ons. 

 

If you have a large item that you will need to assemble on-site, please email the Sale manager to make sure you have a drop-off appointment that allows for that.

 

Try to attach the tag in a location that is clearly visible to the shopper but won’t cause damage when removed.  For most items, attach tag with packing tape.  For upholstered items, the tag may be attached with a safety pin or tagging gun.

 

You MUST check to make sure that the item is compliant with Consumer Product Safety Commission product safety and recall codes.  Visit www.cspc.com or call 1-800-638-2772 for recall information.

 

TOYS, GAMES, ACCESSORIES & OTHER ITEMS

 

When preparing your merchandise, please keep in mind that there will be plenty of kids attending the sale, and they will often want to play with various toys.  All battery-operated toys must have working batteries in them.  Games and puzzles must include ALL original pieces, and should be taped shut.   Secure the tag to the game with packing tape.

 

You MUST check to make sure that all items are compliant with Consumer Product Safety Commission product safety and recall codes (that is, recalled items are not included).  Visit www.cspc.com or call 1-800-638-2772 for recall information.  Please note that there were many recalls of plastic toys within the past several years.

 

Small toys often sell better if grouped and put in ziplock bags.  Secure the bags with packing tape over the closure and tape the tag on.