Like most parents, I am preparing for school’s triumphant return in August. Although resale shopping is old hat – or shoes and so much more to me, it may be new to you. If you have decided it’s time to try resale shops for back-to-school bargains these are some tips to help.
Know Your Brands
It helps to know the brands that you find to be of good value. Odds are you are familiar with the price-points for these brands and their durability. It isn’t a good buy to purchase a resale shop find for a few cents or a dollar less than a new item sold at retail price. You knowing the brands that wash well and can endure your children are important too, so you can keep your find for a while. Having a shirt you wear today, then send to Goodwill tomorrow isn’t really a smart buy even if you spent a dollar after you add in gas and your time spent shopping.
Know the Return Policy
It is important to know the return policy at your resale shop. Most resale shops require the original tags to be on the clothes when returning. I know not all of us shop with our kids, so gingerly have them try clothes on and be mindful of the tags. If the clothes don’t fit immediately return them to the bag with the receipt. In addition to the tags and receipt, resale shops typically require returns to be made within seven days. Be sure to ask your specific location for their policy.
Know the Three Bs
“We have to be picky and highly selective about the items we resale, it’s what keeps us in business,” explained Once Upon a Child Mesquite owner Karen French. For French, garage sale left overs rarely make the cut. “If it doesn’t sale at a garage sale it’s not going to sell on my floor,” she said.
Mostly, I have been thrilled with the selection at this location and other resale stores. However, every once in a while some condition issues are missed or happen as a result of being on the racks with hundreds of shoppers sorting through them. Thus, I have the three B rule when I am shopping—check for missing buttons, detached belt loops, and pant bottoms to make sure they are not too distressed. Discerning resale shops catch everything else like tears, grass stains, and too worn apparel.
Know You Need Time to Look
Resale shops specializing in kids carry everything from shoes, clothes, and toys to furniture, and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Typically, I start out first with what brought me to the store like uniform tops or bottoms. Then I check out the things my kids are constantly in need of, like shoes and belts. “With formals, playwear, uniforms, and winter coats we carry clothes for every season. Some shops even carry ski wear, but we (Mesquite location) chose not to because in Texas it is summer nine months out of the year,” French joked.
French advises that resale shops are gearing up for back-to-school just like other retailers. If you see something you like, you should get it. Typically resale shops have one of everything, so if you don’t get it then it will more than likely be gone on your next visit. You can get new items at the resale shops with the original tags on but be prepared to pay retail price.
Resale shops have long been dominated by children’s retail but it can be a great way to shop for tweens and teenagers too. Resale stores like Plato’s Closet have apparel and accessories with a wide range of brands and styles that would take several trips to different stores to replicate. With all these items being in one location your fashionista can put together a look that is uniquely theirs.
Resale shops are a priceless member of the community. They provide us with a resource we may not have if they weren’t around.
Written by Blue Ribbon News special contributor Hope Oriabure of Garland, who holds a journalism degree from the University of North Texas . She is a freelance writer who contributes to business websites and other online publications. She is the owner of Black Tie Babysitting in Garland , a ‘play-care-to-go’ service that specializes in entertaining and supervising children on-site at wedding receptions, conventions, family reunions and other special events.
To submit your news, events or a guest column on your area of expertise, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
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