Bright and early this morning I set off with my crates full of pre-loved baby goods to the local Baby & Kids Market. This is the second time I have shared a stall at the market with my friend, the divine Miss T.
I find the market a wonderful way of making some cash and the timing of this one was perfect, providing a little bit of spending money in preparation for Christmas.
Like most things in life, by taking a little time in the preparation phase, you can maximise your opportunity for success (and in this case, increase profits). Here are my tips for making the most of the markets;
- Don’t limit yourself to clothes. Think also about shoes, linen, toys and books.
- Wash and press all clothing items. Though it can be time consuming, it does make a difference to the price buyers will pay for an item.
- Clean shoes and toys, wipe down board books. Presentation is key.
- Price all items. I staple a small cardboard tag to the tag inside the clothing. A small square of masking tape works well for toys and on the back of books.
- When displaying your clothing on hanging racks or tables, sort them by gender, by size and by type (onesies, t-shirts, pants). This will help buyers quickly and easily find what they are looking for as many people do not like sorting through piles and piles of stuff aimlessly. Sorting also helps you to quickly find items to recommend to buyers. For example, I ask, “Is there something in particular you are looking for? In what size?” then I am able to quickly pull out suitable items.
- Try and maximise your hanging space with a double rack. We also add a tall hat stand, which is great for…
- Hang attractive or pieces by popular children’s clothing labels where they can be easily seen. People will spot them from across the room and come straight to your stall to have a closer look.
- A $1 or $2 bin is great for the real bargain hunter buyers.
- Be realistic about your pricing. Remember that even though you may have LOVED an item that your child wore, most buyers come to the markets looking for a great deal or a bargain.
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
This is the link for all of the markets, Australia wide;
http://www.babykidsmarket.com.au/