Mar 14 2009
How Much Are Your Things Worth?
Today is my moms of multiples club’s spring sale. This is only the second time I’ve sold anything through the group, but I’m always amazed at how quickly everything comes together, how eager people are to find a good bargain and how much “stuff” everyone wants to unload.
But the thing that really piques my interest is the way we as club members price our things. The pricing is up to each individual. I’ve seen people with the same car seat I’m trying to sell and they’re asking $20 more for it. I’ve seen people with the same Diaper Champ I tried to sell and they wanted $5 less for it. It’s all about perspective. And can someone explain to me why the higher priced car seat sold instead of mine?? Same car seat, about the same “age” give or take a few months, both in good condition.
Obviously we want top dollar for our things, especially in this economy. But I also, quite frankly, want to get rid of my stuff. I have outfits on display at this sale that are in pristine condition. Yet on most of them I’m asking no more than $3. I know it sounds crazy to some but I want to sell my things. The people who come to this sale are bargain hunters and they want the lowest price they can get. I would rather sell 50 outfits at $2-$3 than 10 outfits at $5.
Have you ever seen the news coverage of the “Running of the Brides” at Filene’s Basement? Crazed brides-to-be are fighting practically to the death with hundreds of other women to get the wedding gown of their dreams at an unbelievable price. This sale is the same concept, only with moms. The doors open and women run to the strollers, cribs and exersaucers, nearly snatching things out of one another’s hands. They come armed with lawn chairs so they can be first in line to the early morning sale. They have laundry baskets to carry their “loot.” They don’t care if your child never wore that pretty spring dress that still has the tags on it… there’s no way they’re paying more than $5 for it.
The first time I sat down and tagged clothes for the sale it was kind of hard. I have so many memories of certain outfits. But alas, it is just “stuff” and I have those memories and pictures to remind me of the fun times. Besides… I want my money. 
3 Responses to “How Much Are Your Things Worth?”
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I’m terrible at selling stuff. I’d just as soon give it to charity as try to make a profit on it (which is what I generally do). However, if my husband and daughter decide to have a yard sale, they always make a killing. Whatever they have that make them good salespeople, I completely lack.
And it ain’t the price because I always charge less than they would.
Wow, where are you? I want to shop there! Sounds like a great idea. I haven’t heard about anything like that around me. I try to hit up garage sales and Craigslist.
Try an internet search of your city and twins clubs or moms of multiples. The clubs which hold these sales tend to have websites to draw in traffic and even email mailing lists to let you know when the next sale will be. I’m not joking about the laundry basket… take one if you go. And FYI my Graco Snug Ride car seat, which is less than 4 years old, still didn’t sell and I only asked $25!!! What’s wrong with these people?! (But I did sell my two double strollers so I’m a happy woman)