Here are 3 approaches and some additional tips on item aging, pricing psychology, and lots that will help you get started.  And, on LoobaLee, you can always adjust your pricing – no hidden fees.   Remember this:

• It’s better to try, and adjust, than to not list at all.
• It’s  better to some return on your investment, than nothing at all.
• It’s better to circulate clothing you’re no longer using, than to hang onto it indefinitely (it’s green, it helps other people, and it helps you de-clutter).
  

  Search Goolge's Shopping Results for Your Items

Pricing shipping cost is an entirely different subject and psychology.  I’ll give some tips in an upcoming blog post, so watch for it!

Method 1:

Go Google surfing.   Type the brand and characteristics of your item in Google Search, and select “Shopping”.  Google will return items the same or similar to yours from a plethora of both retail and resale platforms.   It’s a good way to pick up some price points, especially for brands that maintain their resale value very well over time.

Also, take note of the retail prices of brand new items.  These may be helpful to use in Method 2 below.

Method 2:

Here are some wide ranges that your item likely falls within for resale, assuming its a quality brand.  Age, style, specific brand, and size all influence where your item actually falls within (or outside) these ranges.

High demand, rare items may sell at prices greater than these ranges.   Very low demand, lower quality brands, and very outdated items will likely sell for less.

What price to pick?  The very best rule of thumb is to price an item for what you would be willing to pay for it yourself.

Method 3:

You can get a little bit more precise with this method.

Pricing Psychology

Fixed Price vs. Auction format

• With auctions on other sites, you want the market to drive the price up, and you take a risk that it will.  And, in the combined auction and buy now format, you are psychologically motivated to set your Buy Now price a little bit on the high side, because what you really desire is for the auction to drive the price up over that price.  These strategies take some practice, and sellers who have high volumes of listings plan on the winners covering the fees and costs of the losers.

Setting a fixed price on LoobaLee triggers a different psychology

• If you price your items too high, they will likely sit.   The risk you are taking is with lapsed time from listing to sale, not fees (since LoobaLee is free).
• With your listings,  you’re are appealing to moms just like you who are shopping and comparing your item and price with other things available.

By following the method above, you have the opportunity to set your item price to sell, or to knowingly set it a bit high.  By setting it high, you are either confident there is high resale value, or you are willing to wait for the right buyer to come along.

Tips on Aging Items

• As you can see in Method 2, generally the older an item gets the more it loses its value.
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• This isn’t true for all items, however.  For example, popular Gymboree Lines that sold out quickly on retail, and continue to sell well on resale can often go for top dollar.  An auction may drive an item up over the original retail price.  A fixed bid price can be set at the higher end of the marketable price range, and potentially a bit higher.   These items are few and far between.
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• Quality and/or popular brands, like Gymboree, can also gain in value over time as they age to “vintage” status, about 10+ years old.  These items appeal to serious brand advocates who enjoy building and managing a child’s wardrobe like a collection.
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• The vast majority of children’s clothing items do, however, reduce in resale value over time.    So, if you are faced with the question, “should I save this for my next child?”, use Method 2 above and consider what you can for the items now vs. later, how much you love the items, and the cost to replace the items if you need to in the future.

What about Lots & Outfits?

• Selling in lots and outfits are a great way to go when you have several items that match together, but individually price out less than about $7.00 each.  Even low-priced items need to bear the cost of shipping, and individual item value just might not be there to sell bear this burden alone.  But, when multiple items are grouped together, shipping becomes less of an issue, psychologically, for potential buyers.

• When pricing lots, the first place to start is to determine the value of each individual item using Method 2 above then total them all together.  Since lots can be so unique, you are less likely to find something similar via a Google search.

• Psychologically, buyers want a good deal when buying multiple pieces at once.  So, as a rule of thumb, I like to price lots at the lower end of the marketable range.

• And, to sweeten the deal, I like to set shipping to FREE, and include it in the price of the lot.

Do you have tips or questions on how to price kids’ clothing for resale?  I’d love to hear them and discuss in the comments below.  I’m constantly working on refining the approach.  Thanks!  ~Suzanne

A Mom to Mom sale is more like a huge garage sale under one roof.  Moms individually reserve or rent space, bring in their stuff, and run their own sales.  The sales are usually only 1/2 – 1 day.  Items may be priced in bulk or individually – anything goes.  Shoppers can typically negotiate on purchases, just as if they were garage sale shopping.

Consignment sales, on the other hand, are much more organized and run 2-3 days.  Moms typically pay a fee to participate in the sale and/or are asked to volunteer to help run the sale.  Most sales also charge Sellers a commission fee on each item sold (usually about 30%).  Participating moms are given an identification number and tags.  They price their items in advance and drop them off several days before the sale begins.  Sale coordinators and volunteers organize all the items into types and size, and usually only certain brands and item quality are accepted.   So, a consignment sale feels more like a shopping at a very large resale shop than a garage sale. During the sale shoppers cannot negotiate on purchases, although some sales offer a discount on remaining items the final day of the sale.   A fabulous resource for anything you would ever want to know about consignment sales is ConsignmentMommies.com.

Either way, organized mom sales can be big and attract a lot of shoppers.  Obviously each type of sale will attract a different type of shopper, too.   Mom 2 Mom sales typically draw in a crowd who enjoy shopping garage sales.  While Consignment Sales typically draw a crowd of moms who enjoy shopping name-brand resale (both online and off).

I recently attended the “Super Mom 2 Mom Sale” in Birch Run, Michigan, and had an opportunity to ask both shoppers and sellers some questions.  Below are some tips direct from the floor.

Mom 2 Mom Sales: Tips for Shoppers

Mom 2 Mom sales can be like garage sale shopping on steroids. If you need things for your children, why bother hopping from garage sale to garage sale, when you can find 10′s or 100′s of moms selling their used, outgrown, no-longer-needed baby & kids things under one roof?

Depending on the venue, there may be an entry fee.  The sale I just attended cost $3.00 to get in, and was held at a local expo center.  Some smaller Mom 2 Mom sales at churches, for example, may not charge a fee.

Here’s a few tips for first-timers:

• Bring along some re-usable shopping bags.  Not all sellers will provide bags.
• If possible, leave the kiddos home.  The sale I just attended was packed!  It was difficult for me, as a single person, to maneuver the aisles.  I felt bad for the moms pushing strollers and/or trying to keep track of their children.
• Bring cash.   Everything is cash and carry.  Some sellers may allow personal checks or have the ability to accept a credit card, but don’t count on it.
• Prices are negotiable, especially if you purchase several things from the same seller and/or you’re in the final hour of the sale.
• Bring a list.  The quantity of stuff for sale can be overwhelming.  A list will help you stay focused on what you need.
• Know your prices.  There can be significant variances in pricing from table to table.
• Be sure to look under and around the tables.  Most sellers tend to bring more than what fits on their table.
• Comparison shop – carefully.   If you find something on your list that you need, get it.  If you wait, it could be gone.  However, if you’re just browsing, it might pay to scout out the tables before you dive in and start buying.
• Don’t go on an empty stomach. I spoke with fellow shoppers who had been at the sale for hours.

Mom 2 Mom Sales: Tips for Sellers

I interviewed several Moms at the sale (which that has become so popular that it’s now held every 2 months, instead of twice a year). A couple Moms were “regulars”, and others were trying it for the first time.

The regulars had a better idea of what shoppers would buy, and typically had just one table plus one rack for hanging items.

The non-regulars put in much more effort, bought 3-6 tables (plus racks), and tried selling everything they had in a few hours.

I asked several Moms a few questions:

“How much did you pay to set up here today?”

• $20 per table + $3 per rack.

• Be careful.  While taking a lot might be appealing, the cost of set up could cut deeply into your potential profits.  One mom I talked with had 6 tables and 3 racks, paid a total of $129 to set up, and the sale only ran from 8:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m.  (Seriously!)

“How much time did you put into this so far?”

Every answer went something like this:

1. Prior to event:  Organize, price, plan:  2 – 12 hours
2. Night before:  30 min. – 2 hours
3. Travel:  30 min. – 1 hour
4. Setup – 7:00 – 8:00
5. Seller’s private sale:  8:00 – 9:00*
• Some seller’s participate just to have the opportunity to shop first at the private sale
6. Public sale:  9:00 – 1:00
7. Tear Down:  30 min. – 1 hour
8. Drive home:  30 min – 1 hour
9. Unpack:  15 min – 2 hours (estimated)
10. Total time for 1 person (many sales had 2 -3 people working):  10.15 – 41 hours

NOTE:  41 hours and $129!!  I could list A LOT on line for that, and get higher prices for my nicer things that are still in very good condition.  Unbelievably, none of the moms I talked to have ever listed anything for sale online before.

“What kinds of things are selling the best?”

According to the Moms I talked with, items that were in good to great condition and were well-known brands sell best, and in these categories:

• Equipment & Gear (small and large)
• Toys
• Nursery Decorations
• Clothing

“What kinds of things aren’t selling?”

Anything could sell.  Just like a garage sale – you never know.   Unless, of course you have your items way over-priced for the crowd.  The vast majority of of shoppers are looking for great bargains, but there is the occasional shopper that will scout out higher-end, quality merchandise at good prices.

“What do you like most about this event?”

• “It’s a social thing for me.  I like talking to and meeting all the other moms.”
• “If I sell some things, great!  I don’t have high expectations”
• “I come to sell just so I can shop the first hour of the sale, which is for sellers only.  I just bring a few things and set up one table, so it isn’t a lot of work.”
• “It’s a chance to, basically, have a garage sale in the middle of winter and get rid of some things”
• “Most of the garage sale stuff I have is kids’ stuff, so it makes more sense for me to set up here than have my own sale”
• “The expo center does a great job advertising these sales and attracting a crowd.”

“What do you least like about this event?”

• “I hope I make some money!  My table fees were $72.”
• “It was a lot of work getting here and setting up, so I hope I make enough money so that it was worthwhile,”
• “I’m exhausted!  I’m working this alone, so I’m afraid if I turn my head some of my things could disappear. There’s a lot of people looking, constantly, but not everyone is buying.”
• “My nice things aren’t selling.  I even have a lot of New With Tags stuff, and I can’t believe it’s just sitting here!”  <this is where I put in a plug for LoobaLee.com…btw>
• “The fees.  I understand we have to pay to use this venue, but it can be hard to make money”

At the end of the day, whether your shopping or selling, Mom to Mom sales are a good, green thing, because they generate a large focus on re-use and secondhand.  And, if you hit it just right, you could bring home a lot of goodies and/or some decent cash for your efforts.

Looking for a Mom to Mom Sale in your area?  I haven’t been able to a nationwide directory of even the biggest sales, and many of them are privately run (if you know of one, please let me know!).  The best approach is to do a google search in your area for Mom 2 Mom sales or Mom to Mom sales.

Do you have experience with Mom 2 Mom sales?  Please share your lessons learned below with other moms!  

Do you have more questions about Mom 2 Mom sales?  Just jot your question below in the comments, and we’ll try to help.

Dig out those capris, spring dress and Easter duds that your kids no longer fit into and list them on LobaLee. Selling on our site is quick, simple and always free!

Don’t miss out on prime Selling season. Buyers are already looking for Easter outfits and spring jackets. Recycle and make a few dollars to help build your children’s wardrobe for the upcoming season. It’s good for the planet and good for you!

I organize my kid’s outgrown, no-longer needed clothing just twice a year (in late June, and in late December or early January).  Occasionally, I have reason to organize a few more things in between, in which I’ve found March and September work best.   I’ve published a guide on the “Prime Times to Sell Kid’s Clothing on Resale”, which I will send you for FREE when you join LoobaLee.

After many years of trying to gain efficiencies in the sorting process, I started repeated the following 6 steps to organizing, photographing, and listing over and over.

I published these videos over a 6 week period in the summer to help Moms prepare for the upcoming Back-to-School, Halloween, Winter, and Holiday seasons. But, you can do these steps in 6 days, or all-at-once, too.

The same 6 steps work any time of year, and you can plan ahead for as many seasons as you want, too!

The time it takes is directly related to how much stuff you have!   Even if you have a lot, these steps will make it easier to deal with — and you’ll feel SO good once its done

Click on each step to review and/or view the videos.

• Step 1:   FIND it    -  First, it’s big advantage to just get it all in one place!
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• Step 2:   EVALUATE it    – Is it good enough condition?  Is it a brand that will sell?
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• Step 3:  SORT it     – Put it together!  Individual items, outfits, or lots?
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• Step 4:   ENHANCE it    – Can you add something, e.g. a freebie, to help it sell?
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• Step 5:  PHOTOGRAPH it  – Don’t belabor it – Pics don’t have to be perfect.
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• Step 6: LIST it  – Here’s how I do it!
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• BONUS Step   – If you have a lot of Gymboree, review this step too!

I know you’ve tried different methods of getting/staying organized.  I’d love to hear what works for you!  Leave a comment below – thanks!

Click image to see if this dress is still available on LoobaLee. Its a size 6.

Little girls dresses as well as boys dress pants and button downs are always sure sellers this time of year.  If you are able to list these items as complete outfits and you will have better selling success.

Throw in a tie to complete a sharp holiday look for boys or include accessories, like the dress and hat set pictured right (available at LoobaLee.com).  Parents love the one stop shopping and you’ll love the extra cash to put towards your own holiday needs.  Don’t forget to list dress shoes for both boys and girls too.  These item will start increasing in demand as families start thinking about scheduling family photos for their annual holiday cards.

For those items that aren’t quite up to reselling condition but still in good shape, consider donating to the many wonderful clothing drives that are underway.  Needs spike during the holiday season and you could certainly be doing a great service by donating a warm coat, clean clothing or new shoes to a child in need.  This is a wonderful way to give without exchanging cash.  The kids can even get in on the action by helping sort out those items they would like to give.  It’s a great lesson for kids to learn hands on what the holiday season is all about.

What’s your favorite charitable service or organization for donating baby & children’s clothing, gear, toys, and other goods over the holidays?  Share below!  Thanks!

1.  Know your brands

• High demand, high popularity, and expensive brands are most subject to counterfeit.  In my research, I also found that designer Men’s and Women’s brands that also carry children’s clothing, accessories, or footwear are more likely to be replicated than stand-alone children’s brands that have smaller markets.
• While not a comprehensive list, here are some popular brands that manufacture children’s clothing and are regularly replicated:  Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Armani Junior, Baby Phat, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, Diesel Kids, Disney, DKNY,  Fila, Gymboree, Guess, Harley Davidson, Jansport, Juicy Couture,  Kenneth Cole,  Lacoste, Levi, Nautica, New Balance,  Nike, North Face,  Puma, Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Roberto Cavalli, Rocawear, Seven for All Mankind, Speedo, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, True Religion, Ugg, Valentino, Versace, and Warner Bros.

2.  Photograph the tag

• Tags contain important legal information about the brand and/or specific design, such as copyrights and trademarks.   While its already illegal for counterfeiters to copy a design, its even more risky for them to emulate legal marks they do not own.
• The “Made In” information can also distinguish between real and fake goods.
• The material can also indicate a fake.  Many reputable children’s brands are 100% cotton, for example, and most are not 100% polyester.  If the materials look cheap for the brand, it may not be the real thing.

Note:  On LoobaLee, we allow up to 4 photos for free, so there is room for the photo, and its an easy one to snap while you are taking the others.

3.  Show up close photos

• A sure giveaway of a knock-off is poor craftsmanship, such as loose or crooked stitching, uneven hemlines, patterns that don’t line up, etc.   I always like to take 1 or 2 close up shots of my items that show design and craftsmanship when a potential buyer zooms in.

4.  Include where you purchased the item originally

• If you are selling a brand that is likely to be confused with counterfeit, it helps to indicate in your listing where you originally purchased the item on retail yourself, such as directly from the brand or a reputable boutique.

6.  Have the receipt or original tags?  Include in your pics

• While it might not be possible, if you have the receipt and it shows a) where you purchased the item, and b) the price paid for the item, this is an excellent way to confirm authenticity.
• Original tags can also convey authenticity, as well as original retail price
• There is no need to take a separate picture, just include it one you are already taking, so long as your viewer will be able to Zoom.

7.  If you are selling Gymboree, always give the name of the Line

• Moms who buy Gymboree on resale typically know their lines.  If you don’t specify the line, it can send a red flag (whether you have an authentic item or not).
• Not only are Gymboree lines regularly copied, many fakes resemble the brand but aren’t copies of original designs at all.  If you can find the line, and it matches with the year of copyright on the tag (or at most 1 year behind), then chances are much higher its authentic.

8.  Explain duplicates

• Sellers who have multiples of the same NWT thing (same or different sizes), are often suspicious on eBay or any other marketplace.   So, if you have multiples, share your story.  You can explain how/why you have multiples of the same items on your profile and/or on individual listings, e.g. if you are a bigger store, if resale is your business, or your a Mom of multiples.

Posted by:

Suzanne Rielle

Owner & Co-Founder, LoobaLee.com

LoobaLee.com is a marketplace for quality, authentic children’s clothing.   It’s our mission to help Moms purchase and re-sell quality clothing that is valuable for resale and re-use.

Here are 5 questions buyers likely ask themselves before making an online resale purchase:

1. Does the item look good? Photos are the main element to a seller’s listing so you want the first impression to be a good one. Make sure you take good pictures and capture the full garment with the first photo and photograph details in the remainder.  LoobaLee gives you the opportunity to post four photos and we recommend you use them all.
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2. Is the price right? We know that some items are truly special but that doesn’t mean others will be willing to pay close to retail when it comes to reselling. Price your items reasonably according to their condition and retail value.  Buyers will make a decision based on the total of item price + shipping.   So, ask yourself… would I pay this total? If you master pricing, you will have selling success.
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3. Is it a good deal? Just because an items is priced right doesn’t automatically assume its a good deal.  A single item needs to not only have a great price, but be a great item on its own (quality brand, in style, etc.).   If you can, list multiple items whenever possible. If you have a matching outfit or coordinating pieces, sell them together.  Or, consider selling mix and match pieces of the same size as a lot.  Buyers like the all-in-one listing with pieces that are already matched and ready to wear. This is one of the many benefits of buying on resale.
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4. Does the listing offer value? When assessing value, consider the garmentt’s life span.  Can it be worn multiple times or passed down to several kids?  If the answer is yes, then it’s a good value.  A well-made garment offers more wear than a cheaply made garment and in turn will sell time and time again.  Moms will also ask themselves if they need it.  By personalizing your description and offering ideas how to use or wear the item in your description, you can help them envision the purpose of the item in their child’s wardrobe.
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5. Can I trust this seller? Full disclosure is key to being a successful seller. Buyers don’t want to be surprised when they receive their items so be sure to note any stains, tears, missing embellishments or buttons.  Don’t omit details just to make the sale.  You want your buyer to be happy and come back for more.

If you keep these five questions in mind when digging through last year’s pile of clothing, you will set yourself up to successfully on LoobaLee.

As a buyer or seller, do you have any tips to add that make for top-notch listings  buyers want to snag immediately?   We’d love to hear from you.  Just comment below – thanks!

Sweaters and hoodies are easy wear clothing that carry kids through several seasons.  Because of that, these items are always good sellers.    Kids wear hoodies and sweaters in the fall as jackets and layer them up when it gets colder.   Fur or flannel lined hoodies are always a hot seller especially from brands like Hanna Andersson and Mini Boden.

It’s cider and donuts now, but witches and goblins will be here soon.  Costume buying and selling is in full swing.  It may seem a bit early to start thinking about what the kids will wear trick or treating but savvy shoppers start early to get the best selection at the best prices.  Start listing now to get the most value from your child’s outgrown costume.

Winter coats and accessories will be making an appearance before you know it.  Don’t miss the opportunity to sell your kids outgrown outerwear before shoppers are squared away.  Buyers look for quality outerwear from brands like Patagonia and North Face but winter coats in good shape will get snatched up too.

Clear out those closets, stash away summer to sell in January and list the hot fall and winter kids clothing items today.

And, we make it straightforward to do.  Learn how here — this is the “Science” part

While it seems straightforward, but pricing shipping charges is actually something you’ll want to put a little thought into — the “Art” part.

A high cost of shipping, even if it’s the true cost, can turn away a buyer faster than anything else.

The retail industry has taught us all, as buyers, to have a lot of psychology around shipping charges!  Shipping charges are the number one reason buyers abandon their cart during online checkout.

“Artfully” Pricing Shipping to Motivate Purchasers

The last thing you want to happen is to offer a shipping charge on your listing that is inconsistent with what you’re selling and the price you’re asking.

When to use Actual Shipping

Actual shipping works best in these two scenarios:

1)  Your item or outfit is priced ~$15 or higher.   For lower cost items, the actual cost of shipping will result into too high a percentage of the buyer’s total charges, and may psychologically turn the buyer away (unless they really, really want the item).

For example, if you have a $10 item and enter a Weight Class of 2, which is only a 6-13 oz package weight, the actual shipping rate and what the buyer will pay is about $5 (~ 1/2 the cost of the item).

2) Your item (packaged for shipping) weighs under 6 oz.  In this case, the first class postal rate is still quite low, e.g. ~$3.50 or less.

When to Use Free Shipping

I love free shipping! (doesn’t everybody?)  Whenever you can offer free shipping, my recommendation is do it.  Free Shipping is the number one motivator for buyer’s to checkout and not abandon their purchases.

The question isn’t necessarily “when”, but “how”?

A sure thing:  If your item will fit in a USPS flat rate box, you can safely offer free shipping (how to).  Just build the cost of shipping into your item.  Your cost to ship won’t vary whether your package has to cross just 2 shipping zones or 6.

Be realistic with your item pricing.  If including the full cost of shipping drives your item price up too high, you may be trying to get too much for your item in the first place.  Learn more about pricing here.

Single items and small outfits usually fit in a $4.85* flat rate box.  Larger outfits and lots often fit in a $10.95 flat rate box.

If you aren’t sure, weigh your packaged items.  Anything over 13 ounces will cost you less to ship if you can fit it in a flat rate box.

Lots and multi-piece outfits are one of the best opportunities to use free shipping, because it’s easier to include shipping in the total price.   If you can’t fit your lot in a flat rate box, you should definitely get an actual or estimated weight and figure out potential shipping charges on the USPS site before you price the lot.

*USPS Priority Flat Rates at time of this writing; highly subject to be increased by USPS in the future.

When to use a Lower Shipping Rate

Using a lower Weight Class can help sell your item.  For example, if you have a packaged item that is 10 oz (which falls in the Weight Class ’2′ range), you may want to use a Weight Class of ’1′ on your item instead.

You will then need to cover about $2 to make up for the actual shipping charges when you mail the item.  So, what to do?  Price your item accordingly, assuming.  A slightly higher priced item with a lower shipping is a better combination for motivating a buyer.  (After all, this is the norm we experience with online shopping at retail stores who offer free shipping.

With today’s shipping rates, a Weight Class of ’2′ approximately covers USPS Priority Shipping on a $4.85 flat rate box.  If your item weighs more than 13 oz (such as a pair of jeans), but will fit in a flat rate box, using a Weight Class of ’2′ is a good idea — fair for both you and the buyer.

Flat rate priority shipping has become so mainstream, that buyers are smart enough to know they are paying unnecessary shipping charges when the item they purchased fits in USPS boxes.

When to use a Higher Shipping Rate

This technique be very, very rarely used.  If ever used, you should always provide an explanation in your description of the item.

A valid reason for charging more for shipping than actual is if you want to insure the package.  Insurance is not included in LoobaLee’s standard shipping calculation.

But, then again, you’re toying with a potential buyer’s psychology, and if the item you are sending is valuable enough to purchase insurance, you will likely have more success with including the cost of insurance directly in the price of your item.

Some scenarios where insurance may apply?  Expensive gown (e.g. 1st Communion gown) or suit, couture designer items (e.g. Burberry), etc.

 A Note on Delivery Confirmation

A Delivery Confirmation charge of 85 cents is included on every LoobaLee order that has a shipping charge.  You do not need to factor this in.  We do it for you!

The only time a Delivery Confirmation is not added to an order is if every item purchased on the order has FREE SHIPPING.

Delivery Confirmation charges are added at the order level – not for every item.  If buyers purchase more than one item from the same seller in a single checkout, we will only apply one Delivery Confirmation charge.

Do you have tactics, opinions, and/or experiences with shipping charges?  Please leave your questions or comments below, and let’s discuss.  We’re always open to improving these suggestions!

Both LoobaLee and thredUP  are  online venues that help parents exchange outgrown, no longer-needed children’s clothing, keeping in line with being eco-friendly.  However, thredUP’s main focus is on the swap ,while LoobaLee’s focus is buying & selling.   View our detailed Comparison Guide here.

For those unfamiliar with thredUP, the concept is fairly simple:

• Those wanting to get rid of clothing can stuff a box with unwanted clothing and post a brief description of what is in the box.
• If you would like to “pick” a box, you pay $15.95 ($10.95 flat rate shipping + $5 to thredUP).
• After picking a box, your swap credits will be reduced by one point, and you’ll be asked to post a box (or boxes) to send.
• While thredUP is free to join and free to post boxes, those wanting to be on the inside can subscribe as a PRO member and pay an additional fee to be the first to see new boxes and more detailed information about each box.

We think online swapping is a great concept for recycling, and fun for those who love the thrill of grab bags and surprises.  It can also be great way to gather up some play clothes for the kids.   Some things to consider before you swap:

• The cost is moderate but the value is unpredictable since you really don’t know what is in the box until you receive it.
• There are no pictures on thredUP, only descriptions.
• Listing a box without pics sounds efficient, but can actually be time-consuming.   There are several steps to posting a box, and the more detail description you write for your box, the more likely it is to get picked.
• Additionally, we notice the majority of  brands found in the boxes are typically those that do not have high resale value nor lasting quality.  It can be a  bit risky to post something of higher value in a box when you may not be able to find/pick a box of the same quality and value in return.
• Surprises might be fun, but if you don’t like what was in the box the answer is to “re-thredUP” in which case you are out $15.95 (the cost of picking the box).

LoobaLee, on the other hand, offers  quality children’s clothing brands, and every item listed has 1-4 photos along with consistent, descriptive detail (that the seller doesn’t have to write).   You’ll always know exactly what you’re getting:

• No surprises!  Along with a backed return policy.
• Lowest rate shipping based on weight or free shipping (as defined by Seller).
• The option to list items in bulk with the flexibility of controlling the number of items in your ‘lot’, size of box for shipping (we allow up to 16 pounds), and shipping terms.
• Clothing sold on LoobaLee typically also offers value even after your purchase.  Buy quality, care for the garment properly and you can (again) recycle by reselling that same clothing item.
• Cash in your pocket when items sell (to re-invest in more quality kids clothes!).
• LoobaLee is 100% free to use.  There are no insertion fees, no end of sale commission fees and no subscription fees.

Children’s clothing that retains its value makes sense and LoobaLee provides a free , dedicated buying/selling venue for this unique niche.    But for items that don’t retain their value well or for Moms that aren’t too picky, swapping and shipping them off to another child where they can find a new home makes sense too.

We know Moms have preferences and different shopping styles.  What kind of Mom are you?

• Are you a swapper, or a conscious-shopping mom on the hunt for a great deal?
  
• Do you just want/need a full closet for your kids, or do you prefer a “conscious closet” and enjoy carefully selecting every item?
  
• Or, like many Moms, do you fall somewhere in between?
  

Do share!

Take a look at our side by side LoobaLee and thredUP Comparison Guide to see more details on how the two sites size up.

Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!