Yard Sales vs. Consignment Stores

I have done both. I have also worked at a consignment store. It is difficult to say which method will bring in more money. Why not try both ways. Have a yard sale first and then bring the clothes that do not sell to a consignment store. Or you can try the consignment store first and then try a yard sale later. I like both ways. I would guess that kids clothes sell well because kids outgrow clothes fast. And kids clothes are expensive.

You have some excellent replies already and, since I haven't tried consignment stores, I can't comment on that part of your question. However, I've sold a ton of baby and kids clothing very successfully in yard sales. The key to getting decent money is to make everything look as new as you can. I laundered everything just before the sale, I ironed, I got a clothing rack to hang the more expensive things (I had a ton of Osh Kosh overalls, for example) and a decent number of tables to make displays and I even bagged some things in clear plastic so they would stay clean and not be mishandled by people that just like to poke through and not buy. I also priced every article in a visible manner, not just letting them get into a jumble. I had people buying clothing by the whole box! I also had people tell me repeatedly "you'll never sell clothes in a yard sale" but I had very little left at the end of the day. If you put in the effort ahead of time, and think of your yard sale as your own "store," you can do really well Best of luck!

I've done it both ways, and it's a toss-up at best to know which one will bring in more money. As for consignment stores, you have to know their policy on stuff. Some of them mark down the goods after a week or two, and some longer. Then too there's the percentage they take for themselves. What I do now is anything that is in perfect condition, I put into a consignment shop, and anything that's a pinch more than gently used goes into my yard sale. It's been my experience that people will pay more for something at a consignment shop, especially if it's in mint, or near mint, condition. Whereas at yard sales, they dicker sometimes, and they expect a better deal too. I've got about 4 consignment shops in my area. One only takes name-brand stuff in almost perfect condition. They buy it right off, and then you know if you're getting a good price or not. Then one of the others accepts a little more gently used stuff, but they will mark it down after a month. I think doing a yard sale is a great way to make extra bucks, and if you have a few friends who are willing to combine with you into a bigger yard sale, then you do get more people wandering in. Personally, I don't usually stop at a small yard sale, but if I see a lawn packed with all kinds of different stuff, I'm there lol! Oh, and at the end of my sale, if there's stuff left, I donate it and get a receipt and take that amount off taxes in 'charity contributions.'