Prepping Your Items

Please contact us if you have any questions BEFORE you prepare your items!!! Remember…only bring items that you would buy for your own children. If you wouldn’t buy an item, most likely no one else will either.

Prepping Your Items: TIPS

  • The following items are helpful to have on-hand during preparation: hangers (preferably wire), scissors, clear packing tape, safety pins, card stock in your designated color (or white card stock with designated color stripe), zip lock bags.

  • For an item in excellent, like-new condition, it is often helpful to attach a print-out or information sheet to your item regarding the original retail price. This shows the shopper what a wonderful deal your item is, making it much more appealing!

  • Presentation is EVERYTHING!! Make your items as attractive as possible!

  • For ALL sales, please do NOT pin through the tag and then the hanger. Use a separate safety pin for each tag and additional safety pins, if needed, to attach items to hangers.

  • Hangers stay with the item when it’s sold, and are not returned to the consignor, so use either wire or plastic hangers for easiest pinning. 

  • 10 tags print on a page. Remember that tags are color coded by your consignment number.

CLOTHING:

Clothing Requirements

  • All clothing items (including baby clothes) should be hung on wire or plastic hangers.

  • Hangers should be in the direction of a question ? mark with the opening on the left side. Use children’s hangers up to size 6/8 + or if the clothing continues to slip off, then it’s recommended that you use adult hangers. 

  • Remember, all items should be washed, zippers zipped, buttons buttoned, with no stains, holes, tears, extreme wearing or pilling, stains on knees, or snags.

  • Shake Test: if it falls off the hanger, pin it to the shoulder or get a larger hanger

  • Accessories: headbands, socks, bibs, etc are best attached to an outfit. Bundle multiple similar accessories and tag as one item.

  • Hanging Items: Only pair items that are the SAME SIZE

  • In general, clothing items should be on hangers, and not in baggies. However, accessories can be in baggies, and pinned to the outfit.

  • Feel free to sell jeans and pants separately! Many shoppers are looking just for jeans or pants. The exception to this is an outfit or set that are the same size and brand. Sets always sell well, but if your pants or jeans don’t have a match, just sell them separately.

  • You may use pant hangers if you are selling only a “bottom” item (pant, skirt, shorts, etc.).

  • Pants/bottoms must be pinned to the top of the hanger and not folded over nor pinned to the bottom of the hanger. Tops should not be pinned to the hanger unless they will fall off (i.e. swimsuits, spaghetti straps, etc.). You will be responsible for making any changes at check-in.

  • If an outfit contains a top and bottom, pin the pants/skirt/ bloomers/etc. to the back of the top using two safety pins, going THROUGH the hanger (this allows buyers to examine the item without it slipping off the hanger or getting misplaced). This includes overalls, jumpers, etc. Please do not “assemble” outfits…use our pinning guidelines. The only exception is if an item contains more than one top (i.e. shirt and jacket with bottom, or shirt and sweater with bottom). You may “layer” the items as long as you leave as much of the inside layer exposed as possible. Still safety-pin the bottoms through the tops and hanger to prevent slipping or misplacement. This also prevents items from getting torn as items are pulled off the racks. 

  • Note: If you have items that will be sold together for multiples, please follow these preparation instructions:

    • Prepare your clothing per MBC guidelines. Switch the hanger on one piece so that it is a backwards question mark.

    • If desired, twin clothing sets can be sold together (i.e. matching pieces) by using ribbon. This means that each outfit will be prepared individually on separate hangers, and then tied together with ribbon (top of hanger) so the pieces stay together as a set. For example, dresses for twins will be on separate hangers and then tied together.

    • Complete the tag for the SET. Be sure to include in the description that it is a set (i.e. Set of 2; Set of 3) OR handwrite on the tag in a blank space. Your price should reflect the set, not individual pieces. For example, if you have dresses for twins, you would price the SET at $10 (because you might have priced each individual dress at $5).

  • After your items are completely prepared and tagged, sort them by gender AND THEN by size.

  • Shoes: Use ribbon or a zip-tie to attach shoes together. Infant shoes can go in a zip lock bag. MBC will have some zip-ties available at check-in. Carefully secure your tag to the pair of shoes, preferably with a safety pin. If you are using packing tape, please remember not to cover the barcode with tape.

  • Dollar Rack – Miss a stain or other imperfection when prepping? No problem! The Dollar Rack is a great way to sell it all and make some money back for those “no thank you” items. At check-in, consignors will indicate whether or not they would like their clothing items to go on the Dollar Rack if MBC finds an imperfection before the sale starts. (Imperfect items found after the sale starts will be returned to the consignor.) These items will be specially marked and remain $1 throughout the sale. The Dollar Rack will be displayed when floor/rack space becomes available. (First priority is given to items meeting MBC standards.) Un-sold items will be returned to the consignor.  NOTE:  Please do not intentionally bring items for the Dollar Rack. MBC would like to maintain our standards for quality items. The Dollar Rack is a courtesy option for items with minor imperfections. Excessive amounts of items not meeting MBC standards will be placed in the consignor’s tub.

TOYS, BOOKS, BABY ITEMS, EQUIPMENT:

TIP: Attach any instruction manuals or owner’s guides to your toys and equipment. Again, any extra information can really grab a shopper’s attention!

  • All items must be CLEAN! Taking the time to wipe down your items will make them MUCH more appealing to shoppers. If an item is not cleaned to MBC’s standards, you may use baby wipes at check-in or remove the item from your inventory. (This includes highchairs and car seat covers & straps.)

  • If any item has multiple parts, please label each part with a generic tag (NOT a duplicate MSM tag) that indicates they belong in a set: “1 of 3; 2 of 3; 3 of 3”, for example.

  • Secure all small parts belonging with toys in a zip lock bag taped shut. Secure the bag to the toy using clear packing tape or ribbon. Loose items are easily misplaced.

  • All tags need to be attached to the outside of bags for ease at check out. Using clear packing tape works best.

  • Hole Test: if your kids can poke a hole in the bag to get to the toy, use clear packing tape over the Ziploc bag

  • Books: Be sure there is no writing in the books. Books may be sold individually, but often sell better in a grouping. If you decide to group your books together, place them in a zip lock bag secured shut using clear packing tape or Saran Wrap with clear packing tape to secure the books together. Do not use a rubber band or ribbons, as books become separated too easily.

    • Attach your tag to the bag using clear packing tape (never scotch tape). Be sure not to cover up the barcode. It is also helpful to attach another paper listing the book titles so the shopper knows what he/she is purchasing.  Again, please be sure there is little to no writing in books!

  • Puzzles: All pieces must be present. Saran Wrap around puzzle and secure with tape. Tip: After verifying all pieces are included, handwrite “all pieces included” on the tag to increase seller confidence.  

  • Games: Must have all parts and working properly. Put all parts in Ziploc bags, including the manual, and keep it organized. If the game requires batteries, then they must be included and working. Please do not tape the box closed. We will do that after inspection. Tip: After verifying all pieces are included, handwrite “all pieces included” on the tag to increase seller confidence.  

  • Electronics: Must turn on and be in good working order! If it’s tiny, tape it to a large piece of cardboard, then put it in a Ziploc bag. Tape the bag so holes can’t be made.

  • Video Games: Seal case with packing tape.

  • All battery operated toys, electronics, and games must contain working batteries. They will be tested at check-in. Battery operated toys containing non-working batteries will be sent home with the consignor.

  • Blankets: Please hang blankets over the bottom of a hanger, using safety pins at each end to make sure they don’t slide off. If you have a bedroom or crib set, package everything together and make a separate card (other than its price tag) listing everything in the set. Tape this to the outside of the package. Or, tie everything together.

  • Instruments: Make sure the instrument is clean/disinfected.  Include all accessories.  At check-in, we will look over your instrument and confirm you have a list of included items.  You have two options for display:  1) Attach your “included item” list to the outside of the instrument case.  Then, we will zip tie the case closed and attach a label for shoppers on how to view the item. Your instrument case will be on display on the top shelf of the electronics table near the Holding Area. OR, 2) Bring a print out with detailed pictures of the instrument and items included. Tape your price tag on this sheet.  The sheet will be displayed on the electronics table near the Holding Area and your instrument will be secured behind the cashier table.  If you choose option 2, you are responsible for providing the “details” sheet with pictures.

Tagging & Pricing Your Items

We use to a web-based program, My Sale Manager (MSM), for tagging.  All items need to be entered into MSM.


Color Coded Tags

ANY item regardless of consignor # that will be donated if un-sold = Light Yellow
Consignor #1 – 599 = Light Pink
Consignors #600-1999 = Light Blue
Consignors #2000-4999 = Light Orange
Consignors #5000 & higher = Light Green

Why these colors?  They are the most popular highlighter colors.  One easy way to color-code your tags would be to put a quick slash on the right side of the tag (near the edge of the tag reaching between the size/gender in the top right down to the item price in the bottom right).

Please use PASTEL or LIGHT colored cardstock to print your tags. Otherwise, our tag scanners have a hard time reading the bar code and it’s hard to read.  MSM has the ability to print your Donate items in one batch and your No Donate items in another, allowing you to use yellow and your consignor color.

We appreciate consignors’ understanding that this minor inconvenience helps our staff and volunteers a LOT. 

Other options:  crayons, markers, stickers, etc.  Get the kids involved!  (Just be sure the colors stay on the tags and not on the sale item!!)

Pricing Your Items:
You, the consignor, are responsible for setting the price for your items. We recommend about 25%-30% of the original retail price if your item is in excellent condition. Please price your items in $.50 increments, with a minimum of $2.00. If your item cannot bring $2.00 on its own, it probably isn’t the right item for the MBC sale. Remember, we only want the best of the best! Not sure how to price your items? Use the following tips.

  • Remember you are “in competition” with all the other consignors to sell items. Keep your prices “competitive”.

  • What would YOU pay for that item?

  • What brand is your item? Name brands normally sell for a higher price than store brands. Boutique items sell for a higher price than name brands.

  • Is the item NWT (New With Tags)?

  • What is included with the item?

  • What are similar items going for on Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Craigslist, Amazon, etc?

  • Remember that this sale can be a blessing for many families in the community who are living on a tight budget.

Pinning Your Items/Placement:

  • It is recommended for items on hangers (clothing, blankets, costumes, etc.), to use safety pins to secure clothing to the hanger. This keeps your items from falling off the hanger.  

  • For two piece outfits/sets, put the safety pin through all pieces and secure it to the hanger. Do not secure the second piece to the first piece as items can tier or leave holes. 

  • For outfits with several pieces, do not assemble the outfit, pin them on the hanger together individually.

  • Remember, the hanger should look like a question mark. ?

Tag Placement:

  • For items on hangers (clothing, blankets, costumes, etc.), place your tag on the top right side of the item.  This allows shoppers to easily see each tag as they look through hanging items. 

  • All non-hanging items…use your best judgement.  Place the tag so that it does not cover up anything the shopper might want to see.  Do not put tape on item stickers, painted items, etc.  Use clear packing tape to go over the tag ONCE.  Feel free to use ribbon, safety pins, etc. to attach tags to items that will not hold tape.

Item Entry & Tag Printing


Using My Sale Manager (MSM), you will be able to quickly enter your items. My Sale Manager allows you to manage the items you are selling and make changes as necessary. You can change your price, category, description, and whether or not you are discounting or donating, up until you print a tag. Once you print a tag, if you make changes to an item online, you MUST print a new tag as the bar code will be different.

For each item, your tag will include:

  • Category – Be sure to include the appropriate category for your item so our volunteers can prepare the sale floor.  There is a drop-down menu of options.

  • Size – Choose the appropriate size of your item, if applicable. Note you can only use numbers and no “S”, “M”, etc.  If you don’t know the size, hold the item up to other similar items and use your best judgement.  There is a drop-down menu of options.

  • Description – Use these two lines for Brand and a detailed description. This is especially useful for us matching found tags to the appropriate item. 

  • Price – Minimum $2.00, increments of $.50.

  • Quantity – Generally you will have only 1 of an item, but if you have multiple items that are exactly the same, adjust the quantity.

  • Reduce/No Reduce – Do you want the item to go for Half Price if it hasn’t sold by Saturday?

  • Donate/No Donate – Do you want to donate un-sold items?

MySale Manager Voice To Text Feature

Did you know that MSM has a voice to text item entry feature? If you are on your phone, log into your MSM account, go to Add Items, and on the drop down, select Mobile Voice Entry, then begin the voice to text feature.

Please click on the instructions if it’s your first time. There is a method to the madness and you have to say things in a certain order.

Here’s the instructions: 

  • To most efficiently use this feature, begin by ordering the items you are going to enter by category and size.

  • You will choose category and size from the drop-down lists. The system will remember the category and size from the last item and keep them set until you change them.

  • When you are ready to begin dictating your item, make sure the cursor is in the “Dictate Your Item Here” field.

  • Bring up the keyboard on your mobile device and click the microphone button and begin dictating your item. Click the “stop recording” or “done” button in the microphone control when you are finished speaking.

  • The words you spoke will be shown in the “Dictate Your Item Here” box. Review it for accuracy. If it is inaccurate, you can click the “Start Over” button to clear what you dictated and try again.

  • If the translation is accurate click the “Submit Item” button and your item will be saved.

PLEASE NOTE: The order in which you speak the details of an item is very important.

  • Begin with the item description (only the first 48 characters you speak will be used)

  • Next say the word “price,” give the price you want your item sold for, then say the word “dollar” or “dollars” afterward (ie “price eight dollars”)

  • Then state either “discount” or “no discount” to indicate whether you want your item discounted to half price on Saturday

  • Then state either “donate” or “no donate” to indicate whether you want your item donated at the end of the sale or not

  • That’s it! Then begin over with the next item.

An example, a pair of Old Navy Denim Shorts, priced at $4 that is discountable but not donatable would be spoken like this…”Old Navy Denim Shorts price five dollars discount no donate”

Think about what you are going to say BEFORE you start speaking. If you pause for very long while speaking the system will think you are done and stop recording your voice.

What to Consign

We Are All Seasons Every Sale! 

Tag These Items First:

Large, outside play: Play houses, slides, climbing gyms, sand box/tables, wagons, picnic tables, power wheels, bicycles, etc.

Large, inside play: Kitchens, doll houses, toy boxes, work benches, etc.

Toys: All ages, types, including electronics (must turn on), Legos, Bloks, Little People, Barbie, American Girl, other dolls and accessories, Fisher Price, action figures, trains, cars, trucks and almost anything your child is playing with that was made within the last five (5) years. REMINDER: All toys requiring batteries MUST contain working batters to be accepted to the sale. 

Baby equipment: Strollers, pack-n-play’s, hi-chairs, etc.

American Girl Dolls and accessories

Shoes: high quality, no scuffs, excellent condition

Sporting Goods and Camping Equipment

Specialty Wear: rain coats, costumes, dance, Holiday

Boutique and Better Brand Clothing: any size (priced right, of course!)

Authentic (with receipt attached) designer purses and diaper bags

Complete List:

Outdoor and Pretend Play

**BEST SELLERS** Kitchens, work benches, toy boxes, sand boxes, picnic tables, wagons, play houses, slides, climbers, bicycles, etc. All items must be fully assembled for the sale, or a photo of the fully assembled item must be included.

Baby Gear

**BEST SELLERS**   High Chairs, exersaucers, bouncy seats, pack n play’s, activity centers, strollers, cribs (manufactured June 28, 2011 or later), car seats, etc. All car seats must be no more than 5 years old with only one owner, and have never been in a car wreck. Check for recalls at www.recalls.gov. Car seat form is required to sell a car seat at check in or found in documents. Bumbos must have the safety belt. All items must be fully assembled for the sale, or a photo of the fully assembled item must be included.

Toys

Fisher Price, American Girl, Lego, Pokemon, Little People and super hero, trains, cars, trucks and TONS MORE. All electronics must turn on. REMINDER: All toys requiring batteries MUST contain working batteries to be accepted for the sale. Battery powered toys that do not contain working batteries will be sent home with the consignor.

Games and Puzzles

Wooden peg, floor puzzles, board games, card games, etc. All parts and pieces must be present. Please don’t tape the boxes closed so our intake coordinators can double check. 

Kids Room Decor

Kids room picture frames, wall art, lamps, dining sets, end tables, chairs, hutch, bedroom furniture, outdoor furniture

Shoes

All ages, all sizes, all seasons. (NO play shoes. No obvious scuffs, dirt or wear. Clean out Velcro straps so no fuzz.) Children’s shoes in the best condition, including sandals, dance shoes, snow boots, ball cleats, etc. We will only take new or nearly new tennis shoes.

Purses and Diaper Bags

Clean it up! Zip tie to a hanger. Designer? Attach a receipt!

Baby and Toddler Needs

Wraps, carriers, feeding, nursing pillow, monitors, maternity aides, cloth diapers, guardrails, hats/mittens

Bath and Swim

Bath tubs, towels, swimsuits, floaties, goggles

School and Travel

Backpacks, suitcases, bookbags

Sporting Equipment and Bikes

Bats, golf clubs, baseball gloves, skateboards, skates, hockey sticks, helmets, etc. Bikes of all sizes. 

Gaming

Wii, Xbox, PS4, Leap Frog, DS

Books

Bundle similar level books together. Homeschool curriculum and educational books, too! Books must be in like-new condition, with no writing or missing pages.

Crafts

Scrapbooking albums, cases, paper cutters, kid-themed picture frames, character cake pans

Bedding

Mattresses, mattress cover, nursery bedding sets including crib bumper pads, crib comforters, crib skirts, matching mobile, matching curtains, etc., twin comforter sets including quilts, sheets, dust ruffles, blankets, sleeping bags

Clothing

All seasons all the time! MBC looks for the highest quality items. Name brand items sell best, however, high quality items sell EXTREMELY well. No matter what the brand, the quality is the most important! Clothing sets should be the same size AND brand unless otherwise indicated on the tag. Clothing should be made within the last 5 years, and “vintage” clothing will not be accepted. 

Preemie – Size 3x

Selling Success for Clothing

  • Tag your BEST. Shoppers decide what they’ll buy

  • Price it like you’d buy it

  • NO stains, smells, hair, tears. It must be fresh, clean and current (less then 5 years of age). No “vintage” clothing.

  • Leave “play clothes” for a friend

  • Double check for stains in GOOD lighting

  • Bundle multiple pieces together and sell as one item

Quality- Bring Your BEST!

We have high quality, very organized events. Please do not bring items that are stained, worn out, out of date, smoky, musty or showing animal hair. Mama’s won’t buy them!

$2 Minimum

  • Pricing starts at $2.00 with pricing increases in $0.50 increments. No odd pricing. If your item cannot bring $2.00 on it’s own, either bundle it with another item or donate it.

  • How to Bundle? Small items like socks, hats, binkies, bibs, etc can be pinned onto, and sold with, an outfit. Book bundles need to be of the same reading level, and can be sold as one item by wrapping the books in saran wrap or putting them in freezer bag. The minimum value must be $2.00.

  • Don’t forget to check out the Tagging & Pricing Your Items page for more information.

Working Order

  • Customers come back because of our high quality items!

  • Making sure all electronics work, pieces are present, and everything is in good working order is imperative. If it doesn’t turn on, doesn’t work or is missing important pieces, please do not bring it!

Items We Can’t Accept

Experience tells us these don’t sell well or are illegal to sell. Remember: Tag your best!

Recalled? Damaged? Risk?

  • Especially baby gear, make sure it isn’t recalled by checking We Make It Safer or CPSC.

  • Broken? Missing pieces important to using the item? Skip it.

  • Expired car seats (older than 5 years), car seats that have had multiple owners, or have been in a wreck.

  • Cribs manufactured before June 28, 2011.

  • Bumbos without the safety belt.

Stained, Scuffed, Hairy, Worn Out, Old

  • Triple check for stains! (Mama’s don’t want stained stuff)

  • Is it worn out? Out-dated? Scuffed, smelly or smoky? Didn’t get clean in the wash? Skip it.

  • Pet hair? Clean it up or skip it.

  • “Vintage” baby clothes or bedding, including but not limited to, items older than 5 years old.

  • Play shoes with obvious scuffs, dirt or wear

  • Items intentionally brought for the Dollar Rack

  • Clothing not meeting MBC standards can be donated.  These items may not be perfect for the MBC sale, but they still make great play clothes!

Adult Themed and Media

  • Adult books

  • Adult themed books

  • Any adult themed VHS or DVD

  • Any adult themed CD

Stuffed Stuff

  • “Stuffed toys” must DO something or be a character or a Build a Bear. No random stuffed animals.

  • We cannot accept anything with fiber fill in a bag. Safety pin or zip tie fiber fill items as we take care of sanitizing it for you with SteriFab.

Misc Not Accepted

  • Single use breast pumps or used breast pump parts.

  • Used nipples, pacifiers, rubber coated cups/utensils, etc

  • Undergarments such as underwear and panties (except for socks in great condition or new items in original packaging)

  • Opened cardboard box puzzles (unless LARGE pieces that are countable)

  • Appliances, computers, printers, office items, etc.

  • Electronics that won’t turn on. Battery powered toys that do not contain working batteries will be sent home with the consignor.

  • Please check ALL items to make sure they are not recalled (www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html).