April 2024!
ONLINE GUIDELINES
Selling ONLINE is SO MUCH SIMPLER (in terms of supplies and instructions) than participating in our in-person events, but it's still consignment selling and that means there are some rules to follow! The red "short-cut" buttons on this page apply mostly to the in -person events but there's still great info there!
The BIGGEST and MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember about ONLINE selling is this:
When you drop it off to us, IT IS ALREADY BOUGHT AND PAID FOR. The shopper has already purchased it and is expecting it to be fabulous!
This means that when you list it in our system you must be committed to these 6 things:
1) Inspecting the item for quality BEFORE you take the picture and list it online. If you wait to inspect until you get it ready to drop off or until it gets to our venue, it is TOO LATE. It's already sold by then!! And the shopper will want a refund.
2) Writing an accurate description so that the online shopper is sure they are getting what they expect (this description will also be the title of your online listing, so it's super important)
3) Listing the item in the correct category and size. This isn't a big deal in person but it is HUGE for online-this is how we put it in the right place on the website so that shoppers can search for it!
4) Taking and uploading a GREAT picture (but also one that doesn't "overstate" the product)
5) Keeping track of the items you listed so that when they sell online, you can FIND them in your house (make certain that you haven't gifted or sold them to someone else, and also that your kids or spouse or pet haven't broken or otherwise destroyed them!)
6) Remembering that, per the online contract, Sail Again & Shopify reserve the right to add a small listing fee to each item we list for sale in our online store. (i.e. an item you priced at $12 might show up on the site at $12.50) This fee is 100% paid by the shopper and is used to cover the cost of the Shopify site and increased merchant fees. We have chosen to add it this way-- (invisible to the shopper because it is just in the price, but paid by them instead of you!) so that we can keep your registration fees lower! NOTE: This small listing fee in no way affects your payout. If you price an item at $12 and it sells, you will, as usual, receive 65% of $12 (the price you selected and entered into the system.)
7) BRINGING YOUR SOLD ITEMS, appropriately tagged & packaged and in excellent condition to your scheduled drop off appointment. You must, must, must commit to doing this!! The shoppers have bought these things already! If we have to refund an item because of quality, you WILL be penalized!
THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS PAGE ARE A GREAT REFERENCE BUT IF YOU ARE SELLING WITH US ONLINE IN 2023 OR 2024 PLEASE REFER TO THE ONLINE SELLING GUDELINES OFFERED BY OUR SISTER SALE COLLABORATOR, THEKIDSCLOSET.COM
How To Begin
Register. Gather up the items you want to sell and snap a picture of each one with your phone! NOTE: We accept tons of stuff ONLINE that we don't take at the in-person event! (Check out the "What to Consign" page for a good list!)
Login to your MyCM account via THIS website.
--If you login from your phone then you can easily grab those pics you took. Otherwise, upload the pics to your laptop, IPad, Google Drive . . or wherever you can easily find them to attach to your listing.
--Now, in My Consignment Manager (our online tagging system) enter all the information, including size, price and a good description. (remember this description will be the TITLE of your online listing!)
--Attach the matching photograph. Check to make sure the photo looks correct. Put the items in a place, and an order, where you can find them when they sell! You are done for now! (seriously, you are! You don't HAVE to do anything else until after the selling days are over!)
If you want to, you can: print, cut and attach tags now from the Manage Inventory page. These tags are the regular seller tags that you would use if you were selling your items in-person. Some sellers do this so that their items are ready to transfer to an in-person sale later. Some sellers do it to keep track of which items are which. You don't have to do it all and most sellers do not!!!!! (If you plan to wait and tag only your sold items like most sellers then you can skip the "little" info in blue below!) If you decide to tag all your items up front in preparation for later, then:
Print your tags using black ink, with your printer on NORMAL quality. Best quality is NOT recommended as it uses too much ink and the barcodes often bleed together ,making scanning difficult. Our tags print 8 to a page (If you are trying to print and the system is asking you for a "print code" please log out and log back in from the link on OUR website.) Special Note: Any "copy shop" will do most of this work for you!! Once you click the "generate tags" button in the system, you will have created a PDF with all your tag info in it. You can email this file to any place with a printer (Staples, Office Depot etc) and ask them to print (and cut!) them for you. Be sure to tell them to print on white card stock. Check out the "in-person" instructions below for details on HOW to attach.
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--If you are registered and your pictures and descriptions are in the system, then consider your items OFFICALLY LISTED in the ONLINE SAIL--basically, you have "dropped them off" on our internet sized sales floor!. Your inventory will be locked and your items will be uploaded to our online portal. The time to check for duplicate items, crappy pictures and wrong sizes is NOW before we upload to the Shopify site. You can sit tight now until the shopping starts!!! Log on during the selling days. Buy some stuff . . .but don't spend a bunch of time searching for the things you're selling. We hide things, release things, sometimes re-price things and move things around on the site all the time (just like we do on the sales floor!) to make sure everyone is selling more. TRUST us to do this.
--On the DAY AFTER selling is complete (and maybe along the way, but likely not) we will update your MYCM seller account with all the things that have sold. You will find this info in the SETTLEMENT REPORT. Each item that you have sold will show a BUYER/SHOPPER code next it and you will need to PRINT these codes (tags) FROM THE SETTLEMENT REPORT PAGE and attach them to each of your sold items before you bring them to drop-off. You may also want to print the list itself but you do not have to.
-- These BUYER code tags print 10 to a page. You can print them (on any paper you like) cut them out and attach them in any way that means they are available for YOU to easily scan when you arrive, and in a way that does not damage the product: staple or tape them to the other tags (if you went the "tag everything first" route in blue above) or use painters tape to attach them to books & plastic. Some people use 10 to a sheet Avery labels/nametags and just stick them on the clothes or their other tags (DON"T stick the labels on books or plastic toys though--it's hard to remove-SERIOUSLY. DON'T DO THIS!!)
-- Then show up with your tagged items in alphabetical order by BUYER CODE at your drop-off time. We will assist you in scanning them in and then YOU will drop them off at the bag of each purchaser . . .(putting them in alpha order makes it easier FOR YOU not for us)
A Few Notes About Packaging and Attaching the Buyer Tags:
YES!!!!! Your clothing needs to be on hangers!!!! Tags may be attached as a sticker or with a safety pin or tagging gun in a seam where it will not damage the item!!
Resist the urge to group several items for the same buyer together in a way that means our scanners and order fillers can not see/count/scan each individual tag.
For shoes, attach the pair together somehow, punch a hole in the tag and tie it on, or use a safety pin to pin the tag on. Do not use packing tape on shoes, it comes off. (Rubber bands work well to keep shoes together for online!)
For toys and equipment, attach tags with packing tape, safety pins or ribbon. If your toy comes with small pieces, you must secure them together! Likewise, please consider transport for you, for us and especially for the buyer. Bringing the racetrack all put together shows that all the pieces are there but . . .we can't bag that for the buyer!
For books & DVDs use painter's tape (masking tape!) to attach the tag to the back cover. Do NOT use stickers or other kinds of tape on books! They damage the covers.
In Summary
Register. Login and enter a photo & description for each product. Shop! Attach your buyer coded tags & bring your items to drop-off at your appointment time. Scan them in. Drop them into the buyer bags. Collect your $ from your PayPal account a few days later! (and don't forget to schedule a pick-up appointment for the things you bought!!)
Ready to Get Started with our Online events?
Here's What you Need to Know!
These are the instructions for IN-PERSONselling! (right here on the same page so that you can compare!)
Supplies You Will Need
White card stock or cover stock. Regular printer paper makes for flimsy tags that do not scan well. Please use card or cover stock when printing your tags.
Safety Pins. It is good to have a variety of sizes. NO straight pins please! Use these to attach your tags to your garment. (a tagging gun works too!)
Tagging Gun. Super helpful if you want to use one but not required. PLEASE NOTE: If you choose to use a tagging gun you MUST tag your items in a seam (we recommend under the arm) or in the manufacturer's tag in the back of the item. We will not accept items tagged with a tagging gun through the fabric of the garment.
Hangers. Shirt and pant hangers in appropriate sizes. (we STRONGLY prefer that you do not use wire hangers!) Please do not place items under size 8 on adult hangers, they sell better o kid size hangers. Likewise, items size 8 and above sell better on adult hangers. Many retailers throw away their plastic hangers. Save them from the landfill! Call Old Navy, Carter’s or Osh Kosh and ask if they have any hangers you can pick up. Check Freecycle.com. Ask your dry cleaner. These are just a few sources of free hangers. Most dollar stores have kid size hangers and Wal-Mart sells them Cheap!
Packing Tape. Little fingers will be in attendance at the sail and they love to take things apart! Packing tape works wonders for securing toys, sealing DVD and game cases, and of course, attaching your tags to toys. Scotch tape doesn’t stand a chance against a 3 year old!
Painter's Tape If you are bringing books, this is the preferred tape! Avoid damaging the cover.
Rubber Bands. When selling sets and outfits you’ll want to rubber band hangers together. I
Zipper Bags. Essential for toys with loose pieces, and easy to seal with packing tape.
Yarn. strong ribbon or zip ties. Great for tying shoes together and attaching some tags.
Preparing Your Items
Make sure your clothing, shoes and toys and equipment are clean! Dirty items do not sell and will not pass inspection.
Test out items that require batteries. All sales are final, and shoppers rarely buy toys or equipment that they cannot test out. Include batteries with your items. Items without working batteries will be pulled from the floor and returned to you.
Clothing
Hang your clothing so the opening/hook of the hanger is facing left, just like a (?) question mark. When hanging pants on a shirt hanger be sure to pin the pants to the TOP of the hanger. Snap, button, zip: make sure all fasteners are closed.
If you have a shirt with a wide neck, or other item that is having trouble staying on a hanger, safety pin it to the top of the hanger on each side.
When selling outfits or sets, rubber band the hangers together at the bottom of the hook. Use two rubber bands just in case one breaks!
Shoes
Use yarn or strong ribbon to tie shoes together. (zip ties also work but leave enough "give" for trying on) Many shoes have straps, loops or laces that can be strung together. Avoid placing shoes in bags. Shoppers like to try on shoes. If they have to take them out of a bag chances are they will not put them back in.
Accessories
Hats, belts, scarves, purses & bags, mittens & gloves, socks & tights: attach sets together with safety pins. Avoid using bags if at all possible unless you are selling a group of the same items (ex. multiple pairs of socks.) These items do not need to be on hangers.
Bedding
Individual blankets, sleeping bags, etc. do not need to be on hangers.
We no longer accept Bedding Sets in any size! Baby blankets, burp cloths and bibs MUST be marked to donate unless they are NEW WITH TAGS!
Pricing
Price your items to sell! You finally got it out of your house, you don’t want to bring it back home! A good rule of thumb is to price items at 25 to 40% of retail. (60-75% off!) Keep in mind what you would pay for that item at a consignment sale.
CLICK HERE for all the details on why you absolutely positively should mark your items to discount AND to donate!!! Something is better than nothing: Mark your items to discount to 50% off on the last day of the sale. You will see this option when entering your tag information. Please also consider marking your items to donate. (We often offer a special 75% off FLASH SALE for your items marked with the D so you can still make a bit of $ before they are donated!) We help so many great organizations with your donated items! (IF YOU DONATE ALL YOUR ITEMS AND WILL NOT BE PICKING UP ANY OF THEM AFTER SORT, YOU ALSO QUALIFY FOR DROP-AND-GO CHECK IN--this is HUGE y'all, HUGE!)
Enter, Print & Place Tags
In My Consignment Manager (our online tagging system) enter all information, including size, price and a good description. Inevitably some tags will be separated from their items. A good description will help us reunite them!
We cannot sell an item without a tag so please describe and attach with that in mind.
When you are done entering your items into the system, you will need to print, cut and attach your tags. Print your tags using black ink, with your printer on NORMAL quality. Best quality is NOT recommended as it uses too much ink and the barcodes often bleed together ,making scanning difficult. Our tags print 8 to a page (If you are trying to print and the system is asking you for a "print code" please log out and log back in from the link on OUR website.) Special Note: Any "copy shop" will do most of this work for you!! Once you click the "generate tags" button in the system, you will have created a PDF with all your tag info in it. You can email this file to any place with a printer (Staples, Office Depot etc) and ask them to print (and cut!) them for you. Be sure to tell them to print on white card stock.
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For clothing, attach the tag to the garment on the top right side. Please do this in a seam (under the arm is a good place) in the item's original tag if no other place is available on the right or somewhere that you are not damaging the item with a hole!! This is particularly important if you are using tagging gun! Consider where tags are placed when you buy an item new from the store. Tags attached with a tagging gun often catch on each other and pull small holes into larger ones. Don't do all that work and then have the items not sell because of a hole that could have been avoided.
For shoes punch a hole in the tag and tie it on, or use a safety pin to pin the tag on. Do not use packing tape on shoes, it comes off.
For toys and equipment, attach tags with packing tape, safety pins or ribbon. Don’t be shy with the tape. We cannot sell an item without a tag. If your toy comes with small pieces, you must secure them as if you expect them to be shopped for during a hurricane. (In our experience, this is a similar scenario to dozens of small children trying to "just look" at your items during sail week)
For books & dvds use painter's tape (masking tape!) to attach the tag to the back cover. Do NOT use stickers. They damage the item (especially books) Books with sticker tags will be returned to you and not offered for sale.
Please see the tabs for "items we specifically do not accept" and "what to consign" for more detailed information.