Helpful Supplies

• Hangers - Use children’s hangers, not adult size. (Walmart, Target, Dollar Stores, etc.) • Safety pins • Scotch tape • Packaging tape • Plastic zipper bags of all sizes, from sandwich bags to big bags such as ziploc’s XXL bags • Saran wrap for wooden puzzles (do not use tape to keep pieces attached; it ruins the puzzles) • Sharpie • Clothing racks • Stain remover, cleaning supplies for toys, equipment, shoes, etc.  (toothbrushes, Q- Tips, and toothpicks work well) • Iron & ironing board, wrinkle releaser, needle and thread to make minor repairs • Product instructions for baby equipment, toys, etc.  If needed, you can download and print instructions (and order replacement parts) online. o For example: the website for Little Tikes products: http://www.littletikes.com/consumerservice/default.aspx o For Graco products: www.gracobaby.com/CustomerService • Photos of pack-n-plays, bagged or boxed toys, or other large items that cannot be set up during the sale.  These can be attached to the items and will help to sell them. • Large box or storage tub for collecting unsold merchandise at the end of the sale.  Label it with your seller number written in BIG, clear numbers.

Preparing Items

• Make sure that battery-operated toys and equipment are in working condition with fresh batteries.  Workers in each area will pull battery-operated items that do not seem to function properly.  NFMOMC is not responsible for batteries that wear out during the sale.  o NOTE: The seller will be charged $7.50 per battery, if NFMOMC has to supply batteries to an item prior to sale closure to ensure working items. • Tape any torn pages in books • Replace any missing buttons and repair any rips or dropped hems • Your clothing is more likely to sell if it is freshly laundered and not wrinkled or stained.  It is not necessary to iron every piece of clothing. • Disassemble and scrub every nook and cranny of equipment such as car seats, high chairs, boosters, exersaucers, strollers, and outdoor toys.  Wash car seat covers if possible.  Reassemble. • Clean the botoms of shoes and boots, wash the shoe laces, polish the leather.  Shoes that have not been cleaned, or showing excessive wear may not be sold.  All shoes must be in gently used or brand new condition. (No scuffed toes or worn soles). • Check your baby equipment carefully for excessive wear or damage.  Check for product recalls online at the manufacturers’ websites or the CPSC.  For car seats go to http://www.nhtsa.gov/.  If it cannot be repaired or parts are missing, do not sell it at this sale.  • Car seats that are older than 5 years or that are within 9 months of expiration date are not eligible for sale.

Merchandizing Categories & Definitions

Boutique

 Boutique includes higher end items such as smocked dresses/jon-jons/etc by brands such as Kissy Kissy, Strasburg, Petit Ami, Remember Nguyen, Kellys Kids, Shrimp & Grits Kids, Lily Pulitzer, etc.  A guide to brands can be found at http://www.bestdressedchild.com/.   

Boys’ Clothing

 Newborn to pre-teen (no teenage or men’s size clothing will be accepted).   Sort your clothing by size before you arrive at the sale.   Pajamas will be hung at the front of each section, by size.   Jeans, Khakis, and School Uniforms are acceptable at both Spring & Fall Sales.

Equipment

 Includes potty chairs, rocking chairs, bouncers, walkers, high chairs, swings, pack-n-plays, booster seats, strollers, exersaucers, car seats, activity gyms, safety gates.  Make sure all items are clean & in working condition prior to the sale.  Sellers on the floor cannot be responsible for watching unsold or sold merchandise; we will have a holding area for customer who have paid for items but do not want to take them to their car yet.  Shoppers are responsible for carrying their own purchases to their vehicles.  If special assistance is required, we will assist.

Furniture

 Includes crib mattresses, toddler beds, bassinets, changing tables, child-size table sets, children’s desks and dressers, gliders or nursery rockers, children’s rocking chairs, toy bins and organizers.  No generic household items will be accepted.   No cribs will be accepted.  Photos of pack n plays, bagged or boxed toys, or other large items that cannot be set up during the sale should be attached to the items and will help to sell them.

Girls’ Clothing

 Newborn to pre-teen (no teenage or women’s size clothing other than maternity will be accepted).  Sort your clothing by size before you arrive at the sale.   Pajamas will be hung at the front of each section, by size.   Jeans, Khakis, and School Uniforms are acceptable at both Spring & Fall Sales.

Layette

 These items are placed on tables and do not require hangers.   Layette items that are folded or that are sold in sets, such as undershirts, socks, tights, air accessories, and belts/suspenders should be placed in Ziploc bags and taped with packing tape at the top and scotch tape at the bottom ONLY IF needed.  Tags should be on the outside.  Layette items such as hats do not require Ziploc bags.  No underpants or training pants may be sold.  Socks – Put in Ziploc bags.  If you place more than one pair of socks in a bag they will sell better.  Boys' Layette - Includes hats, gloves, socks, ties, suspenders & belts.  Girls' Layette - Includes hats, gloves, socks, shoes, hair bows/accessories, tights/stockings.  Layette – Unisex – Includes onesies/t-shirts, infant hats, sleep wear (0-12 months)

Matching Outfits

 We have separate racks for Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl, Sibling sets, and Mother/Daughter matching outfits.   For matching sets with different sizes, place the smaller size in front and the larger size in the back.  Items will be sorted by the smallest

Maternity Clothing

 Maternity includes clothing, slips, hose, back supports, and nursing bras (no underwear) – these items will be placed in baskets on the floor in the Maternity section. i

Miscellaneous (Acceptable Items)

 Feeding items:  bottles, burp cloths, bibs, bottle warmers, nursing supplies, bottle holders, cloth diapers, sippy cups, maternity body pillows, nursing/boppy pillows, breast pumps.  Bedding:  bassinet bedding, mattress covers, crib accessories, blankets, quilts, toddler bedding, crib props/sleep wedges  Nursery decorations:  framed art, nursery figurines, wall decorations, window treatments, picture frames, borders/wallpaper, rugs,  Changing items:  changing table pads/organizers, changing table sheets, wipes warmers, diaper stackers, diaper pails, diaper genies, diaper bags  (NO dirty, worn, or “freebie” diaper bags from formula manufacturers will be accepted)  Bath items:  hooded towels, bath toys,  sprayers, bath safety items  Baby monitors and other child safety devices  Humidifiers  Step stools  Stroller accessories  Infant headrests and other travel accessories  Parenting books, videos, tapes  Infant carriers/slings  Children’s lunch boxes, backpacks, suitcases, etc.  Children’s sleeping bags

Seasonal Clothing

 We have separate racks for jackets, windbreakers, Seasonal outfits o Spring Sale: Swimsuits, Swim Floaties, Holiday Clothing/Outfits (Easter, Fourth of July..) o Fall Sale: Snowsuits, Halloween Costumes, Holiday Clothing / Outfits (Halloween, Holidays, Valentine’s…)

Shoes

 Shoes are placed on tables and/or shelves  Shoes, except snow boots, must be placed in bags.  (This helps prevent theft and makes it easier to display all the shoes.)  Snow boots may only be sold at the fall sale, and sizes 12+ can be zip-tied together instead of bagged  Water shoes may only be sold at the spring sale.

Toys

 Infant toys: activity gyms, rattles, play mats, musical toys. NO TEETHING TOYS accepted.  Books, videos, games and puzzles, computer software, electronic learning toys. NOT ALLOWED: VHS Tapes  Musical instruments, children’s CDs & cassettes, and children’s CD/Cassette players.  Children’s dress-up costumes and pretend play accessories: play food, dishes, play tools, career costumes, etc.  Farm sets, toy cars, trains and accessories, trucks, construction equipment, action figures, remote control cars.  Dolls, dollhouses, doll beds, strollers, vanity sets, Barbie dolls, etc.  Blocks, Legos, arts and crafts tools & materials, chalkboards, art easels, Play-doh accessories, etc.  Ball pits, inflatable pool toys, swim trainers/Floaties.  Large outdoor – pools, swings, slides, big wheels, bikes, wagons, child size picnic tables.  Small Outdoor – baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis, balls, kites, swim aids, skates, skateboards.  Stuffed Animals: o Allowed: Ty, Beanie Babies, Build-a-bear (put extra clothes in bags to sell along with the animal, or on their own) Webkinz, Shining Stars, etc (if computer code is attached, bag it so it doesn't disappear, and note on the tag that it is included), Characters (Licensed: Sesame Street, Disney, etc;  TV/Movie, Cartoon, Story book, etc), Collectibles (Boyd’s, etc), any animal that moves or talks or makes music. o Not Allowed:   generic stuffed animals, animals won at a carnival,  dirty or "well-loved" animals  NOT ACCEPTED FOR SPRING SALE: Christmas, Hanukkah, or Halloween related toys, books or other items.  NOT ACCEPTED FOR FALL SALE:  Easter-themed items, pool toys or swim floaties.

Pricing

As a Seller, you are in control of deciding how low you need to price your merchandise to make it sell.  In general, things that are priced correctly to begin with will sell quickly.  The “unwritten” rule of thumb is to mark clothing at 25% of retail; toys and equipment that are in nearly perfect condition can go for as high as 50% of retail.  Any signs of wear and tear will significantly reduce the selling price of your merchandise.  Disclaimer: These pricing guidelines are provided to assist First Time Sellers who may have no idea how to “price to sell”. There is no guarantee that all or most of your merchandise will actually sell.