Children’s Drop & Shop

As a buyer, 3 stars.
As a consigner, two stars in pushing it.
I’ve been to the sale as a shopper for several years, and there is usually great stuff to be found. The prices are, in most cases, fair… but I am willing to pay more for top brands. Downsides are the lines, which can be incredibly long and slow-​moving, and the help, which is hit or miss.
But as a consigner, I’m left with such a bad taste in my mouth that it is doubtful I will ever return. The process of preparing the items is so tedious. It took hours and hours and hours. Then I brought all my stuff there, and had it sifted through, and they gave me trouble about certain items (pajamas that didn’t look ‘new’ or shorts that had minimal pilling). Fine. But while shopping, I saw so many items that were in terrible condition… stained, holes, worn beyond belief. I couldn’t believe that some of that stuff was accepted, while they rejected some of mine. Meanwhile, they send emails saying no stuff from target, or walmart, or kohls, and what is all over the racks? Stuff from those places! When I’m shopping kids’ consignment, I won’t consider those brands, and after they specifically tell consigners they won’t take that stuff, they do anyway. So then I have to sift through the overly crowded racks to try to find the treasures hidden among the crap. And as a consigner that is not what I want, since I know it’s hard for people to even see my items when they’re stuffed in there among all the other stuff.
Picking up my unsold items was a nightmare. It’s basically a free for all and you have to go and find all the stuff yourself, spread out all over the place, often not where it should be. There were nearly 30 items of mine that I couldn’t even locate today, including some designer pieces that I really wanted back so I could give them to a friend.
The space isn’t big enough (and not just at Brookwood, but also at the topsfield fairgrounds and the other location they’ve used in Danvers), and that creates a lot of issues. The racks aren’t big enough, and many are not stable, so if someone pushes into the rack to try to look at something, the entire length of the rack shakes. It’s a stressful shopping environment to say the least.
Things that would make this sale better for consigners:
–Stick by that rule about the brands, and don’t take low-​end stuff
–limit the number of consigners so there is not an overwhelming amount of stuff
–take pajamas, and put them on a pajama rack. They claimed they don’t sell well, but I consigned many pairs of pajamas and they all sold. I also bought many sets myself.
–check bags of people leaving
–have volunteers start grouping leftover items by consigner number towards the end of the event so as to make it easier for people picking up unsold items
The other consignment sale I’ve worked with was so much more organized than this one, and they offer up to 75% of sales if you volunteer, as opposed to the standard 60% offered by CD&S. So I’ll probably take my stuff there next time, just to avoid the headaches associated with this.

This concept is a great idea and I actually do two other events that are similar to this one. I can’t say that the women who runs this is very friendly. At the drop of with their women’s event, no one even looked up when I came in. Then when I came in for the clothing pick up the owner and a volunteer were talking about customers. Did not make me feel very good. I won’t be consigning with this event again due to lack of customer service.

Honestly, it’s a great idea — however this event is poorly managed. I cosigned with them in the fall and I won’t cosign again. Received any email many weeks after the event about some of my items that were «found». I responded asking which items — no response. Took several weeks to get check — again they don’t respond to emails. The staff working the event couldn’t be any more unfriendly. Maybe it was just my experience but honestly I was very disappointed in lack of organization, communication, and staffing.

The family behind the Children’s Drop & Shop loves this business more than anything. Not only does it provide a recycling outlet for this family of 5, it’s helping the community, other families (over 3500 families attend) and the earth: one fine piece of clothing at a time. The Children’s Drop & Shop hosts events throughout the year for fine clothing, gear & furniture. With an active community on facebook and online various blog spots, this is a powerful group of families coming together to recycle, save and earn. Our next event is in March 2012 at the Brookwood School in Manchester-​by-​the-​Sea. Hope to see you there!
Spring/​Summer — March Children’s Clothing, Gear & Furniture
Fall/​Winter — October Children’s Clothing, Gear & Furniture
Nov — Fall/​Winter Ladies Clothing, Gear & Furniture
April/​May — Spring/​Summer Ladies Clothing, Gear & Furniture
There are many ways to earn more, save more and recycle it all. Ask us how:
. We’re here to help!