Sunday, July 26, 2009

MOPS Sale & Open House



The MOPS Consignment Sale is Friday and Saturday, August 14-15, 8:00 to 1:00 each day, at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church in La Grange (corner of College and Travis streets). Items for sale include children's and infants' clothing, shoes, toys, and furniture, baby gear, and women's clothing and accessories.

Our MOPS Open House is set for Thursday, August 27, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 215 S Franklin St., La Grange. Come to find out more information about MOPS and to sign up for the 2009-2010 MOPS year!

For more info about either event, email Terri Hay, MOPS Coordinator, at terrirhea67@yahoo.com.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

MOPS Consignment Sale 2009: FAQ



When is the sale? Friday and Saturday, August 14–15, 8:00–1:00, each day. The pre-sale for MOPS members, consignors, and invited guests is Thursday, August 13, 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Where is the sale? First Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 121 S. College St, La Grange.

What are the consignment percentages? Consignors (sellers) keep 70% of the sale price, and MOPS keeps 30%.

Who can consign? We welcome any consignors who follow the guidelines outlined here.

What items will you accept? Our sale is for women, children and infants. For children and infants we will accept: clothing, shoes, toys, books, movies, room decor, furniture, bedding, and baby gear. For women: clothing (including maternity), purses, shoes, and accessories. No kitchen items or other housewares please.

What condition should the items be in? Please bring only items that are gently used or new. Do not bring items that are broken, missing significant pieces, or are excessively worn or stained. We want to keep our sale elevated above a “rummage sale.”

Does clothing have to be on hangers? Yes, if at all possible, items should be hung on plastic hangers. No wire hangers! For items that cannot be hung, like socks or undergarments, please place in Ziploc bags. We have some hangers left over from last year’s sale, and they will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

How do I tag my items? Use string tags (available at Walmart, D&G, Hengst, and other office supply stores). Mark your initials or other symbol on one side, and the price on the other. Sometimes a brief description of the item and/or the size is also written on the tag, but this is not necessary.

Do I need to let you know my initials or symbol? Yes! Before you start to tag your items, please email or call Terri Hay (terrirhea67@yahoo.com or 968-3785) with the initials or symbol you plan to use on your tags. We want to ensure there are no duplicates so that the money you earn from your items goes to you, and not to someone else using your same initials or symbol.

How do I attach tags? For clothing and other soft items, loop the string tag through a tag or button hole on the item itself, or attach with a safety pin. Do not attach tags to hangers! For toys or other hard items, loop tag through a part of the item if possible, or tape the string to the item, but leave the tag lose so that it can be torn off at the time of sale. If using Ziploc bags, punch a small hole in the bag and loop the tag through the hole. If a tag comes off of your item, we cannot ensure that you will be paid for it, so please attach tags securely.

Are there pricing guidelines? We don’t have specific guidelines, but we suggest you price above garage sale prices and below consignment shop prices. The brand name and condition of the item will influence what you can get for it. (GAP, Carter, or Gymboree, for example, will likely sell for higher prices than Walmart or Target brands.) For items such as cribs or strollers, check on ebay or craigslist to see what similar items are selling for. Pricing and tagging with another mom, or group of moms, can be helpful and more fun!

When can I bring my items to set out for the sale? The Family Life Center will be open for you to bring your items on Thursday, August 13, from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

How do I ensure parts don’t get lost? For toys or other items with multiple parts, please make sure they are boxed, securely attached together, or placed in Ziploc bags. We can not be responsible for misplaced pieces and parts. Also, please supervise your children if they come with you to the sale and do not allow them to play with toys you do not plan to buy.

What happens if my items do not sell? You may come on Saturday at noon (or earlier if you wish) to begin pulling your items that did not sell. Items that are not picked up or sold by the end of the sale on Saturday will either be donated to Second Chance or other charities or be taken to Something Old Something New to be consigned with all proceeds going to MOPS.

Will there be a half-price sale? At the discretion of the MOPS members who are working at the sale on Saturday, all items left on the sale floor may be offered for half-price at some point toward the end of the sale. If you do not want an item to be sold at half-price, write the word “FIRM” on your tag.

How do I get paid for my items? When items are purchased, we collect the sale price from the buyer, then tear off the tags and sort them by initials or symbols. Each consignor’s tags are tallied at the end of the sale, and the total is multiplied by 70%. A week or so after the sale, checks will be given or mailed to consignors. There will be a form for you to fill out with your contact information when you drop off your items at the sale.

Do I need to work at the sale if I consign? This sale is a lot of work, and we welcome any help we can get with working the sale or providing child care during the sale or set-up times.

With other questions or to volunteer: Email or call Terri Hay, MOPS Coordinator, at terrirhea67@yahoo.com or 979-968-3785.