Category Archives: Friends & Family

So, after Lin’s help sorting and organizing, I finally took two huge bins of Katie’s old clothes to the local resale place (Once Upon A Child). I was fully prepared to be outraged at the amount they offered me because I have seen others get pissy and I just assumed they would offer a pittance…but I wanted to try it at least once. So, I came up with the lowest number I would accept—$40, which would make each piece worth less than 50¢ (disappointing, but at least I wouldn’t have to deal with the stuff again). I even had Linda carefully pick out any stained things because I know that’s a big no-no.

So I dropped off the stuff and waited for the phone call. They called about 9pm to tell me it was done, but they couldn’t tell me my offer over the phone. So it was about three days before I was able to make it in. So I take a deep breath and go in. She brings over their blue box with a smattering of my clothes in it and says “These are what we could accept” and it’s literally maybe 1/4 of one box. I get ready to stifle my outrage at the offer…and she tells me $40.17.

Wait. What?

Yep, $40 for the tiny selection when I would have taken $40 for BOTH full bins. Needless to say I was shocked—AND THRILLED—but also extremely confused because I didn’t think there was anything wrong with any of it. So I asked why they couldn’t accept the other stuff. She said they don’t take blankets or socks (which I know was specific to my stuff) but then she went on about pieces missing from sets and stains. Okay, whatever. She may have just been spouting the generic company line…so when I got home we checked everything out again—just out of curiosity, mind you—with a fine-tooth comb.

Aside from the blankets and socks, we only found two pieces with stains and two things that were actually labeled as part of a set that didn’t have the matching pieces. But otherwise everything else was perfectly fine. Like footie PJs that were brand new, never worn, just washed (stuff Katie skipped size-wise). Or ones that were like new, definitely no stains, etc. Brand new onesies, etc. A perfectly nice dress that was in pristine condition that was NOT part of a set…?? And the best thing? Stuff I bought there a few months ago that was only worn once…and they wouldn’t take it back.

I just don’t get it. I mean, I’m happy with the money I got, but I am completely flummoxed as to why they wouldn’t take that stuff. The only thing I can think is they had an overstock of those items (though you’d think footie PJs would be hot since it’s the right season) and she just didn’t mention that. Sooooooo, I’m going to take it all back in a few months and see what happens. 🙂