For Every Season Consignment Sale: How to Shop and Sell Children's Clothing in South Carolina

What For Every Season Consignment Sale Is

For Every Season is a consignment sale held twice yearly in South Carolina where parents buy and sell gently used children's clothing, shoes, toys, and gear. You bring items your children have outgrown, the sale prices them and displays them, and you split the proceeds when something sells. On the flip side, you can shop thousands of items at a fraction of retail cost during the sale event itself.

The sale operates on a straightforward model: consignors drop off merchandise during a set intake window, the sale runs for a few days, and unsold items are either returned to you or donated. Because inventory turns over completely between sales, the stock changes seasonally—spring and summer clothing dominates the spring sale, fall and winter items the fall sale.

Key Takeaways

• For Every Season holds sales twice a year, typically in spring and fall, with specific intake and shopping dates that vary by location.
• To consign items, you must clean and tag them yourself, then drop them off during the intake window; the sale keeps a percentage of what sells.
• Shopping happens during the public sale event, when thousands of items are priced significantly below retail.
• Unsold consigned items can be picked up after the sale ends or donated, depending on the sale's policy.
• Different South Carolina locations may run separate sales, so confirm dates and rules with the specific sale nearest you.

How to Consign Items at For Every Season

Before you bring anything in, wash and inspect each piece. Stains, rips, missing buttons, or broken zippers disqualify items—consignment sales reject damaged goods because shoppers expect retail-quality merchandise. Check seams, hems, and elastic. If you would not buy it used yourself, do not consign it.

Next, tag each item with the price you want. For Every Season provides pricing guidelines based on brand, condition, and season; follow them closely because overpriced items sit unsold and come back to you. Attach tags securely so they do not fall off during the sale. Include the size clearly on every tag.

During the intake window—usually a few days before the sale opens—bring your tagged items to the designated location. You will receive a consignment form listing everything you dropped off, with your assigned seller number. Keep this form; you need it to pick up unsold merchandise or check your earnings after the sale closes.

What Sells Best and What to Avoid

Brand-name clothing in current sizes moves fastest. Buyers hunt for Carter's, Old Navy, Gap Kids, Gymboree, and similar labels because they recognize the quality. Seasonal items priced right sell within hours—winter coats in fall, swimsuits and sandals in spring. Shoes, especially in larger children's sizes, are reliable sellers because parents know kids outgrow them constantly.

Avoid consigning items with character prints from shows that have already cycled off television, heavily worn elastic, faded colors, or anything trendy that will look dated in six months. Basics—solid-colored t-shirts, jeans, neutral sweaters—sell steadily. Specialty items like formal wear, dance costumes, or sports uniforms have narrower appeal and may not move.

Shopping at the Sale Event

The public shopping period typically runs three to five days. Arrive early on opening day if you want first pick of inventory, though crowds are heaviest then. Prices drop as the sale progresses—many sales reduce prices by 25 to 50 percent in the final days to clear stock before pickup deadline.

Bring a list of sizes and needs so you stay focused. Racks are organized by size and sometimes by type (shirts, pants, dresses), making it easier to hunt. Try items on if fitting rooms are available, or check return policies in case something does not fit once you get home. Most consignment sales do not accept returns, so inspect carefully before checkout.

Understanding Consignment Splits and Payouts

For Every Season typically keeps 40 to 50 percent of the sale price and returns the rest to you, though the exact split varies by sale location and item type. A $20 dress might net you $10 to $12. The sale handles all transactions, so you do not collect money directly from buyers.

Payouts happen after the sale closes and unsold items are returned or donated. You receive payment by check or store credit, depending on the sale's policy. The timeline is usually two to four weeks after the sale ends. Check your consignment form against your payout to make sure the count is accurate.

Pickup and Unsold Items

After the sale closes, there is a designated pickup window—usually one to two weeks—when you must collect anything that did not sell. Bring your consignment form and seller number. Items left unclaimed after the deadline are typically donated to local charities or schools.

Some sales offer a donation option: if you do not want to pick up unsold merchandise, you can authorize the sale to donate it on your behalf. This saves you a trip but means you forfeit those items. Decide before intake whether you want to pick up or donate, because the sale needs to know how to handle your merchandise.

Finding Sale Dates and Locations Near You

For Every Season sales are held in multiple South Carolina communities, but dates and locations shift seasonally. Check the sale's website or social media pages for the current schedule—spring sales typically run in March or April, fall sales in August or September. Some areas may have only one sale per year, while others host both.

Contact the specific sale location directly to confirm intake dates, shopping hours, and payout timelines. Rules about pricing, splits, and donation policies can vary slightly between locations, so read the consignor agreement carefully before you commit. Many sales send reminders via email if you sign up for their mailing list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I consign items from multiple seasons at once?

Yes, but price them appropriately for the upcoming season. Winter coats consigned for a spring sale will not sell, so hold them for the fall sale instead. The sale's pricing guidelines account for seasonality, so follow them to avoid bringing items back home unsold.

What if I want to shop but do not want to consign?

You can attend as a buyer without consigning anything. Just show up during the public shopping hours with cash or a card. Many people do this—they browse, buy what they need, and leave without ever dropping off merchandise.

Do I have to use the sale's price tags, or can I set my own?

Most consignment sales provide pricing guidelines you should follow, but you set the actual price within that range. Overpricing is the main reason items do not sell, so be realistic. If you are unsure, ask the sale organizers for advice before intake.

What happens if an item sells but the tag falls off?

Attach tags securely with safety pins or the method the sale recommends. If a tag comes loose and the item is still sold, the sale may not be able to credit you because they cannot verify the price. Double-check all tags before you leave intake.

Can I consign items that are out of season?

No—consign items for the upcoming season only. A spring sale wants spring and summer clothing; a fall sale wants fall and winter. Seasonal items priced for the wrong time of year rarely sell, so hold out-of-season merchandise until the appropriate sale.