MamaCents FAQs
Can’t find the answer??  Email us at:  info@mamacents.com

General Questions

Consigning Questions

Shopping Questions

Marketing Questions

Volunteering Questions

General Questions

Is there a way to make extra percentages without volunteering? Yes! We also like to help you promote your sale (and make some extra cash too!).
You can use the "Tell a Friend" link on the bottom section and create your own email blast with the flyer. Run it off and hand it out too - that works great.
**Remember to take flyers/postcards to local businesses you frequent - Many have bulletin boards or a table you can put it out on. The BEST part about this is that for every new active consignor that puts your first and last name or consignor number in as a referral source when registering, you earn an additional 1% to your base percentage: UP TO 80%! Cool right? So make sure you put your consignor number and name on every flyer and postcard you pass out.

Where is the MamaCents Sale Held? The sales are currently held at the

The Shops at Tech Ridge
12901 N I-35 austin, tx 78753
(in the old Linen n Things building)
Parmer and 35 near Toys R Us

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Consigning Questions

• Hangers: We like to use children-sized hangers if at all possible. Wal-Mart, Dollar Store and Target have them. Please no wire hangers. Try to use hangers that will not break while people are shopping (tube plastic work great). We do try to hit the local kid stores for their hangers and “advertise” these freebies in the newsletter when available.
• Safety pins: Larger size to pin on the tags (NO little gold ones)
• Zip-lock bags: Assorted sizes (be sure to get some of the largest, 2 gallon size - they are harder to get, but very useful for bulky items.)
• Clear packing tape
• Old Sale-Flyers, Catalogs etc: When the time comes to price toys, equipment and even clothing, try to research the original cost, if possible. You can also research prices on-line through toy store web sites.
• Zip ties for shoes preparation
• White Card Stock for Tags (NO PAPER TAGS WILL BE ACCEPTED)

Do you have some simple ideas that can help me get organized?

• Prepare your space. Find a space where you can spread out and spend several days preparing your inventory.
• Dig in. Start by going through your children’s bedrooms: Open closets, drawers, toy boxes and bookshelves to take out items that they have outgrown or no longer enjoy. Don’t forget items like bath toys, cups, character dishes, kid’s bedding, items in the linen closet, bikes, skates, skateboards, pool items and miscellaneous items in the garage.
• Wash and hang clothing. We require that clothes be hung on hangers. When the item is facing you, the hanger should look like a question mark (?), with the open-end facing to the left.
• Check and double check. It is important to make sure clothing items are free of stains and tears and have working zippers, snaps and closures. Remember to ask yourself “Would I buy this for my child or grandchild?”
• Package and prepare. Check the tagging page to insure you are presenting your items correctly. We want them to sell, but we do not want pieces to be lost.
• Check for recalls. We want everything on the floor to be safe for our kiddos. It is the consignors responsibility to make sure that you are not consigning something that has been recalled.
• Price your items. Generally, items sell for 1/4 to 1/3 of the original price, depending on condition. If it is a name-brand, top-quality item, it could go for as much as 1/2 the original price. Remember, these are USED items. Ask yourself “Would I pay this?”
• Get ready for your drop off/check in. Arrange your items in gender and size for easy check in, NOT numerical order. Run off your contract and complete it.
• Check in/drop off your items.  Don’t forget we have a drop and go system that really can save you time!

Do you have some tips on how to prepare items?
-Use the self-serve car wash high pressure sprayer to clean cloth parts of strollers, car seats & port-a-cribs.
-Use WD-40 spray lubricant or goo gone to remove stickers & crayon marks on plastic toys.
-Use rubbing alcohol to remove fresh markers & ink.
-To make clothes more sellable, ironing will make many outfits look great.
-A little bleach (biz color fast bleach is awesome) and elbow grease will increase your profit and improve our reputation as a great sale.

How and when do I transfer items to the next sale?
Transferring items between consignment sales is easy using My Consignment Manager.
The best time to do this is after registration is open for the next consignment sale. Then you can select the items you wish to move, select the sale to move your inventory to, and click on ‘Transfer items”. You can also run your own inventory reports and delete those items which have been donated and are no longer in your inventory.

How long will I need to wait for my items to be inspected? If you have under 150 items the average inspection wait time is 30 minutes. We do ask consignors to realize that our inspectors are all volunteers and that it could take up to an hour. Please be prepared for that. For those that cannot wait we do offer a Drop N Go option so that you do not have to wait for items to be inspected.

I have heard that there is a new Lead law regarding selling Children's items. Will this affect what I can and cannot sell at MamaCents? Yes; the CSPC has passed new stricter laws regarding lead in children's items. This law was not intended to affect resellers but instead to make stricter regulations on those companies making the items. After discussion with our lawyers we feel confident that we can still hold our consignment sale without worry. We still ask that our consignors take ownership in what they sell and check to verify that the items they are consigning have not been recalled and are not on a high lead content list. You can find links to sites with this information here.

What if some of my items are rejected? First, don’t panic.  We understand that you have taken time and effort to prepare your inventory, but we know you understand we only want the best things on the floor.  If any of your items are rejected here is the plan:  the inspection liaison person will show you what the problem is on the item, there will be a “fix it” table for you to utilize, and finally if it can not be fixed, you will be given an option of putting the item in the 75% sale or donate area.

Inventory pickup:? If you are not donating your unsold items, which we highly recommend, you will be given a specific time frame for pick-up. Please bring baskets/bags for your items. Each consignor will be escorted onto the sales floor to their items and then to the exit line. Consignor #s will be checked upon exiting. We also highly recommend that you leave all children at home to reduce the amount of traffic during the pick-up process. Make sure to check the lost and found area at pickup if items are missing. Consignors MUST come during the scheduled time (check sale schedule) and bring your ID. We will not hold any items.

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Shopping Questions

• Super+ Volunteers - Supers+ receive one to their presale
• Volunteers/Bartering - They receive one pass to the regular volunteer presale
• Consignors - They receive two passes to the consignor presale
• VIP (very important preggers) presale and party is for any FIRST time expecting mom. See new moms page for details-limited number of spots for this Friday night.

Will I need anything special to shop? To shop at our sale we ask that you bring a big empty cloth bag, a laundry basket, rolling cart or something else to carry your items in while shopping.
We will check or tag strollers at entry and exit of our sale and have a holding area for backpacks, diaper bags and large bags while you shop. You may carry your wallet, cell phone and keys with you. This is for the security of our consignors' inventory.

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Marketing Questions

• Thousands of postcards and flyers distributed throughout Austin and the surrounding areas.  (Doctor's offices, non-profits, meet-ups and area businesses.) 
• Presence at live events sponsored by YMCA and a variety of other non-profit community events. 
• Advertising with Austin Women's Magazine(print, on-line and event presence.
• Sponsorship of the Regal Theatres Family Fun.   
• Radio advertising.  
• Press Releases sent out on a monthly bases to all Central Texas media, which includes: television, radio, print, and on-line coverage.  
• Personal follow up with key radio, television and print editors to encorage live coverage.
• Facebook Promotions, advertising and exposure on a weekly basis. 
• Monthly and semi monthly newsletter sent out to 4000+ families in the area.  

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Volunteering Questions

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