There are many reasons we need to pass on an item or buy. Our ultimate goal is to ensure shopping customers have the best selection possible. The most common reasons are below:

Staining & Too Much Wear

Staining is common on childrens' clothing. We have unique bright lighting designed to help us see stains much easier than can be seen at home.

Items that are too worn and washed too many times lose their vibrancy and starts to have little fabric pills form on the surface.  

Style and Age

Just like adult clothing, Childrens' clothing styles change every few years. Our Staff is trained to read manufacturing date codes on the inner tags of the clothing.

This is the main reason we pass on items that are New with Tags. Some of the largest retail discount stores sell items new with tags that could be multiple years old already.

Too Much of a Specific Item

Infant SIzes (0-3 through 12 Months) are the most difficult to sell. Over half of all buys that we process contain Infant Clothing. Because of Supply and Demand, we have to be VERY picky when buying. Parents are also less likely to buy clothing in this category with imperfections as well.

Odor / Not Freshly or Recently Laundered

If items have been sitting in a bag or tote for an extended period of time, they can begin to pick up other smells. 

Even freshly laundered items can also be recontaminated on the way to our store if the individual is a smoker. Tobacco smoke odors are very difficult to get out of clothing. 

We ask the items are not only freshly laundered, but recently laundered as well. Items that have been freshly laundered and then stored away for lengthy periods of time can develop a certain odor.

Not Brought to Us in a Matter to Purchase

We ask that all clothing items are laid flat inside of a hard-sided container like a box or tote. If items are wadded up, they will show excessive wrinkles and creases, which can be mistaken for staining. 

Any foreign items found in the Drop Off, such as human waste, insects, cigarrette odors, etc. leads to an immediate rejection of the buy. Please review your items prior to drop off to avoid any issues.

The main things that lead to the largest payouts are:

Clothing that is laid flat or neatly folded in a tote or basket.

Why? Our staff can easily see the clothing. They can also process the buy significantly faster. 

Freshly and Recently Laundered

This is defined as washed and dried prior to dropping off. Clothing is unlikely to smell fresh if it hasn't been washed or in storage for a prolonged period of time. 

Why? Clothing we purchase goes directly onto the Sales Floor for resale. 

Sets Folded Together

Why? We love sets and pay more money for them! If we cannot easily identify the set, it will most likely be passed on. 

Also, PLEASE do not safety pin them together as it leaves holes. 

Clean Toys & Equipment

Items that have been cleaned (wiped down/vacuumed) prior to drop off receive a larger offer. 

Why? If an item is too dirty, we tend to pass on them. Also, if they require staff labor to clean, we need to account for it. 

Its a great way to save money on a new purchase! Trading takes place if you Sell and Buy during the same transaction. We credit the amount of your offer towards your purchase and you only get charged tax on the difference.

No appointments are necessary. We Buy All Seasons, Everyday.

Drop Offs are done First Come, First Serve. There is an exception to this rule. If a very large drop off happens, it is worked on throughout the day by a team member. Other team members will still process other Drop Offs as they come in. This is to ensure we can process as many customers as possible to limit overall wait time to everyone. 

Once the Once Upon a Child Staff begins to review your items, you can assume 20-30 minutes per bin. We go through the items and review against our quality critieria. 

When your items are sorted through and the Staff has decided what can be purchased for resale, you will be notified via phone call.

An offer is presented to you at Checkout. We do not give offers over the phone. At the end, you receive back your original container as well as items we had to pass on.