Click on question below for shortcuts to SELLER Questions:
Click on question below for shortcuts to SHOPPER Questions:
Click on question below for shortcuts to VOLUNTEER Questions:
Click on question below for shortcuts to Questions about Friday Nights Presale Event:
SELLER Questions:
Q: What is a consignment sale?
A: Consignment is when a seller gives items to an agent to sell. At The Mother Load Sale, we organize, advertise and operate the sale in return for a percentage of the seller’s total profit.
Q: Why should I sell with The Mother Load Sale?
A: We’re personable, professional and organized. We will offer you guidance through the process of preparing your merchandise for sale while we advertise the sale to attract well over 2000 shoppers. Best of all, you do not even have to be present to sell your items! Sellers can choose whether or not to participate during set-up on Friday night (or can pre-arrange for item drop-off) and/or for sorting/pick-up of unsold items after the sale on Sunday. Sellers prepare, tag and bring items for set up, and TMLS sells them for you for only the price marked. Plus, you will earn more than what local consignment stores will offer. Sellers and volunteers also enjoy access to the private pre-sale on both Friday night and Sunday morning - before the general public is allowed entry.
Q: How do I become a seller?
A: Simply open and print The Mother Load Sale Seller’s Contract. Complete the contract and mail back to the address at the top of the form, along with a check or money order for your $15 seller’s fee and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE). Completion and submission of the contract means that you agree to all of its terms. The SASE will be used to mail your check after the sale. Click here to find out what you can sell.
Q: What does the $15 seller’s fee and commission cover?
A: The fee covers the rental of the sale facility, advertising, equipment needed to run the sale, administrative costs, insurance, computerized barcoding system, an advanced security team, computerized cashiers, and MORE!
Q: How much work is it to prepare items for sale?
A: TMLS prides itself on being the PREMIUM sale in town, so proper preparation of items does take time, but it will assure the best results in sales and, therefore, money in your pocket! Our computerized barcoding system makes entering and printing price tags a SNAP! We encourage sellers to begin preparing early, doing a little each day. We also offer detailed merchandise preparation guidelines, under the “Sellers” tab on this website, to assist you in this task and are always available to answer questions about item preparation, pricing, etc. It is not unheard of to make well over $1000 at sales like these, so your hard work can really PAY off!
Q: How much of my profit will I receive, and when will I get paid?
A: Sellers start out at 50% base commission, but can earn more or less commission % based on their personal involvement with the sale. Those who choose to work a 6-hour volunteer shift will receive +10% Commission. Sellers can also earn an extra 5% for passing out TMLS flyers and + 5% for each ManPower shift credited to them. (See Vol. Info page)
* Sellers are not required to participate in Friday night's set-up process or Sunday's take-down process. Sellers with busier schedules do have the option to make prior arrangements with Anita to simply drop off their items Friday and TMLS staff will handle set up for them. Likewise, if a seller chooses not to participate in Sunday's SHOP & SORT take-down process, TMLS staff will sort a seller's items for them. Sellers not participating in Friday's set-up will earn 10% less profit for each part they choose not to participate in.
* Sellers receive their commission paycheck by mail within 7 business days after the sale. (usually 5!)
Q: Wouldn’t I make more money if I held my own garage sale or sold my items on Craigslist?
A: The benefit of selling at The Mother Load Sale is that we will bring in well over 2000 shoppers who are specifically looking for baby, children’s and maternity items. You don’t have to advertise, haggle over price, have strangers at your home or go to a stranger’s home, and you are able to remain anonymous. You are welcome to hold onto unsold items and participate in our next sale. Our barcoded price tags are good for 18 months = 3 sales.
Q: How do I get my unsold items back?
A: If you would like your unsold items back, you will need to return to Cleveland Middle School between 2:30-4PM on Sunday to participate in our Shop & Sort. Sellers who choose not to participate in item-sorting may make arrangements for pick-up (for 10% less commission) or donate all of their unsold items to our charity of choice. When tagging items with our computerized barcoding system, sellers will have the option to mark items "Donate" at that time or while sorting they may also leave additional unsold items that they no longer want on the donation table for our charity, New Futures High School. However, because the charity picks up later in the evening, tax receipts will not be available at that time, but can be printed from our barcoding site (for tax purposes.) Any unclaimed items left after 5:30pm will be donated to a charity or become the property of The Mother Load Sale.
Q: How will I know what items I sold?
A: We use a computerized barcoding system that will keep an exact inventory of what is/is not sold at the sale. It will be updated so you will know your total commission profit due Sunday evening. Although we provide security during the sale, The Mother Load Sale, LLC is NOT responsible for lost or misplaced items.
Q: Why does the Mother Load Sale require wire hangers for all clothing?
A: Wire hangers make clothes more “shoppable” because they take less space on the racks. In other words, shoppers can easily slide clothes back and forth on the racks while browsing without breaking hangers (resulting in clothes on floor and possible damage to other clothes from the sharp edges). The tighter and more difficult the clothes are to shop, the less likely buyers are to purchase your items. In addition, if we used bulkier plastic hangers, we would have to build/purchase more racks, requiring a larger, more expensive location, resulting in higher seller’s fees. At The Mother Load Sale, we strive keep our costs low and profits high!
Q: Are sellers allowed to bring children to Friday's set-up and/or Sunday's Shop & Sort (pick-up?)
A: NO! For the safety of everyone, children are NOT permitted in the building during Friday's set-up or Sunday's sorting/take-down/pick-up. However, if a seller is dropping off or picking up (for 10% less profit,) Mom calls from our parking lot, kids/Mom can stay in the car and TMLS staff comes and unloads your vehicle for you!! If a seller brings a child/ren INSIDE to Friday's set-up or Sunday's take-down (Shop & Sort) they will incur a $20 fee PER CHILD. Also, if seller shows up for their volunteer shift with child/ren (and is therefore unable to work shift), the commission will be reduced to 50% of the total dollar amount of their items sold minus a $50 fee.
SHOPPER Questions:
Q: Why should I shop at The Mother Load Sale?
A: You will find a huge selection of quality, gently used baby/children’s items under one roof for reasonable prices. Rather than driving from garage sale to garage sale, where quality and selection are iffy, this sale is dedicated to exactly what you need—baby, children’s, and maternity consignment. You will find everything categorized and nicely displayed in a comfortable indoor environment for easy shopping, and helpful volunteers will be on staff to offer fantastic customer service.
Q: What type of payment methods are accepted for purchase of items at the sale?
A: CASH of course, is the preferred method. There are several ATMs within 2 blocks of the sale location! ;]
Credit/debit cards will be accepted. Valid NM photo ID will be required for these methods of payment. Personal checks will not be accepted.
Q: What should I bring to the sale?
A: Bring plenty of CASH and/or a credit/debit card, valid NM photo ID, comfortable shoes and TEN friends! For your convenience, HUGE reusable shopping bags will be sold for $2 at the sale.
Q: What should I leave at home?
A: Anything extra that you would have to lug around! NO children’s toys are allowed in the door. Extra items coming in such as strollers, diaper bags, bottles, hats, etc. will have to be tagged as your property at the door, so please bring as little in as possible to keep the entrance line from backing up. Also, during peak Saturday morning shopping hours, the check out lines can be a little longer than normal, which can be very difficult for younger children.
Q: Are items I purchase returnable?
A: Shoppers have 48 hours from the end of the sale on Sunday to report items that are broken, missing parts, etc. so please check through all of your purchases as soon as you get them home and contact TMLS immediately with any problems at TheMotherLoadSale@gmail.com
Q: How can I become a seller or find out about future sales?
A: Refer to Seller Questions on this page for information on becoming a seller. To find out about future sales, sign up on the mailing list on our Home page or add your name to our sign-up sheet at check-out during the upcoming sale or email Anita at TheMotherLoadSale@gmail.com to be put on the seller wait list and she will contact you via email when the next season's contract is ready!
VOLUNTEER Questions:
Q: Do I have to work a shift if I am a seller?
A: No. Sellers are not required to work a volunteer shift, but doing so will result in + 10% commission of profit.
Q: What happens if a seller signs up for a volunteer shift and then does not show up?
A: Per the contract, if seller signs up for a volunteer shift and is a “no show” or if seller shows up for shift with child/ren (and is therefore unable to work shift), the commission will be reduced to 65% of the total dollar amount of their items sold minus a $50 fee. If a seller confirms their assigned volunteer shift when assigned and then cancels, there will be a $25 fee. There will be NO shift changes after the final confirmation (two weeks prior to the sale date.) Volunteers who are late for their assigned shift will have their final sales check docked 5% for every 15 minute increment past the scheduled arrival time. This means that, as volunteers are required to arrive 20 minutes early for their shift to receive in instructions. Arriving as the shift begins will result in a 5% profit decrease.
Q: How do I become a volunteer if I am not a seller?
A: Volunteer registration forms accepted on a first come, first served basis until we are "full." Volunteers who submit their paperwork early will have a better chance at getting their first choice of shift. For safety reasons, expectant mothers WILL NOT be allowed to work the Friday Night volunteer shift. Non-Selling volunteers who sign up for and accept a volunteer shift then DO NOT SHOW UP are not allowed to participate as a volunteer and/or seller at future events.
Q: How long are the shifts, and what will I be doing?
A: All volunteer shifts are 6-hours long. (see "Volunteer Info" page for times.) The Friday night shift includes 3 hours of time to set out your own items and to shop at the pre-sale. Volunteer assignments vary and may include: helping keep items neat and organized on the sales floor, working the door, answering basic customer questions, cashiering, or one of many other helpful tasks. Feel free to invite your husbands to volunteer with you or for you or with you. We always welcome extra muscles - especially during set-up and take-down! (See "Volunteer Info" page for more on ManPower Volunteer shifts) Should you, on the other hand, be interested in volunteering but have physical limitations, such as being pregnant, please indicate those limitations on the volunteer registration form, and we will assign you to an appropriate job. There is a job for everyone! For safety reasons, expectant mothers WILL NOT be allowed to work the Friday Night volunteer shift.
Q: Do you provide childcare for volunteers?
A: No. Because we need our volunteers to be as productive as possible during their shift, as well as for their own safety, we do not permit you to bring children. Special breaks/arrangements will be managed for breastfeeding mothers, otherwise, children are not allowed at the sale during your volunteer shift.
Q: Will volunteers have a break during their shift?
A: Yes! A 20 min. meal break will be scheduled during your shift. and TMLS will provide all 6-hour volunteers with a nice meal to enjoy during your break. Although no food or drinks (other than water) are allowed on the sales floor, you can bring your own snack/drink to enjoy in the lounge while on your preassigned break. We recommend that you DO NOT bring your purse, bag, etc. onto the floor with you during your shift as there will not be a safe place to store these items. Sellers/Volunteers may not store their personal items in the TMLS office/classroom. Cell phones are acceptable (we know that you probably have kids at home and would need to be reached in the case of an emergency) as long as volunteers are not making excessive calls/sending texts during their shift. If this becomes a problem that a simple warning does not clear up, a volunteer could be asked to leave and not be allowed to volunteer at future sales.
Q: Why are volunteers asked to wear red shirts during their shift?
A: We ask all volunteers to wear red shirts so that volunteers can easily spot each other and shoppers can see volunteers on a very large sales floor during busy times. Aprons will also be provided, making it easy for you to hold personal items as it is recommended that volunteers NOT bring purses onto the sales floor or into office areas.
Friday Night Pre-Sale Questions
Q: What is the Friday night and Sunday morning Pre-Sale?
A: The PreSale are special events on Friday Night and Sunday morning that are strictly limited to sellers, business sponsors and volunteers. To ensure a safe, relaxing, stress-free shopping environment, children are NOT permitted during ANY Friday events or during Sunday's Shop & Sort or Pick-Up. NO EXCEPTIONS!
** Kids during Vol shift = seller drops - 10% + $50 fine + you would be asked to leave.
*NEW* Kids at Friday Set-Up or Sunday Shop & Sort = $20 fine PER CHILD!!
Q: How will my seller number affect my entrance into the Pre-Sale?
A: It doesn't. The advantage of getting your contract in early is to assure your space as a seller in a steadily-growing, always-sold-out sale as well as heightening your chances of getting the volunteer shift you prefer.
