A little prep before you come in makes a big difference. Here's exactly what to do — and what to skip — to walk out with the most money.
Both are paid on the spot — but store credit stretches further every time.
When you choose store credit instead of cash, we give you a bonus on top of your offer. That means the same bag of clothes is worth more to you as store credit than as cash in hand. And because Kidz Kaboodle prices are already steep discounts off retail, your credit goes even further.
Think of it as a trade loop: kids outgrow stuff → you trade it in → credit goes toward the next size up. It's the most cost-effective way to keep up with growing kids.
✅ Best value for families who shop and trade regularlyNot everything is equal — here's what consistently earns the strongest offers.
Recognizable labels in great condition earn the best offers. We look for brands families trust.
Items that look nearly new — no fading, no pilling, no stains, no snags. "Gently used" means it looks like it wasn't used much.
Bring swimsuits in summer, rain gear in fall, and coats in early winter. Seasonal relevance matters — we can always place what's needed now.
Strollers with all components, high chairs with all parts, play kitchens with accessories — complete is always worth more than incomplete.
Quality wooden toys, puzzles with all pieces, and learning toys hold their value well and move quickly from our shelves.
Kids' shoes with clean soles and minimal wear — especially name brands in smaller sizes — are always in demand.
A little prep work before you arrive makes a real difference in what we can accept — and what we offer.
Freshly laundered clothing makes a much better impression. Give it all a clean wash and make sure it smells fresh — no musty storage smells.
Put all 2T items together, all 3T together, and so on. Sorting makes our review faster, which is better for everyone — and it shows you're organized and serious.
A clean stroller or high chair looks far more appealing than one with crumbs and grime. Give gear a good wipe-down before you bring it in.
Bring all straps, covers, adapters, and extra parts. For anything that requires power, include the batteries or charger — items that don't turn on don't get offers. Gear with everything included is almost always accepted at a higher value than incomplete sets.
Items with smoke, pet, or mildew odors are automatically passed on — even if they look great. Give everything a final smell check before you pack up.
A quick once-over for broken snaps, missing buttons, or stuck zippers can save you the disappointment of a pass. Fix what you can; skip what you can't.
Timing matters — here's when you're most likely to get the best results.
The first hour of trade (10–11am) is when our team is freshest and most energetic. You'll get thorough attention and the best shot at having items accepted.
11am–1pm is still a solid window. Plenty of time to get through your items before the 2pm cutoff. Bring a smaller, curated load for a quicker turnaround.
Arriving after 1:30pm means you won't be eligible for a same-day offer — 1:30pm is the hard cutoff, no exceptions. Give yourself a comfortable buffer.
💡 Tip: Trade days are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. If one day is particularly busy, try a different trade day — stock needs also shift day to day, so what we're looking for Tuesday might differ from Monday.
Save yourself a trip — these items are almost always a pass.
Any stain — no exceptions. Fading, pilling, or worn-through knees are also a pass. If you can see it, we can't sell it.
Missing puzzle pieces, broken parts, no straps, dead batteries — incomplete is a hard pass for gear and toys.
We typically buy one season ahead — fall buying starts mid-summer, spring buying starts mid-winter. All seasonal buying changes are announced on Facebook first.
The expiration date is stamped on every seat — we check every one. Under 6 months remaining: no purchase, no donation. 6 months–2 years: donation only. 2+ years: eligible for purchase. Safety is non-negotiable.
We check the CPSC recall database. If an item is recalled, it won't be accepted — safety for our customers always comes first.
Smoke smell, pet odors, or mildew — no amount of Febreze fixes it for us. These go straight back to you.
Families who trade with us regularly have figured these out — now you know too.
Before you load up the car, check our Facebook page or the buying list on our homepage to see what we're actively looking for this week. It changes weekly based on stock levels — don't bring a full load of what we're already full on.
Regular traders almost always choose store credit. The bonus value adds up fast, especially on bigger trades. If you shop here anyway (and you should — prices are incredible), the credit is basically free money toward your next haul.
Instead of one giant seasonal purge, successful traders come in regularly with smaller, curated loads. Fewer items = faster review = better attention per item. Plus you stay on top of stock needs as they shift week to week.
Pre-edit at home. If you have any doubt about an item — if it's worn, if the brand is unknown, if it's missing a piece — leave it home. Bringing a smaller, high-quality load almost always results in a higher acceptance rate than a giant mixed bag.
Come in prepped and confident — trade hours are Mon, Tue & Thu · 11am–2pm. No appointment needed.