Black Friday - Cyber Monday 2013

Welcome! We are happy to see you!  

Included in this post you'll find: 

• Shopping details
• Sales organized by purchase type (diapers, carriers, etc)
• Doorbusters
• Other Good Stuff (psst - this is where you'll find freebie details) 
• Nitty Gritty details

Shopping Details -
Online:
Shop 24/7 at www.itsybitsybums.com

In Person: 
6215 Oak St Kansas City MO 64113
Friday 11/29 10-4
Saturday 11/30 10-4


Sales by Type - 
All sales begin at midnight central time 11/29. Please note some sales have varying end dates. 
Check back Sunday evening, as Cyber-Monday only deals will be revealed then. Cyber Monday deals added into the list below - find the updates in RED. In addition to the below, all clearance items marked down an additional 10-20%. Prices already updated.

Diapers

• AMP - 10% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
  don't miss extra AMP savings under the 'doorbusters' heading.
• AppleCheeks - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Bestbottom - 10% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Blueberry - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/7. don't miss extra Blueberry savings under the 'doorbusters' heading.
• Bottombumpers - 10% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• bumGenius - 20% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2. don't miss extra bumGenius savings under the 'doorbusters' heading.
• Econobum - 5-15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2. don't miss extra Econobum savings under the 'doorbusters' heading. 
• Flip - 20% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Fuzzibunz - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Gen-Y - 10% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/30. 
• GroVia - Buy 2, Get 1 Free - New Print Shells and One-Size All-in-Ones and Soakers; no mixing & matching between styles. **please note - total of GroVia goods does not count towards freebie qualifying total - in other words, for your freebie it must be that total after the GroVia items have been subtracted - sorry for the inconvenience.** to redeem: add two 'new prints' Shells, two 'new prints' AIOs or two soaker packs to your cart - comment at checkout which new print or soaker style you'd like for your freebie - IBB will add the free item(s) to your receipt. 11/29-12/2. 
• Imagine Diapers - 25% off sale continues. no code necessary, discount automatically applies11/28-12/2.
• Newborn Diaper Rental - book your Preloved Newborn Diaper Rental in full and receive a $20 gift certificate to spend in December. Mention 'Mad Money' in comments section at checkout. Valid for all rentals booked 11/29-12/2.
• Peachy Baby - 10% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2. don't miss extra Peachy Baby savings under the 'doorbusters' heading. 
• Preloved Diapers - an additional 10-30% savings off already low-priced preloved diapers - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2. 
• Sloomb | Sustainablebabyish | Sbish - 15% off - excludes newest releases (bamboo blankets and trainers and armwoolies). 11/29-12/2. don't miss extra Sloomb freebies under the 'doorbusters' heading.
• Smart Bottoms - Buy 5, Get 1 Free One-Size All-in-Ones - Mention 'free Smartbottoms' and the diaper color/print you would like for your freebie - IBB will add the free diaper on - freebie must be equal or lesser value to the other five purchased.
• Softbums - 15% off - excludes calender bums and 'holiday bundle' - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2. 
• just added 11/28 - Softbums Bamboo Starter Pack - for every Bamboo starter pack purchased, get a free pack of Softbums cloth wipes (a $9.25 value)
• Sweet Pea - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2. 
• Thirsties - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.  
• just added 11/28 - Tots Bots - 10% off Frugi Limited Edition prints - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Woollybottoms - 10% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 12/2 only.  

Diaper Accessories

• AppleCheeks - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Blueberry - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/7. don't miss extra Blueberry savings under the 'doorbusters' heading. 
• Buncha Farmers - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• CJ's - 20% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• CJ's Holiday Scent products - 40% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Delish - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• EcoSprout - 10% - excludes detergent; no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.  
• Gen-Y - 10% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/30. 
• LooHoo Dryer Balls - 20% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• MB Naturals (Magic Bum) - 20% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2. 
• Planet Wise - 10% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Sloomb | Sustainablebabyish | Sbish - 15% off - excludes newest releases (bamboo blankets and trainers and armwoolies). don't miss extra Sloomb freebies under the 'doorbusters' heading. 
• Sweet Pea - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2. 
• Thirsties - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2. 
  

Carriers

• Beco - select Soleil prints (Luca and River) just $105 - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Boba - 10% off all 3G & 4G carriers - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Catbird Baby - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Tula - 10% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2. 
• **spend $100 on any carrier (or combination of carriers) and get a free storage 'stuff' sack- mention 'I'm stuffed' in the comments section at checkout ($15.00 value)**

Mom & Baby

• aden&anais - 20% off (including preorders for adult daydream blankets!) - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29 only!
• chewbeads - 20% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 12/2 only.  
• delish - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• EcoVessel - 20% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Green Body Basics natural deodorant - 10% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 12/2 only.  
• Healing Hazel brand Amber - all sizes - 20% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Jellystone Necklaces - select styles 40% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Lunette - 20% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 12/2 only.   
• Piggy Paint - Buy 2, Get 1 free - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Woollybottoms - 10% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 12/2 only.  

Toys

• Tegu - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• Maple Landmark - 15% off - no code necessary, discount automatically applies. 11/29-12/2.
• **for every $30 you spend on any toy or combination of toys get a free Rubbabu mini toy - mention 'Toy With Me' in comments section at checkout ($5.95 value)**

Doorbusters! 
Online! From midnight to 2am ct Friday

Shopping in person? These doorbusters will also be offered to local shoppers at our Kansas City location from 10-1 Friday. Are you a local shopper who wants to get in on the midnight fun (recommended for best selection!)? Feel free to shop online, select 'local pickup,' and grab your package when you come by Friday or Saturday.

No codes necessary for any of the following discounts. For freebies, click the link beside the desired freebie. Then add the freebie to your cart. If it lets you add it it means we still have one for you to grab.  

• AMP - take an additional 5% off
• Blueberry - take an additional 5% off 
• Bottombumpers - take an additional 10% off
• bubuBebe wet bags and fitteds (newborn and one-size) - 10% off - these are ONLY on sale during the doorbuster period - after which they will go back to full price 
• bumGenius - take an additional 5% off
• Econobum - take an additional 5% off
• Flip - take an additional 5% off
• Peachy Baby - take an additional 5% off
• Sloomb | Sustainablebabyish | Sbish - spend $75 or more and get a free Sloomb fun pack (contents a surprise, but they are pretty fun!). Snag yours here. Good while supplies last.
• Softbums - spend $50 or more on Softbums items and get a free Softbums panda keychain. Snag yours here. Good while supplies last.

Other Good Stuff!

• Blueberry's newest prints stocked, just in time for the weekend sale! 
• Softbums newest (holiday-themed!) Calender Bum expected to arrive this weekend! 
• Need some toy help? Check out our gift guide! 
• Newest additions to the store - Nuroo babywearing shirts, Wean Green glass containers, Pure Play wooden toys, Eco-Kids art supplies and more, Sakura Bloom ring slings and aden&anais lovey mates all stocked and ready to go!
• Locals! More deals in store than we can reveal here. They will only be available in person. Deals include carriers, diapers, home items and more. 

Freebies

• Limit one freebie per order. No limit per customer. Add your freebie to your shopping cart here. 
• Free with your $29-$48.99 order: delish Yum Bum Butter sample
• Free with your $49-$78.99 order: One-Size Diaper Cover (min value $11.95)
• Free with your $79-$98.99 order: One-Size Diaper Cover & coordinating Leggings 
• Free with your $99-$148.99 order: One-Size Diaper (min value $17.95)
• Free with your $149-$198.99 order: Natural Fiber One-Size All-in-One (min. value $23.95)
• Free with your $199-$298.99 order: Natural Fiber One-Size All-in-One (min. value $23.95) and One-Size Diaper (min value $17.95)
• Free with your $299+ order: surprise swag diaper, diaper accessory and/or carrier bagful of fun (min. value $60.00)

The Nitty Gritty

• No limit of freebies per customer. Please note, there is a limit of one 'freebie' per order (from the above 'Freebies' list - this does not include the doorbuster Sloomb and Softbums extra goodies, nor does this limit include the carrier stuff sac or Rubbabu toy)! Feel free to submit as many separate orders as you like. If you apply multiply freebies to your order, we will still only ship one freebie per order. 
• If your chosen freebie oversells, we will substitute the most similar option. We have a lot of freebies standing by, but stranger things have happened.... 
• We make every attempt to get orders out within 1-2 business days, but please understand the weekend sales make things a bit more hectic. You will get a shipping notice when your order is on the way. You can also check the status of your order by logging in to your account. It will change from 'new' to 'shipped' once it is on its way. 
• Freebies do not apply to Newborn Diaper Rental bookings or gift certificate purchases. 
• You pick your freebie tier - please note - IBB picks your actual freebie. 
• No other discount can be stacked with all of this goodness. Thanks for understanding!  

Preloved Newborn Diaper Rental sale!

Preloved Newborn Diaper Rental Sale!

What? Get a free-one-size diaper with your Preloved Newborn Diaper Rental Booking!

When? Any rentals booked in full from 10/8 through 10/26

Who? Anyone with an estimated due date from Oct 2013 through June 2014 is eligible

How? Book your Preloved Newborn Diaper Rental here, paying the full $195 payment. Comment 'Free One-Size Diaper' in the comments section at checkout. No need to confirm availability before booking, we will announce as EDD's fill up.

Specifics?

• Your free diaper will ship with your rental.
• Minimum value - $19.95+ - IBB will pick the color, style, etc.
• Already have a package reserved but haven't made the $160 balance payment? You are also eligible. Simply make your balance payment of $160 by Oct 26th. 
• Sorry, not valid on already booked/paid in full rentals.

Just let us know if you have any questions! 


 

We Are Hiring!

Seeking: part-time sales associate(s) for our Brookside storefront (depending on availability, we are looking for 1-3 people) 

What exactly does a sales associate at IBB do? One thing about small business and retail, each day will be different than the last! 

The store is currently open:
10-4 Tues
10-4 Wed
12-8 Thurs
10-4 Sat
And we are looking to expand to Fridays 10-4. 

Expected Duties To Include:

• receiving, sorting, pricing and shelving new inventory
• light cleaning (you would not believe the amount of lint a gillion pounds of cotton products will generate on a daily basis)
• educating, educating, educating (cloth diapers, baby carriers, natural family products - all require a level of understanding, and it would be your job to help teach, in a succinct and understandable manner, just how these products function in a family's day-to-day life)
• packing up online orders
• ringing up customers
• merchandising the windows and in-store displays
• executing opening and closing checklists
• reorganizing after a whirlwind of toddlerdom ransacks the bottom two shelves
• assisting with inventory audits
• making goggly eyes at new babies

Requirements:

• ten to twenty hours per week
• shift lengths vary from four to six hours
• must be able to lift 40lbs
• Saturday availability preferred but not required (would be on our call-in list for sick call-ins and such)
• to start immediately upon hire 

All applications must be received by Thursday, Aug 29th.  

If you submitted an application during our call at the start of summer, we still have your application on file. Once we receive all submissions we will then revisit availability, qualifications and skill sets and be in touch if we would like to interview. 

Experience with cloth diapers and babywearing much preferred but not necessarily required. We are looking for intelligent, outgoing, self-motivated folks who will fit in well with our store (case and point - late on a Thursday you might find us weighing a Chipotle burrito to see if it would ship first class or priority, if one were to ship a burrito). 

Interested? 

• Please send a cover letter and resume to me at itsybitsybums at aol dot com 
• Not sure what to include in your cover letter? Here's an outline of questions we lovvveeee to ask: 
• At IBB we are a small family business, and see our employees as an extension of this family. We want the dynamic to be fantastic for everyone! Why do you want to work for us, and what makes you a good fit? 
• With the prevelance of big-box stores carrying cloth diapers and baby carriers, how do small stores such as IBB compete? And, by extension, what does the phrase 'shop local' mean to you? AND, do you shop with us? Have we met you? 
• Many of our customer interaction is focused on education, as most of the items we carry in the store are a brand new foray for the families who come in, and will require some 101. What past experience - personal or professional - has prepared you well for this education component? 
• Which of our products are your personal favorites? 
• Anything else we should know about you?
• Please be sure to also include availability, total hours desired and wage requirements in your cover letter 

Look forward to hearing from you!  

PARTY IT UP

Wow! If I had to sum up the last three years in one word, that would certainly be it - 'wow!'

Three years ago (well, July 22nd) our graphic designer loaded the last template revision, and our (now retired) website was ready to launch! For eleven months our store solely ran from our (former) dining room, with inventory strategically placed out of our then-infant's reach.

From there, we grew into a small commercial space. The space seemed like the ideal bridge between our home and (eventual) storefront.

Unfortunately, we outgrew it virtually the same day we moved in! But I was committed to two things - A. not moving into a storefront until our daughter started preschool and B. remaining debt free with each step forward. Everything came together late last summer, and by fall we'd found our perfect storefront.

Fun fact - the storefront at 6215 Oak St is the very same one I'd wanted from the day the store was merely a twinkle in my eye. True story. And after all these moves, we are still only four blocks from our store's original location!

And now that you know our history, help us celebrate it by PARTYING IT UP!
Party starts 8pm July 20th and ends Monday night, July 22nd.

STALK IT

• Sustainablebabyish Sweet Chevvies - stocked! 
• AppleCheeks Winging It Tees - stocked! very limited quantities, shop early and fast
• AppleCheeks newest release - Storm, Reborn - stocked!

WIN IT 

• A Tula! That's right! One lucky entrant will win a Tula carrier. Find entry form on our Facebook page. (winner chooses size and print; sponsored by the lovely folks at Tula). No purchase necessary to win.
• Every order from 8pm ct tonight (7/20) through Monday (7/22) at 23:59 ct will be entered to win a $50 gift certificate. No minimum purchase to enter.

SHOP IT 

• Fuzzibunz - 15% off all colors and prints (including limited edition minky! no coupon needed - sale ends Sunday evening) 

SWAG IT

• Piggy Paint - Buy 3, Get 1 Free
• Buy 3 Haba Toys, Get 1 Free 
• Spend $45 or more on aden & anais products and get a free swaddle blanket
• Spend $50-$99.99 - free wet bag
• Spend $100-$199.99 - free one-size diaper (you pick stay-dry or natural fibers)
• Spend $200+ - triple pack - free wet bag, free one-size diaper AND free momma necklace

How to Snag Your Good Stuff

• Select your freebie(s) from the dropdown on this page. 
• How much swag can I snag? 
• No limit on Haba toys or Piggy Paint
• 1 free aden & anais swaddle per order
• 1 free wet bag, one-size diaper, or triple-pack per order
• Limit 2 orders per household.

The Finer Details

• Party goes through Monday 7/22 at 23:59ct. Some freebies are limited. Shop early for best pickings.  
• Newborn diaper rentals and gift certificate purchases do not count towards qualifying order total. 
• IBB reserves the right to remove any freebies whose requirements are not met. IBB will pick any colors/prints. 
• Due to order volume, changes or cancellations cannot be accepted. 
• We try to always ship within 24 hours. However, due to volume please understand it might be slightly longer. 
• Not valid on pending or prior purchases.
• Limit two party orders per customer. 
• Tula carrier winner will be selected to arrange size and color/print.
• Gift certificate winner will be emailed their credit code.

Mark's Picks: Top Ten Father's Day Gifts

People often ask what my husband prefers. So, just in time for Father's Day Mark (aka 'Mr IBB') decided to jot down those top picks. Without further delay, the 'Daddy Gift Guide' (as he so named it). 

1. Tula Carrier
Super comfy. Even for the toughest of tough guys. It's comfy for you and your little one.

2. Lifefactory Bottles
Because you build up quite a thirst stuffing those Pocket diapers and carrying those little ones.

3. Gen-Y GO Bags
With so many prints to choose from, it's easy to match your shoes and other manly accessories. 
 
4. CJ's BUTTer in Monkey Farts
Intriguingly delicious.

5. Kido Airplane and Car
Because you, er, your children, need sturdy toys to play with.

6. Aden & Anais Swaddles
Soft blankets are not just reserved for children.

7. GroVia Mighty Bubbles
Your life is hard enough. This makes stripping easy.

8. Planet Wise Food Bags
Because M&M's melt in your mouth and not in your hand. No one ever mentioned your pocket.

9. Diaper Sprayer
Easy to hook up, no trip to the hardware store and you still come out a hero.

10. Episencial Bubble Bath 
For when your kids go to bed.

The Great Cloth Diaper Hunt: From Start to Finish

I've had many ask for a view of how our Great Cloth Diaper Hunt goes from start to finish. Here's the look! Note - sorry about the pixelated images. Screen shots didn't like the download-upload process too much.

First clue at the bottom of our homepage -

 

Clues 'so cozy' and 'Snappi, pins' lead to you OsoCozy Prefolds -

and the clue at the bottom of the OsoCozy page -

 

Clue: 'he had forgotten HIS wrap' (note the nurse didn't forget hers - which many thought would be a baby carrier). This leads to you the Thirsties Duo Wraps - 

and the clue at the bottom of the Thirsties Duo Wrap page - 

Clue? What did he wear? Slippers. Takes you to the Woollybottoms Slippers page - 

And the clue at the bottom of the page - 

  

The clues? The lullaby's. What is the theme of all? Carriers! Tula, Boba, Cat(bird) and Ergo. The other key here was to note that these brands offered more than the soft-structured style! Catbird makes both SSC and Mei Tai. And Boba makes both a SSC and stretchy wrap. 

Navigating to the carriers - 

Takes you to this view, and the chance to browse by category -  

Knowing the categories that might fit, here's what happens when you click on 'Mei Tai.' Breadcrumbs, dots, something that is completely and utterly out of place -

Following the breadcrumbs you land on the 'Hello' page. This is the final page. From here, the hunt really draws on the old-school hide-the-link fun. I still distinctly remember finding a hidden link on a hunt three years ago - the pure joy and satisfaction. Sometimes it's the little things.

The story is quick, and the final line's store initials, done in black, draws the eye to the period at the start of the ellipsis.

And that's it - hyperlink presents itself and you are done! 

 

 

We Are Hiring!

Seeking: part-time sales associate(s) for our Brookside storefront (depending on availability, we are looking for 1-3 people)

What exactly does a sales associate at IBB do? One thing about small business and retail, each day will be different than the last!

The store is currently open:
10-4 Tues
10-4 Wed
12-8 Thurs
10-4 Sat
And we are looking to expand to Fridays.

Expected Duties To Include:

• receiving, sorting, pricing and shelving new inventory
• light cleaning (you would not believe the amount of lint a gillion pounds of cotton products will generate on a daily basis)
• educating, educating, educating (cloth diapers, baby carriers, natural family products - all require a level of understanding, and it would be your job to help teach, in a succinct and understandable manner, just how these products function in a family's day-to-day life)
• packing up online orders
• ringing up customers
• merchandising the windows and in-store displays
• executing opening and closing checklists
• reorganizing after a whirlwind of toddlerdom ransacks the bottom two shelves
• assisting with inventory audits
• making goggly eyes at new babies

Requirements:

• ten to twenty hours per week
• shift lengths vary from four to six hours
• must be able to lift 40lbs
• must be available at least two Saturdays per month *
• to start mid-June   
• *6/3 update - we've had so many prospective employees interested in Saturdays we are expanding the hours available. If you are only interested in regularly working shifts between Tues-Fri, and the Saturday requirement was holding you back from applying, please submit your application! 

All applications must be received by Wednesday, June 5th. 

Experience with cloth diapers and babywearing much preferred but not necessarily required. We are looking for intelligent, outgoing, self-motivated folks who will fit in well with our store (case and point - late on a Thursday you might find us weighing a Chipotle burrito to see if it would ship first class or priority, if one were to ship a burrito).

Interested? 

• Please send a cover letter and resume to me at itsybitsybums at aol dot com 
• Not sure what to include in your cover letter? Here's an outline of questions we lovvveeee to ask: 
• At IBB we are a small family business, and see our employees as an extension of this family. We want the dynamic to be fantastic for everyone! Why do you want to work for us, and what makes you a good fit? 
• With the prevelance of big-box stores carrying cloth diapers and baby carriers, how do small stores such as IBB compete? And, by extension, what does the phrase 'shop local' mean to you? 
• Many of our customer interaction is focused on education, as most of the items we carry in the store are a brand new foray for the families who come in, and will require some 101. What past experience - personal or professional - has prepared you well for this education component? 
• Which of our products are your personal favorites? 
• Anything else we should know about you?
• Please be sure to also include availability, total hours desired and wage requirements in your cover letter 

Look forward to hearing from you! 

 

Preloved Diapers: Selling Off Your Stash

Have Preloved Diapers You Want to Sell? We have some tips for you!

Cloth diapers are an investment, and one perk is that they have resale value! You took good care of the diapers and are ready to send them on to their new home. And now you are wondering, how on earth to start the process? Read on! This post covers the where, who and how behind selling your stash. 

A note – this is crazy detailed, definitely longer than I expected. But all the information is pertinent. Don’t get overwhelmed. I tried to include everything I get asked, and much may not apply to you.

First, Where To Sell?

-       Local Audience

o   Craig’s List

o   Local Facebook Cloth Diapering Group

-       Online Audience

o   eBay

o   Buy/Sell/Trade (B/S/T) Groups on Facebook - there are a TON, from brand-specific to price-specific and more

o   Cloth Diapering websites/chat boards – Babycenter, Diaperswappers, Hyena Cart’s Spots Corner

-       How to decide? Depending on what you are selling, one or more of the above sites likely will be the best option for you. How to know?

o   How ‘hard to find’ (‘HTF’) or abundant are the items you are selling? Selling diapers is an excellent example of basic supply and demand. Know your audience and market - the more abundant an item, the more you need to be . Have something really HTF? Consider auctioning the item to try to maximize your sale. 

-       Also, decide the legwork you want to put in -

o   Want it all gone in a quick and painless way (meaning, no trips to the post office, no Paypal payments to deal with, etc)? Use Craig’s List and deal only in person. Price it all as a lot, and price competitively.

o   Want to make the max dollar? Try several sites. Brand-specific B/S/T pages will give you the most focused audience. If you are selling a hard-to-find print or color, maybe retired a couple of years ago, people on these boards are looking for that item!! But you will have more legwork (negotiating price, arranging payment, shipping).

-       Selling Etiquette (more on this below under ‘Be a Good Seller’)

o   Be sure to read a site’s selling rules before posting your items. Some require prior selling feedback (e.g. Diaperswappers), while others will have specific requirements where and how you should post photos.

Getting Your Listing Up

-       Photograph and describe the items well. Including a lot of information builds buyer confidence and protects you in the case the buyer has issues with the diaper(s) upon receipt.

-       What to cover in your listing?

o   Describe each diaper by its full name (avoid abbreviations, many reading these listings are still learning terminology and all the brands and options out there) – e.g. BG4.0 Snaps-Zinnia written out bumGenius 4.0 One-Size Pocket with Snap Closure in Zinnia

o   Condition (this can be very subjective, which is why it is important to stipulate the following information, and include good photographs)

o   How were diapers washed and dried? Detergent, additives, line-dried, occasionally machine dried?

o   Any flaws or issues with the diapers? 

o   Used in a large rotation? Used only for a few months? Washed but never used? 

o   Will you take offers? Prices Firm? Discounts for buying in lots?

o   Inserts included with Pocket diapers?

o   If you are selling online, include what their purchase includes (Delivery Confirmation? Insurance? Signature confirmation?).

o   Will you ship outside your country? (See more on this under ‘Protect Yourself as a Seller’) 

How to Price

-       Price is dictated both by the condition and how hard to find an item is

-       For most readily-available items, here is a general rule of thumb - 

-       Excellent Used Condition (‘EUC’) 80% of the original retail

-       Very Good Used Condition (‘VGUC’) 70-85% 

-       Good Used Condition (‘GUC’) 50-70% 

-       Well Loved 25%+  

(these metrics are quite subjective - scroll around the forum you are considering to figure out what their 'EUC' item looks like - in general - EUC means almost like new, VGUC is the average 6mo stash, and GUC is anything beyond there. Well-loved refers to diapers that need a good dose of TLC to be useable)

Be A Good Seller

-       Be Honest – don’t hide anything in the listing

-       Communicate quickly and succinctly with your buyer. When relevant, include reply times in your listing (e.g. ‘I am only at the computer in the evenings, and will reply to any inquiries then.’)

-       Ship the items in the manner stated (first class, priority) and in a timely fashion – provide the DC# to the purchaser (more on DC# below)

Protect Yourself as a Seller

-       Be upfront in your listing – do not try to gloss over any flaws or issues with the diapers, this only creates issues for yourself further down the road

-       Tracking Information/Delivery Confirmation (this term changed recently – you’ll here it referred to several ways – most often you’ll see the abbreviation ‘DC#’): this is a number the post office assigns your package – you must request for first class packages, and will be a small fee; priority package pricing should include this, but be sure to ask at the counter as I’ve had a few people comment they didn’t get the # from the counter (it should also appear on your receipt). Why DC#? This will show where the package is en route, and also show when delivered.

-       So why consider insurance and signature confirmation? Insurance will protect you if the package goes missing en route. Signature confirmation is especially powerful – this proves the package got in the recipient’s hands. Did you know? A buyer can file a claim with Paypal that they never received the package, even if the DC# shows it was delivered, and Paypal almost always sides with the buyer! Meaning, you are out the money they originally sent you (yes, incredibly frustrating!). Hence, signature confirmation!

-       International Shipping: when shipping internationally, you only get a DC# if you upgrade the package to priority - first class shipping does not have the option to add DC#. And priority shipping is expensive! Unless you already have a trusted relationship with the person on the other end of the package, I don’t like international shipping. Too many variables in the postal systems, not to mention zero proof to show whether the package was ever received.

Closing Thoughts

-       In general, the more behind-the-scenes effort you put in to selling, the better the price you will get. For example - sunning out stains, creating nice, detailed listings with good photographs versus a quick somewhat-blurry photo on Craig’s List with a rushed description – you can guess which of those two listings is going to capture more attention

-       ‘Buy, Sell, Trade’ – I am a big proponent of the first two – buy and sell as you need. Trading, eh, I’m much less a fan. There are just so, so many variables. The only time I will endorse a trade is in-person: each person brings their item, they agree, they complete the deal. Two online horror stories experienced by friends:

o   Online, you establish the trade, no payment is exchanged, and each party agrees to mail. What happens when one party mails her/his half of the trade, but their other side does not? Typically Paypal, as the payment processor, acts an intermediary between buyer and seller. However here there isn’t any way to financially claim your possession back. You can still file feedback with the online site on which the trade was arranged, but that’s about it.

o   I’ve also heard stories of people arranging a trade during which the first person mails their item while the other person does not. Recipient waits to get the item, then claims it was not what was stated, and demands to cancel the trade, saying she will not pay to return as the item was ‘not as described’ (when in reality, buyer’s remorse is the only thing at play). The shipper then has to decide if she wants the item back, and now pays to ship again!

o   In either of these scenarios, the price of listing the item outright on a ‘sell’ page, then ‘buying’ the item from the original buyer, is much more conservative and, in my opinion, the more prudent way to go.

-       Should you Sell?

o   Good question, right? Be sure to figure out the price of shipping when deciding if you wish to sell, and also ask yourself if the item has a second life beyond the diapering days.

§   Prefolds and Flats are very dense, and cost a lot to ship. They make great cleaning rags and last for years and years. I always highly recommend keeping both of these items and instead incorporate into other areas of the home.

§  While light and inexpensive to ship, both Cloth Wipes and Wet Bags are items handy to have far past diapering. Cloth wipes make great rags for small hands, and Wet Bags are great for travel, the pool or the gym.

§  Microfiber inserts? Again, pretty expensive to ship. These are a greener option for your Swiffer disposable inserts – wash and reuse.