Nearly New Sale: Sellers’ Frequently Asked Questions Guide

We hold a number of Nearly New Sales each year, where you can get some great bargains, and sell your children’s toys & clothes and help support the local Wycombe & District branch of the NCT.

These sales are NOT jumble sales.  We will only sell items that are of new or nearly new quality.  All goods are checked to ensure that they fit this description, and are clean and in good condition.  All dirty/worn-out goods are rejected.

Q: Do I have to be a NCT member to sell items at the sale?

A: No – anyone can sell items at our sales!  However, demand is high and places are given on a first come, first served basis.  So to avoid disappointment, please register ASAP.

Q: Do I just turn up with my goods on the day?

A: No – our sales very extremely popular and we only have room for a max of 90 Sellers at each sale.  So you MUST register as a Seller before the event.  We will then send you your Seller No and Seller Registration Pack, which will give you full instructions of what you need to do.

A: How many people visit your sales?

Q: We regularly get 350 – 450 buyers at our sales!

Q: Is it like a Table Top Sale?

A: No.  At our traditional Nearly New Sales you label and price up your goods, using the labels we send you in your Sellers Registration Pack.  You then deliver your items to us approx 90 minutes before the sale starts and we display and sell your items for your.  (Clothes are hung on rails and toys, books, etc. are displayed on tables.)

Q: What time do I have to drop off and collect my goods at the sale?  Can I park easily?

A: There is plenty of free parking onsite for Sellers to use.  The times are as follows:

○    Sellers drop off their items to the sale between 9.15am to 9.30am

○    Sellers collect any unsold items between 1.45pm to 2.15pm 

Q: What can I sell?

○    Baby and children’s wear up to 12 years, maternity clothes, nursery equipment, books, toys, games, DVDs and CDs.

○    Everything must be in good condition. We reserve the right to reject goods that are unsuitable or not ‘nearly new’ - e.g. bobbly, stained, torn or incomplete.

○    Rejected goods will be returned with a sticker stating the reason for rejection.

○    All items must be freshly washed and ironed. 

Please note:

Q: Is there a limit to the number of items I can sell?

A: Yes.  You will be allocated up to 75 items of children’s clothing and 50 items of equipment/toys/maternity wear.

Q: I’ve got loads of stuff to sell!  Can I have more tickets?

A: If you want more than the allocated number of tickets, please contact the Sellers’

Coordinator.  On the rare occasions we do not fill all the Sellers slots, we may be able to send you additional tickets.

Q: How much should I sell my items for?

A: Pricing is up to you but bear in mind that if you price things highly they may not sell – some items are more popular than others.

As a very rough guide items sell between one third and one half of their original price, depending on condition. Most sellers use the following guidelines:

Babygros - £1                     Cardigan/Jumpers - £1 - £3

Coats/Jackets - £2 - £5        Dresses - £2 - £5

Trousers/Jeans - £1 - £4      Shoes/Wellies - £1 - £3

Please price in multiples of 50p with the minimum ticket price being £1.00 (you may choose to bundle smaller items together to reach this figure).

Q: What if something doesn’t sell at the sale?  How do I get it back?

A: At the end of the sale our team of NCT NNS Helpers will have packed any items that did sell back into each Seller’s bag/box, which is clearly marked with your unique Seller No.  Unsold items should be collected at 1.45pm – 2.00pm. 

Q: How much money will I get to keep?

A: Sellers receive 70% or 65% of the value of their goods sold, together with their £5 refunded deposit cheque. The value is dependant on whether the seller is also able to volunteer on the day of the sale. Any seller who is also a helper will receive 70% all other sellers will receive 65%. This payment will be sent to you usually within two weeks of the sale – either via cheque, or PayPal.  Please note it will not be accompanied by a list of items sold.  So if you wish a record kept you will need to record your items before bringing them to the sale.

Q: What happens if a ticket falls off my item for sale?

A: We ask that all Sellers ensure that all tickets are secured securely on their items.  If a ticket falls off an item which a buyer wishes to purchase, the NNS Till Supervisor will authorise the item to be sold at an appropriate amount to the interested buyer.  (We have very few items sold in this way; all such transactions are recorded, together with a description of the item sold.)  So if a Seller believes an item they had for sale is unaccounted for, and their description of the item can be match to our records, the NNS Coordinator will arrange for the funds due to be paid to the Seller.

Q: It is likely items left for sale will get damaged or stolen?

 A: Many of our team of Helpers are Sellers as well; so we fully appreciate just how important it is to take care when handling Sellers’ goods!  Whilst we endeavour to do all we can to ensure the safe keeping of goods left for sale, the NCT cannot be held responsible for any items lost, damaged or stolen, or any monetary discrepancies that may arise.  That said, many of our Sellers have been selling items at each of our sales for 5-10 years – so I guess we must be doing something right!!

Q: What if my plans change and I can’t be a Seller after all?

A: Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to sell, as we may be able to allocate your place to someone else.  Call the Sellers’ Co-Ordinator on 0844 243 6166 or email nctwycombe.nns@gmail.com

Failure to contact us in good time will result in the loss of your deposit and may mean you will be unable to sell at our sales in the future.

Q: Do I have to help at the sale if I want to be a Seller?

A: No you don’t have to help – but we would love it if you did!  It’s great fun and very rewarding.  Please see below for further details.