How Do Consignment Stores Price Used Baby Gear?
Ever notice the same stroller listed at two totally different prices and wonder what’s going on? You’re not imagining things. Used baby gear pricing can vary a lot, especially online.
The reason: Consignment pricing is based on demand, condition, retail price, and how likely an item is to sell. At GoodBuy Gear, pricing is data-driven by our proprietary technology, sellers have final approval for gently used items and prices can change over time based on demand.
Here’s how it actually works.
The Short Answer
Consignment stores price used baby gear using a mix of brand demand, item condition, original retail price, age and resale history. When you shop with GoodBuy Gear, parents save an average of 55% off retail and sometimes up to 85% off retail.
Now here’s what actually goes into that number.
Brand Demand Matters More Than You Think
Some brands just hold value better. Parents trust them, they last longer and they resell faster.
That means high-demand brands are usually priced higher on the resale market. Think Bugaboo, Nuna, UPPAbaby, Artipoppe and BabyBjörn. These items move quickly, so consignment stores and sellers price them higher.
Lower demand brands or discontinued models are usually priced much lower to help them sell.
Condition Can Change the Price Fast
Two of the same strollers can have very different prices. Why? Condition.
Pricing takes into account things like:
- Overall cleanliness
- Missing or replaced parts
- Signs of heavy use / wear and tear
- How well everything functions
An open box item with all original accessories will cost more than the same gently used model that shows wear or is missing pieces.
Age and Model Relevance Count
Baby gear changes fast. New features, updated safety standards and refreshed designs all affect resale value.
Consignment pricing considers:
- How new the item is to the market
- Whether newer models introduced major changes
- Current parent demand
Even if an older model still works great, newer versions can lower its resale price.
Original Retail Price Sets the Ceiling
A higher retail price does not guarantee a high resale price, but it does set the upper limit.
Most consignment pricing starts as a percentage of retail, then adjusts based on condition and demand. That’s why two strollers with similar wear can still land at very different prices.
How Fast an Item Is Likely to Sell
Consignment stores want gear to move, not sit. Items that sell quickly can be priced higher. Bulky items, seasonal gear or niche products may be priced lower to encourage faster sales.
This is especially important online, where inventory turnover matters.
How GoodBuy Gear Prices Baby Gear
At GoodBuy Gear, pricing starts with data, not guesswork. Since our inception, we’ve built proprietary pricing technology powered by our Bluebook of baby gear, a resale database of nearly 100,000 baby and kid gear items. This helps us deliver some of the best prices on the market.
For gently used gear, we recommend prices to sellers based on:
- Current retail price
- Item condition
- Historical data from similar sales
- External third-party market data
- Proprietary insights from our Bluebook of baby gear
Sellers always have final approval and can accept the recommendation or set their own price. Because most inventory is sold on consignment, pricing may vary even for the same model.
For non-seller items on our site, such as returns from our brand partners, our pricing algorithm takes similar data into account.
If an item doesn’t sell, we automatically reduce the price by 5% every 10–20 days. After 120 days, remaining items are donated to families in need.
Prices are not negotiable, which means no awkward back-and-forth. The price you see is the price you score. Want to wait for a deal? You can sign up for price-drop notifications on the product page or subscribe to our weekly deal emails here.
Why Prices Can Change
You might notice prices shifting over time. That’s normal in a consignment marketplace.
Prices can change due to:
- Seller pricing decisions
- Differences in condition or included accessories
- Market demand and availability
- Seasonality
There are no retroactive price adjustments once an order is placed. That flexibility helps sellers stay competitive and helps buyers find real deals over time.
What This Means for Parents
When shopping resale:
- Compare condition and model, not just price
- Use price drop notifications to your advantage
- Read descriptions closely to understand differences between listings
When selling:
- Pricing reflects what parents are actually buying, not just what an item costs new
- Clean, like-new gear from premium brands tends to earn more and sell faster
Bottom Line
Consignment pricing is about real-world demand, not guesswork. When you understand how prices are set, it’s easier to shop confidently and feel good about buying secondhand.
At GoodBuy Gear, we’re constantly refining our pricing approach so sellers get a fair asking price and parents get a genuinely good buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t pricing negotiable on GoodBuy Gear?
Prices on GoodBuy Gear are set by sellers, since most inventory is consignment. To keep buying simple and stress-free, there is no negotiation. The price you see is the price you pay, with no back and forth required.
How often do prices drop on GoodBuy Gear?
If an item does not sell, its price is automatically reduced by 5% every 10 to 20 days.
Why do prices change for the same baby gear item?
Prices can vary based on condition, included accessories, seller pricing decisions and market demand.
How does GoodBuy Gear recommend prices to sellers?
We use proprietary pricing technology backed by our Bluebook of baby gear, along with current retail prices, item condition, historical sales data, and third-party market insights. Sellers always have final approval and can accept or adjust the recommended price.
Can I get a refund if the price drops after I buy?
No. GoodBuy Gear does not offer retroactive price adjustments after an order is placed. Prices reflect real-time market dynamics, and once an item sells, it is removed from inventory.
How can I get the best deal on GoodBuy Gear?
Shop gently used gear first, use price drop notifications on product pages and sign up for weekly price drop and deals of the week emails. Hint: All items sold on our website are a good deal!