How we grade condition.
Every item that comes through the door is assessed by hand before it goes live. Not photographed and guessed at. Looked at properly. The grade shapes the listing, the description, and the price — so you know what you’re buying before you buy it.
Used once or twice, or unused. No marks, scuffs, or signs of wear anywhere. All original parts, inserts, or accessories are present and accounted for.
- No visible marks, staining, or surface scuffs on any part
- Fabric is clean, unpilled, and holds its original colour
- All mechanical components — buckles, wheels, recline — operate as new
- Original packaging, manuals, or inserts included where they came with the item
- Safety-critical components show no signs of impact, compression, or stress
This grade is the exception, not the rule. If an item genuinely earns it, the listing will say so clearly.
Gently used. Any marks are minor and always noted in the listing. Functions perfectly. A good family left their mark lightly.
- Minor surface marks or light wear — described and photographed in the listing
- Fabric may show very light pilling or softening from washing, nothing structural
- All buckles, harnesses, straps, and adjusters work exactly as they should
- Thoroughly cleaned before listing
- No missing parts that affect safety or function
Most items fall here. The marks are honest. The function is full.
Visibly loved but structurally sound. The wear is described in full. The price reflects it. These items still have real life left — just not the look of something new.
- Visible fading, marks, or wear — each one described and shown in photos
- Fabric may be pilled, softened, or faded in places
- All structural and safety components are intact and functioning
- May be missing non-essential accessories (noted in listing)
- Cleaned, but some marks will not come out — those stay, and we say so
We would rather list honestly at a lower price than dress something up. You always know what you’re getting.
Eight things we check on every item.
Frames, joints, seams, and any load-bearing parts are checked for cracks, bends, or stress points. No item lists with compromised structure.
Pilling, fading, staining, and wear are all assessed. Removable covers are laundered before assessment where possible.
Every buckle, wheel, fold mechanism, recline, and adjustment point is tested. Function is non-negotiable regardless of grade.
Missing inserts, straps, adapters, or components are noted. Where a missing part affects safety or function, the item is not listed.
Harnesses, buckles, tethers, and latches are checked for wear, cracking, or signs of impact. Anything that looks compromised does not pass.
Items are cleaned before listing. Marks that remain after cleaning are photographed and described rather than hidden.
Manufacture dates are checked where visible. For items with expiry considerations (car seats in particular), this is part of the listing.
We check against current ACCC and NZ product safety recall lists. Items under active recall are not listed.
Some items get extra scrutiny.
The grade system applies to everything. But certain categories carry safety implications that go beyond condition. Here is what changes by category.
Car seats are not listed without a confirmed manufacture date and expiry check. We do not accept seats that have been in an accident — even minor ones. Expiry dates are listed on every car seat product page. Harnesses and buckles are inspected separately from the shell.
Cots, bassinets, and sleep equipment must meet current safe sleep standards. Drop-side cots are not accepted. Mattresses are not accepted separately unless they come with the original product and are in genuinely clean condition. Sleep surfaces showing structural damage to slats or sides are not listed.
Frame integrity, wheel condition, fold mechanism, brake, and harness are each tested. Rust is assessed for whether it is surface cosmetic or structural. Prams with damaged or seized mechanisms are not listed regardless of their visual condition.
Carriers, wraps, and soft structured products are checked for stitching integrity at all load points, and ring and buckle condition. Fabric is inspected for thinning or stress marks. Items from unregulated or uncertified brands may not be accepted regardless of condition.
Not everything makes it through.
Assessment is the point. Some items arrive in better shape than expected. Some don’t meet the threshold. We are straightforward with consignors about why.
- Items under active product safety recall
- Car seats involved in any accident, including minor ones
- Drop-side cots
- Items with broken, missing, or cracked structural or safety components
- Soft goods with stitching failures at load points
- Mattresses with staining, mould, or odour
- Items with no manufacture date where one is required for safe use
- Products from brands that do not meet Australian or New Zealand safety standards
Rejection is not a judgement on how well the item was cared for. Some things simply should not be resold, and we would rather be honest about that than list something we would not buy ourselves.
What to expect at drop-off.
You bring the item in. We assess it here — not at your home, not from photos. We look at it properly and give you a grade and an expected price range before anything lists.
If something doesn’t pass assessment, we tell you why. You take it back, or we can help you think about what to do with it. No listing goes live without your sign-off on the price.
How consignment works-
01
Drop off
Bring your item to the store. No need to clean it up first — we handle that as part of assessment.
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02
Assessment
We check the item against all criteria and assign a grade. This usually takes one to two business days.
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03
Grade & price
We contact you with the grade and proposed listing price. You approve before anything goes live.
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04
Listed
The item is photographed and listed. When it sells, your share is paid out within the agreed timeframe.
Questions about a specific item? Get in touch.