Show me a woman who does not have a forgotten pile of handbags in her closet, and I will show you …well, one who never shops!  We see a handbag in a store.  We fall in love.  We use it for a time and then, suddenly we wonder, “What was I thinking!”  Like many short-term relationships, passion turns into boredom and that handbag that cost $100 slowly gets pushed into the back of the closet.
There is untapped fundraiser money waiting to be mined in gently used and now unwanted handbags.  With a well organized committee, some retail creativity and savvy, you can turn a Mom’s Handbag Swap Fundraiser into a trendy, ‘must attend’ fund-raising success for your elementary school.  You can even expand the theme to include kid’s handbags too!

Start by determining which area of your school will be large enough for a creative retail display of all the bags.  Also have a pre-established, secure location within the school where moms can drop off their donations.
Design colorful fliers and get kids involved distributing them. Ask their working parents to post one on their office bulletin board or ask for Internet help posting ads on social websites.  Because you do not want any confusion that this handbag swap is the same as a rummage sale, be sure to point out in your advertising that you seek ‘gently used’ handbag contributions.
Ask each donor to put the approximate original cost inside of the handbag.  Then you can decide upon a sale price for each bag depending upon the condition and whether or not you think it can bring a 50% return.  Some could be more, others less, just try and price every bag to sell!
Use simple, contemporary displays with white drapes over tables to make the rich colors of the handbags pop.  Use other decorations to spruce up the merchandise tables.  Organize the handbags by designer names, colors or the seasons and fabrics.  Make sure all of them have been inspected and cleaned, if necessary, before placing them for sale.  Consider picking out some of the sharpest looking bags and have a few models lined up to show them off as potential customers arrive.
Post volunteers at every table to answer questions, make a sales pitch, and generally make shopping a social and fun experience.  Find an easy to access check-out spot with at least two volunteers handling the money. Your advertising should be clear about payment.  Will it be a cash-only event, or will personal checks be accepted with photo identification?
If sales begin to slow in the afternoon, think about offering 2-for-the-price-of-one bags, or any other type special to move your merchandise and make more money.
Remember, that expensive, red leather bag you could not live without two years ago, but have used only a few times?  It may not work for you anymore, but it might be love at first sight for another gal at your Handbag Swap Fundraiser!

Fancy Handbag Swap Fundraiser is a post from: Elementary School Fundraising Ideas