I have been to Once Upon A Child in Meriden a few times and it's an awesome place to pick up children and baby clothes. It's also nice to help save the planet too. Everything has decent prices and the store does great sales often. All the clothing is nicely organized from baby, girls, and boys. The selection can be overwhelming that there is so much. Most items are gently used, excellent condition, and some still have prices tags. My recent trip I went in with a plan and found a few pieces that I currently can't find at other stores new because they were out of season. While most of the store is very organized, the toy section is a mess that I don't bother picking through. A lot of the larger toys can be found above the clothing. The staff were really friendly and I signed up for their rewards program. Overall, Once Upon A Child is great, but I'd like to note that whatever cleaner they use is very strong that I have minor allergic reactions (feeling itchy, scratchy throat, etc,). I can only shop for so long and symptoms disappear after I leave the store. I've wondered if anyone else has experienced this. read more

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My experience is solely as a buyer as I have never sold any clothes here. I go here pretty regularly and they generally will have a sale going on. I appreciate that this store is clean, and the toys are usually freshly put away when they first open. The staff was kind and opened a new register when the line got backed up and the prices are very reasonable. They usually have a good stock of clothes for younger kids but the older you go 14-18 the pickings are slimmer. read more

Awful!!! I will never come here again! The staff was miserable and rude. They were very overwhelmed and didn't want to work. The blonde girl had an attitude and they were very unhelpful. They did not even look through my entire bag and I had alot of great clothes in there. They literally took a few things off the top and didn't bother to go through anything else. Very disappointed. read more

Dropped off 3 pairs of snow boots (2 pairs were worn once) 2 winter coats, cleats, sneakers, Toms flats, power ranger toys, a chainsaw, puzzles and a few clothes and they offered me $40. All very nice quality and in good shape. I see people do this often, but I think staff takes what they wish as the inventory does not reflect nicely worn lightly used items. I would rather drop off at goodwill than here. read more

Brought in multiple pairs of excellent condition Jordan sneakers (retailing $75+) and they offered me $3 each pair. I understand they have take a portion and have overhead expense, however they are selling stained items that shouldn't even be taken for way more. waste of time and gas, better off attempting to sell on your own or donate read more

Be aware if you bring in clothing they will absolutely trash your bucket of what they don't accept. Nothing will be matched together. Clothes and shoes will just be thrown back. More aggravation than it's worth to sell when you'd like to give away or donate after. read more

just wrote a review and I'm not sure where it posted but I don't mind writing again. For those who say the service there is absolutely trash you are absolutely correct I was hired recently and didn't even finish training before I was let go due to "productivity "issues. I worked hard at putting out the stuff in those bins. I'm not as fast as the 20 year-old and the rude young ladies that wouldn't even say hello to me because I'm a senior. I was ousted the get-go! Also all that matters to the owner of this store in Orange is how fast you work. Customer service skills don't matter at all. I got two compliments my second day there because I helped the customers and even brought stuff to the front for one who was buying a lot of stuff to send to another country. I thought that's what you were supposed to do... Be nice and provide good customer service. Isn't that what brings customers back? A few of the girls would talk to me but most of them just stared at me like I had antenna coming up out of my head and then I find out from the young lady who hired me that the boss told her she had to let me go because as I said above I lacked "productivity ". Those who shop there... Be aware that nothing is cleaned or washed or even sprayed with Lysol. I had put disposable gloves in my pocket for the next time I worked because I had to put out shoes the time before. Most of the shoes were filthy on the bottom . I can't imagine what kind of germs I touched. Disgusting! I wasn't looking to be the next one home sick. If you ever shop in these stores make sure you take a pair of disposable gloves and then dispose of them right after you get your items into a bag throw it in the bag in the washing machine. If you buy shoes bring them home and disinfect them and then scrub them. Protect yourself... Secondhand stores can be fun but they are full of germs. And unless you want to be treated like a work robot... Don't look for a job there. The young people hired are rude, unaccommodating, and the people that own these places clearly don't like senior citizens. had I known I never would've put in an application! Good riddance to the store Once Upon a Child! read more

horrible they give you barley anything for expensive stuff plus take things then have miss matching things not donating here again.

Called to make sure selling points was open because I have a bunch of name brand clothing to sell, get there at 5:30 and they go "yeah we had to close it early". After we had called to make sure it was open! Staff was rude, will never return. OUAC has definitely dropped the ball . Just drove all this way to not be able to sell any items (brand new pairs of shoes, multiple Nike items, etc). Don't return. read more

You can't beat this place when it comes to finding clothes for kids. The prices are reasonable and the conditions are great if not close to new. Why donate your kids clothes when you can have them see if they can give you some cash it may not be much but you never know and why not. I wished there was places like this but for adults :). If your a new parent or working on the next few kids the experienced ones shop here. read more

This place is just OK. I been selling my kids clothes here since they opened. I have had good and bad experiences but my 9 year old enjoys bringing his clothes that don't fit to get cash for his piggy bank. I will say I believe they need a little more experience staff when it comes to pricing things. They do under price a lot even when stuff is in like new conditions or brand new. It is so far the only place around that gives you cash back instantly if it's $60 and under. If $60 and over they give you a check. Another time I brought in a few pairs of almost new kid sneakers (Nike & Jordan's) and they refused to keep them. When I went to look at sneakers in their bins, they had worse looking condition sneakers in their then the ones I was handing them. Another time I brought in a BRAND NEW playpen never used in a sealed box and they gave me $12 for it. I thought that was completely absurd. read more

This place has been a great resource for me and my daughter- there are tons of clothes to choose from and I save a ton of money and frustration by not buying clothes that she decides she doesn't like or outgrows. read more

Clean and well organized store with friendly staff. Huge selection of clothes and shoes.

As a first time mom I was under the illusion that I needed to buy all brand new things from the name brand stores for my daughter.. and also take out a second mortgage to have it all. I realized that she'll spit up, blow out, grow out of all her clothes before she can even wear them twice! I have yet to use the consignment part of the store, but I have purchased arm fills of great clothes.. some still with the name brand tags still on it. What a steal :) I got home and realized one of the sleepers had a stain on it.. eh, ill wash it. No biggie. It's so small I had to have my glasses on to see it. And honestly I think that's just a hazard of buying used. You don't want stains? Buy new.. simple. This is just a fancier "baby goodwill".. you're not going to get a personal shopper and you might have to settle on some things but you're also paying $1.75 for that cute outfit. read more

Every time I bring my kid's' designer, gently used clothing to sell, they barely give me anything for it. Of course I'm not looking for full retail or even half but they can't even give a quarter of what you pay. Then they pick and choose what they want to purchase and have even separated sets then ask you to donate the rest. All clothes that I have brought there have been stain and damage free and yet they still reject clothes that look brand new mind you what they have for sale is worn out, faded, and even stained clothes. I purchase my kids clothes at better pricing brand new. Don't waste your time here... read more

Need to find another snow suit for our son in daycare. An acquaintance recommended once upon a child. I was not disappointed. Went in there and found several sizes and selections to choose from. Including snowboots. I highly recommend giving it a shot. read more

This place is garbage!!! 3 boxes of diapers and a pack and play they bought from me for $36 and I had to take everything else back Bc of a piece of hair on it!!! Only excepted the $36 Bc I didn't want to drag everything back home. Also no shopping carts so I had to make several trips back and fourth with my 8 month old. Wasn't offered any help as they saw I was kinda struggling. Never ever will I go back or recommend this shit place! read more

Selling= 1 star, they are very picky on what they will take (wouldn't take back a few things still with tags on them!) and don't give very much, but anything is better than nothing. I wanted store credit to save sales tax, but when I checked out the girl forgot to take my store credit off and would only give me cash. I was told there was no manager there that could help me so I was out of luck Buying = 5 stars. Store is neat and organized. Have good prices especially on sale/clearance items. I buy almost all of my 2 year olds clothes here. Big selection of clothes/toys/shoes read more

I went to the place in Meriden. I have been here a few times and have seen the same manager be extremely rude to customers. Yesterday there were likely 10 people in line to check out and she yells loudly above everyone in the store so that my son and I could hear it all the way down the aisle where I was shopping with my kids. My son had gone in between the clothes a few times and I was about to tell him we had to leave if he kept doing it. I promise you I have pretty well behaved kids and they know Im strict so will behave when redirected. Her yelling at my son in front of everyone from 20 feet away was completely inappropriate and I let her know that. Then she lied in front of everyone and said well she already said something three times (which she had not) making this a huge debacle in front of all. I have no problem with someone coming over and kindly telling me the rules and asking for my kid to behave. I would have apologized profusely and made it clear this would happen or we would leave but this woman obviously has no customer service skills and should not be working at a store that has children come in. Ive seen her be inappropriate before and we will never be back. read more

Buy only brand names if you plan on re-selling. I had over bought clothes, when I went to resell within a few month, they wouldn't buy back. Saying out of style or too worn, even thought THEIR tags where still on them, since they where never worn. Pretty shady if you ask me...l On the other hand it a good deal on name brands. read more

Not a place to sell to the staff doesn't know current kids toys and kept saying because I put multiple items in a bag it was a set. It was several "sets" when I purchased them their "manager" was argumentative about it . I should have just done a tag sale I would have done better and not had to deal with her attitude. The only outerwear they think is valuable is north face last I checked a like new ll bean coat isn't cheap I paid over 100 for it my daughter wore it in maybe six snowstorms.Or the ridiculous policy of no print bottoms even when the top and bottom are obviously a set. Basically if you don't want to feel like you were robbed avoid selling to this location read more

the service is this store is absolutely trash i have sold to them multiple times and they have never gave me a problem until today they told me they werent going to sell any of my items because "they smell like storage" mind you my items were brand new and never even worn once by my son due to him having to many clothes I literally took the basket back and smelled the clothes and there was nothing wrong with them at all. if I could rate zero I really would wish that would be an option I just think they were being lazy and didn't want to go through all of the clothes that I brought in and they have no right to say anything about brand new clothes when they have clothes hanging up in the store already that have stains all over the bottom of the feeties worn I'm never will be selling with them again they conspiring about every little thing at this once upon a child better off going somewhere else if ur looking to get money for the clothes you want to sell or get good quality clothes read more

A joke and a disgrace. I presented them with a very large bin of clothing for sale, a lot of it designer, and was offered 90 cents in return. I would be embarrassed to run a business in this way. read more

I brought 3 boxes of clothes and left with 3 boxes, seriously?? The bassinet I tried to sell them was bought there and never used so I tried to sell it back in the condition they sold it to me but they refused to take it! Very disappointed and won't go back or recommend them read more

I won't go back to this store. The first time I was looking for a co-sleeper. I called ahead of time to make sure they had one before going since it's a 40 minute drive for me. The pieces weren't all there and when I pointed it out the woman insisted that they were. She finally agreed when I asked her to put it together. The second time I went I bought a few things, including 2 battery operated baby toys. They claimed they had no batteries to test but they wouldn't have taken them without checking. Neither toy works. Yes, I can return them but it isn't worth the 40 minute trip. I also find that many baby clothes aren't deals at all. A used store brand outfit for $6.50 isn't a good deal when it retails for $9.99 new. I can use a Kohl's coupon and get a store brand outfit far cuter there, and new for the same price or even less. read more

Very disappointing... I heard great things about selling here... I went there with a bin of about 100 pieces of clothing hoping to get At Leasttttt $50.... They took 60 pieces and paid me $27. I literally went through Everything beforehand and made sure nothing was ripped or stained and on top of it 80% of what I had WAS BRAND NEW WITH TAGS! My daughter is only 9 months old, nothing I had was old! Then they had trouble finding the bin of stuff they didn't take... and when they did find it someone else's things were in it!!!??? They said they don't take leggings???? What parent doesn't want cute brand new leggings for their child??? Such a rip off, I mean better than nothing but at the same time how are you gonna buy 60 pieces of clothing that is brand new with tags... some items from toys r us, kohl's, gap marked at $14 a piece yet give me what a dollar for them?? Then when you ask questions they act like they have no clue what you're talking about... or they are just rude and basically treat you like an idiot. Not happy At All. I would've made more selling on fb market or having a yard sale. Maybe if I'm desperate I'll sell to them again but other than that, I would never suggest to Anyone else to sell to them. read more

I've shopped at this location more than a handful of times. It's one of my favorite places to find clothes for my children. There are always tons of brand new with tag items. The place it large and has a huge selection of clothes. Not so much for my oldest daughter who is 12, but the other 2 has a great collection. Parking at this location can definitely be a downfall, but I am always in the area for other stores in the plaza, so I don't mind walking around. read more

It's a hit or miss with this store. I found brand new swimming trunks for my infant son and it had a target clearance tag at $3.50,and a once upon a child tag at $6.50 lol. I asked the cashier and she had no choice but to give it to me for the less because I made a valid point. Found a few nice summer one pieces.. but really at 6.50 a piece I can get it cheaper with coupons at kohls or carters. The cashiers up front were lazy hanging around chit chatting complaining about their job and the hours while sneaking in texts and food lol. If you don't like your low paying job, don't work there !! read more

This place is ridiculous. Poorly run. No one knows the answer to anything. First time ever in this store, I dropped off some items that I hoped to sell. They told me I could go back the next day and pick up whatever they would not take. When I went back, my clothes had been thrown in with others that did not belong to me, put in the basement where they planned to donate them. I had to pick through other people's stuff to reclaim mine, and I didn't even get everything back. I will never go back here. There are other consignment shops that are not franchises and are run like they should be. read more

Found a brand new 3 T winter coat with Marshall's tag still on it $7 clearance Once .... Price tag was &15! They charged me the $7..... Waiting to be checked out ,at least 6 people were behind the counter. Only 1 person was at a register dealing with a person bringing in her things to sell. When I asked if any of the other registers were open , I got a " NO". The store was very dark , the shoe bins were a mess . Won't go there again! read more

I want to love this place but am constantly disappointed with it. The buy and sell concept is great but they just don't do a good job. I gave up on selling to them years ago as they have standards that just don't make sense and offer so little that it makes it not worth lugging the items. Last time I attempted to sell 14 pairs of perfect, name brand dance shoes they offered me $11 for the lot. Less than $1 a pair for shoes that retail new for $45 each. However, I still popped in from time to time to get outfits for my kids. Today I stopped in and it will certainly be my last time. They moved to a new, bigger location but the parking lot is still bad as ever in that plaza. Not their fault, but it's just a poorly designed shopping center. I was there to buy baby clothes and had to pick through stuff that didn't have spit up stains, which is something I thought they didn't take. The pajamas were priced the same as you would pay at kohls with a coupon. Not even a deal, especially being secondhand. Like I said, I want to love this place. It's a great idea for moms to save money. However, I'm giving up on this chain. Too much disappointment. read more

dirty store and a waste of time trying to sell here. most clothes,toy and shoes on the racks are disgusting and smell. staff needs to be educated on what clothes cost and what good brands are. will never go back and would not recommend. read more

Prices are always affordable. I can buy for all four of my grandkids without breaking the bank. It doesn't matter which store you go to, the staff is always helpful and friendly. I absolutely love Once Upon A Child read more

If I can give no stars I would. I went into the store early afternoon and asked if they had any clearance for the boys. They had not done the boys yet but the employee told me which would be marked down and she would do it for me. I bought clothes for my 4 yr old and had to leave to go pick up my other kids i came back to go shopping for them too. When I went up to pay they refused to give me the discount on the items that I knew were getting mark down. they were extremely rude. I work at a consignment shop and we always send people over to them if we do not have the merchandise at hand. But I will never send any of our customers to this rude unprofessional place again. I asked the assistant manager if she would be willing to give me the discount, seeing how we spent about an hour to two hours in the store shopping, 2 arms fulls of clothes. knowing which items were to be marked, she said "no but you can come back on the 20th of this month and look for all the clothes that you had in your hand again for the discount." I asked her so you don't know which items are supposed to get marked down and you can't help me out. She said "oh i do but no I can't do anything, that's the floor manager's job." and this isn't the first time that the women who work there were extremely rude. I honestly don't understand how they keep business maybe it's only because they pay right out. they do everything with a damn attitude and that is not proper customer service. I've worked in customer service since 2002 and I understand people go through things. you never bring your outside problems into work. Because we as customers are the ones that keep these businesses open and keep those employees working and getting paychecks. To the manager... district manager... is this how you run a business? Good service=1 good word of mouth. Bad service=10 bad word of mouth. Which would u pick? They only had one other customer in the store other then my kids and I. I haye service like this. Makes me tell everyone I know about my horrible experience, and believe me... I know alot of people. Times are tough for me and to be shut down like that... really? I demand results.... read more

This place is a mess , first off their buying is so off . They say they do not accept anything with wear or stains , please go take a look at their racks and you will see that's not true . I used to sell here often as my daughter has a ton of clothing mostly gap and they would buy 90% of it . Recently they haven't been purchasing as much . I asked why and they told me that they have to much merchandise and there is no where to put it . The staff that work here are rude and not professional . This can be a good place to buy if you shop during a sale , but look over your clothing carefully as they have lots of clothing with stains . Some of the stuff that is our for sale I wouldn't even donate . This location has lots of potential because it's huge , but the staff ruin it . Danbury location is much smaller but the staff are much better . I took the clothing they didn't buy in Meriden to Danbury right after and they purchased most of it . Only leaving some bathing suits as they said they have so many in the back . My suggestion call ahead and make sure they are accepting everything before you waste your time going there . read more

This is my second time going to this store to sell some items and it will be my last. Both times they only took about 10 percent of the clothes I had some i got back still had tags on them!!!! Telling me a lot were out of style, really???, onesies never go out of style and some had "pills" on them... what ever.. I looked at them again and the fabric on these items had very small pilling on them. The second time I brought some toys, a swing and a glider chair with ottoman. They didn't take the swing because of a small stain on the seat part but took the rocker which by the way is a cream color, had a small stain on the arm.. hmmmm. Not too consistent! And they didn't take a play table which I had bought from them 2 years ago with a piece missing and the condition has not changed. So you bought it previously from someone with the piece missing but you won't buy the same toy from me?? Same for a bjorn I bought from them and we have only used maybe 5 times between two kids the rest of the time it sat in the closet. I will never go there again and you shouldn't either unless you like trucking your crap back and forth and getting a very small payout. My advice??...bring it to goodwill. read more

I think some of these reviews are unfair. I have had good and bad experiences and have gone to 4 Once Upon a Child's in the state regularly. This location is big usually clean, well lit and like any bargain hunting, it's a hunt! I have gotten my sons entire seasons wardrobe here on three occasions. You have to go through endless amounts of clothes to find the gems but they are there. They should have never increased the prices though. I only buy clothes occasionally now due to the increase for example they charge $6.50 to $8.50 for jeans that are Children's Place or Carters. I went to Carters last night and got jeans for $6.90! So needles to say I pop in a couple times a month that's when I have the most luck. Last week I got a brand new pair of Nike ACG boots for $9.50!!! As well as some Timberland boots, snow boots and a cool pair of Sketchers. I got all four for less than the price of one at retail. But there are times when I go and time after time there are no good shoes at all. I've gotten my sons Northface jackets for $20. Also it's good for baby items I got a $50 Boppy for $10, a $85 bouncer for $25, a $65 bellytime gym for $12. I have had frustrating times selling to them. Each time I sell I take the items they didn't take because of "wear" or it no longer being "in style" to another Once Upon A Child location and they buy $30 to $50 of the items they rejected. They pass on Jordans and take the no name brand Cars shoes. It's a mystery... read more

I always find great clothes for my kids, especially my 6yo son who is rough on his clothes. I have found anywhere from great play clothes to newer items. You def need some time to go through the racks. I used to go to the Hamden one and I'm so glad I have a closer one now. Yes, parking can be tough, but not a reason to skip out. Staff is always friendly and helpful. I recommend it! Plus they have great sales! read more

Selection of children's clothing organized by color and size is unmatched. Prices cannot be beat.

it is definitely correct to say that it is a hit or miss at this store some days you get employees who greet you and want to help and some days you get the employees who literally look at you like they don't want to be there. I hate that I have to go out of my way to the new location but they love that its a much bigger store and definitely way better organized.its difficult having so many dffferent people buying the clothes because the style choices of every employee ranges. I have had employees from the milford store buy five pieces of clothing I bring there while an employee at the meriden location buys almost all of what I bring. it all depends on the are and person you get who happens to be buying your items. read more