Yesterday, I had the pleasure of shopping the pre-sale of the Just Between Friends – Mainline sale! I have gone consigning shopping a handful of times before but never on such a huge scale like Just Between Friends is. It was a little overwhelming at first. Thankfully, there were a bunch of seasoned veterans there and they were more than willing to share their tips with me!
10 Consignment Sale Shopping Tips
1. Make a list and set a budget. I was only shopping for E yesterday because he was in dire need of fall clothes. I knew how much I wanted to spend and only went over my budget by $10.
2. Know your sizes. Before heading out, trace your child’s foot to help with shoe shopping. Measure your kids’ pants from the waist to the hem with a string. Cut the string and bring with you to the sale. If the pants at the sale are shorter than the strong, don’t buy them!
3. Have a game plan. Before you head to the sale, check their website to see if they have a floor plan available. If you are going for popular item, you may want to know where it will be so you can head their first and snag it
4. Examine your purchases. Always check items for holes or stains. Look at the seams for fraying and be sure zippers and snaps work.
5. Bring a laundry basket with you to help carry items while you shop. Some shoppers tie a rope to the end of their basket so they can pull it along as they are looking through the racks. The Just Between Friends sale has a hold area for your convenience as well as large shopping bags.
6. Be prepared. Wear comfortable shoes so you can get to the good deals quickly. You may even want to pack a bottle of water and snack because you could be there a long time!
7. Clean your trunk out! You never know what you may find at the sale. You may find a large item at a good price. Or you may score a ton of deals and come home with a ton of clothes! You want to make sure you have a way to get it back!
8. Check prices online. You have smartphone, why not put it to good use? Look up the retail price on an item you may not be sure of to make sure it’s a good deal!
9. Volunteer and shop early. One of the advantages of volunteering at the sale is getting to shop early.
10. Know when to say no. I found it really hard to walk away from some of the toys. But then I thought “Do we really need this?” And the answer was “No, we don’t.” If it’s something you really don’t need, put it down and go get some more clothes!
So how did I end up doing? One word: amazing! E is all set for fall.
That’s 17 long-sleeve t-shirts, 10 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shoes, 2 sets of pajamas, 2 toys, one travel booster seat, and 2 blankets.
Grand total out of pocket: $60!
What’s your consignment sale shopping tip?
Disclosure: I was given $25 to shop the Just Between Friends sale. All opinions are my own.
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really good tips! I did not think to bring a list and yes it was hard not to buy more. the prices are crazy low. What a fun morning!
Alison Shaffer recently posted..Just Between Friends Philly Consignment Sale is a parents dream come true!
If I wouldn’t have set a budget or made a list, I would have been in big trouble!
Great tips, we are thinking alike on this and what i posted!
I’m glad you found some good items. It is a lot of fun to shop these sales!
Heather recently posted..BFFs!
I can’t wait to go back! It’s so addictive.
Isn’t it? That is why I get so excited about it!!
Great deal!! I went shopping at a local consignment shop this morning. I didn’t get quite as much as you did, but I got some great deals. I never thought to trace my kids’ feet and use string to help with pants shopping. Thanks for the tips!
E had ZERO fall clothes: no pants, no long-sleeve t-shirts. I had to get alot!
Great haul and fantastic tips!!
Becky recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Harvest
Dude, these tips are awesome! I wish I had sales like this though, our mass-consignment sales are usually total chaos and not as organized, which is unfortunate.
Shannon recently posted..Things I Don’t Want to Forget
Great tips! I especially love the string idea for kids pants. GENIUS!!
Kami recently posted..Tot Talk | V.2
Hi Steph. My name is Misty Menarcheck and am I trying to organize a Seasonal Children’s Consignment Sale in my area. I am setting up a Facebook page and am looking for some images to use since we do not have any of or own yet. I came across the images you have here through a Google image search for Seasonal Consignment Sales and I was wondering if you have a copyright on the images. If so, I was wondering if you would grant me permission to use the images on my Facebook page as well as our website when we get it up and running until I can take my own pictures. The sales haven’t started yet in my area, and we are aiming for a fall sale for our start up.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
Misty Menarcheck
oncelovedconsignment@gmail.com
Once Loved, LLC