This weekend I attended my first Just Between Friends consignment sale. At the sale you’ll find LOTS of clothing for boys, girls, and expecting mothers, gadgets, toys, bedding, books, and other odds and ends. I had no idea what the sale would be like. Here are my tips for shopping at a Just Between Friends consignment sale.
6 Tips For Shopping at a Just Between Friends Consignment Sale
1. Create a list of things you’re looking for before you attend the sale
If you go into the sale blind you’ll either end up overwhelmed or you’ll end up buying more than you need. If you at least go into the sale with a list of what you’re looking for, you’ll feel more in control.
2. Google an item to find out its value
Remember, this is a consignment sale. People are pricing things as they wish, which doesn’t mean you’re getting a good deal. Before you buy, look up what the product costs brand new. That $12 play mat may not be the steel you think it is.
3. Shop early!
The biggest items go fast. If you’re shopping for a stroller, certain gadgets, ets., get to the sale early. New moms can get a pre-sale pass when they sign up on their website!
4. Don’t listen to too many opinions
The people working at the sale are volunteers, usually moms who are consigning things, so take their advice with a grain of salt. I had a volunteer essentially show me all of the things she was selling, and although I appreciated her advice, I did feel pressured to buy her things. Go into the sale with a list and feel confident about what you choose buy.
5. It’s ok to just walk away
Just Between Friends just may not have what you’re looking for and that’s ok!!! I thought I would have walked away with more, but I decided to pass on some of the “deals” as I just wasn’t sure about some of the products and their prices.
6. So, about all those clothes…
If you’re a new mom, just pass on the clothes. You’re going to get a lot of clothes as gifts and you have no idea how big your baby will be. If you have children, I think the sale is a great place to get clothes for kids ages 1-5!
I don’t know if I’ll shop a Just Between Friends sale again, at least not until I have older children, but I do think it’s a great place to consign things. We’ll see if I tackle that adventure as our daughter gets older.