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The following is a guest post from Lisa at The Spot to Save:
It’s that time of year again!
According to KidsConsignmentSales.com, "Seasonal consignment shopping is a fast growing trend, especially for baby and children's items. Kids grow so fast, and items like clothes, strollers, car seats, cribs and toys many times seem barely used. Seasonal consignment sales offer a unique venue for both sellers and shoppers. These sales set up shop for a weekend or a few days more in the spring and fall. Some sales also offer a holiday sale around December that specializes in toys and holiday clothes."
I have participated in a seasonal consignment sale for several years now and have found it to be instrumental in helping me tackle the clothing budget for the kids. At the sale I participate in, I receive 70% of the selling price minus a $5 registration fee and the remaining 30% goes to the charity involved. As an added bonus, sellers are granted early access to the sale prior to the public. I value that opportunity greatly because these days, if you are not there early, you miss the good stuff!
Shopping at Consignment Sales
I recommend participating as a shopper at a seasonal sale to get “your feet wet” first. See how things are run and check out the items for sale. Did you like what you saw and did you enjoy your experience? Most consignment sales accept only cash or check. Bring a laundry basket for your loot! I made the mistake of bringing a paper shopping bag – the bag could not handle the amount of items I found. It is exciting to stumble on a really nice outfit for a fraction of the cost. My kids get excited because they know Mom is coming home with loads of “new” clothes.
Selling at Consignment Sales
After you find a sale you like, become a seller! The perks are numerous. At each sale I usually make approximately $150-200 and spend $100-$125. Participating as a seller does take time but knowing I am recycling what doesn’t fit anymore into clothes that do is SO worth the extra effort to me.
Tips for sellers in a consignment sale:
- Place a storage tub in each child’s closet and toss outgrown clothing in it year round for review closer to sale time.
- Register early for your preferred sale and get all the rules/guidelines for a seller – pick one sale and learn it!
- Pick a convenient location in the house to work on your items to sell and work on it a little everyday.
- Invest in an inexpensive clothes hanging rack.
- Save safety pins and wire hangers from the drycleaner all year for your sale.
Where are the sales in your area?? Check out The Bargain Watcher to find your local seasonal consignment sales. I bet there are PLENTY around you. Good luck and happy consignment sale shopping!
Have you bought or sold children's clothing at a consignment sale?
Lisa works full time, is married to a Marine and has two awesome kids. She is an organizational junkie who loves coffee, making lists, entertaining friends and family, teaching others how easy it can be to save, and finding the best deals to share on her blog www.thespottosave.com.
Tara Kuczykowski is a married mom of three boys and two girls, ages 4 to 10 years, living in Columbus, OH.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I shopped a seasonal consignment sale for the first time during the spring and it was amazing to see so much stuff at great prices. I now have my own pile of items to sell for the fall sale!
You are lucky to get more than $20 where I live for a huge pile of NEW clothes at a consignment shop let alone if they are 'used'. Craigslist is what I use to sell them.
I've shopped and participated at the Rhea Lana sale in NW Arkansas (also available in Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi). They have a spring and fall sale by us. The last two sales I have made over $100 on my kids clothes -- but spent most on getting new stuff for my kids.
I went to the site and put in my zip, to find a sale in my area and it went to an other state not my area. I live in Austin,Texas if anyone knows of a sale.
Consignment stores are much different from the large consignment sales. You get to set your price! I do sell at my favorite local consignment sale that happens twice a year. Saving hangers all year is a must and I use cable ties to attach tags which are cheap at Wal-Mart. I found that using a very large and strong tote bag (Lands End, LLBean, etc) works better than a basket since the space is limited. I could move faster without having something like a stroller, wagon or basket to drag.
Austin has a JFSale. http://www.jbfsale.com
The link to the guest post website is not working. In case you would like to visit (woudl LOVE you to!) here is the link again http://www.thespottosave.com. Thanks!!
I'm having the same issure...I entered in my state and county and I'm from MA and it gave me GA...that won't help me! :)
While The Bargain Watcher is a great place to start - it is not the end all for finding consignment sales. I would recommend googling "seasonal consignment sales, (your state)" and see what you find. Good luck and much success to you.
http://www.jbfsale.com Is an awesome seasonal resale and they have many different states and cities that they go to... just go to this web page and see if there is one close by.
This is a great idea I have never heard of - I have been checking this out and am wondering if anyone knows of the same sort of events that include women's clothing, accessories, etc?
I just googled "consignment sale hawaii" and found this. I found the best sale this past weekend in Hawaii called Mommy Swap Meet. I'm from the mainland and LOVE these type of sale. The army moved us out here and I was so sad that there were no consignment events. 1 1/2 years later and FINALLY Hawai'i gets their 1st children's consignment event!! I feel normal again. Needless to say I was one of the first in line (because I volunteered as a Street Team Member). I not only found so many items in great condition but I found brand named items with tags STILL ON THEM!! I bought a NWT dress from Baby Gap for $5!! I know alot of consignment events do not accept used breastpumps but, thank goodness this one did. I'm about to have another baby and found a Madela pump there in perfect condition with all the accessories (unopened) for $100. Sweet!!
Another thing I loved was the Mommy community that came out for the Mommy Swap Meet. I met a mom who ended up being from my neck of the woods with a son the same age as my daughter. We have a play date now. :0)
I'm so excited for the next sale. I guess since there are no real seasons in Hawaii I couldn't call Mommy Swap Meet a seasonal sale. But, they are planning on having their events 3-4 times per year. The next sale is in October and I cannot wait!! Maybe me and my new mommy friend will go together. Oooo, I know I have stuff to sell. I just got to get organzied and find them. I'd love the extra cash to shop with!! That would be so fun. Thanks Mommy Swap Meet for bringing consignment events to Hawaii it's so long overdue.
I like to look for my grand childen nice but reasonable priced clothes to wear so I will be checking out these sights and thanks everybody for sharing