Consignment sale tips?

Dochas

Good morning! I'm going to a consignment sale tonight and I've never been to one. Since I'm a first time Mom we get in before it opns to the public. I was wondering if anyone had any tips like what the best items/bargains usually are or things to steer clear of. We haven't bought a thing yet so I'm hoping it will be fun. Good timing too since we just found out we're having a boy! Thanks!

DavezWife

JBF?

If you're looking for big items like strollers, etc. make a bee line for them and grab quick. the nice stuff goes immediatly here.

Bring a couple fabric shopping bags with you for stuff, and if you're bringing a baby/kid, strap them in the stroller (tight) and bring lots of snacks. (oops you're pregnant, sorry)

Check zippers and for stains - I've not seen much, but they're there. If you have interest in going back on the last day, where everything is half off (well, most) check out the label method for that... at our JBF sales the stuff that does not got half off gets a red star or something. then you'll know what kind of stuff goes cheap the last day. That's when the big score is for clothes.

I always get the next 2 seasons of pj's that way, spending $2-3 for Carters fleece footies, etc.

Often the lines are long to check out, so if you're with a friend, send them to go start waiting while you finish up. 

Have fun! I LOVE buying gently used!!!

keg

I love consignment sales!  What I do is make a list of items that I want to look for and then start with the big stuff (if you want to look at strollers, bouncers, exersaucers, etc) because that tends to go fast.  When I finish that, that's when I go for the clothes.   I tend to avoid things like soft toys or stuffed animals (but I guess you could just throw stuff in the washer), but I will get most anything else. nOh, I would probably avoid car seats too because you don't know if they have been recalled or have been in an accident. I also like sales because it gives me a chance to try out stuff that I wouldn't normally pay full price for.  Some of my favorite items are always clothes (after a while you'll figure out what good prices are), sleep sacks (they are $20 new so I love getting them at sales), shopping cart covers, carriers (Bjorn, backpacks), bibs, Boppies, and some toys now.  I didn't find out about these sales until my DDs were several months old so unfortunately I missed them for much of the baby gear which I'm kind of bummed about. 

ETA:  Oh, I either take collapsible laundry hampers to put stuff in or use one of those big Ikea bags.  You may want to check because some of the sales we have you can only use laundry baskets (I consider my hamper one ;-)

mrsolsenk12

I love consignment sale shopping. I have one marked on my calendar for next month. The other ladies gave you great tips and there are some I want to second. Grab up the bigger stuff first. The nice big stuff goes very quickly. Sometimes you can just take the tag off of the bigger items so you don't have to carry it around. Look for plastic toys in good condition. You can clean them with bleach or with some other type of cleaner very easily. DS's playtable I got at a consignment sale for $4 and he loves it!

I also second bringing your own bags because your hands only have so much room. Toys and books are items you can find for great prices. In my experience, clothes are not priced as well but you can find some great ones as well. Have fun!!!!

RoxBride

As a first time pregnant Mom, here's my advice.

If possible take along one or 2 people.  I try and take my Mom and my hubby, and one of us holds all the crap while the other 2 shop.

Great things to buy used for a newborn - bassinette, pack n play, boppy pillows, strollers, and a baby bathtub (those things are a PITA to store, so if you buy it new, you might feel obligated to keep it around for future use, but buy i used, when you are done, give it away, and if need be pick up another one for future use).

If you want a crib or mattress, head there first, they go quick.  Work on gear first, then worry about clothes and toys.

If you find good deals, think about duplicate stuff for parts of the house - at a good price, I'm all about having 2 boppy pillows and 2 vibrating bouncey chairs so you aren't hauling them around.

If you can find a big old bag of odds and ends socks - grab it.  Baby socks are pricey, but lots of times you can get a huge bag for 2 bucks, and that allows you to stick a pair in your car, a pair in the diaper bag, spares everywhere.  If you lose 'em, you don't care. 

Check out the baby shoes - again, they are way expensive considering no one walks in them, and are really just for a photo op.  So stock up.

If you can find a section with things like swaddle me or miracle blankets, buy one of each.  A great cheap way to have them on hand to see which type you and baby prefer.

At a minimum, get some used clothes that you can throw in the trunk of each car, and at relatives' houses - just something weather appropriate for any blow out you might experience.  We picked up cheapo small diaper bags for a buck or so at these sales, packed them with an outfit, spare diaper and wipes, bib, burp cloth, and stashed 'em in the cars for emergencies.

Things you won't use right away but that I would never buy new - exersaucers, activity mats, jumparoos.  They are so cheap compared to new.

 

skoorbnibor

I am a seasoned consignment shopper... I go to 12 every season!
2 this weekend!

Some additional tips... if you think you might want it, grab it. It won't be there in 2 minutes. You can always put it back *and please, put it back where you found it!*

I only buy clothes that are about 75% of retail. having said that, I buy more than 90% of E's clothes consignment! 

The best sales tend to be MoM sales, they generally have 2 of each thing!

early early early! if you are allowed in at 5, get there at 430. Take a mom, sister, friend and tag team. I always try to take my mom, she knows my style for clothes, so i let her do that and I look at books and toys. 

If it weirds you out to get used stuff, one trick for cleaning non-washables is to put them in the freezer for a few days. All the consignment books and toys go into big ziplocks and then my big garage freezer for a few days. Kills whatever might be lurking! 

For sure take a bag that can go on your shoulder! 

Be methodical... most people will follow the traditional shopping path...the sale will have an obvious path... if the checkout line is along one wall... say the right, the obvious path will be to go to the left. DON'T. Go to the right, you will have less competition. (this is retail 101, all stores have a traffic flow they want you to go in... when I was a merchandiser, I used that to manipulate what I wanted you to see... now I use it to avoid the crowds! lol) 

If you are shopping for an older child, bring a tape measure, sizes aren't always accurate... also if you are looking for a newborn, don't look at just newborn and 0-3... think ahead, some items you can buy a season ahead without worrying.. if it is truly seasonal, though, it might be a good idea to skip it, since there is no way to know what size your LO might be at birth, or in a few months!

also, moms sales are a great place to network and meet other moms... take something to share your email address, if you meet a mom you think you might want to have a playgroup with! (this is when I love that I make Mommy cards!)

take cash! although some sales take cards and checks, cash is faster and spends more cautiously!  Have fun

Dochas

Wow ? thank you all!  I?m a little scared now, but I think I?ll be okay lol.  You are allowed to bring one person and DH is more excited than I am.  Definitely heading to the strollers and exersaucers first.  I have no experience so I expect to get steamrolled.  But there is another one in Sept so this is kind of training for that one.  The little guy will be here then and I expect to be savage about what I need!  They have books!?!?  I?m very excited about that because I?m terrified of what that?s going to cost.  First I have to get every book I ever liked and then work on the stuff that?s come out in the last, oh, 30 years.  I would never have thought about freezing them.  What a great idea.  And going against the grain is another excellent tip.  I took notes and I?ll let you all know how it turns out!!!

Dochas

What's the JBF?

skoorbnibor

Dochas:

They have books!?!?  I?m very excited about that because I?m terrified of what that?s going to cost.  First I have to get every book I ever liked and then work on the stuff that?s come out in the last, oh, 30 years. 

Oh yes! I LOVE the books! 

Ethan has hundreds of books, and i buy them at thrift stores, consignment, garage sales, etc. I always pop them in the freezer and I rotate books, so he doesn't get bored! 

thrift stores are generally as cheap as 3/$1