A Consignment Sale Survival Guide

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Consignment season is officially upon us! I remember my first consignment sale experience pretty vividly. I was extremely overwhelmed and didn’t know where to start. We had just found out the triplets’ genders and I knew we needed EVERYTHING, but had no idea what was a good deal or what I should buy at a sale like this. Not to mention feeling completely out of place watching some of these women drag around laundry baskets FULL of items. I’m pretty sure I’d only brought a small tote bag with me. Thankfully, my sister-in-law, who is a more experienced consignment shopper, was there to help show me the ropes and lend moral support. And let me tell you, the baby swing I ended up buying was worth every penny when it was the only way one of mine would nap! 
Smocked dresses are some of my favorite finds!

Having three young children to shop for can get expensive really fast. Consignment shopping provides me with an opportunity to find items and clothing I feel good dressing my children in at a fraction of the cost. If it weren’t for consignment sales, there’s no way I’d be able to fully satisfy my urge to dress my kids the way I want to. I love being able to save money on little surprises for them as well.

Do you like to have fashionable children while saving money? Do you like shopping for your kids without the guilt of overspending? If so, then consignment sales are definitely for you! If you’re new to this idea, it can be overwhelming. Hopefully these Consignment Sale Survival Tips will inspire you to give it a try.

Have a Game Plan

Try to brainstorm ahead of time what items you want to shop for. Do you have a gift occassion coming up (birthday, holiday, etc.) that you could shop ahead for? What clothes does your child need for the next season? What items would make your life easier that you’d like to save a little money purchasing? Before I shop, I like to have sizes in mind that I’ll shop for, and I have usually taken stock of what we currently own. Don’t forget to consider shoe sizes as well! I also like to prioritize importance of items I would like to buy and shop accordingly. Be sure to research big items ahead of time so you know which prices will give you the best deal. I make a note in my phone that I use because shopping in three different size sections can get very confusing, and let’s not forget #mombrain. 

Take a Friend

The phrase “divide and conquer” has never been more true than at a consignment sale. If you’ve got a friend, mom, spouse, etc. who doesn’t mind shopping with you, take advantage of it! Some sales prefer you purchase larger gear and toy items before continuing to shop, so it’s helpful to have someone who can handle that transaction while you continue shopping. Also, it’s nice to have second opinions and a second set of eyes, especially when you’re shopping for more than one child. 

Shop Early 

Don’t forget that most sales run contests for shoppers and offer their sellers some sort of early passes. If you know a friend who’s selling, don’t be shy and ask them if they’re using theirs. Even if their shopping pass is spoken for, they may know of someone else who isn’t utilizing their early pass. Getting to shop ahead of the crowd is always a great perk.

Seeing Double

I love to match and coordinate my triplets’ clothing when I can. It saves me time picking out clothes, and let’s be honest, it is just plain cute. Sometimes it can be tough to find matching items at a consignment sale, especially if your children are in different sizes like mine. If I see something I like that is a well known brand, I go ahead and snatch it up. I’ve lucked out on finding matching items on sites like ebay and kidizen. Even if I pay more on one of those sites, I’m still saving money on the overall coordinated outfit.

Consignment Favorites

Here are a few of my favorite items to shop for at consignment sales:

Pajamas 

Smocked dresses/jon jons

Name brand clothes (Matilda Jane, Polo, etc.)

Large toys (cozy coupes, roller coaster, etc.)

Puzzles

Books

Costumes/dress-up clothes

Strollers

Baby gear (swings, play mats, etc.)

Twice as Nice Sale

What are your favorite consignment items or shopping tips? 

 

 

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Stacey O
Stacey grew up in Birmingham and being the homebody she is, decided to stay and attend college at Samford University where she earned a degree in elementary education. She always dreamed of being a SAHM, but never imagined she'd be using her classroom management savvy to help raise BGG triplets. She met her husband, Jonathan, at the dear age of five, but it took them 20 more years and lots of different paths to realize they were meant for each other. A major planner at heart, Stacey is learning that some of the best things in life come in the unexpected. She and her husband currently live in Bluff Park and enjoy the unique challenges that their exciting family life brings. When she does get time to herself, Stacey enjoys exercise-especially Zumba, chai lattes, pedicures, a good book, and quality time with friends.