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.)
What are your favorite consignment items or shopping tips?