It’s that time of year for Spring Consignment Sales! For our family, we LOVE shopping our local consignment sales.
At any consignment sale, please check all items for stains, tears, and excessive wear.
1. Know Sizes
At seasonal sales, you’ll be limited to the upcoming season. Know what sizes your child(ren) will wear through that season. I also suggest shopping a size up just incase there is a growth spurt during the season. Don’t forget about knowing how much they weigh, this comes in handy for things like swim floaties and suits.
My area also has an “All-Season” sale. This is when I can stock up on the next season. Write down ahead of time what sizes you think your child(ren) will wear during each season so you can keep that in mind while shopping ahead a season.
2. Know Brands and Prices
There will be awesome prices everywhere! At most consignment sales, each seller sets their own prices. This is beneficial to both the seller and you, the buyer. However, you need to know brands and the prices on each. Some of these are easy: Garanimals are sold at WalMart and cost about $2-$5 for individual pieces of clothing. Gymboree or Baby Gap for instance are higher specialty retailers. If I go to a sale and see three pairs of shorts for $5, wow, that’s great! But look at the tag and see what brand they are. Personally, I wouldn’t pay $5 for three pairs of Garanimals shorts, but I would for Gymboree shorts.
A good way to find out prices of items is to use your smartphone. While I’m shopping a sale, I check Amazon and ebay to find out prices of new and used items. Both of these have apps that I can check rather quickly while making a decision.
3. Make a Shopping List
Consignment sales can be very overwhelming to anyone. I suggest making a shopping list. Put your sizes, upcoming birthdays, and household needs on here. If you know you’ll be heading to a bunch of birthdays, put down a few ideas for each kid and look for something at the consignment sale. There are always many NEW items at great prices!
Making a list ensures you don’t forget anything you know you want and it helps you stay on track.
4. Allow Plenty of Time
There’s no such thing as “just running in” to a consignment sale. There’s so much to look at and go through, you’ll spend quite a while just wandering around. Then there’s checkout: you’ll likely wait in line to de-tag your items and then wait again to pay for your items. Keep in mind, this is normally done by volunteers, not actual employees.
Don’t rush yourself and wind up missing things or bringing home things you don’t really want or need.
5. Shop, then Shop Your Bag
While shopping you will find awesome items with amazing prices! You’ll throw them in your bag and keep going. Don’t worry about putting too much in right now; if you like it, the price and size are right, just toss it in.
Now when you’re done shopping, find an empty table or spot on the floor to spread your items out and go through them again. Maybe you ended up putting 5 swimsuits in the bag because they looked great at the time. Now you can compare them and decide which ones to actually get. Check your shopping list and make sure you at least looked for everything on your list.
Have you shopped consignment sales?
Rachel B says
Great tips! We are hitting up our first consignment sale tomorrow so this was good timing!
Christina Shirley says
Exciting! Have fun and get lots of goodies! I’ll be posting my finds from last night later tonight or tomorrow. The hubby put them in the wash before I could take pictures lol
Rachee says
I went to my first huge consignment sale shop last year and was so overwhelmed! Too many options and I was so overwhelmed. I will not go again without a list, sizes and lots of time.
homemakinghacks says
What wonderful tips! I’ve been wanting to go consignment shopping, especially when we make our move to a new home this summer. I am really looking forward to re-purposing and doing a lot of DIY! Thanks 😉
Terry My Journey With Candida says
When we were in North Carolina, my Daughter wanted to go to some Consignment Shops. We did go, but I wish I would have had a list of these tips then…. Now, I have them for the next time.
Veronica Solomon says
I haven’t shopped consignments for clothing but I do for furnishings. Great tips to keep in mind
Robin Rue says
There seem to be a lot of consignment sales popping up in my area and they are usually so crowded that I avoid them.
Debra Rutt says
I’ve been to consignment stores for my self, but never one for the kids. It looks like it might be a good place to pick up some great outdoor toys/structures for the kids.
Tammy_3DifferentDirections says
When our daughter was little I used to shop consignment all the time – I scored some great deals for her especially for off season items since I would just buy a size up.
Meagan says
I LOVE shopping at consignment stores! These tips will definitely come in handy! Thanks!
Estelle Sobel Erasmus says
I haven’t tried this yet. These are excellent tips on how to do it when I find a local consignment shop. Thanks.
savoryexperiments says
I have been consignment shopping, but I always feel so overwhelmed. So many options and having to dig through to find the gem. These steps are smart though, make it a pleasurable experience.
Tiffany C. says
Great tips. I feel like I need to start shopping this way. A great new consignment store just opened near me. I need to go check it out.
Debbie Lamb says
Good info – I love to shop consignment shops…trouble is so many people cut out size labels! I hate that. I have found some really nice items!
Chrysa Duran says
I have never been to a consignment sale. I think it would drive me a little crazy! Your tips are helpful to make it more manageable.
Teresa McCluskey says
I have never been to or heard of a consignment sale/ But it does sound fun! I love the crayness
Krystyn says
Great idea to shop your bag. Also, check zippers, buttons, snaps, etc.
Krystal says
Good tips. I love consignment stores! I always buy and sell at our local children’s store.
Ashley M says
I love consignment sales but sometimes get overwhelmed at how unorganized they can be. I like the idea to shop your bag.
mail4rosey says
Those are good tips. I especially like the comparison tip at the end.
Amber Killmon says
I’ve always been curious about consignment shops. I have tons of stuff to let go of and this may be the route to go when I need extra money.
Christina Shirley says
I love consignment events! at least 50% of the stuff I get for my kids comes from there!