4 Steps to Better Consignment Sale Shopping
Kids outgrow clothes, shoes, and gear faster than any budget can keep up with. Children's consignment sales are one of the best ways to keep up for a fraction of retail.
Think of a consignment event as one giant, organized garage sale. Local families clean up the things their kids no longer use, price them, and drop them off to be sold together over a few days. You get racks sorted by size and type instead of digging through boxes on someone's driveway.
Step 1: Find a Consignment Event Near You
Just Between Friends (JBF) is the largest children's and family consignment franchise in the U.S., so start by searching for a sale on its website. Many cities also have independent events, often run by churches, schools, or parent groups.
Search "[your city] kids consignment sale" and check local parenting Facebook groups. Most areas have spring and fall sales, timed for the change of seasons. Shopping two or three a year is usually enough to keep everyone clothed.
Step 2: Make a List Before You Go
The most important tip: know exactly what you need before you walk in. These sales are huge, and without a list it's easy to wander, get overwhelmed, and come home with a pile of things nobody needed.
Before each sale:
- Check every child's drawers and closet. Note gaps like rain boots, swimsuits, a winter coat, or school clothes.
- Write down current sizes. Buy a size ahead for the next season, but not too far ahead.
- Trace their feet. Cut out paper tracings of each child's feet and bring them, so you can check shoe sizes without the kids.
- Note big-ticket items. High chairs, strollers, bikes, and toys are often deeply discounted. (Many sales don't allow car seats, or have strict rules for them, for safety reasons.)
Step 3: Learn How the Sale Works
Check the event's website or Facebook page for the details:
- Dates and hours. Most run for several days.
- Admission. Some sales charge a small fee on opening day. Free admission passes are often shared online, so look before you pay.
- Presales. Volunteers, consignors, new parents, teachers, and military families often get early access. If you need a specific big item, a presale gives you first pick.
- Discount days. Many sales mark most items 50% off on the final day or two.
- Payment. Larger sales take cards. Smaller ones may be cash only.
You don't need a presale to do well. If you aren't hunting for one specific item, the half-price days can be the best value of the whole event.
Step 4: Shop Smart
Leave the Kids at Home if You Can
Aisles are crowded and there's rarely room to try things on. You'll move faster, and nobody will beg for every toy they see. That's what the size list and foot tracings are for.
Skip the Stroller
Most sales hand out large shopping bags, and a stroller is hard to steer through busy rows. Later in the sale, when crowds thin out, it's less of a problem.
Set Your Price Limits
Decide in advance what you're willing to pay, such as $3 for a shirt, $5 for a swimsuit, or $10 for a coat. It makes it easy to skip anything that's overpriced.
Compare Similar Items
Every family prices their own things, so two nearly identical items can be priced very differently on the same table. Look around before you grab the first one you see.
Review Your Pile Before Checkout
Most consignment sales are final. Before you pay, go through everything and ask:
- Do we really need this?
- Is it in good enough condition for the price?
Check for stains, missing pieces, broken zippers, and recalls on gear. Put back the impulse grabs. This is where most people save the most.
What Kinds of Deals Can You Find?
Selection depends on the sale, but you can usually expect:
- Name-brand kids' clothes for a few dollars each
- Board games, puzzles, and books for less than a new game
- Ride-on toys, play kitchens, and art tables
- Baby gear like bouncers, carriers, and high chairs
- Dress-up clothes, holiday outfits, and shoes
Turn It Around: Sell at the Next Sale
Once you've shopped a few events, consider consigning your own outgrown items. Sellers typically keep a share of each sale and often get early shopping access, so the money from last season's clothes can pay for next season's.
Looking for more ways to save on the kids? Try these dollar store camping kits for kids and see where kids eat free.