Consignment Sale Shopping Tips 1 – 5 | All Aboard!

Seriously, an actual list on paper or typed into your phone. Because once you get into the shopping venue, the excitement could make you forget something. List your kids, their sizes (including shoe size), and their inseam of current pants could be helpful as well. Then write down your kids’ favorite colors to wear at the moment as well. Casually ask, “Tommy, if you were picking between a green shirt and a red shirt, which would you wear?” This can only help you so just tuck these nuggets of info in the back of your mind for decision making time. Your list should probably read in this order: clothing items – accessory items – toy favorites – book favorites – sports items – or something similar. Those are your guidelines.

Now, what does each child need clothing wise? Pajamas are typically on 100% of lists. Finding them at a fraction of the cost of new is a win for sure. Play clothes? Same concept – you are looking for mix and match items in good condition that don’t require a lot of thought. Some type of shoes/boots/sandals are usually on everyone’s list as well.

Accessory items always tend to be tied to the season. Spring consignment sale and headed on vacation soon? I’m putting a child’s suitcase on there – that could be really special for them. Fall consignment sale and Halloween’s coming? Straight to the costume section.

Next are the toy favorites! Is there a love of Peppa Pig in your house? Star Wars? Lego building and construction toys? Anything in John Deere green? You can almost certainly find at least one special toy for each child at your local sale.

The book section is a place that you can save a ton of money. With most kids’ books costing a minimum of $6 even at the Scholastic Book Fair, finding great titles at a fraction of the cost is like finding four leaf clovers in your yard. So stock up on favorite authors, series and genres.

Lastly, don’t forget your kids’ sports items that may be needed on your list. Your daughter may just be starting ballet or tap dance. This is a great place to find the shoes and leotards that she needs. Your son is a baseball great, but his pants are continually getting holes from sliding into second base? This is an awesome opportunity to stock up on second pairs of baseball pants and cleats.

Because it is an EVENT, honey.  You do not want to be walking in there with just your list and a prayer.  So, here’s a list of basics and options you will need to make your shopping experience fun, and as non-stressful as possible. 

1.   Don’t forget that list we worked on
2.   Most importantly: something to shop into.  Depending on the size of your list, you need to determine if you just need to bring large shopping bags (think IKEA sized or the large ThirtyOne handled bags), or a laundry basket with a rope or belt attached to it, or a wagon.  These are all good options and are all regularly used.  Basically, you have to have something to put all your STUFF in while you walk around and shop.  The good sales will have some sort of holding area to put large items that you are purchasing in so you don’t have to drag them around, but you will still be carrying a fair amount of treasures for a period of time.  Plan accordingly.
3.   A water bottle and some sort of snack if you feel you may need nourishment.
4.   Wear comfy shoes and clothes.  Remember that it can sometimes get hot inside a venue with a lot of people inside.
5.   A Cell phone – you may want to look up the retail price of an item to see if it’s a good deal. 
6. A small tape measure – it can help to measure inseams against your list to confirm that they work for the size you need.
7. G.   Cash or Credit cards – check the website to see if one is preferred – it could help shorten your wait time in line if the sale has a “Cash Only line”.