Tips for shopping at kids consignment sales | Families

#1 Volunteer to earn a “pre-sale” shopping pass

This is a tip from a Facebook (L. Miller) - working a few hours is worth the opportunity to get to shop first. Most sales will have preview sales a day or two before the public sale.

#2 Shop without the children

If it's possible to leave the children at home with a non-shopping spouse or grandparent you will probaby be able to get much more done in a shorter period of time.

• Bring a list of your child's measurements. Bring a piece of clothing to compare sizes - the written tage on the clothing at the sale may not be the actual size.
• Trace your child's foot on cardboard and bring it to slip into shoes. This chart at Land's End is helpful for sizing.

#3 Have a plan

Consignment sale shopping can be like that trip to Wal-mart where you plan to go in for a box of detergent but come out with $100 worth of $1 sale items. Have a budget in mind before you start shopping.

Also know your brands. Refresh your memory on the average prices of the brands that you plan purchase so you can evaluate how much of deal is actually being offered.

D. Gillam on Facebook says to always have a plan of what you need. (We suggest going through the closet to see what pieces for the upcoming season are too small - for instance, do you need more shorts or tops? and know which colors you need to make a match). She also suggest going back on the 50% off day (usually the last day). The clothes are more picked over then but the bargain is worth the trip for that extra find.

#4 Follow the sales on Facebook

S. Wray from our Facebook pages suggests following the consignment shops on Facebook because they will often post highlights of the items they are getting in and offer discounts and other perks such as early shopping passes for followers. 

#5 Bring cash

Most sales can accept debit and credit cards but it's a good idea to check the website or call to double-check. Shopping with cash will assure a speedy check-out. We suggest you take small bills so you can give exact change.

#6 Bring something to carry your purchases

This is actually helpful before check-out when you are walking around grabbing for bargains. Bring a shopping carrier large enough to hold the number of items you plan to purchase.

#7 Have fun