lo-wren

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3 Reasons to Shop Children’s Consignment Sales

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I’ve shared my love of consignment sales several times before, but if I haven’t convinced you yet, take a look at these 3 reasons to shop children’s consignment sales:
Photo by Beth Cardwell

Reduce & Reuse
Buying and selling gently used children’s items (clothing, books, toys, equipment) is an environmentally friendly choice.  Of the consignment sales I’ve been to, only like-new and good condition items are accepted, which means that you are buying items that still have a lot of life in them (especially with baby clothing, worn only 3 months or so).  Many people who buy from consignment sales are also consignors, so they are, in a sense, trading or recycling their used clothes for other clothing.
Photo by Beth Cardwell
Save Money
Shopping consignment sales allows you to spend only a fraction of the cost you would on buying new, which means you have more money to spend on the things that matter most to your family.
Photo by Beth Cardwell
Give Back [to your community]
Each consignment sale I’ve attended gives consignors the option to donate any unsold items.  At the end of each sale, unsold items are donated to local charities, giving back to the communities in which they’re located.
Photo by Beth Cardwell
Now that I’ve given you three reasons to shop children’s consignment sales, you need to make plans head to the WeeUsables Consignment Event!
For those of you in Central Pennsylvania, mark your calendars for the WeeUsables Lancaster event!  You can expect to find everything you need, from maternity wear to school-aged children’s items, amongst the 90,000 items from 550 consignors.
WeeUsables Consignment Event takes place in the Lancaster Host Resort’s Expo Center, and is open to the public from 8 a.m. Thursday, March 27 through 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 29.  Be sure to stop by for the “Stuff-a-Bag” for $10 event from 5-6 p.m. on Saturday, with all proceeds benefitting Mom’s House of Lancaster.  Shoppers are encouraged to donate items from the Mom’s House Wish List.
Unable to make the Lancaster consignment event?  WeeUsables York event takes place Friday & Saturday, April 11-12 at the York Expo Center.
I’ve got an exciting giveaway opportunity for my Central Pennsylvania readers — WeeUsables is giving one reader, and their guest, a pass to shop the Lancaster event pre-sale from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26!  This means you’ll be able to shop before the sale opens to the public (a coveted pass reserved for volunteers, consignors, and first time grand/parents).  Have big ticket or ‘hot’ items on your list?  Enter to win a pre-sale pass to have a better chance at grabbing those highly sought after items.  You can enter using the form below:

Recycled Reading

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I am an avid reader; books have always been in my blood.  I began collecting antique books in second grade (the older the inscription the better), spent my primary days reading Enid Blyton’s Mallory Towers series, and of course, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series.  I ended up getting both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in literature, worked in several bookstores, and finally spent a few years as a children’s publishing sales rep before starting a family.  I love books for their content, their entertainment value and their aesthetic.  Whenever I used to move, my books were the first things unpacked and placed on my custom 4’x8′ bookshelf; my books made wherever I lived ‘home’.

Obviously, I wish to encourage a love of reading with my children, so we started integrating books into D’s bedtime routine when he was just a couple of months old.

Declan is an incredibly visual baby, so we often change what we’re reading, sometimes on a nightly basis.  I recently noticed that he was especially drawn to photos of animals and books with different textures.  I decided to try a great used book outlet nearby, where we often go on rainy weekends to peruse the shelves and pick up books at noncommittal prices.

Harvest Book Company is a large online retailer of used and rare books, but they set up a small ‘storefront’ retail space in their warehouse where people can buy right from the shelf.  I suppose I should mention that I scoped this place out even before we moved here, as the hotel we stayed in (when looking at potential houses before moving) was located in the same industrial park.  Used book outlet minutes from where we live?  Score!

We also scored the last time we went, as we were able to find a great book with pictures of animals, and we found this amazing gem (did I mention that they carry a large selection of children’s books too?):

This is a pristine 1963 edition of a book that resonates with both my husband and myself from childhood, and it’s the perfect read as we head into spring.  What a find for $1!  There are several great things about this a.) we get to share a favorite childhood story of ours with our son, b.) it’s one of my favorite forms of recycling (used books), c.) it’s illustrated by Richard Scarry, d.) the book is in pristine condition and is a board book, without the chunkiness of today’s board books,

e.) the book was formally owned by a little boy named Boris (doesn’t get much cooler than that):

f.) the illustrations are so wonderfully 60s:

and, g.) Declan really seems to be enjoying it:

9 Tips for Consignment Sale Shopping

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I’ve shared how much I like children’s consignment sales, so here are a few tips for those of you who are new to consignment sale shopping:

  • Take advantage of first time parent/grandparent presale passes.
  • Volunteer or consign to get presale privileges (especially if you are looking for highly sought after items).
  • If you don’t have a presale pass, get to the sale early on the first day.  Without being too crazy, I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early.  Lines form fast and things can get a little crazy – you’re not the only one looking for great buys!
  • Bring someone to help: your spouse/partner, a relative, a friend – anyone.  At our first sale, my husband and I were able to get our big ticket items because a.) we showed up early on the sale day (we didn’t know to get a presale pass) and b.) we divided the list and headed in opposite directions to get highly sought after items.  We were able to get a pack-n-play and swing, barely ever used, for under $50.  Because the previous owner was volunteering, we learned that the swing had been used fewer than 5 times because her son would not tolerate the swing.  Score! 
  • Be Organized.  I keep a running list of items we’ll need for certain ages D hits so that it’s timed with being able to purchase at consignment sales.  For example, for this round I had baby gates on the list, even though D’s not yet mobile.  He will be within the next month or so, so the timing is perfect.  For the next sale season, I have a training potty on my list, as he will be 1 1/2 between that sale and the next (and I’m using wishful thinking).       
  • Prioritize your list.  It never hurts to be really organized.  I put highly sought after items on top and then the less important items follow.  This way, you head right to the items you really need/want first, and then make your way to other sections.  This past sale, I had an Ergo/Boba carrier at the top of the list, and then a jogger.  I made my way there first, found my two most sought after items (at amazing prices – got both for less than the price of a new organic Ergo carrier) and then made my way to other areas.  The next two sales I attend, I will have my Radio Flyer Wagon at the top of the list.
  • Bring a large bag, if you’re able.  IKEA bags are great for this.  Some sales even allow laundry baskets to be brought in and people attach a rope or a belt to it to drag it (I’m definitely not in this league yet!).  Not only can you fit a ton of clothing, but you can also fit bulky items (large toys, small equipment) in there as well.
  • Take advantage of the 1/2 off sale time.  I’ve yet to do this, but will be doing it with my local sale, just to see what it’s like.  You never know, I might get lucky…
  • Save your hangers…so that you can consign when you are ready.  I’m on my first of, hopefully, several children (if we’re blessed) and I’m already saving hangers from store purchases and consignments.  I won’t be consigning any time soon, but I’m prepared for when I’m ready.  It’s a great way to recycle too, as that’s the bin I would be throwing them in anyway.

Get started by finding a sale near you.  A friend of mine recently sent me this site, which lists sales across the country (thanks, Nate): www.kidsconsignmentsales.com

Happy shopping…and be sure to stop back and share your great finds with me!

Recycle, Reuse: Children’s Consignment Sales

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clothes-hangers-582212_640

I love finding new ways to recycle, especially when they benefit my family, and children’s consignment sales are one of my favorite ways to recycle.  For those of you not in the ‘know’, children’s consignment sales are typically semi-annual sales, held in the spring and fall, where parents can either a.) sell gently used children’s items (clothing, toys, equipment), b.) purchase gently used children’s items at a fraction of the retail price, or c.) do both.

I stumbled upon my first consignment sale last year when I was expecting my first child.  Thankfully, my best friend had two boys and handed-down a TON of clothing and equipment for us (thanks again, Carrie!).  However, we still had quite a few gaps to fill.  I had heard about a sale in our little town and we decided to check it out.  We arrived 30 minutes early for the beginning of the first sale day, along with at least 30+ other early birds.  When our shopping whirlwind was complete, my husband and I were in disbelief: a pack-n-play in mint condition, a swing, a designer diaper bag never used, a bunch of clothing and more…for under $200!  Needless to say, I was hooked

Shocked that many of my parent friends are unaware of consignment sales, I feel obligated to share this information with everyone.  A friend recommended a great site with listings of family-friendly activities in my area, Playground Buzz, (thanks, Jen) and I find my consignment sale listings through their dedicated list.  I’ve also done an internet search to find sales in the area where my family lives – a great excuse for a visit.  

I’ve been to two sales this season, and have managed to procure an Easter outfit, shoes in D’s next size, pajamas, a baby gate, crib sheets, a ton of board books, a jogging stroller, and my absolute favorite find: an Ergobaby Organic carrier with rain hood and infant insert (mint condition)…all for under $200.  I have two more sales that I’d like to check out, in hopes of finding a Radio Flyer Wagon with all-terrain wheels.  We’ll see how it goes…Happy Shopping!