Our family saves thousands of dollars are year shopping consignment for kids’ clothes. After a few years experience and MANY sales, here are a few tips for making your shopping experience easier, faster, and a HUGE yield of items for your family!
Looking for sales in your area? You can find them here!
- BRING A LIST. You will get overwhelmed otherwise. Have a list app on your phone and write down everything you need.
- SHOP WITH THE NEXT 6 MONTHS IN MIND. Most sales happen in the fall and in the spring, so don’t over-buy. Get the items you need for the next 6 months only! It’s really difficult to predict how much your kids will grow.
- PAY 1/3 OF RETAIL. This is the max price I will pay and how I know I’m getting a good deal.
- DON’T BRING YOUR KIDS. It’s way too distracting, and you need to be able to focus, sort, and really check all items.
- HAVE A FOOT TEMPLATE FOR YOUR KIDS. Stamp your child’s foot or trace it so you can bring it to the shoe section to compare sizes and make sure you have the right size. Use a cardboard template if you want to be able to stick it in the shoe.
- MEASURE YOUR KIDS’ ARMS. When clothes are used, they can be a 2T size, but they may have shrunk to a 24 months size. The arm length is the best way to gague a size. Measure your kids’ arms and bring measuring tape or a piece of string with you to the sale to make sure all the clothes you buy are going to fit!
- BRING GIANT IKEA BAGS. I bring two and put everything in them. Buying more than that really isn’t necessary IMO.
- GRAB A TON, SORT LATER. If you see something you THINK you might like, move quickly, grab it, and inspect carefully later. The good items go fast!
- SORT ON A SHEET. Bring a light-weight sheet in your Ikea bag, and put it out on the floor to sort on, especially if you are shopping for multiple kids!
- SHOP FOR BIRTHDAY PRESENTS. There are TONS of items at consignment sales that are brand new! Buy for birthday presents for your kids’ friends. We have a stash in the closet so we are always ready and never stuck paying retail.
- SHOP FOR NAME BRANDS. I never buy the cheaper brands consigning. I can get those items brand new on sale in the store. Look for quality, name-brand items to really maximize your savings.
*This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are genuinely my own.*
