It’s that time of year again and I can hardly stand it. I’m jumping at the bit to start back up going to consignment and yard sales. The consignment sales already started in our area. March and April seem to be the big consignment months followed by a glorious spring, summer, and fall full of yard sales.
I started my annual decluttering in January and set aside the nicest things to give to my sister and a few friends for their children. The next group of nice items was set aside for the CFC MOPS sale this coming Saturday. Everything else is in a pile to be picked up by a charitable organization this Wednesday. Whoo hoo! It feels so good to get rid of stuff. Aaaahhhhhh, big cleansing exhale.
I will shop the MOPS sale this weekend in addition to consigning so here are a few tips I picked up through the years.
1. Take a list to stay on task. A huge gymnasium and several adjoining rooms full of stuff and filled with several hundreds shoppers can be overwhelming.
2. To make your list, go through your child’s clothing for the upcoming season (most sales only accept that season’s clothing with another sale in the fall for winter clothes). Write down what they own, and what they need. This is your shopping list.
3. Have a game plan. Figure out what you need the most and hit that area first. Most consignment sales have items organized into categories. I’ve found the larger the clothing size, the harder it is to find good condition and pricing, so I go to Natalie’s section first.
4. Grab something right away if you are on the fence about it. You can always put it back. However, with that many shoppers, it is likely not to be there if you decide a few minutes later you really do want it.
5. Don’t buy things that aren’t on your list unless you really think your kids would be gaga over it. It’s easy to see things at drastically reduced prices and buy it just because it’s a deal. These are the things you’ll be getting rid of next year because your kids don’t play with them.
6. Remember there is more than one consignment sale! Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find everything you need. There will be more sales – we have at least 5 within 25 minutes of my house if not more throughout the spring, and that number triples if you are willing to drive 45 minutes.
One thing to keep in mind about consignment sales is that the prices are higher than yard sale prices. There is overhead for the group organizing the sale, a profit to go toward their group (which is why they hold the sale!), and the percentage for the consigner. This could deter some folks from hitting these sales. However, when you can clothe your children in one day instead of trudging out week after week to hit-or-miss yard sales, it makes it more reasonable to pay the $5 for the dress instead of waiting for a $3 dress.
If you wince at buying used clothing and aren’t sure if it’s worth it, read this post I did including pictures of some great deals I’ve found.
Okay, those are my tips. Happy shopping!
For those of you in my area, here is the info for the CFC MOPS consignment sale.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Ashburn Elementary School
44062 Fincastle Drive
Ashburn, VA 20147
8:00-11:00 am = Public Sale
11:30-1:00 pm = Half Price Sale
3:15-4:00 pm = Dollar Dash**
**most remaining items $1 or less!
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (2)
Hi Leighann…I need to have a sale to get rid of some stuff! I occassionally go to sales too…but not like I did when the kids were at home. It is a good way to save money. My daughter Lynnette goes to them a lot to find stuff for her 6 kids.
It is so funny you posted this. I am going to a HUGE consignment sale this weekend and I am known to get caught up in buying stuff my girls just don’t need. I am going to make a list and stick with it. Easier said then done, but it needs to be done! Thanks for the tips! 🙂