i'm cheating on jbf

Just getting the word out that the Sweet Repeats consignment sale is this weekend and I'm consigning with them instead of JBF. I love JBF, but they weren't taking bedding or shoes for the Norman sale so it wouldn't be worth it for me to consign with them this time. I volunteered and consigned for the OKC sale and had a good experience... except someone opening up the bedding set I was selling and misplacing the quilt. (Thankfully, I found it in the lost items at pick-up.) Which was really disappointing since it was a larger item that I was trying to sell. I had it taped shut with packing tape and in a big ziploc bag, but apparently someone really needed to take the quilt out of the bag to see it.

I decided to try Sweet Repeats to get rid of the last of Elle's outgrown clothing and the bedding. The sale is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Edmond Armory. I went last year and found a few things, but it is still a newer sale so they don't have as many consigners, which means smaller selection. So far it's very similar to the JBF process except they have you pin the tag on the label of the clothes. Things I like about it so far: I don't have to drive to Norman, you only have to volunteer 3 hours to shop early, I got a free reusable bag for consigning, lower consigning fee, the tags are smaller so you can use fewer sheets of paper and less ink and you can use any color card stock, no entrance fee the first day. Things I'm worried about: it's a smaller sale so this could mean my stuff actually gets looked at or they don't have enough buyers. And they don't have a bar code system so I'm curious how they keep up with tracking the items. Things I don't like: they don't take Old Navy children's clothing or Carter's brands from Walmart or Target.

I'll let you know how it goes!

con$igning tips

Tis the season for consignment sales. I recently went to my first Sweet Repeats sale and am gearing up for Just Between Friends OKC. I missed the Pass it On sale, but it looked similar. I have consigned several times with JBF and have gone to many of their sales. I've also consigned with a children's store in Waco and have learned some things along the way. If you're a consigning newbie here's some tips that might be helpful:

*You're more likely to sell items and get the price you want if you consign through the sales events rather than a store. Stores usually price the items for you.

*Set up a tub (or more--one for spring/summer, one for fall/winter, one for keeps) in your child's closet to store items you want to sell. Then you don't have to scramble before the sale to decide what you wanted to get rid of or keep. If you have the space, hang up clothing.

*Save the plastic hangers you get from the stores. Check your local sale, but most let you use these hangers and you don't have to get rid of your nice ones.

*Prep your merchandise before you put it in the tub. Group similar items in plastic bags or (if required) safety pin clothes to hangers or multiple items.

*Tag early! Each of the three sales mentioned above have online tag making. Go online and fill in the tag information before you put it in the box and it will be saved until you're ready to print. If you already have 6 or more items (to save paper) prepped print and attach early.

*Each sale and each sale location is different so read all the information carefully.

*Check your clothes for stains under fluorescent lights. Your normal lights at home can be deceiving. Most sales are held in churches, gyms, or large buildings with fluorescent lighting. You don't want to have spent time prepping an item and have it pulled, and some sales will drop you as a consigner if this happens too often.

*Consigning and volunteering get you the most bang for your buck. You usually get to shop early and get a bigger percentage back. However, it has to be worth your time. I've never been able to volunteer because the times didn't work for my schedule due to nursing or having to get a babysitter.

*If you want to consign or volunteer, sign up early! The larger sales only take so many consigners. And if you need a specific time, get on the mailing list early to find out when they start signing up so you can get the time you need.

*Be honest with yourself about what to keep and what to buy! This is something I've really had to try hard at because all those baby clothes seem too special to get rid of. But, we don't have the space to keep everything and who knows when and if the "not yets" will be here. Most sales only sell two seasons of clothing so think carefully about what your kid will be wearing.

*It's really worth it! I can get a ton of clothes for 1/2 or even a 1/4 of what I would pay in the stores. Especially for the more expensive brands like GAP, Gymboree, or The Children's Place. You can find other great deals too. This weekend I found this spring horse for $30 and it's in excellent condition. Retail price = $150. Cha-ching!



Anyone have any other suggestions?