Tips for Shopping at Consignment Sales

So, you decided you want to be in on the good deals, huh? Be prepared, my friend, and read these tips:

• Know, before you go, whether or not they take plastic. Most sales only accept cash and checks, but more and more are adding credit cards.
• Bring an over-the-shoulder bag, laundry basket, or some other means of holding your purchases. Your arms will thank you.
• Bring an article of clothing from home to use as a reference. Not all sizes are the same. It's nice to be able to compare the inseam on Junior's favorite pants to what you are about to buy.
• If you find something you like, grab it. Don't put it back thinking that you will come back for it later. It might not be there later. Grab it now. Then after you have loaded up your bag or basket, find a corner where you are out of the way and check the prices, check for stains, holes, missing buttons, and weed out what you are really going to buy. They should have a discard rack where you can hang up the things you decided against.
• Get there early if you are looking for the big things, like kitchens, train tables, etc. They go fast! Find a friend who is consigning at the sale and snag their friend pass for the presale, volunteer to work at the sale and be eligible for early shopping, or check the website to see if they have a new mom's early shopping time. All of these are excellent ways to score on the big items.
• Make sure to check out the last day of the sale. This is half-price day. All items except those marked with a red dot, red X, or ND are going to be half-price. The "most wanted" items will likely be gone by now, but this is a great time to get deals on clothes and toys.
• If you aren't sure how much something costs new, pull out your handy-dandy smart phone and look it up - Amazon.com is a great reference point for pricing.
• Before you leave, be sure to get on their mailing list so you don't miss their next sale.

Happy Shopping!