This post is in partnership with Just Between Friends Lancaster. The opinions in this post are 100% mine. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Okay, it’s not Christmastime but this is the next best thing: consignment sale season! Ever since I started shopping at Just Between Friends, I’m addicted to these sales and was thrilled a couple of years ago when one opened here in Lancaster, PA. This sale has gotten bigger and better every single season, and I can’t wait to hit it this spring for the April 5-7 event. Check out the video below to see what the sale was like last fall!
I’m sharing what’s on my shopping list, and as a seasoned consignor AND consignment shopper, I can tell you this is where you’ll save the most on your spring and summer needs. First, sale details:
Just Between Friends Lancaster Spring 2018 Sale
The Just Between Friends Lancaster Spring 2018 sale is April 5-7, 2018 at the LANCO Fieldhouse in East Petersburg. Admission is FREE every day of the public sale and children and strollers are welcome.
Want to shop early and get first crack at the deals?
If you are a consignor or team member (you volunteer at least 4 hours to help at the sale), you get to shop on pre-sale day. That’s Wednesday April 4, a day before the sale opens to the public! And by the way, it’s never too late to consign. I’ve been known to tag all my stuff the night before the sale, so jump in if you have stuff you want to clear out of your kids’ toy rooms and closets!
Just Between Friends also hosts special pre-sales for first time parents/grandparents, and teachers and homeschool parents. Those passes are free, but they are limited so you have to register in advance. If you don’t fall into either of those categories but still want to shop early, you can grab a Prime Time pass for entry at 2pm for only $10 right here.
A quick note that children are not permitted at the pre-sale until the 7pm family shop opens up. This is power shopping day! But please feel free to bring them any other day of the sale.
5 Things to Save on At a Spring Consignment Sale
Now that you have the sale details, what should you shop for? I’m shopping for older kids, ages 9 and 12, so I’m primarily looking for clothing and books, but during the spring sale I take a look in several areas for things that will save me money over the summer months. Here are the areas of the sales floor you don’t want to miss.
Summer Wardrobes
This is my first stop: clothing and shoes. Hit the shoes first because they do tend to get picked over faster. You can save a ton on sandals, flip flops, and sneakers for the summer.
But clothing is where the real bang for your buck is! My kids live in the clothing I get them at JBF, probably because it’s like going to 50 stores all in one spot. Brand names, stuff that is new with tags, current fashions, and the prices are amazing. My son lives in either Under Armour or a sports jersey (Have you priced sports jerseys lately? Like $75!) and I’ve found this stuff at JBF for as little as $5! At the spring sale I’m shopping for spring jackets or hoodies, bathing suits, shorts, t-shirts, and lightweight pajamas.
Sports Equipment
Both of my kids play soccer and the spring season is just about to start up. Check the shoe area for a great deal on cleats, and then check the sports gear for things like bats, balls, helmets, shin guards, and more.
Don’t forget about clothing for practice, too. You’ll find lots of athletic shorts, tanks, and tees in all sizes for boys and girls.
Seasonal Fun
There is a Seasonal section at the sale where you’ll find things like beach towels, floats for the pool, life vests, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and other items to keep your kids busy this summer. I like to grab a few goodies and tuck them away for one of those “I’m booooorrred” summer days, and then surprise the kids with something new. And if your kids are in childcare or at grandma’s visiting this summer, it’s always nice to send along a basket of fun things to keep them entertained, especially when you can grab it at a great price at JBF!
Check the big ticket area for some outdoor fun, too! This picnic table for kids is just so cute!
Wheels for All Kids
Check the big ticket item area for things like bikes and scooters, and other ride-on toys. This is where you’d find a baby pool, and strollers and wagons for summer walks to the park.
Speaking of wheels, if you’re planning a summer road trip, be sure your kids haven’t outgrown their car seats. If they have, JBF has a great selection of those, too, and we have a recall specialist on staff to make sure everything they’re selling is safe and you can shop with confidence.
Books for Summer Reading
If clothing is the #1 thing I shop for, books have to be #2. My kids read A LOT (which I love!) so I love to continuously feed them great new books. I stock up at Just Between Friends, and if you come back on the last day of the sale, many of them are an additional 50% off which is a really good time to grab a ton.
I know many schools, libraries, and bookstores offer summer reading programs and reward kids for reading a certain number of minutes each day. Encourage them to participate by getting them excited to read with a selection of new books. JBF has everything from board books for little ones, to young adult genre chapter books.
See You at Just Between Friends Lancaster!
What else are you shopping for this spring? Make your list, check what your kids have outgrown, double check their sizes, and make plans to shop JBF Lancaster from April 5-7, 2018!
If you want to stay up to speed with everything happening at the sale, be sure to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for regular updates!
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