Consignment shopping. Do you do it? It’s my experience that you either do it, or you know nothing about it. Because once you try it, you’ll be hooked.
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.
When my kids were little and I was buying all that big stuff – highchairs, pack and plays, exersaucers – I didn’t know about consignment sales. Oh, the money I would have saved! I think my youngest, my son, was about 5 when I discovered Just Between Friends. And I’ve never NOT gone since.
Just Between Friends sales are found all over the country (find your local one here), and mine is in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This is where I consign, and this is where I shop.
Just Between Friends Lancaster
The Just Between Friends Lancaster Spring 2019 sale is coming right up, April 5-7. Get all the details on the website including:
- Presale passes for First Time Parents/Grandparents and Teachers (purchase a Prime Time pass if you’re not in those groups) for April 4
- FREE passes for entry on opening day, April 5
If you’re not familiar with JBF, listen up because I’m gonna school you. Think these sales are like a giant yard sale or flea market? Not even close. They are huge, amazing, well-organized, and the deals are (to borrow some of my kids’ language) LIT.
I’ve got a 10yo boy who wants to live in Under Armour, and a 13yo girl who is in junior sizes and isn’t about to sacrifice fashion at this stage of her middle school career. I outfit both of them at JBF, and they love the deals I bring home.
Here’s why I shop consignment, and why you should be doing it too.
Save Money: Items at JBF are typically 50-90% of retail. I mentioned the boy with his Under Armour addiction. I like that brand too, but it’s pricey. I can get him t-shirts for under $5 that are in great condition. That means I can get him 5 of them instead of one of them. This equals one happy boy.
My kids are older so I’m not shopping for toys and infant items (but if you are you’ll save a TON here). I shop for clothing, shoes, and books. Books are a huge savings at JBF and my daughter in particular is a voracious reader so we buy a lot for $1-$2 each!
Save Time: JBF is one-stop shopping. Instead of schlepping to 5 different stores to find the things my kids want and need, I can go to one place for shoes, clothing, LEGOS, video games, books, and more. Get ‘er done, and get on with my day. I love being able to cross everything off my list for their seasonal wardrobes in one shot.
Best Selection: All of the brands are in one place, so I don’t need to go to one store for my daughter and another one for my son. There’s a large variety of brands and styles available, so the same place I get a jean jacket for my daughter can be the same place I get soccer cleats for my son. Literally hundreds of families consign at JBF, and they all bring in different items for shoppers to choose from.
Helping Other Local Families: JBF truly embraces the whole ‘shop local’ mentality. These are community based events organized by a local mom, and staffed by the moms that are selling at the sale. They provide a place for families to earn some money by selling their gently used items, and they provide a place for families to provide for their children without breaking the bank. You are contributing to your community when you shop at JBF, and that feels pretty darn good.
Meeting Mom Friends: An event run by moms gives you lots of opportunity to meet some new friends. These are the people in your neighborhood, as they say on Sesame Street, and they are moms just like us: making it happen for their kiddos! I love meeting them as I shop (and as a consignor and team member, you get to meet even more fun local moms!). JBF is really a community and it’s a joy to be part of.
Check out Just Between Friends Lancaster
Have I convinced you to check it out? Local Lancaster, PA families, you can get all the details for our sale on the website and mark your calendars for April 4-7. Be sure to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get all the latest news.
Not local to Lancaster? Hit the main JBF website to find the sale closest to you.
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