Consignment Shopping
Buying for Baby at a Discount
Do you love nice things and want the very best for your baby but wish it wasn’t so expensive? Join moms and grandmas everywhere who have discovered the thrill of shopping resale. Walking into a consignment event or store is like going on a treasure hunt and coming out the winner every time. You never know what treasures you’ll find and you always take your treasure trove home at a fraction of the retail price.
Children’s consignment events and shops offer quality new and gently loved items for infants through young children. You’ll find practically everything you need for your baby —cribs, bedding, swings, gliders, décor, bouncers, strollers, pack-n-plays, toys, equipment, clothing and shoes—all at typically 60-75% off retail prices. Even if you aren't cost-conscious, it can be thrilling to get so much more than you could otherwise for your money. And the quality found at resale sales might surprise you. You'll find many items with tags that have never been worn. Most shops have very strict guidelines on the condition of the clothing they accept. They only take current styles that have been cleaned and pressed without stains, holes, missing buttons, etc.
Many consignment shops offer maternity clothing and the advantages of buying them secondhand are numerous. How long do you wear your maternity clothes? Most women try to hold off buying maternity clothes so by the time they do, they only have 6-7 months before delivery. As a result, resale maternity clothes aren't overly worn and you can get your clothes for 60-75% off retail. Everyone loves the joy of finding great things at bargain prices!
After delivery and as your child grows, you can always revisit your favorite consignment event or shop to recycle your maternity and baby items that are still in good condition and earn a little extra cash. Consign the things you no longer need and then shop the sale for the next size up—it’s almost like shopping for free! You might consign to pay for a special vacation or to start a college fund. Most shops open year round offer a 40-50% split on items consigned and most semi-annual consignment events offer a 60-65% split. Each store or event operates individually, so you'll want to call or check websites for details on the consignment policy for each one you are considering.
Have you started to plan how you'll furnish your baby's nursery? If you want higher quality baby furniture than you can afford or are willing to spend, consider secondhand. Babies outgrow their cribs and changing tables in no time at all. Resale shops and events often carry cribs, changing tables, car seats, strollers, bassinets, high chairs, playpens, and many smaller baby items in great shape and cost a fraction of the original price. Grandparents especially love resale, as they can purchase extra clothing, toys, or portable cribs for baby's sleepovers. Books, videos and toys are usually plentiful too.
As your child grows, you’ll probably feel like you're constantly buying shoes, clothes and toys. It might only be a few weeks before they're into the next size, so resale items are usually gently worn. Many women receive baby gifts that the child never gets to wear and can’t be returned. You may find these with the tags still on.
Do you need a Halloween costume or a special outfit for the holidays that your child will only wear a few times? These types of items are typically very costly but are a great find at consignment events and stores.
Start your treasure hunt today by finding out more about the consignment shopping opportunities near you. Many consignment events offer presales for moms-to-be to shop early, so be sure to look for these or other ways to get the best selection as you look for the shop or event that is best for you.