How To Be a Successful Consignment Shopper

If you have kids, consignment sales can save you a lot of money on kids clothing, toys, and accessories.  In the Atlanta area, there are over 100 kids consignment sales held annually.  Most sales are held twice a year; once in the spring and again in the fall.

To be a successful consignment shopper, there are several tips you should follow.

1. Volunteer.  Most consignment sales allow workers to attend a preview sale before the sale opens to the public.
2. Arrive early.  The line to get into a good sale usually begins to form an hour before the sale begins.
3. Bring a laundry basket or bag to hold the items you plan to purchase.
4. Prioritize.  Decide what purchases are most important and select those items first.  If you wait, the items you want the most might be gone.
5. Check all items for stains and/or defects.  Most sales only allow good quality items but some bad items can slip in.
6. Most sales have a no return policy.  If you are not sure about an item, don't buy it.
7. Many sales do not allow strollers.  Be sure to check the specifics of the sale before leaving home.
8. Bring cash.  Some sales will accept checks or credit cards but to be safe, bring cash.

Don't let the good bargains overwhelm you.  At my first consignment sale, I bought just about everything I saw that was in my daughter's size.  She ended up not wearing over half the items I purchased.  But remember, after your kids outgrow the clothes you bought, you can become a consignment seller and make money from your prior purchases.

To see a listing of area consignment sale, click here.