Consignment Craze 3.0: This Weekend

I have waited months for this weekend: it’s the Just Between Friends Fall children’s consignment sale!

I love a bargain. I come from a family of couponers and deal hunters that are a few steps removed from Extreme Couponing but who are not above showing off receipts of hard-won shopping savings (love you, Mom). As a result, I have difficulty paying full price for really anything. While this is sometimes a problem, the good news is it has led me to the savings – and fun – of consignment shopping. Especially for kids stuff.

I have written before about consignment shopping, but I am so excited about this sale – particularly in our crazy economic times (Congress, c’mon already!) – that I feel it is practically a public service to tell you more about Just Between Friends (JBF).

First, print out this coupon on the right for free entry to the sale this weekend (already a $5 savings!).

JBF has a mere 50,000 items for sale. That’s all. I’m talking clothes, toys, shoes, maternity, strollers, high chairs. The works, people. It’s the ultimate recycling event – you buy things that have already been produced and that other people no longer need. And, what a way to boost the local economy. Furthermore, since JBF is so picky in what it takes, the items offered are like new or actually new – tags on, never used. (Case in point: last spring at JBF I bought a $30 Gymboree jacket, tags on, for $6!).

This time around I know to hone my shopping to the key items I need for Bug: long sleeved-shirts, toys, shoes and a Halloween costume. I’m not the only one crazy for consignment: my local friend, NoVa Mommy, also has some tales from the trenches.

Now that you’re thoroughly convinced about JBF, here are details for this weekend:

September 24th — September 25th, 2011 at the Dulles Sportsplex (21610 Atlantic Boulevard in Sterling), near the Dulles Town Center. 

• Saturday, 8:00am – 12:00pm (Private presale for first time parents and military – registration required)
• Saturday, 12:00 – 7:00pm (Open to public; $5 to enter but print free pass above)
• Sunday, 8:00am – 12:30pm (50 percent off sales event)

If you get to JBF this weekend and find you’re eager for more local consignment, check out a new, upscale consignment store coming to Vienna on October 10. Wardrobe Rescue will be at 509 Maple Avenue West. You can consign women’s clothing this weekend and next from 10:00am – 5:00pm, without an appointment. And, JBF also has a spring sale, so start looking ahead to that!

Shoes anyone?