SALT LAKE CITY — With three children under 6 years old, our household is in constant need of clothes, shoes and seasonal gear.

Before my oldest daughter was born, my sister clued me into the secret to dressing her kids well on a budget: children’s consignment sales. Flash forward 6 years, and it is still my favorite way to shop for baby and kids clothes — and I have saved thousands of dollars doing so.

Kids Consignment Sale 101

What is a consignment sale?

Consignment sales are pop-up sales that usually occur two to three times a year, typically in the spring and right before school starts in the fall. They provide a way to both buy and sell baby and children's clothing, shoes, toys and everything in between.

Consignment sales usually last a few days. Moms price and tag their items and earn a percentage of the sale. Those shopping get jaw-dropping deals; and if you are selling stuff, you can make a larger percentage by volunteering to work and help out during the sale.

Why shop at a consignment sale?

It’s a one-stop shop for everything your kid might need that is sold gently worn and at bottom-dollar prices. We’re talking shoes, coats, formal and casual wear, even Halloween costumes or dance attire.

Beyond clothing, consignment sales include books and toys, maternity clothes and anything you’d find by walking up and down the aisles of a Buy Buy Baby.

Where can I find a consignment sale near me?

I have lived in communities big and small since having kids, and I've been able to track down a sale no matter where I lived. A quick Google search of “Kids consignment sales in (City, State)” should bring up good results. Another good resource is Consignment Mommies, a website that allows you to search for sales by region.

Consignment sales are either privately owned or franchised, providing parents in every community the ultimate frugal shopping experience for kids.

Consignment Sale Tips

1. Look closely

If you see a brand or style of clothing on the rack, make sure to look at the items next to it. Oftentimes a seller’s items are right next to each other. I was shopping at a consignment sale for my baby boy and found several Baby Gap outfits in great condition all next to each other on the rack.

2. Set your price

Sellers get to set their own price, so make sure you set yours too. Before you head out, decide how much you would want to spend on a T-shirt, a pair of pants, etc., and then stick to it. I usually go with $5 or less for denim; $3 to $5 for casual shirts, depending on the condition; and $10 or less for dresses or formal wear.

3. Shop by brand name

I know what brand names I want to snatch up because of quality and the style that I dress my kids. I’ve noticed that brands such as Gap, Gymboree, Janie and Jack and Hanna Andersson tend to wash and wear well, so maybe I’ll pay a couple of dollars more for premium brands. Again, use judgment and think about what you’re really saving by buying used versus new.

4. Save those safety pins and hangers

When you get home, before you toss all your new clothes in the washer, save the safety pins and hangers. You may become such a big fan of consignment sales that you might want to consider selling your own clothes. Safety pins and plastic kid-sized hangers will come in handy for this, so if you have the room, save them.

5. Bring your own bag

Sometimes sales will offer a shopping bag to hold your items while you shop, but sometimes they don’t. The first time I went to a consignment sale — when I was pregnant with baby No. 1 — I chuckled watching moms drag laundry baskets on a rope around. But I quickly realized that they knew something I didn’t: You will probably end up with a big stack of clothes and you need some way to get around the sale with all your items. If I come with my kids during the day, I usually drape some of the items on my stroller and bring a reusable shopping bag as well.

6. Scan your item for imperfections

Since consignment sales don’t offer returns, do a quick spot check on your items before checking out. When I have sold clothes at sales in the past, they have strict guidelines as to what is acceptable. Rips, stains or outdated items are not allowed to be sold and are usually set aside. Still, making sure an outfit doesn’t have a button missing or stain on the knee is a good practice before heading to the register.

7. Save an additional 50 percent off

Most consignment sales have a 50-percent-off day, usually on the last day of the sale. Items will be tagged, indicating if they are eligible for an extra 50 percent off. This can save you a ton of cash, especially for casual items such as T-shirts, denim and leggings, which are already priced low to begin with.

HOT items that you should definitely consider picking up:

Items that are only worn a few times, like those mentioned below, typically are in great condition and listed at rock-bottom prices, making for a steal of a deal.

• Newborn baby clothes : Of all the ages, 0-12 month baby clothes, shoes and accessories are usually in excellent and even never-worn condition. When I had my first baby, I had three baby showers and ended up with several items that weren’t even able to be worn or used. Last fall at a consignment sale, I picked up a pair of Stride Rite infant shoes that retailed for $25. I paid $2 for them and could probably sell them and make that money, or more, back.
• Church/holiday/formal wear: Dresses and suits are a big money saver at consignment sales. Holiday dresses and formal children’s clothing typically run over $40 at most retail stores, but you can pick up a dress or suit that was worn once or twice for $5 to $10 depending on the brand name. Now that’s a price worth celebrating.
• Halloween costumes: This is another item typically worn only once or twice. Costumes can be as low as $2 to $5 per piece, where name-brand costumes are over $30.
• Winter gear: Snow boots, coveralls, gloves and warm winter coats are all items that kids wear one season and grow out of before the snow even melts. You’ll save tons of cash building up the perfect snowman-building wardrobe by buying these items.
• Dance attire: Dance and tumbling attire can add up, so look for tap shoes, unitards and other dance items at consignment sales. We all know that recital costume isn’t going to be cheap, but at least we can save money elsewhere. Last year I got my daughter both tap and jazz shoes for less than $10 total!

About the author: Meredith Cook is a freelance lifestyle writer. She currently resides in the Kansas City with her husband and three children.

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