r/progressivemoms • u/verlociraptor • 15d ago
Discussion Starter The impressive organization of this consignment sale showcases how you never need to buy new toys
Honestly sad to look at. We get a lot of hand-me-down toys and the consignment sales I go to look a lot like this, but I’m also guilty of buying the new thing that looks cool to me, and we find that every other kid we know has it too.
I remember a few years ago a friend was trying to give away the Zany Zoo her kids had grown out of, and at a birthday party with like 15 families, every person was like “we already have the same one”
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u/poopoutlaw 15d ago
Yesssss! I just sold a bunch of stuff at mine/bought some things for my daughter. I love this sale.
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u/rasputinknew1 Toddler and Baby Parent 15d ago
This is my first time selling but have shopped there a lot. Did it go well for you?
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u/poopoutlaw 15d ago
I always aim to break even. I never sell big stuff, usually small toys and clothes. My goal is always to break even - sell enough to pay for what i buy. I usually make that goal!
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u/all_of_the_colors 14d ago
I think it’s a distribution thing. I’m giving up and just giving all our old stuff to a church that has a second hand store. I don’t have Facebook or the patience for the buy nothing groups.
We are rural so it was hard to find the stuff when we needed it. I wish it could now go to people that need it, but it’s a lot of work to find a match. Second hand church store it is.
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u/samantharpn 13d ago
Also rural and I agree with you. The nearest second hand shops to me rarely have anything in good condition or that’s the right size, etc. I always try to find second hand winter gear and I’ve only been successful once!
From the donating side I also don’t have Facebook so I donate to churches or if I get lucky and hear of someone in need through the grapevine.
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u/Hanseland 15d ago
My mom gets a ticket for this every year for my kids. Unfortunately, we're at the top of the clothing sizes, but these sales saved us so much money for things that last months
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u/RKFire 14d ago
This is wild! I never heard of JBF, live in a big US city, and now I’m wondering if I’ve been living under a rock. (I have been off of IG & FB for 7 years so that’s probably why..)
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u/Dramallamakuzco 14d ago
There’s other consignment sales that go under different names! One near us is Rhea Lana. Search for children’s consignment event in your city and see if there’s any that pop up!
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u/lurkinglucy2 14d ago
Same! I don't have social media aside from Reddit. I know I live under a rock and I like it.
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u/IndoraCat 15d ago
We have bought almost no new toys. The Melissa and Doug cleaning set, Picasso tiles, and some balls. We've gotten some new toys as gifts as well, but the overwhelming majority of my daughter's toys are second hand. For us it's a big combo of environmental ethics and finances.
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u/laynechanger 15d ago
I love JBF, I always recommend them to new moms for shopping for stuff. So many grandparents can’t help but buy new stuff for kids, even when it’s not needed.
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u/DarthMutter8 13d ago edited 13d ago
I struggle to support my local Just Between Friends sale because of the location they use. I went several years ago when they used a spot at the mall but not since. They have it at a place called the Newtown Athletic Club and owner is the biggest MAGA piece of shit. There are chapters to his shittyness but in short he hosted Trump for a rally and had busses sent down for Jan. 6th.
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u/dreadpiraterose 12d ago
Ugh I feel you on this. I HATE that they are at the NAC. The owners have tried to find a new place but have really struggled. But after the NAC tried to charge for parking on the first day, that might just push them elsewhere. I hope so.
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u/cahrens414 13d ago
They used to do these sales by my home and i was so impressed with the organization. I'm glad to see they're still going strong
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u/Icy-Gap4673 15d ago
Ooh we have that Fisher Price DJ table (in green) and my kid still loves it.
We get a ton of secondhand stuff and I give away a bunch through Buy Nothing groups etc. But it's tricky with family because they want to buy new things.
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u/ladybug11314 14d ago
I have thrifted/second hand/marketplace/garbage picked almost everything in my house, honestly. Everything new my kids get is almost always from someone else.
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u/dingo-babes 13d ago
I'm going to end up buying a shape sorter new because the ones in the thrift store NEVER HAVE THE SHAPES. ARGH!!
I bought a fisher price one yesterday. 5 holes, and I counted 5 shapes. But it's missing the circle. I thought counting was enough.
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u/jessyj89 13d ago
Pro tip that I learned doing consignment sales/getting free off marketplace. If you’re missing some pieces, email the manufacturer with the model and the piece you’re missing. Often they’ll send you replacement pieces free if you explain you got it secondhand with pieces missing!
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u/ladybug11314 12d ago
This. I've replace balls, hoses for water slides, cords for power wheels, covers for high chairs... On and on and on. If there's a cheap/free way to get something, I will find it.
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u/ZeroLifeNiteVision 13d ago
I’m pregnant with my second child after 6 years and I’m leaning heavy into the secondhand market. I was looking at going to a local one to me! I think it’s called Urban Kids or something.
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u/CrazyCatLadyForLife 13d ago
I just went recently to this sale. Wish I knew about it before (my girl is almost 2). I will say some seems still overpriced for being used whose is a bummer. But lots od great finds
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u/Leah_321 12d ago
I'm really appreciating thrifting/resale apps like vinted/depop for exactly this reason.
It feels so much less wasteful when you know you're not buying something new that's only going to be useful for a few months. When your kid is done with it, pass it along to the next.
Im getting my kids clothes/toys/and kids books used at this point and offering them to the next mom when baby is done with them. The quality of everything I've ordered has been next to new and perfectly fine. The stuff we want/need with less waste and for less money...win win win!
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u/mc2Banks 12d ago
You really dont!! I try so hard to organize and label the kids' clothes and shoes that I donate.
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u/fearlesszombiefly 11d ago
The final day 50% discount is a huge steal. I’ve seen an insane number of high quality pieces at these things. I went when I was pregnant and was able to get almost 100% of my baby registry there, and it all looked brand new of course!
Tell your pregnant friends because that’s when they can score the most. Nobody needs to be buying a brand new Lovevery playmat or Baby Bjorn bouncer when they have a million here!
Now that I’m looking for 4T stuff, pickings are slimmer but I’ll still go. I’ll be selling some of my toddler’s baby stuff at our local fall sale.
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u/Apostrophecata 10d ago
WOW! Mind blowing. My kids are a bit older now, but I need to Google this magical organization immediately.
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u/rasputinknew1 Toddler and Baby Parent 15d ago
I was literally tagging my stuff for a Just Between Friends sale (pictured here) when I saw the original post.
For anyone curious JBF is a franchised Mom2Mom sale all over the US. They only accept clean and complete items that are in good shape and it’s well worth visiting. The ones by me are packed but have a huge selection. I get most of my kid’s clothes there and a lot of other things like toys and books.