4 Tips for shopping at your next Just Between Friends (and a giveaway!)

So you've heard about "JBF" right? Just Between Friends is the best place to go for consignment sale shopping for your entire family! It's no secret that you save boku-bucks at these events, as items are marked 50-90% off retail prices. You'll find children's clothes from birth through teenage years, maternity, nursing and regular clothes for mama, toys, games and gear and so much more!

There's JBF sales all across North America twice times (sometimes three) a year and I'm extremely fortunate that the closest event to me is a 5 minute walk from my house at the Evergreen State Fairground in Monroe, WA. The fall consignment sale is Sept 12 - 14th - with a little bit of pre-sale access too (I'll talk about that in just a sec!).

Because of the sheer volume of what is available at JBF sales, it's very easy to get overwhelmed and carried away. Now that I've been to about a dozen of these sales, I'm ready to impart on you a few really helpful tips on making the most out of your shopping experience.

1. Start compiling a list ahead of time on what you're looking for. Think about the sizes and toys you'll need for the next 6 months or so, what kind of gear or helpful things you'd like to have. This upcoming sale is the "fall" sale, so be on the look out for cold weather and holiday items! That means think ahead for gifts too! 

2. Bring help! It's always more fun to shop with friends, right? This way you get a second pair of eyes on what is cute, extra hands with kiddos, or simply a budget enforcer. 

3. Try to arrange some help or an alternative activity for the kids. I don't say this lightly, because my girls go with me everywhere. At the last JBF event, I brought 2 week old Ruby and 2 year old Penny with me. I wore Ruby in my NuRoo shirt and Penny hung out in the stroller. I say this from experience - it's so much easier and less hectic if you can just focus your deal finding rays on the sale instead of also coordinating toddler snacks or possible melt downs when she sees a toy that she MUST have. Also prepare yourself for long check out lines - at really popular sales I've waited in line for close to an hour! YIKES! I've experienced and heard my own fair share of toddler and baby meltdowns while in line.

4. Have an idea of what the item is worth, and if it's a good deal or not. I write this as a note on my shopping list.I see something unexpected at the sale, I pull out my celly and do a quick google search to see what retail price is. At the last sale, I snagged a wooden balance bike for over half off retail! The consignors try to keep prices competitive and you should expect at least 50% off retail at these sales, but sometimes the deal is not as good as you may think it is.

The JBF Sale wouldn't be anything without consignors, so if you are thinking to clear out some of your clutter, sign up to consign. Consignors will earn a base of 60% on their sales (less a $10 Consignor fee), but can earn more and have the fee waived if you volunteer.

Here's the details you'll need on this season's consignment sale:

Just Between Friends - Everett

September 12 - 14, 2014

Evergreen State Fairgrounds

14405 179th Ave SE, Monroe, WA 98272

Shopping times:
Fri Sept 12th: 9a-7p
Sat Sept 13th: 9a-5p
Sun Sept 14th: 8a-1p (1/2 Price Day)

But guess what? You get to hear about a little secret.. there's a pre-sale too! You can buy tickets or enter to win some below! We've got 8 separate prizes for our lucky readers .. so check out the giveaway widget below and enter to win!

Entry-Form

What are you looking for at this next JBF sale?

Disclosure: Thank you, JBF Everett for sponsoring this post.  All opinions expressed are my own. The Pierogie Mama and participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Confirmed prizes will be saved at  the"will call" table at the JBF Everett/Monroe event.