Consignment 101

I know you said you are planning to head to the big consignment sale in Okotoks later this fall.  Having just come home from a gong show of a shopping experience at a consignment sale nearby, I've come up with my top six tips to survive the giant Okotoks sale.

1) Fewer people is better: People come in droves to the big sales.  And many of them bring their children.  I guess they do it because they don't have a choice (or they want to test things out on their kids bell buying?) but it means that the rooms are usually PACKED.  It can be a bit overwhelming, so it's nice to have someone with you, but if you bring too many people, it gets really hard to keep track of everyone.

2) Make a list: Big sales draw so many people because there is so. much. stuff.  All kinds of stuff.  It's easy to get totally overwhelmed and either buy everything you see, or feel like turning around and leaving.  Before you go, make a list of a few things you would like to find at the sale.  Be honest with yourself about what you don't mind getting secondhand and what you would prefer to have new.  It's only worth buying something secondhand if you'll actually use it.

3) Price it out: If there are a couple of bigger items you are looking for (like a swing, stroller, or bassinet), look around online and see what you would pay for a new one.  Sometimes consignment is a great deal, sometimes not so much.   Sometimes the price difference is small enough that you might be happier buying something new and picking exactly what you wanted.

4) Bring reusable bags: If you are looking for smaller items (clothes, books, baby toys), your hands can get full quickly.  A few reusable bags help a lot.

5) Arrive early: These sales are like regular garage sales -- people get there really early.  You'll have the most choice right at the beginning.  If you just want to go to look around, then you can skip the early part and go later when it might be a bit quieter.

6) Remember it's your first: People love to buy gifts for babies (especially first babies) and lots of people will want to give you useful things.  They'll want to see a registry.  So don't bother buying yourself too much too soon.  Because really, isn't it more fun to get gifts than spend your own money?