Just Between Friends Takes the Mystery Out Of Consignment

A new breed of shopper is taking the stigma out of buying secondhand

Do you know what consignment is all about and why families are embracing the concept with unabashed enthusiasm? How are so many area parents spending less to raise their families and making more even with growing children than ever before? Just Between Friends (JBF), the nation’s largest maternity and children’s consignment event franchise, is taking the mystery out of consigning.
“Consignment is the act of consigning, which is placing an item in the hand of another, but retaining ownership until the goods are sold.” (Wikipedia) In short, consignors (sellers) prep and tag outgrown and unused children’s items at home and then bring them to a central location in the community for JBF to sell them. JBF community consignment events take place twice a year, usually in the spring and fall. The events are open to the public and volunteers help run every aspect of the sale. Anyone can participate as a consignor, shopper, volunteer or all three by going to www.jbfsale.com and signing up for the sale(s) they are interested in.
“You don’t have to join a club, or make a long term commitment to participate in a JBF Sale but you just might get hooked on the fun and camaraderie our Volunteers enjoy…..its a great place to meet other Moms and have a day out while helping your family to declutter the home and earn some extra cash at the same time”, said Kay Koitzsch, event coordinator for Just Between Friends of Seattle. “Its like getting paid to clean your closet!”
“Today’s shopper is savvy and knowledgeable of where and when to shop for the best bargains on the things they want and need,” said Michelle Wiginton, event coordinator for the Just Between Friends of St Charles community children’s consignment sales events. “There are more options than ever before and consignment sales events are quickly becoming the method of choice for individuals of all income levels.”
Well-to-do shoppers want a fair return on their investment in quality, name brand items purchased for their children. Upper-income moms tend to shop retail and boutiques, but the growing trend in pricier baby and children’s items is to consign or take advantage of the tagging services at Just Between Friends events, which are experiencing phenomenal growth across the US. Valet or VIP Tagging is a JBF service offered to busy moms who don’t have the time to prepare and tag their items. A JBF volunteer will receive the items, prepare them for sale, tag them and drop all items off at the sale, for a small percentage of the sold price.
“Consignment used to be a mystery to many moms, but JBF has created a new resale niche by encouraging individuals to be good stewards of what they have been given and providing a fun, convenient venue to resell their items and purchase gently-used for what their family needs next,” said Sandra Shasteen, event coordinator for the JBF sales events in Kirkwood and Arnold. “Just Between Friends offers consignors up to 70% on their sold items and they get to price their own items. Traditional consignment stores and garage sales must cover their overhead which is extensive and are designed to give the owner of an item the least amount back, but JBF is just the opposite. We are here to help families recycle, resell, recoup and rejoice!”
Boutique brands, Gymboree and Little Tikes may cost more than other brands, but smart shoppers know they will find excellent value for their dollar when they shop one or more JBF events. In fact, local moms are able to afford boutique and department store quality, but pay only discount store prices (up to 90% off retail).
Just Between Friends will offer more than 110 Sale events nationwide this Fall! For more information on how you can participate in an upcoming JBF event, please go to www.jbfsale.com.