2009 Raleigh-area Consignment Sale Roundup (Fall/Winter Sales)

It's that time of year again... back to school shopping will start all too soon and parents will be sorting through clothing & toys to decide what still fits and what needs to be replaced. Almost a year and a half ago I discovered a new favorite hobby in bargain shopping called Children's Consignment Sales. I posted a blog last summer about my initial experiences with consignment shopping. Since then I can easily say that I've been to more than a dozen sales total, which are kind of like giant cooperative yard sales. I'm still by no means an expert, but do eagerly look forward to the chance to get nearly-brand-new clothing and toys for my child for about 25% of the original retail cost. Even toys or "play clothes" that look a little worn work fine for a toddler... she doesn't care or know the difference!

For new moms or parents who haven't shopped a consignment sale before, here are a few tips of my own followed by some local news videos explaining the sales and then a list of the upcoming Raleigh, NC-area Fall/Winter sales.

1.) Take a list! Start making a list now of every item you can think of that you need for your child. It can be specific or generic, but just write it down, sort it by category type and even prioritize it by importance. I would never remember everything I want without having it on paper while shopping a sale. Don't think, "Oh that's too specific - I'd never find that at a sale." I've been blown away by very specific items I've found at sales before... such as One Step Ahead's "Walking Wings" (normally $24.95, but I found them practically new for $10). Last year I bought an $85 Kozy Carrier for only $20! The amount of new-with-tag clothing items for sale is often quite surprising too.

2.) Since the sales don't provide shopping carts, take something to carry your items in; I recommend a device with wheels! I use our SnugGlider stroller frame (without the infant car seat) and attach a rectangular laundry basket with a bungee cord. It works fabulously! I also have seen shoppers using carts such as this one, but I've never made the investment to get one of those. A wagon or an empty stroller could work well too.

3.) If possible, sign up for a time slot to work a few volunteer hours so that you can shop early. The best items always go first and once you shop a sale early, you'll realize this. Consignors (people who sell their items) also usually get to shop earlier than the public as well. The only thing to remember about consigning is that there is usually a consignors fee ($5-15) which you pay whether or not any of your items sell. If you do sell your items, depending on the sale you'll typically get about 2/3 of your selling price and the sale owners keep the other 1/3.

The Raleigh area is very fortunate to have quite a few consignment sales nearby and those numbers seem to be growing! I've compiled a list of 10 upcoming Fall/Winter sales with their dates and locations below. There are 4 more area sales that I'm aware of, but have not yet confirmed their upcoming dates/location. First though, here is some local news coverage from two of the area's largest sales, KidsExchange and Kids Everywear. Note that these videos are from last winter's "Spring/Summer" sales and are not specifically referring to the upcoming sales.

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If the crowds in those videos overwhelm you, take heart... all sales aren't as chaotic as those two! In fact, many of the smaller sales are great because since they aren't as crowded, you can find better bargains! Feel free to leave a comment below inquiring about a specific sale and I'll be happy to let you know any details I know about it. (Although there are a few on this list that I haven't been to before.)

Here is the list, sorted by upcoming sale dates:

Kids Exchange

July 20 - 28, 2009 (Mon-the following Tue)

NC State Fairgrounds

Jim Graham Building

http://www.KidsExchange.net

Note: This is the biggest sale in the entire area… it’s MASSIVE!

The Friendship Closet Consignment Sale

August 7 - 8, 2009 (Fri-Sat)

Apex United Methodist Church

100 S. Hughes Street / Apex, NC 27502

http://www.friendshipcloset.com/dates-location

Upscale Resale

August 13 - 15, 2009 (Thu-Sat)

Cary Masonic Lodge

1142 SE Maynard Road / Cary, NC

http://www.UpscaleResale4Kids.com

Note: Trunk Show, Boutique & higher-end consignment sale clothes

TMOTT Sale (Triangle Mothers of Twins & Triplets)

August 15, 2009 (Sat)

N.C. State Fairgrounds

Kerr Scott Building

http://www.tmott.org/sale.htm

Twice as Nice

August 20 - 22, 2009 (Thu-Sat)

New Horizons Fellowship

820 E. Williams Street / Apex, NC 27502

http://www.twiceasnice4tots.com/

Note: One of my very favorite sales, and not just because I designed their website! :-)

NEXT 2 NEW 4 KIDS

August 26 - 30, 2009 (Wed-Sun)

Cleveland Gymnasium

8994 Cleveland Road / Clayton NC 27520

http://www.next2new4kids.com

Divine Consign Show - Raleigh DCS Fall Show

August 31 - September 4, 2009 (Mon-Fri)

Stonehenge Shopping Center

7432 Creedmoor Road / Raleigh, NC

http://www.dcskids.com

Notes: Exclusive Trunk Show & Boutique Overstock and Consignment Sales; Also has a Grandparent Preview Show & New Mom Shopping (must pre-register)

Kids Everywear

August 29th - September 15th
Morrisville Outlet Mall

1001 Airport Blvd / Morrisville, NC 27560-8935

http://www.kidseverywear.com/

Notes: Probably 2nd largest sale in the area & growing each year! ; Also has early shopping days for Pregnant & New Moms (must pre-register)

Kidaround Kidsale

Two Sale Dates & Locations!

#1 - Sept. 11 - 13, 2009 (Fri-Sun) @ The Factory in Wake Forest (MVP Factory Sports indoor basketball court)

1839 US 1-A /South Main St. Wake Forest NC

#2 - Oct. 9 - 11, 2009 (Fri-Sun) @ The Lighthouse Center in South Raleigh

326 Tryon Rd / Raleigh, NC (the Garner side of Raleigh)

http://www.kidaroundkidsale.com/

Nearly New Clothing Exchange

September 16-20, 2009 (Wed-Sun)
Pleasant Valley Shopping Center
6270 Glenwood Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27612
Next door to Kirklands

http://www.nearlynewclothingexchange.com

Chatham Kids Consignment

September 18, 19, 20, 2009 (Fri-Sun)

11312 US Highway 15 501 N
Chathams Crossings
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
http://www.chathamkidsconsignment.com

First UMC Cary Fall Sale

September 19, 2009 (Sat)

First United Methodist Church, Cary

117 S. Academy Street / Cary, NC 27511

http://www.consignwithfumc.com/

Note: Planning Ahead? Spring Sale will be Saturday, February 20, 2010

Church Kidz Stuff

October 1 -3, 2009
Hayes Barton Baptist Church, Raleigh

http://www.hbbc.net/Ministries/ChildrensMinistry/ChildrensConsignmentSale/

Just 4 Kids Consignment Sale

October 4 - 10, 2009 (Sun-Sat)

Life Spring Community Church

501 Wake Chapel Road

Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

http://www.just4kidsnc.com

Second Blessings Consignment Sale

Spring 2010
Greenwood Forest Baptist, Cary

http://www.gfbccary.org/consignment/