Upcoming Consignment Sale Dates in Columbia, SC

Upcoming Consignment Sale Dates in Columbia, SC

Happy Back-to-School!  Along with the school bus, this time of year usually brings us relief from the heat, a new routine, and...consignment sales!  I am a big consignment sale supporter, and whether you have children already or if you are expecting, I encourage you to do the same.  Columbia, SC, is a great place to live, and even more so if you are thrifty.  I love getting great deals on children's clothing and toys, and consignment sales are one place to do that.  Luckily, in Columbia, SC, there are many consignment sales from which to choose!  We are now entering the Fall Children's Consignment Sale Season.  Let the games begin!

August 28:  The MOM Sale-- 7 am - Noon -- Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, Lexington, SC -- This was the first children's consignment sale that I ever attended.  I got a lot of great deals then, and I still get them, now!  This sale is unique because you can find a lot of matching outfits.  It is sponsored by the Greater Columbia Area Mothers of Twins Club.

September 16-20:  Tot Trade -- 9 am - 7 pm -- Jamil Temple, Columbia, SC -- There are many deals to be had at this sale, I've heard from many friends and family members.  The Spring 2010 sale was my first experience with this event.  I must admit, I was disappointed in the selection of boys clothing at the spring sale.  Most of the clothes looked worn out -- not consignment sale quality.  However, I did not go on the first day of the sale, and the selection might have been picked over by the time I arrived.  The girls selection was much better, and I saw many people still getting adorable dresses and outfits from the girls section while I was there.  One thing this sale has going for it:  it's huge.  The Jamil Temple is enormous and it will be filled with toys, clothes, books, and anything else you can imagine for children.

September 17-19:  Belles and Beaus Children's Consignment Sale -- 9 am - 6 pm -- 432 Ballpark Rd, Lexington, SC-- This is my personal favorite consignment sale.  Toys, clothes, potty-training items, nursery decor, everything.  It's a smaller sale than some of the others, but this one never disappoints me.

A word from the wise about successful consignment sale shopping:

1.  Don't bring your children.  I know this sounds like some really contradictory advice, but the children who are at the sale are always miserable and screaming about the toys they can't hold/play with/take home.  I know, I know.  I have forgone this advice more than once out of necessity, but I try to schedule going to the sales kid-free as much for their own happiness as my own sanity!

2.  Take measurements for clothes and a cardboard cutout of your children's feet if you are looking for shoes.  Most sales don't allow trying on on of clothes, shoes, etc.  (Yet another reason to leave the kiddos at home.)

3.  Take inventory of what you have/don't have for the upcoming seasons.  This makes it easier to distinguish which purchases to make.  (i.e. Does he really need one more pair of khakis or a pair of jeans?)

3.  Bring a laundry basket or large, reusable shopping bag to carry your purchases around in while shopping.  You will purchase many more items than on a normal shopping trip to the mall because the items are such good prices.  A laundry basket with a string attached is ideal and even recommended by some of the sales.

Love to shop the consignment sales in Columbia, Lexington, and West Columbia, SC?  See one that I missed?  Let me know!  I would love to add it to the list and make a visit to it this season!