Hints for First Time Parent’s Pre Sale Shopping at the Three Bags Full Children’s Consignment Events 

1. Be aware of the “rules.”

~Bring your shopping pass. It’ll arrive in your email (usually a junk folder) right after you register. This is like the Golden Ticket. The winning lottery ticket. The ticket to an exoctic vaca. You get the idea.

~Record the date/time of entrance. A line forms so come a little bit early to be in the front of the line. Horrid thought: arriving late.

~ This is for FIRST TIME MOMS only. If you are expecting your first, or if your first/only is 12 months or younger, then this early shopping opportunity is for YOU. Yep, you can bring your hubs and the super-excited new grandma with you. (But not a friend, aunt, sister, neighbor, babysitter, pet sitter, doctor, college roomie….you get the idea)

~If your bundle of joy has already arrived, strapping them to the new dad is a great idea instead of a stroller. It tends to get crowded. And, it’ll keep dad busy while you’re buying tons of bargains. Or, talk dad into staying home with the new bundle of joy and you and the super-excited new grandma can bring out your wild side incognito. (He’ll never know.)

~We don’t accept checks but we DO accept Visa/MasterCard if you have a photo ID. Cash always works too.

2. All super savvy shoppers have a plan of attack.

 ~Be comfy. Wear the stretchy pants. We all know that Target Black Friday chic in heels is SO unrealistic. Have pockets to stash your keys, credit card, a pen (more on that in a bit) and maybe a granola bar.  The huge super chic bag you received as a gift with the bundle of joy? Save it for a date night.

~Have a list of stuff you’re looking for. The serious “I have to have” stuff and then the “Hey I’m looking for this” stuff. Then have an open ended list of nothing- that is for all the stuff you find that you didn’t think about ahead of time. Why pass up the super bargain of the year just because you hadn’t written it down?

~While waiting to get in, ask someone where things are located. (The big stuff- the “BIG” stuff- that stuff that everyone wants…go there first. Strollers, hi-chairs, outside play toys, etc. Yep, that’s the big stuff. This is when you’ll need that pen by the way). Know of something specific you’re looking for? Ask around to the other people in line. Chances are they know a consignor, have an inside scoop or maybe are just as eager as you. Make a new friend. Hey- playgroup time!

~Time to enter! Big blue shopping bags available right inside the door. Yes. You each need one.

~Have a question? Look for a mom in a Three Bags Full t-shirt or a yellow Three Bags Full apron. It’s their stuff that is for sale and they know RIGHT where everything is. (See a dad helping out? Chances are he was hired for muscle. Find him when you need to load your car).

3, Let the Bargain Busting Shopping Extravaganza Begin!

 ~ It’s worth repeating. Shop for the BIG items on your “must have” list first. When you are 200% sure it’s what you want, complete the “Buyer Info” (you) on the CLAIM TICKET. Tear off the bottom half and keep it. Leave the item sit. The dudes hired for muscle will watch over it for you.

~Shop next for the other “must have’s” on your list. Everything is organized by category, size and gender. Look for the fluorescent signs.

~CUTE CLOTHES! Not just for the bundle of joy, but for you too! Professional Attire for Moms (dressy & dressy casual) usually have some awesome finds. The Juniors and Young Mens are worth checking out too- those current, hip, trendy brands you wore before baby- you’ll get back in’em!  Don’t forget- that bundle of joy will grow into a crawling, toddling, walking, running precious likeness of you! Buy up! Buy for the next size, season, etc and you’ll save tons and tons and tons. Really. Take our word for it. The worst thing is needing to go pay retail (even sale retail) when you could have bought it at THE SALE for way less.

~Think ahead. Know anyone else with kids? Chances are you’re invited to the birthday party. Check out the new Melissa & Doug toys, the awesome gently-used (or maybe never used) toys and create a gift closet. Just stuff it with stuff b/c you ARE going to need it. Leave the  ”darn it, I have to go buy a gift” moments behind- save money and just visit your gift closet.

~Ready to check out? Our line *may* look daunting, but it actually goes pretty fast. We often come through line with chocolate and water so don’t hesitate to say “ME! I need chocolate!” You’ll get your items all scanned, bagged and ready to go, then you’ll step to the front of the line to pay.

~COME BACK! Had an item or two you just weren’t sure about and you put it back? Come back on Half Price Night or Half Price Day. Anything with red dots on the tags are now 50% off. Way cool. This time, bring the friend, pet sitter, college roomie…anyone you know that wears clothes. Because really, there is something for everyone. Kids of all ages, sizes, interests. Get on the email list, mark your calendars because Guess what??? You can do it again! We have four locations all over Central Ohio, and being a newbie mom you can shop them all! Each sale is different- after all different moms are selling different stuff, so there is different stuff each time.

What about next time? SELL. What? yep! SELL. Sell at least 10 items and instead of shopping early with the New Moms you can shop SUPER EARLY with the consignors. That’s the bomb, baby! And hey- we all know you got a couple outfits for the bundle of joy that you didn’t like. Or, a few maternity outfits that just never did fit beyond that first wearing.  Sell them! Another mom will be SO excited you did!