A story on connections you don’t hear about everyday. “I see you’ve got a shopping cart full of baby items there,” Jennie says to an older couple ahead of her in line at a consignment sale.
“Yes, we found some great deals and we’re so excited about our purchases.” The older woman answered.
“Are you all expecting grandchildren?” Jennie politely asks and secretly wonders if they realize she is the consigner whose goods they are purchasing.
“Well, actually, these are for the granddaughter of my best friend in New Mexico. The girl and her boyfriend found themselves with an unexpected teenage pregnancy. We decided to help honor their decision to not abort their baby by shopping this sale and buying as much as we could for $100,” the older woman answered. Her husband nodded in agreement.
“Well, I think they will be so happy to receive your gift. Congratulations,” Jennie responded with a smile in her heart.
Jennie is a mom and long-time consignor at Just Between Friends (JBF). She met one of the owners, Melissa Miefert, from her local JBF while waiting in line at a grocery store and now serves as a consigner and team lead for VIP tagging. In the photo above Jennie is pictured with Melissa and Lynn Jennings (JBF franchise owners) on her right, and a fox news reporter on her left.
What is a Just Between Friends Consignment Sale?
If you’ve never heard of JBF, Just Between Friends is a seasonal sales event where communities come together to buy and sell gently-used children’s and maternity items at huge savings. These events are locally owned and operated and held two to three times a year.
At each event you can choose to:
- SHOP for children’s and maternity items at 50-90% savings
- SELL your gently-loved children’s items to make money, consignors can make 60% and up
- Volunteer and you can earn an early shopping pass
JBF is all about Community
I met Jennie and she explained that JBF is much more than a consignment sale, it’s about community.
The organization relies on participation of a large crew of volunteers to set up, run, and clean up after each one week sales event. All of the items for sale at a JBF sale are sourced from consignors within the community where a sale is run; and at the end of each sale, consigners have the option to donate any unsold goods to a local charity.
In some locations, JBF will accept non-perisable food cans for the local charities instead of a cash entrance fee.
Benefits of a JBF Sale
Jennie loves how the JBF sale enables families managing on one income to shop the JBF sale and outfit their children at huge savings. If the clothes are in good condition, those families can re-sell the clothes at a future sale and make a portion of their spending in return.
Some consigners create new handmade products for the sale. This photograph includes handmade bow holders – perfect for a little girl’s hair bow collection.
Shopping gently used clothing and goods also keeps things out of landfills and is a great way to reuse and upcycle children’s toys, DVDs, books, shoes and more.
Anther fantastic benefit of shopping a JBF sale is shoppers can rest assured that any crib, car seat, or stroller has been checked for safety. The team checks items against a consumer product recall list and rejects any recalled items at the door. Shoppers shopping garage sales have to check for safety recalls on their own.
Just Between Friends partners with many groups, businesses and charities to make events the best they can be for the community. By doing so, the organization is able to reach more people with more services and opportunities.
JBF also offers local businesses to set up displays at the JBF event to exhibit their products and services to shoppers at the event. JBF also works with many local schools, Mom’s groups, daycares and scout troops to provide fundraising and volunteer opportunities.
JBF Volunteers
Amanda, a long-time volunteer and lead checkout worker, has been shopping and consigning with JBF for seven years. She says she never pays retail. She can almost always find what she needs for her children at JBF.
It’s Sara’s first year serving at the check-in for JBF. She says she loves everything about JBF and she’s excited for the opportunity to shop early.
Just Between Friends is more than a consignment sale, it’s a community building event. Volunteers can earn a commissions on their sales greater than 60% and depending upon the number of hours worked, they can shop early.
More Tips on how to Make or Save Money at Consignment Sales
Want to shop or sell at a consignment store or JBF event? You’ll love these articles:
Consign at a Just Between Friends Sale to Make and Save Money: includes tips on how to save the most money at a consignment sale as well as tips on how to make the most money from selling consignment items.
How to Price Items for a Quick Sale on Consignment
Where to find a JBF Sale in your Area
If you’d like to learn more about how to volunteer or where to locate a JBF sale in your area click on one of the following links:
- Just Between Friends Event Locator
- Sign-up to be a Just Between Friends Volunteer
- Franchise Ownership Benefits
How do you up-cycle kid’s clothes and toys?
Does your family recycle kid’s clothes? How does your community come together to offer affordable up-cycled options for families? Please leave a comment below and join the conversation. I love hearing from my readers!
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