Spring consignment season is in full swing, but not everything at a
consignment sale is necessarily a good deal. Tonight, we're saving you
money by showing you how to be a shrewd shopper at these popular sales.
Moms wait, the line snaking all around the church, and Wendy Goldman is
first in que with a long list!



"Shoes, clothes," says Goldman. "Mmm, probably a high chair."



Things like high chairs can frequently be overpriced at consignment sales.



"With big items, you really have to be careful to know it's a good deal
because if not, it's just as easy to go to Walmart, Target, Amazon
even," says consignment expert Julie King,"and buy it."



King, who runs the website consigningtime.com, says this is when your smart phone can make you a smart shopper.



"Ok, Fisher Price Rainforest High Chair," says King. "All I do is go to
my smartphone. I google it, I found out Walmart right now I could buy
this new, it's in stock for $98, but they're selling it here for $50.
Well, that's half price."



That's a good deal. You only want to pay 1/3-1/2 of what you'd pay at
the store. You don't want to pay at a consignment sale what you could
pay for something new at a clearance rack. Take for example 2 comparable
shirts. $6 for Ralph Lauren shirt, great deal, but there's a comparable
shirt, very cute, but it's $15. It's Ralph Lauren.



"It's still Ralph Lauren, but $15 is a little bit high," says Julie. "I
could probably find that on the clearance rack or at TJ Maxx new for a
little bit less than that."



So, that's not a good deal, and regardless the price, if it's cheap, but
broken or damaged, you're wasting your money. King says examine
everything thoroughly. Search for stains, check the zippers, look for
lost buttons, and missing pieces. To find the next consignment sale near
you, click on FOX LINKS and look for CONSIGNING TIME. If you have money
saving ideas, we'd love to hear them. Post them on our Facebook page at
Facebook.com/Fox Nashville.Consignment Shops