The scoop: Helpful hints for shoppers and sellers

• If at all possible, leave the kids at home. The sales can become very crowded, and you will probably save more money.
  
  
• Arrive early! A line starts to form about 30 minutes before the sales begins. If you need big ticket items such as car seats, cribs, strollers, go for those first. They are always highly sought after items. You can always put a hold on these items while you continue to shop.

• Bring a laundry basket or a really big bag with you to shop. A vertical hamper/laundry basket works better than the horizontal style as they take up less space. This will allow you to be hands free while your grabbing your goodies.

• Make a list of items you are looking for before you arrive. The selection can be overwhelming, but if you stick to the list, you can target the specific items before you begin browsing. This will also help you save money by buying only the things you need.

• If you are looking for clothing, go ahead and grab everything that you like. You can always sort through them when you have finished shopping to finalize your selection.

• Bring cash or your check book with you as most sales are not equipped to handle debit card payments. Have an idea of how much you want to spend before you arrive, and it may be best to take only the cash you are willing to spend. On average, I spend between $40 - $70 on clothing at each sale. As a general rule, I do not spend more than $8 on an outfit (unless it is irresistible).

• Like an item, but the price is too high? Most items are 50% off on Saturday. You can tell whether your item will be reduced by looking at the price tag. If the corner is cut, no discount will be given. If all four corners are solid, half off to you!
  
  
• Bring a doting grandparent. If the grandparents like to spend money on the grandchildren, then you can help them make that dollar go further at a consignment sale.
  
  
• Don't charge $20 or more for an outfit, no matter how much you paid. You seem WAY to attached to those clothes when you do. Remember: the clothes are not your kids. If you're getting rid of clothes, then price to move. People come for a deal, and they're putting these clothes on their kids. Most of the time there are so many great deals (and sometimes duplicate items) that it's easy to pass up pricey items.

• If you have an outfit you'd like to sell, then keep it together. It's nice to find whole outfits, and people will pay slightly more for them. If you don't have a complete outfit, then put some coordinating clothing together to make a cute ensemble. You can make a few extra dollars by adding a hair clip and/or socks & tights to your outfits.

• Don't bring your tired-table-cloth looking dresses and expect anything but funny looks. There is a sea of clothing items here, and yours are just disturbing everyone. Even if I wanted to buy them, I'd be afraid someone else was going to see me. I'll wait until I find it in the local dumpster.

• Stains on those clothes? It may remind you of a great time you had making finger paints out of green peas, but to everyone else it looks like a possible bio-hazard. One word, "Gross!"

• Bring your sense of humor. Most people at a consignment sale are having a wonderful time finding great deals and enjoying the company of other like minded mothers, fathers, and grandparents. However, it takes only one bad apple to ruin the experience. Don't get so carried away with the deals that you sacrifice your integrity in the process. It's likely you'll see many of these people again, and stealing a good deal away from someone isn't worth being the laughed at later on.

• Volunteer, Volunteer, Volunteer!!! You don't have to be affiliated with the church or any church for that matter to volunteer, but you can still reap the benefits of shopping early while doing a good thing!