What should I have on my list for consignment/yard sale season?

My girls are 14 months and I am getting geared up for consignment season to get all the stuff we will need on the cheap! Here is the list so far...

1. car seat covers - we're in the car so much and the girls are eating/drinking in their seats and dangerous with a sippy cup
2. a kid sized table and chairs
2. kiddopotomus reusable plastic placemat with suction cups - does this work well? My girls can pull up the table topper place mats. BIG MESS! They will also throw plates. I am working with them. Sigh.
3. toy kitchen - any recommendations? G will scoot over a diaper box and play with tupperware on top of it while I'm cooking so I think they would play with a small cheapie kitchen set.
4. fall and winter clothes/shoes/coats
5. what toys do you recommend for the 14-20 month age range?
6. any other gear??

 

I think that list sounds great so far!

What about an art easel or arts/crafts sorts of things. My girls started getting into that sort of stuff a few months ago.

 

I was going to suggest art supplies too, coloring books and also used children's books, they are usually cheap and in good shape and you will use the for a LONG time!

 

We take the girls "garage saling" every saturday morning since it seems like it's always garage sale season here in Florida, so I can tell you some of the things I've picked up recently for my 14 month old girls....

* a toy shopping cart - I found that retails for $70 and I got it for $10 with all the accessories.
* books - they are so expensive new, but you can get them for .50 or a buck each.
* baby einstein dvds - or other kid dvds. usually $2-$4
* wooden puzzles - I've gotten them for $1-$2 each. most are for when they get older, but if i see ones in good shape, i get them now. melissa and doug is a good brand.
* kids plastic picnic table - dh picked one up yesterday for outside for $3!
* stride rite shoes - one mom sold me 2 pair that were never worn for a buck each.
* "designer" clothes - i just look for labels like gap, old navy, children's place and gymboree and make sure nothing is stained. i picked up a bunch of children's place zippered 18-month footed jammies last saturday for $1 each, but i really had to look close because some had holes in in the feet.
*Laugh n Play house - for $10 - it retails for $65.


We have also bought a baby backpack for hiking, 2 seats for the back of our bikes (the family had twin boys), and a pull-along trailer for behind DH's bike.

I am currently on the lookout for a tent for them for the beach and for play strollers.

Anything I buy gets researched on the web for recalls and then thoroughly cleaned. I also look for what it retails for so I know what the resale value is. It helps to know a little about what toys are popular and how much they are new before you head out.

It's becoming a family tradition for us and I love it!

edited to say that i bought 2 of those reusable placemats with the suction cups brand new and ended up returning them because i couldn't get them to stick! now i just wipe down the table with a clorox clean-up wipe.

 

Check out your local MOMS sales as well for a kitchen. The best deals will be had at those sales and garage sales. Consignment stores mark up considerably!

 

Ditto Diane-consignment stores mark-up a lot. I sell on craigslist because I make more money there than selling to out local "consignment" store-not really a consignment store since they buy the items outright with cash or store credit. Rompers I had listed for $2 on craigslist since they were brand new were marked at $3.99 there. Baby gear was also marked up much more than garage sale or craigslist prices. Check out your local craigslist.org-not as cheap as a garage sale, but will be alot less than consignment stores in general. Though, there are always those people who think their used Striderite shoes are still worth $20 lol.