All your friends are doing it

The Just Between Friends children’s consignment sale -- a favorite shopping event among parents and other caregivers -- will return to the Clovis Recreation Center Oct. 6-9.

“We are the Central Valley’s premier children’s and maternity consignment sale,” said Mandi Milburn, owner and event coordinator for Just Between Friends Visalia/Fresno.

The sales, held throughout the year at different locations in the Central Valley, offer parents the opportunity to sell — on consignment — gently used items their children have outgrown or no longer use, including “clothing, toys, equipment [and] anything a mother who is pregnant would need,” said Milburn.

But, she added, you’ll find more than baby products at a Just Between Friends sale. Children’s sizes from “preemie to junior,” shoes, accessories and “hundreds and hundreds of toys” (Lego and Barbie are popular brands) are available at Just Between Friends sales.

Those who shop the sale can, in turn, purchase those items at a deep discount — often 50 to 90 percent off of regular retail prices, said Milburn. Consignors set their own prices.

She said consignors earn 65 percent of their sales, minus a $15 consignor fee. Consignors who commit to a four-hour volunteer shift during the sale can earn 70 percent of their sales.

The sale will open to the public on Oct. 7 and run through Oct. 9. A pre-sale, for those with passes or tickets (including volunteers, military families, teachers and first-time parents and grandparents) will take place on Oct. 6.

There’s still time for potential consignors to get in on the action, said Milburn — you can sign up online and drop tagged items off as late as Friday, Oct. 7. “Choose large items first,” she advised, “because those sell the best.” Suggested “large” items include cribs, play pens and strollers.

No need to worry if you miss out on this sale, she added. A Hanford sale is scheduled for December; a valet service with Clovis drop-off will be available to transport items to the site.

The Just Between Friends sale has held events in the Fresno-Clovis area for about eight years, said Milburn. She said nearly 3,000 families shopped at April’s sale at the Fresno Fairgrounds. “Every year it’s getting bigger,” she said. “Spring to fall, year to year, it’s grown.”

The reason it’s so popular? The answer came easily to Milburn: “No matter if you’re selling or shopping, you are saving money, spending less and making money. The best thing is that it stays local, so you’re helping local families sell their good items, and local families are finding good items at a fraction of retail.”

This story was originally published September 29, 2016 at 11:57 AM with the headline "All your friends are doing it."