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Ms. Cheap: Where, how to get best deals at children’s consignment sales




Encores South is in its 29th year and usually has more than 400 consignors who contribute every category of clothing and other items for infants through teens. The public sale is Aug. 21-28 at 1022 Columbia Highway in Franklin.Courtesy / Encores South /Murfreesboro Post

Encores South is in its 29th year and usually has more than 400 consignors who contribute every category of clothing and other items for infants through teens. The public sale is Aug. 21-28 at 1022 Columbia Highway in Franklin.Courtesy / Encores South /Murfreesboro Post

The back-to-school season always brings out a flurry of pop-up children’s consignment sales that feature gently used clothing, toys, books and equipment for infants through teens at prices well below their original retail price.

There is no wonder why these sales are so popular since we all know how fast children grow — and how fast they outgrow toys, clothes and equipment.

These increasingly popular resales are taking place in locations all over Middle Tennessee over the next six weeks, and you can just drop in and shop.

“I’ve got people who started shopping with us for their children and are now shopping for their grandchildren,” said Russie Carter, whose Encores South sale is in its 29th year. “When we started, we were one of the only sales, but now there are quite a few.

“Most items in our sale are about a quarter of the retail price so there are some huge bargains, and then no tax,” said Carter, whose fall/winter sale this week is one of the first to take place this season.

Encores South is in its 29th year and usually has more than 400 consignors who contribute every category of clothing and other items for infants through teens. The public sale is Aug. 21-28 at 1022 Columbia Highway in Franklin.Courtesy / Encores South /Murfreesboro Post

Encores South is in its 29th year and usually has more than 400 consignors who contribute every category of clothing and other items for infants through teens. The public sale is Aug. 21-28 at 1022 Columbia Highway in Franklin.Courtesy / Encores South /Murfreesboro Post

If you want the best deals and best selections, there are a few strategies that will help you make the most of these popular sales.

Tips for shoppers

• Check the sales’ websites to find out how to get an early shopping pass. Most of the sales offer this perk to volunteer workers, consignors and new moms, and some sell tickets for early shopping privileges.

• Shop the first day for best selection, or the last day for best prices since most of the sales offer a half-price day at the end of the sale.

• Before you go, make a list of things to look for: Think ahead about Halloween costumes, Christmas outfits, holiday gifts, new baby gifts, winter coats, snow gear, sports equipment, bikes, strollers, video games, and other items that your children might need this fall and into the winter.

• Know that in most cases the consignors price their own items so if you see several duplicate items, the prices might vary widely. Consignors typically get 70% of the proceeds, with the sale organizers getting the other 30%.

Encores South is in its 29th year and usually has more than 400 consignors who contribute every category of clothing and other items for infants through teens. The public sale is Aug. 21-28 at 1022 Columbia Highway in Franklin.Courtesy / Encores South/Murfreesboro Post

Encores South is in its 29th year and usually has more than 400 consignors who contribute every category of clothing and other items for infants through teens. The public sale is Aug. 21-28 at 1022 Columbia Highway in Franklin.Courtesy / Encores South/Murfreesboro Post

• Bring a shopping bag or laundry basket or rolling cart to carry items you are considering buying as you continue to shop.

• Bring cash. Most of the sales accept credit cards, but some have an upcharge if you use credit cards. Some of the sales will not accept checks. Cash always works.

• Know sizes before you go. Some savvy shoppers even take their children’s measurements (inseams, pant length) along with a tape measure with them since sometimes sizes vary by brand.

• Check all items to be sure they are in good shape (zippers work, no stains or other flaws) before you pay since all sales are final at most of these sales.

Upcoming consignment sales

Here are some upcoming sales, along with public sale dates:

• Encores South is in its 29th year and usually has more than 400 consignors who contribute every category of clothing and other items for infants through teens. The public sale is Aug. 21-28 in the former Piggly Wiggly store at 1022 Columbia Highway in Franklin. Details: Encoresconsignmentsouth.com

Encores South is in its 29th year and usually has more than 400 consignors who contribute every category of clothing and other items for infants through teens. Most items in its sale are about a quarter of the retail price.Courtesy / Encores South/Murfreesboro Post

Encores South is in its 29th year and usually has more than 400 consignors who contribute every category of clothing and other items for infants through teens. Most items in its sale are about a quarter of the retail price.Courtesy / Encores South/Murfreesboro Post

• Rhea Lana’s of Franklin is having its sale Aug. 22-28 at 1010 Columbia Ave., with an expected 100 consignors who bring clothing for infants through teens, as well as maternity wear and all kinds of gear and toys. There is also a “Foster Families Shop Free Day” from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 29. Details: franklin.rhealana.com/

Note: The Encores South sale and the Rhea Lana sale are in the same shopping center and have some crossover shopping days, making it easy for shoppers to hit both sales.

• Hermitage United Methodist Church School for Little People consignment sale is set for Sept. 9-11, with 80-120 consignors bringing items for newborn to size 20 in teen boys and girls clothes, plus maternity. The sale is at the church at 205 Belinda Drive, Hermitage. Details: 615-883-3938 or www.myconsignmentsale.com/humschool

• Hooked on Consignment will have its public sale Sept. 18-22 at the Beech Christian Life Center at Beech Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 3216 Long Hollow Pike in Hendersonville. Details: hookedonconsignment.com/

• Encores South also has an adult clothing and home goods consignment sale that is open to the public Sept. 7-11 at the 1022 Columbia Highway location. This one includes all-season clothing for men and women, as well as a huge selection of household items, furniture, home decor, gift items, season decorations, etc. Details: encoresconsignmentsouth.com

• The Little Sprouts sale, with 460 consignors, is Sept. 17-18 at 1735 Galleria Blvd., Suite 1003, next to Electronic Express in the heart of the Cool Springs area of Franklin. This sale has been taking place since 2008. Details: www.littlesproutssale.com

• Crieve Hall Preschool’s fall sale is Sept. 17-18 in the activity center at the Crieve Hall Church of Christ at 4806 Trousdale Drive. Details: crievehallpreschoolsale.com or 615-833-5395

• Just Between Friends Music City sale is set for Oct. 7-9 at The Fairgrounds Nashville. You need a ticket for this, but tickets are free. Details: nashvillemusiccity.jbfsale.com/

For more sales, see www.consignmentsalefinder.org/TNmiddle.php.

Mary Hance, who has four decades of journalism experience in the Nashville area, writes a weekly Ms. Cheap column. She also appears on Thursdays on “Talk of the Town” on NewsChannel 5. Reach her at mscheap@mainstreetmediatn.com and follow her on Facebook at Facebook.com/mscheap.

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