Save Big at JBF

The Just Between Friends children’s and maternity consignment sale will be held at Jenks Riverwalk during Oklahoma’s Tax Free Weekend, August 7-9, 2015.

Having children isn’t cheap – in addition to the multitude of costs that arise, tack on clothing prices and many families are left with a large dent in their bank accounts. One infant outfit, for example, typically costs $12 to $25. According to Investopedia, the average cost for baby clothes is about $60 per month for the first year, totaling $720 a year.

The cost for older children is even steeper. In a 2012 survey by Parenting.com and Women & Co., it was found that much of the money moms spend goes straight into their children’s closets. More than 90 percent of the 1,000 moms who participated in the survey said they spend more on new outfits for their children than clothes for themselves, and more than half said they expect to spend more on clothing than any other kind of back-to-school product this fall. Total spending varied by region, but average spending per child nationwide was $131 for back-to-school clothes. In a two-child household, that’s over $250 just to dress the kids for the fall and winter seasons.

Fortunately there’s a solution for parents who are struggling to afford clothing and other children’s items, and for those who would simply rather save the money they would spend and use it elsewhere, such as on a family vacation. Just Between Friends is North America’s leading children’s and maternity consignment sales event, where you save 50 to 90% off retail prices. JBF offers gently-worn clothing for infants up to size 14; shoes; accessories including hats, belts, hair bows, socks, gloves and mittens; maternity and new mommy gear; sports and outdoor equipment; toys; electronics; books and board games; baby equipment such as strollers, bouncy seats and car seats; furniture, bedding, and nursery and children’s room décor; and miscellaneous children’s items such as diapers, sippy cups, and hooded towels.

This year, JBF Jenks will be held at a new location, the Riverwalk in Jenks, August 7-9. Shoppers will enjoy even more significant savings as that is Oklahoma’s Tax Free Weekend, when all clothing and shoes are tax-free. Everyone is certain to walk away with a bargain – or a hundred. Amber Post, franchise owner of JBF Jenks, Owasso, and Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and new owner of JBF Broken Arrow, says this event will be bigger than it’s ever been. “There will be a lot of great travel systems, high end strollers and car seats, and swings. With the discounted prices and tax-free weekend, this will mean huge savings on these normally high dollar items.”

Those who choose to become consignors earn 65 to 75% of the profits from their items, and they’re able to clear out outgrown clothes and other items. “Those who volunteer get to shop before anyone else at our pre-sale. Next are the consignors, and then first time moms with children under 12 months, daycare owners and teachers. The sale opens to the public Friday, at 10 a.m. On Sunday, many items are discounted 50%,” says Amber. “There are literally thousands of quality items to choose from, and they are all priced below market.”

Merchandise is separated by gender and size and neatly hung up, and the entire sale is organized into easy-to-find categories. Every item is examined for quality. “Most of the items are sold because of the great quality and prices, but items that are left over can be picked up by their consignors or left to be donated to local charities.”

JBF accepts cash, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Sale hours are Friday, August 7 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (with $2 admission fee for 18 and over); Saturday, August 8 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (free admission); and Sunday, August 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (half off day for many items). The next JBF sale will be held in Owasso September 16-19 at Friendship Baptist Church. Broken Arrow’s sale will be October 2-4 at the RHEMA Rec Center.