Why should I consign and shop with Just Between Friends?
Consignors have the opportunity to get money back from their high-quality, name brand children's items, providing extra money for the household budget. Consignors sell their items without the headache of a garage sale and have the opportunity to find great merchandise at a fraction of the retail price. This is recycling at its best! Consigning with Just Between Friends is better than a typical consignment store because you set the price and your check is mailed to you within two weeks. Did we mention that you make 65%-70% of the sale price from all of your items? It's definitely worth participating as a consignor, shopper and volunteer.
Customer QuestionsQ.How often do you have Just Between Friends Sales?
A. In Columbia, our Spring/Summer sales are typically in March or April and our Fall/Winter sales are in August or September of each year. We also offer a Jefferson City sale, which is a mid-summer, all-season event (usually held in mid-July).
Q. Are children allowed on opening day?
A. Yes, well-behaved children are welcome ONLY at the public sales, but PLEASE use good judgment when you bring them. It is very busy and little ones may get into places they shouldn't. If possible, give yourself some alone time to shop with peace of mind.
Q. Are the sales located indoors?
A. Yes. JBF sales are located in air-conditioned/heated buildings.
Q. Are there any parking fees or entrance fees?
A. There are no parking fees and admission is $2 (the first day only).
Q. What should I bring when shopping at the sale?
A. Write a list of your child's measurements and bring a tape measure with you to measure the items. Use a waist pack instead of a purse or backpack. It's less to carry and you don't have to worry about setting it down. Bring a laundry basket or tub to put your items in while you shop!
Consignor QuestionsQ. Who can consign their items and become a seller?
A. Anyone can consign their children's items with Just Between Friends. We request that you have a minimum of 20 items or $50 worth of items.
Q. What percentage of the sales do I receive?
A. Consignors receive 65%-70% of their sales, less a $10 consignor fee (deducted from your check). Consignors who volunteer four hours or more earn 70% on their sold items. If a consignor is unable to volunteer or barter four hours at this sale, they will earn 65%.
Q. Who does the pricing?
A. You set your own price and you get to decide if it is discounted on our sale days. A "star" on your tags means that item will remain full price throughout the sale.
Q. Should I "star" my items for the half-price sale?
A. Be selective with the clothes you star. We suggest that you let your clothing items sell in the discount sales. However, you are welcome to mark the starting price up, if it is something you are sentimental about. But, of course, it is your decision. Remember, "starred" items WILL remain full price and customers tend to buy a lot of non-starred items on discount days.
Q. What percentage of my items can I expect to sell?
A. Most consignors sell approximately 80% of their items in sizes 2-10. For sizes under 24 months the percentage drops due to the sheer volume of merchandise received. Remember, people tend to receive infant clothing as gifts, hand-me-downs, etc. The older sizes (12-18/20) may sell at a lower percentage because children become pickier when they near the t'ween and teen years.
Q. How do I sign up to consign?
A. Just click on our "Online Signup" page and fill out the form. You will receive an email confirmation within moments with detailed instructions on how to get started tagging.
Q. How long should I give myself to drop-off my items?
A. We have a check-in table coordinated by a volunteer who will help you fill out a small amount of consignor information. It typically takes about 30 minutes (dependent upon the number of items you bring) to drop-off your items. Your items will be inspected and then you place them in the designated areas around the sales floor. We have rolling racks that you can use to bring your clothes into the building.
Q. When do I pick up any unsold items?
A. Unsold items are to be picked up on Saturday, September 12th, from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. Any items not picked up at that time will automatically be donated that evening to our local charity.
Q. Do I have to sort through the racks to find my unsold items?
A. No, when you pick up your unsold items, your hanging garments will already be sorted by Consignor Number for easy pick-up. As time and volunteer sign-ups allow, we hope to have all of the other items sorted, too. However, all toys, furniture, etc. will be grouped to provide for easy pick-up.
Q. How long does it take to receive my check?
A. Your check will be mailed to you within two weeks of the end of the sale.
Q. Will I know what items have sold?
A. You are welcome to track your sales online at myjbftags.com. NOTE: Our barcode system is NOT real time...but all tags will be entered within one week of the end of the sale.
Q. Where do I find safety pins/hangers?
A. We prefer rubber-coated wire hangers OR plastic tube hangers which can be found at most discount stores. Several department stores will give you leftover hangers at the end of the day, if you need a lot, ask if you can buy them. The other place to try is your local dollar store. NOTE: Large safety pins (bigger than 1") can leave holes in garments, so you might want to attach your price tags to the garment tags.
Q. If I consign my items, do I have to stay during the sale?
A. Absolutely not. Consignors drop-off their items and put them out on the selling floor during specific drop-off times and come back during the designated times to pick-up their unsold items. We do the rest! (although you are welcome to volunteer and shop EXTRA EARLY!)
Q. What items are you taking?
A. We accept anything related to babies or children. The clothing will be cold-weather for this sale (save your summer items for the Spring 2010 sales event). Other great items are toys, books, videos, strollers, baby equipment, nursery items, large play equipment, bedding, cribs, changing tables, etc.
Q. Do you accept maternity wear?
A. Yes, we do accept maternity clothing. However, due to limited rack space and in an effort to ensure current maternity styles, we are very selective and ask that you bring only the best items to the sale. All seasons of maternity items are accepted.
Q. Can I bring jeans and capris?
A. Both of these items are fine for the spring or fall sale. If we get an abundance of them, we may have to limit the number from each consignor due to space.
Q. What about shoes?
A. Yes, we do accept shoes. Please limit what you bring to your five best pairs. Shoes can be difficult to sell unless they are in perfect condition. Sizes Newborn through Kids Size 3 only.
Q. What about stuffed animals?
A. Again, due to limited space, we are unable to accept stuffed animals of any kind. Stuffed animals take up a large amount of space and do not sell very well.
Volunteer QuestionsQ. Can anyone sign up as a volunteer and attend the volunteer pre-sales?
A. Yes, anyone may sign up to volunteer on a first come/first served basis. You do not have to be a consignor to volunteer. We welcome husbands, sisters and grandparents, too.
Q. Can I bring a guest to the volunteer pre-sale?
A. Volunteers may not bring guests, unless the guest completes their own applicable volunteer times. Each pre-sale pass is good for one person to enter the pre-sale, at the designated time. Children are not allowed at pre-sale events UNTIL AFTER 6:00 PM. Q. How long are the volunteer shifts?
A. Typically, four hours, although they may be broken into shorter shifts or shared with another person, whatever is convenient for your schedule. Q. Do you provide childcare for volunteers?
A. We apologize, but we are unable to offer childcare at this time.
Q. I'm pregnant or have a medical condition. Can I still volunteer?
A. If you are pregnant or have a medical condition where you are unable to lift or stand for long periods of time, you will want to volunteer when the workload is less. We have several shifts available with jobs that can be done sitting down. If you need these positions, please email us with your request after registering and we will try to accommodate your request.
Volunteer Pre-sale QuestionsQ. Who is allowed to shop at the pre-sale?
A.12-hour volunteers shop first - Thursday, Sept 10 - 3pm to 7pm.
8-hour volunteers shop on Thursday, Sept 10 - 4pm to 7:00pm 4-hour volunteers shop on Tuesday, July 14th from 4:30pm to 7pm
Consignors shop on Tuesday, July 14th from 5:00pm to 7pm (with appropriate passes required for all pre-sales)
If you are a 12-hour volunteer, you may also shop the half-price pre-sale on Friday, September 11th, starting at 6pm. No children allowed at pre-sale events UNTIL AFTER 6:00 PM.
Q. Can I bring a stroller to the pre-sale?
A. Yes. However, due to the number of people shopping at our sale, it may be easier to bring a laundry basket with a rope or belt attached to pull your "bargains" behind you. We do offer a Hold Area for your convenience. Also, make sure to get your stroller tagged as "yours" at the door, so you will not be charged for it when you check-out. | 
