Buyer Questions

Q. How often do you have these sales?

A. JBF is a bi-annual consignment sales event.  Our Spring/Summer sales are typically in March/April and our Fall/Winter sales are in August/September of each year.

Q. Are children allowed on opening day?

A. The sale is very crowded, and the lines to checkout can be very long. It's more fun to shop without children! If you do bring them, please keep them with you at all times and please do not let them play with the toys or equipment.

Q. Are the sales located indoors?

A. Yes. Sales are indoors.

Q. Are there any parking fees or entrance fees?

A. No entrance fees.  Parking is FREE and plentiful in LOT C behind the Jones Hall building.

Consignor Questions

Q. Who can consign their items and become a seller?

A. Anyone can consign their children's, teen's, junior and maternity items with Just Between Friends, but you must register and get a consignor number. We request that you have a minimum of 20 items or $100 worth of items. We are limiting the amount of consignors for our Sacramento event, so sign up early.

Q. Do consignors get to shop before the public?

A. Yes, consignors always shop the day before the sale opens to the public. Check the "i want to shop early" page for times. Consignors will be provided two guests passes for their friends to shop at the Consignor shopping time. Adults 18 yrs and older will be allowed entry on a guest pass.

Q. Are children allowed at the presale?

A. Children are not allowed at the presale for their safety, your shopping pleasure and the protection of the consignors items.  Nursing infants are allowed any time, but must be carried on the parent in a front or back carrier. Adult guests 18 yrs and older will be allowed entry with a guest pass.

Q. What percentage of the sales do I receive?

A. Consignors receive 65% of their sales less a $10 consignor fee (deducted from their check). We do have some special incentives and ways to earn up to 80%. Check out our "sales incentives" page.

Q. Who does the pricing?

A. You set your own price and you get to decide if it is discounted on our half-price day. Check out our "How to Tag" page for pricing guidelines.

Q. What percentage of my items can I expect to sell?

A. Most sellers 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. People also tend to receive infant clothing as gifts, hand me downs etc. The older sizes (12-16 and up) also will sell a lower percentage as children become pickier as they near the teen and pre-teen years.

Q. How do I sign up to consign?

A. Just click on our "Online Signup" button and fill out the form. You will recieve an email confirmation with in moments.

Q. How long should I give myself to drop off my items?

A. We have self check-in and it typically takes about 1 hour to drop off your items. Consignors will be checking in and dropping their items at the back of the building. You will be directed to place your items at an inspection station. Come in, stand by your items and wait for an inspector to approve your items.  After inspection, put your items in the proper area. It is helpful to bring a wagon, flatbed dolly, boxes or tubs to drop off your items. Please write your name and consignor number on the bottom of the tub. We will return it after the sale if you leave it there.   

Q. When and where do I drop off my items?

A. Drop off is on Wednesday before the sale.  See "drop off" page for details. We have a second drop-off scheduled on Saturday, from 9:00 am-10:00 am if you find other things you want to consign after the sale has begun.  The back doors will be open during this time for the 2nd drop off.

Q. When do I pick up my unsold items?

A. Unsold items are to be picked up on Sunday, at 8:00pm - providing that we are finished with BREAKDOWN.  ALL consignors that want to pick up unsold items contribute 2 hours of breakdown help.  You can sign up for a breakdown help shift online within the Volunteer Scheduler.  Items may be checked out when we are COMPLETELY finished, NOT BEFORE!

Q. What if I complete my breakdown help shift and can't make it back for the pick up time?

A. You are welcome to have a friend pick up your items for you. You will need to send a note or let us know via email that someone else will be picking up your items. They will need your consignor number.

Q. Do I have to sort through the racks to find my unsold items?

A. When you pick up your unsold items, your hanging items should be sorted by Consignor# for easy pickup. Your floor items will be in another area.  As time and volunteer sign-ups allow, we hope to have all items sorted prior to the 8:00pm pickup time.

Q. How long does it take to receive my check?

A. Your check will be mailed to you approximately two weeks after the close of the sale.

Q. Will I know what items have sold?

A. Yes.  We upload sales each night as soon as we are able to gain internet access.  Sales are not uploaded as they occur.

Q. Where do I find safety pins and child sized hangers?

A. Dollar Stores, K-Mart, 99 cent stores, some cleaners.

Q. I have looked everywhere and can't find child-sized hangers...what do you want me to do?

A. Typically, the stores run out of the child sized hangers area about 2 weeks before the sale starts. So, next time, stock up early. For now, use what you have. Please still try to put the size 4 and under on child sized hangers and the size 5 and above can go on the larger hangers.

Q. If I consign my items, do I have to stay during the sale?

A. No. Consignors drop off their items during the designated drop-off times and come back to the designated times to pick up their unsold items, if they are not donating them to SFBS.

However, JBF operates on a volunteer basis and if you can volunteer a minimum of 5 hours during the sale, it helps us keep the consignor profits at the high return of 70%. Volunteer 5 or more hours and you can shop early! Now, that a deal! Beat the crowds!

Q. What items are you taking?

A. We accept anything related to babies, children or maternity. The clothing must be current season. For our Spring sales, we will be accepting only Spring/Summer clothing. For Fall sales we accept only Fall/Winter items. Other great items are toys, books, videos, strollers, baby equipment, nursery items, large play equipment, bedding, cribs, changing tables, etc.

Q. Even though this is the Spring/Summer sale, can I bring long-sleeved shirts?

A. No, make sure the items are light-weight shirts and in spring or summer colors and fabrics.

Q. What about shoes?

A.  Please bring only your best shoes. These items are easily worn out and will not sell if they are worn. Sorry, no heavy worn tennis shoes. Wash all tennis shoes and laces. Polish other shoes and clean soles on all shoes with a toothbrush. We want to keep our standards high.
No sandles for the fall/winter sale and no winter boots for the spring/summer sales.

Q. What about stuffed animals?

A. We only accept name brand or battery operated stuffed animals (lights, sound, movement), or Disney or Beanie Babies.

Volunteer Questions

Q. Can anyone sign up as a volunteer and attend the volunteer presales?

A. Yes, anyone may sign up to volunteer on a first come/first serve basis. You do not have to be a consignor to volunteer. The Volunteer signup is be available online when you register for the sale.  Look for the update my volunteer schedule button when you confirm your contact information.

Q. Can I bring a guest to the volunteer presale?

A. Volunteers may NOT bring guests to the volunteer presale, unless their guest also completes a volunteer shift that qualifies for the specific entry time.  Each presale pass is good for one person to enter the presale.

Q. How long are the shifts?

A. Shifts vary in times and can equal up to 24 hours, 12 hours or 5 hours for presale time. Check out the available work times on our 
"i want to volunteer" page.

Q. Do you provide childcare for workers?

A. We apologize, but we do not offer childcare at this time.

Q. I'm pregnant or have a medical condition. Is it OK for me to be a volunteer?

A. If you are pregnant or have a medical condition, 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/Consignor/First Time Mom, Dad Grandparent & Teacher Presale Questions

Q. Who is allowed to shop at the presale?

A. Volunteers shop first, then Consignors and Consignors Guests.  First Time Moms, Dads & Grandparents and Teachers shop later that same day.  Every consignor will receive two guest passes. First time moms, dads & grandparents and teachers will also be able to bring one guest with them to their presale. 

Q. Can I bring my child/children to the presale?

A. No children are allowed at presales.  This is for their safety, your shopping pleasure and the protection of the Consignor's items.  Nursing infants are allowed any time but must be kept with the parent in a front carrier or backpack. Adults 18 yrs and older may enter as a consignor's guest with a presale pass.

Q. I am a First Time Mom, Dad Grandparent or Teacher, do I need to bring anything to gain entrance into the sale?

A. Yes, bring yourself and a friend/relative.  You can enter with the confirmation email you received when you registered for the event.  If you don't have the email, you can remember the Consignor Number provided by the system to enter the presale event.  FTMDG's & Teachers who pre-registered by will be allowed to shop at their designated times. Check the "i want to shop early" page for details. Sorry, only nursing infants at the FTMDG presale. Happy shopping!

Q. Can I bring a stroller to the presale?

A. No. Due to the number of people shopping at our sale, please bring a laundry basket with a rope or belt attached to pull your "bargains" behind you.