Local

Consignment sale season upon us: 1st sale this weekend

PITTSBURGH — The Monroeville Convention Center is home to the "Just Between Friends" Children's Consignment Sale this Friday through Sunday.  It's just in time for the back to school shopping season.

“There are 42 books here, it says for $35,” said mom and sale volunteer Valerie D'Alessandro.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average family now spends $700 a year on back to school retail shopping.  But sale organizer Kelly Robie tells Channel 11, buying gently used items could save families up to 90 percent.

“Gently used items for a fraction of the retail price of normal things and no one will ever know,” said Robie.

Channel 11 wanted to put Kelly's claim to the test.  She showed us a Ralph Lauren shirt and pants for $7, plus a Disney backpack and matching lunch tote.  The grand total was $16.  A similar shopping cart, at full retail price, would be at least $115.

“Consignment shopping is definitely a hunt,” said D'Alessandro.

But, she says it's worth it, especially since her daughter's school has a dress code.

“It's recycling, it's re-using and that's a good thing to teach the kids,” said D'Alessandro.

High school and even college students can end up saving a lot of money here too; it's not just for the young families. A designer Dooney and Burke handbag sells for just $10 and a Vera Bradley bag for just $3.

Teachers and daycare centers can get in on the savings too with everything from math and English flashcards to toys.