Customer Questions

Q.How often do you have Just Between Friends Sales?
A. There are two sales every year.  Spring/Summer sales are typically in April and Fall/Winter sales are usually in September of each year. 

Q. Are children allowed on opening day?
A. Yes, children are welcome at the sale but PLEASE use good judgment when you bring them. It is very busy and little ones underfoot may get into places they shouldn't. If possible, give yourself some alone time to shop! If children do come we ask that they do not 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. There is no admission fee for this sale!  The Expo center does charge $7 per car for parking, $6 if you have 3 or more people in the car.  You could avoid the parking fees altogether by riding the MAX straight to the Expo Center.

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. There is no longer a need to bring a laundry basket or tub to put your items in while you shop.  We now have large shopping bags available for your use while shoptable#bigtext-smallimage-absping.  If you wish to shop in quantity, feel free to bring a stroller or wagon.

Consignor Questions

Q. 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 to make it worth your while (remember there is a $10 consignor fee which will be taken out of your check).  Remember that Just Between Friends is a great fundraiser for your PTA, Little League team, or boy/girl scout troop as well.  Anyone wishing to raise funds can consign as an individual or group.

Q.  Do I have to pay for parking if I am a consignor?
A.  There are no parking fees during the consignor drop off and pick up times.  You do not have to pay to park simply to bring your items to be sold.  If you come to shop at the pre-sale or sale, the Expo center will be charging $7 per car or $6 for a carpool of three or more during all sale hours.  You could avoid the parking fees altogether by riding the MAX straight to the Expo Center.

Q.  If I consign my items, do I have to stay during the sale?
A.  No.  Consignors drop off their items and put them out on the selling floor during the designated drop-off times and come back after the sale during the designated time to pick up their unsold items.  We do the rest! 

Q. What percentage of the sales do I receive?
A. Consignors receive 65% of their sales less a $10 consignor fee (deducted from your check).   If you volunteer for at least one shift, you receive and additional 5% on your sales.

Q. Who does the pricing?
A. You set your own price and you get to decide if it is discounted on half-price day.  We generally suggest people price their items between 1/4 and 1/3 of the retail price.  Click here to download a pricing guide.  This is only a guide.  Please use your own judgment in pricing your items higher or lower than shown in the guide.

Q.  Do you have pricing recommendations?
A.  Generally, we say that prices should be about 1/4 to 1/3 of the original sales price.  Items that are from department stores (Target, Old Navy, Carters) bring less than items from Brand name stores (Gap, Gymboree, Lands End, Stride Rite).  Items from boutiques or specialty stores (Laura Ashley, Burberry, Ralph Lauren) will bring even more money.  And, any items that are new with tags can be marked up a bit too.  So, for example, a sun dress might sell for between $3.50-5.00, $4.00-7.00, and $5.00-10.00 respectively.

Q.Is there a minimum or maximum amount I can sell?
A.  No, you can bring as many items as you like!  As a minimum, we do recommend consigning at least 25 items (or $100 worth) because there is a $10 consignor fee no matter how many items you choose to consign.  So, to make it worth your while, we recommend consigning at least $100 worth of items.  This may end up being one double stroller or 25 toddler clothing items...it just depends on what you have to sell.

Q. Should I star my items for the half price sale?
A. Starred items will remain full price throughout the sale.  You can either mark the starting price up if it is something you are sentimental about or choose not to let the item sell for half price.  Of course, it is your decision.  If you plan to dontate your items that do not sell, we suggest that you let do NOT star them so that they are more likely to sell during the 50% percent off sale.

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 and because people also tend to receive infant clothing as gifts and hand me downs. The older sizes (12-16 ) may not sell as well as children become pickier when they near the teen and pre-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 noting your consignor number. Then check out the "Sell!," "Merchandise Prep" and "How To Tag" pages for next steps!

Q. How long should I give myself to drop off my items?
A. It typically takes about 45-60 minutes to drop off your items, depending upon the number of items you bring. We have a check-in table with an assistant to help you fill out a consignor registration. Then, your items will be inspected before you place them in the designated areas around the sales floor. It can be helpful to bring a wagon or cart to drop off your items.

Q. When do I pick up my unsold items?
A. Unsold items are to be picked up at the end of the sale. Check the pick-up page under merchandise prep for the exact times. All items not picked up at that time will automatically be donated to our charity!  Sorry, but there can be no exceptions.

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# for easy pickup. As time allows, we hope to have all of the other items sorted, too.

Q. How long does it take to receive my check?
A. Your check will be mailed to you within 30 days of the end of the sale.

Q. Will I know what items have sold?
Our new barcoding technology allows you to track what items you brought to the sale, which sold, and which you chose to donate.  You will be able to see the items that sold as the data are input after each sale day!

Q. Where do I find hangers?
A. Plastic tube hangers (which we prefer because they do not tangle with other hangers on the racks) can be found at most discount stores.  We have heard that the best prices are to be had at Target, the Dollar Store, and Portland City Liquidators.  We have heard from many consignors that Old Navy will give you a bag of mixed size hangers for free if you simply ask.

Q. Where do I find tagging guns to make tagging easier?
A. Many folks find using a tagging gun to be much easier than using safety pins to secure tags to their clothing items.  If you are planning on consigning a lot of clothing, you can purchase a tagging kit with a tagging gun, 25 sheets of white cardstock to print tags, 500 - 1 inch barbs, 500 - 2 inch barbs, one standard replacement needle, and one clothing tagging instruction sheet by clicking here.

Q. What items are accepted at JBF Sales?
A. We accept anything related to babies, children or teens. Children's clothing should be current fashion and season. Fall/winter items will be accepted at the September sale. Spring/summer items will be accepted at the sale in April. Items that sell will are toys, books, videos, strollers, baby equipment, nursery items, large play equipment, bedding, cribs, changing tables, etc.

 Q. Do you accept maternity clothes?
A. Yes, we do accept maternity clothing. All seasons of maternity items are accepted. Please make sure they are current fashion because we get a lot of maternity and the dated items just don't sell.

Q. What about shoes?
A. Shoes can be difficult to sell unless they are in perfect condition. Bring only your best!

Q. What about stuffed animals?
A. Stuffed animals are acceptable as long as they are brand name (Disney, Gund, Beanie Baby, etc...) and in perfect condition. Other stuffed animals just won't sell!

Q.  Do I get to shop early if I am a consignor?  Can I bring a friend?
A.  Yes!  Consignors get to shop before the public during the Consignor Pre-sale (check the calendar for specific times).  Yes, consignors get a "Friend" pass so they can share the fun of shopping at the JBF Sale with a friend.

Volunteer Questions

Q. Can anyone sign up as a volunteer?
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.  All consignors who do volunteer earn an extra 5% on their items! We welcome husbands and grandparents, too!  We have plenty of volunteer jobs for pregnant ladies too!

Q.  If I volunteer, do I have to pay to park?
A.  There are no parking fees during the set up, drop off, pick up, and breakdown times.  There will be parking charges during the pre-sale and the open-to-the-public portion of the sale.  JBF will provide parking passes for volunteer shifts that occur during the times when the Expo center charges for parking.   If you come to shop at a separate time from your volunteer shift you will have to pay for parking. The Expo center will be charging $7 per car or $6 for a carpool of three or more during all sale hours.  You could avoid the parking fees altogether by riding the MAX straight to the Expo Center.

Q.  If I volunteer, do I get to shop before the public?
A.  Yes!  Anyone who volunteers for a 4-hour shift gets to shop before the public and before the consignors.  If you want to be among the very first people to get into the JBF sale, volunteer for 2 or more 4-hour shifts.  The more you volunteer the earlier you shop!

Q. Can I bring a guest to the volunteer presale?
A. Workers may not bring guests unless the guest also signs up to volunteer. Each volunteer presale pass is good for one person to enter the pre-sale. Please no children at our presales.

Q. How long are the shifts?
A. Shifts are 4 hours. Check out the available worktimes on the "Volunteer" page.

Q. Do you provide childcare for workers?
A. We apologize, but we do not offer childcare.

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 may want to volunteer when the workload is lighter. We have several shifts available that will be less busy. If you need these positions, please email Tammy with your request after registering and we will try to accommodate your request

Q. Who is allowed to shop at the volunteer presale?
A. All volunteers get to shop at the presale.  The more you volunteer, the earlier you shop.  Click here for the calendar for the upcoming event. We recommend not bringing your children to the pre-sale if at all possible.

Q. Can I bring a stroller to the presale?
A. Yes. However, we recommend not bringing your children to the presales.  PLEASE use good judgment if you bring them.  It is very busy and little ones underfoot may get into places they shouldn't.  If possible, give yourself some alone time to shop!  If children do come, we ask that they do not play with the toys or equipment.  A good alternative to bringing a stroller (which can be unwieldy) is to take advantage of our hold area.  Will will have a designated, manned area where you may leave full shopping bags and return to pick them up before heading to the checkout.

If you didn't find the answer to your question, feel free to contact us.  For questions regarding volunteering and bartering, contact Tammy Boren-King.  For all other questions, contact Brooke Unwin.