by Katherine Gerster
Treasures at the Just Between Friends sale
I’ve always loved a good deal, but there’s something especially satisfying about getting a high quality, secondhand children’s item for a great price. Every month it seems like we’re in need of a long list of things, from developmentally appropriate toys to the next size up in clothes – it really adds up to a big environmental footprint and a huge financial drain. More than once, I’ve winced when my child didn’t like something I’d paid a lot for (ahem — Dock-a-tot) or used for a very short period of time.
So you can imagine my joy when I scored a Baby Bjorn travel crib on Craigslist for a fraction of the original price. I had been in the market for a Baby Bjorn crib ever since we borrowed one from a friend. My daughter had slept beautifully in it, and I decided then and there that we needed one. But I couldn’t justify paying $350 for a new travel crib, because, well, we already had a travel crib—a quite serviceable pack-n-play from our first baby.
Treasures at the Just Between Friends sale
I scoured the usual secondhand places: Craigslist, Nextdoor, Burlingame Mother’s Club. Nothing. I bookmarked some searches, diligently checked them daily, and then boom! – the exact crib I wanted popped up for $40, three miles away. The stars aligned and the next day I had my Baby Bjorn travel crib – secured economically, locally, and sustainably. And the best part was that it was as good as new! The travel crib now sits in my kitchen and is our safe space for my daughter when I’m cooking. We use it every day, and I plan to keep it forever – it’s a great offering for future baby houseguests.
From this experience and others, I’ve learned that with a little patience and persistence, you can often find exactly what you need secondhand. Here are some resources I’ve found helpful, both local and online:
Brick and mortar stores:
The Bird in the Nest (https://www.thebirdinthenest.com/), 1568 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA 94070 -- Resale consignment boutique offering gifts and gently used clothing for children and moms, plus a play area for the kiddos.
Lovely Bump (https://www.lovelybump.com/), 509 San Mateo Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066 -- Consignment store with secondhand maternity and children’s clothing, toys, and books.
Events:
April 3-5, 2020 Just Between Friends Kids & Maternity Spring Sale – San Mateo County Convention Center. (http://sanmateo.jbfsale.com/homeView.jsp) This is the BIG one. They have everything - from maternity pants to nursing pillows, bikes, bouncers, and playpens.
May 1-2, 2020 St. Paul’s Rummage Sale @ St. Paul’s Church in Burlingame. They have a whole room devoted to children’s toys. They also have a lot of lightly worn clothes and shoes.
Online:
My latest Craigslist acquisition
Burlingame Parent’s Club (https://burlingameparents.clubexpress.com/): You have to be a member to access the website, but I’ve found that the $85 membership fee pays for itself if you use their classifieds.
Buy Nothing Project Facebook group (https://buynothingproject.org/find-a-group/): You have to be quick on the draw, but there is some great kid’s gear that comes up through this group. The best part is, it’s hyper-local (most groups are only one or two zip codes).
Craigslist (https://sfbay.craigslist.org/). Tried and true. Great filters for distance and good search options. Keep in mind that it’s always preferable to meet the buyer/seller at a public place.
Nextdoor (https://nextdoor.com/for_sale_and_free/). Fewer listings than Craigslist, but you are buying/selling from your neighbors.
Facebook Marketplace (https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/). This one doesn’t allow filtering by geography, so it is more tedious to use, but occasionally something local and useful pops up.