JBF runs now through Saturday.
It's been called a garage sale on steroids. It's the semiannual Just Between Friends sale, the largest children’s and maternity consignment sale in the country.
At this sale, which is more like an event, clothes, baby equipment, toys and books take up 58,000 square feet. In all, more than 200,000 items are tagged and ready to be sold.
That's a lot of stuff to sort through, which can be overwhelming for first-timers.
So, if you're new to the sale, here are some tips for making the most of it.
1. Come with a list. Once you walk in the doors, you might forget what you came for. Head for your must-haves first, then go down your list in order of priority.
2. Shop clothes last. In my experience, sorting through the racks of clothes takes the most time, so if you're in the market for a booster seat, nursing pillow or tricycle, shop for those big items first, then circle back to the clothes.
3. Bring a laundry basket. The people at JBF are nice enough to supply big Ikea bags, but if you're planning on making a haul, bring a laundry basket, preferably with a rope or belt tied to one end, so you can pull it as you load and shop.
4. Know your sizes. Have your kids' feet measured, and double check clothing sizes before the sale. You don't want to end up with six pairs of wrong-size, nonreturnable shoes.
5. Come armed. Particularly if you're looking for baby items, like car seats and strollers, come armed with your favorite baby guides or Consumer Reports app ready to go on your phone.
6. Ditch the purse. When digging through books and pulling clothes on and off the racks, a shoulder-strap purse will fall off in no time flat. Ditch it for a cross-body bag or, as nerdy as it may be, a fanny pack.
7. Come back. If you're a real bargain hunter, check out the deals Thursday through Saturday. Most items are 25 percent off Thursday and Friday, and 50 percent off on Saturday.
Just Between FriendsWhen: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. now through Saturday
Where: Exchange Center at Expo Square, 21st Street and Yale Avenue
Cost: Free
Info: tulsaworld.com/jbf
