Just Between Friends children's consignment sale begins Sunday

BY NOUR HABIB World Scene Writer
Thursday, August 16, 2012
8/16/12 at 4:44 AM

Julie Cohenour has been shopping at Just Between Friends for 11 years.

The single mom said the consignment sale has been a lifesaver for her as she tried to keep her only son clothed stylishly and affordably. She's also bought baby equipment, like bassinets and strollers, and Christmas and birthday presents at the sale.

"As a parent, we always want to give our children what they want and the best, but we can't afford it," Cohenour said. "That sale helps make some of those specialty items affordable."

Just Between Friends will be at Expo Square from Sunday through Aug. 25. The Tulsa sale is currently in its 15th year. Items sold include children and maternity clothes, toys, books and baby equipment.

Cohenour, who also consigns with Just Between Friends - often reselling the items she previously bought at the sale - said she spends about six days shopping during the event.

"Buy specific, needed items in the beginning," she advises. Big-ticket items, like cribs and strollers, will sell out first, generally within the first couple of days.

"If it's something really cool and really neat, I'd say buy it now," she said.

Jenni Plaster, who's been shopping at the sale since she moved to Tulsa five years ago, said she was surprised at the good quality of the merchandise when she began shopping.

"You can find amazing deals," she said. Plaster once bought a new, sturdy bicycle for her son for $15.

Plaster shops two to three times during the weeklong event, always starting with shoes. She said her biggest tip to shoppers is to set a budget and make a list of priorities.

Cohenour agrees that lists are important and can prevent shoppers from going home and realizing they bought "two huge bags of things but don't have what you originally went for."

She also recommends that shoppers take something to carry their merchandise in because they often end up with more things than they can hold in their arms. To avoid the crowds, shop on weekdays from opening till lunch time, or from about 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., she said.

Just Between Friends holds two annual sales in Tulsa - one in the spring and one in the fall. Cohenour and Plaster said they usually spend more at the fall sale because they are buying Christmas gifts and items such as coats and snow boots, which tend to cost more.

Cohenour said she sometimes spends as much as $600 at the fall sale and about $400 at the spring sale.

"It sounds like a lot, but $1,000 for toys, shoes and clothes" for the whole year is not a big deal, she said.

Just Between Friends

Where: Expo Square Exchange Center, 4145 E. 21st St.

Hours: 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Aug. 24; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 25

Admission: $10 for prime time shopping on Sunday, free Monday-Aug. 25

25 percent off: Aug. 23-24

Half-price sale: Aug. 25

Original Print Headline: Savvy spending

Nour Habib 918-581-8369
nour.habib@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Ashley Murphy shops at last year's Just Between Friends sale. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World file

Kerri Flournoy shops with her daughter Ruby Flournoy at last year's Just Between Friends children's consignment sale. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World file