JBF Sale Waco (Review)

Over the past weekend, I had kind of a BAD EXPERIENCE with the JBF (Just Between Friends) Sale. To start, there was somewhat lack of information pre-sale. I went to the internet and was able to get most of the information I needed, but some of the most vital information was not there, like the process of what will happen when you go to drop stuff off.

This time the owners reduced the amount the consignor receives at the end of the sale. They used to give 70% to the consignor. This time it was 65% and on top of that they charge a $7.00 flat fee for processing. “Hey, y’all I thought that is why you take a percentage!” Further, they have consignor volunteers work the entire event, so they are taking fees and making you do all the work. They do give the volunteers 5% back on their sales, but I am pretty sure that it is hardly worth the 5%, since you have to work in 4 hour shifts.

Depending on how much you sell they take another percentage of it through their processing fee! If you have a lot to sell, this may not be a big deal—you are probably just happy to get rid of your stuff. But, I am not made of money, I don’t have a ton to sell, so it takes a nice chunk out of my sales. I probably would not care about the 65% if they did not take the extra processing fee as well. This time around the $7.00 fee took an additional 22% of my sales! I will not be consigning with them again.

My BIGGEST PROBLEM this year was that most Moms WAY overpriced their goods. I suspect because of the increase in the consignor fee. My approach was to price it at the recommended 1/3 original purchase price,. I did not want it coming home. I discovered in previous sales, if you price it at ½ the purchase price, or put a do not reduce star on it, then it does not sell. So far I have never sold anything with a do not reduce star on it. That does not mean my stuff did not sell on regular sale days. In fact, a majority of my stuff sold at the original price.

I have been able to buy good things at the JBF Sale before, but that was when people priced more sensibly. That is fine if they want to do that. That is the point of a free market right? The long and short of it for me is I SIMPLY WON’T GO ANYMORE, or I will not buy your stuff. I can buy new stuff for similar prices—stuff I know will not wear out quickly, or break. This is a call to moms who do this sale to price things better. Don’t price for the half price sale. I guarantee you will sell more at regular price if you price well.

SOME GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE SALE

I have told all my friends that the only reason I keep going for is SHOES. The shoes normally are not priced too high. If they are priced too much, I do not buy them. But, my son goes through shoes so quickly, that it’s a pretty good deal for me. I picked up two pairs for him at the first night presale. They were in really good condition—almost new. If I had bought them in the store, I probably would have spent $50.00 or more (they had characters and lights on them). But, I picked up two pair for $8.00 total. So Moms, keep bringing in those little boy shoes.

I also must say that the vendors were great and their prices were reasonable—especially the lady with the bows. I wish I had picked up a card from her, because I did not get back to buy any bows.

I liked the new location at the convention center. The room was a little difficult to get to.

Each sale is different, so I am hoping my little review will influence the next one to have better prices, and just be better in general. I am definitely not putting my things in it for sale anymore. It is not worth it FOR ME (That’s just a little note to moms who don’t have a lot to put in, or a lot of time. Some people have lots of stuff to put in and a lot of time to prepare their stuff and volunteer). But, I guess I will go back to look at the shoes again.