Saving Money on Baby Clothing
Buying Affordable and Adorable Infant Clothes
Buying everything that is needed for a new baby in this economy can be difficult and costly, especially if new items are purchased. Infant clothing can be especially expensive and it is outgrown so quickly that it hardly seems worth it to pay full price for an outfit that might be worn twice. There are a few simple ways that parents can get the most out of their money while still making sure their baby is in style.
Baby Clothing on eBay
The online auction site, eBay, is a good way to buy name-brand clothing for a reasonable price. Most sellers will offer clothing lots which means there are several pieces or outfits that are being sold. Parents can buy many different items for one reasonable price.
The one down-fall of eBay is that a potential buyer is unable to examine the clothing in person to look for wear and tear. Hopefully buyers will only encounter honest sellers, but that's not always the case.
Infant Apparel on Craigslist
Craigslist is like an online garage sale, but more convenient. Instead of driving all around town looking for a couple of items, parents can sit at home and browse listings before going out to pick up the item. Sellers usually sell their items in large lots and prices are typically negotiable.
Craigslist has the same problem as eBay as far as not being able to examine the clothing in person. To alleviate this issue many buyers will simply ask to look at the items before making the final decision to purchase.
Parents using Craigslist to purchase baby clothing should follow some general safety guidelines. This includes meeting in a public place during the day and not giving out personal information.
Consignment Stores for Baby Clothing
Consignment stores that specialize in clothing for babies and children are popping up all over the country. Prices are generally reasonable and parents can inspect the clothing before purchasing. Many times items will still have store tags on them, but will be steeply discounted. Another plus to purchasing from a consignment store is that they usually offer a return policy if the clothing doesn't fit.
Many consignment stores have a frequent buyer club in which members get discounts or special sale days. At the end of the season, most stores also run clearance sales. This is a great opportunity to purchase clothing for next year.
Buying New Baby Clothing
Parents can also buy new infant clothing in department stores while saving money if they shop smartly. Some stores offer a frequent customer card that earns points or discounts when purchases are made. Many department stores also have an end of season clearance sales where clothing is greatly discounted.
Some department stores also have e-mail alerts which notify customers of upcoming sales. It's always a good idea to sign up for these alerts and some even offer a discount off the next purchase just for signing up.
For instance, Kohl's has an e-mail program and offers $5 off the next purchase just for signing up. Kohl's regularly offers sales and in-store discounts called "Kohl's Cash" for spending a certain amount of money. This discount is essentially cash that can be used to purchase anything in the store.
Smart shopping can mean getting everything a parent needs for a baby while saving money in the process. There are a variety of ways to save money on clothing while still making sure a baby has everything she needs.
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