JBF... Doesn't Quite Mean What You Think It Means.

JBF.  In certain circles, this is short for Just Been ... uh... Fornicated.  For the lack of a more appropriate synonym.  However, in the Rogers household, JBF means something totally different.  Here, JBF means my kids don't go naked to school.   I means, some of the poorly neglected bills will get paid finally.   Because here, JBF stands for Just Between Friends children's consignment sale.

Despite what the name implies, you can not get children on the cheap there.  Sadly, you still have to either suffer 9 months and give birth or pay lots of money to legally adopt.  However, after you have obtained a child (no matter which way you labor to get them) you won't have to shell out a billion dollars to clothe them.  And, if you do it right, you might even make money.  Forget stores like Once Upon A Child.  They pay, but they charge even more to upgrade.  Not worth it.  The only way to keep your kids stylin' and still come out with coffee money around here is ... in short... J. B. F.

JBF is not a brick and mortar store.  It's not an online store either.   It's an event.  Sometimes a floating one.  Each one is run by a franchise owner in their home town.  They run 2 sales (sometimes 3) per year; one in the spring and one in the fall (and sometimes a toy sale just before Christmas).  The owners find a site to run it, advertise and contact all their consignors via email about the next events information.  They also work hard to cover the legal aspects of each sale and delegate what they can to their Team Leads, who in turn contact the volunteers.

Consignors, although not as busy, have their work cut out for them as well.  They work volunteer shifts to help run the show and get a higher percentage of their sales in return.  Events usually run anywhere from 3 to 5 days long, with the last day being an optional 50% off day.  Consignors prep their own items,set their own prices and set out their own stuff.  They also choose whether or not to keep full price on the last day, mark it down by half, donate it if it doesn't sell, or take it home so they can try again next time.  Tags, prices and sales are tracked online.  Checks are usually calculated and cut within 2 weeks of sales end.  The average check is usually about $200.  However, I have personally know of sellers who have earned as much as $1000!  

While it is very easy to drop $200 at a retail store for clothes, toys & equipment and not come out with very much, your dollar goes a lot further at a JBF sales event.  I have made $200 and found all I need for under $100.  I'm sure you can do the math.  That's right.  $100 in my pocket beyond my children's new wardrobes.  I can here you now... "But they aren't Brand NEW!"   Actually, you would be surprised.  There are many brand new with tags still on them.  The rest are like new.  No items with stains, rips, holes, or missing parts are allowed on the sales floor.   However, that doesn't mean everything is perfect.  Consignors are human.  They make mistakes and some chose to overlook flaws in the hopes that they sell anyway.  But for the most part, what you find at JBF is comparable in quality to most consignment stores, but for a lot lot less.

So that is what I've been busy with for the last week or so.  Lots to do.  Lots I put off doing.  However, all my stuff is currently on display at my local JBF sale and hopefully, it makes me some much needed cash.

My car registration is due. ;0)

For more information on JBF or to locate your local sale event, visit http://www.jbfsale.com/  Click on the "Find An Event" tab at the top (or just click here) to find the franchise in your area.  And if you happen to live in Northern California and plan on joining in on the fun (Sacramento, Folsom, Elk Grove, Roseville or Vacaville), please let them know I referred you.  (Consignor #486) I would greatly appreciate it. ;0)