My kids wear a lot of hand-me-downs. New clothes are usually bought on the clearance rack at the end of last year's season, but as a rule, I have no problem buying clothes off Craigslist, at consignment stores or paying friends for their kids old clothes. And my kids don't care whether their clothes are old or new...YET.
.
Last week, the temperatures got low enough here to send Ryan to school in a long sleeved shirt and I was hit with the realization that all of his shirts from last winter are WAY too short for my growing boy. I decided to bite the bullet and buy him some shirts from Target. $10 each shouldn't seem like much, but knowing they were full price about killed me as I approached the register. (yes, I realize I'm being dramatic...) I justified the purchase because I found a clearance rack and swiped up a bunch of $1.24 short sleeved shirts for him for the spring.
.
Dropping Kaylin off at school the next day, I noticed this one little girl in her class who always looks so cute and put together. Her hair is always perfect with identically matched hair bows. I mentioned something to her mom and she sheepishly said, "I'm kind of a Gymboree-aholic." I quickly decided that she must have money that I don't have to spend on her kids clothes and practically tuned her out. (yes, I just admitted to that...don't judge me, I'm extremely sleep deprived) She went on to say that she waits for their 30% off sale and that's when she stocks up. "Only 30% off?" I thought. "That's nothing! 30% off a $75 outfit is a joke!" I just kept nodding and smiling, wishing I had that kind of money to dress Kaylin and the boys. She said that the 30% off sale is going on right now and she can usually turn around and sell the outfits on eBay for most of what she paid for them.
.
That's where I snapped back into attention. (I obviously wasn't completely ignoring her if I got this far into the conversation, right???) I've had friends tell me that they buy their kids' clothes at Gymboree on clearance and resell them on eBay for around the same price, but I've always had a hard time believing that the math added up. I've even gone into the stores to look for deals and I always walk away unimpressed. I can't find the sizes I want or need and the tops never have matching bottoms so outfits are incomplete...I just didn't get how it worked out for people.
.
When I explained all of that, this other mom said that she shops online for that exact reason. I had nothing better to do for the next 2.5 hours, so I went home and peeked on Gymboree.com.
.
Sure enough, they have a 30% off sale going on, but it's not only on full priced items...it's also on their clearance stuff. Light bulb moment - I was starting to get it!
.
I looked through all of the sale items and added a bunch of winter clothes into my cart for Jason. Then I looked through Ryan's sizes and found cute (and inevitably more durable than Target) shirts for around $8 after the discount...cheaper than Target and better quality! I was so excited. The Target shirts still have tags on them, so they are going back for sure. I also found him some corduroy pants and a lightweight jacket. Ironically, I didn't like any of the girl clothes that were on sale. I'm not into panda bears or kitty cats or guitars and all of the cutest stuff wasn't cheap enough for my taste. But my boys will be well dressed!
.
Not only did I get the 30% off, but they have a "free shipping on items over $100" deal going on through Sunday AND for every $50 you spend, you get $25 in Gymbucks to spend during a designated time frame in January. (Can anyone say, "after Christmas sales" - ?)
.
When all was said and done, I got Jason 6 long sleeved onsies with 3 pair of coordinating pants and 2 pair of matching socks and I bought Ryan 3 long sleeved shirts, 2 pair of pants and a jacket all for $109, tax included. 16 items for $100!!! Things I can resell on eBay for much more than I'd get for Target resale clothes.
.
I am so excited for my package to come in the mail. And for the weather to cool back off enough to put my boys in their new duds! For those whose ears are perked and are on their way to Gymboree.com, HAPPY SHOPPING!!! And to Gymboree...you're welcome for the free advertising. Feel free to hook me up with a little appreciation gift, wouldja?
.
Last week, the temperatures got low enough here to send Ryan to school in a long sleeved shirt and I was hit with the realization that all of his shirts from last winter are WAY too short for my growing boy. I decided to bite the bullet and buy him some shirts from Target. $10 each shouldn't seem like much, but knowing they were full price about killed me as I approached the register. (yes, I realize I'm being dramatic...) I justified the purchase because I found a clearance rack and swiped up a bunch of $1.24 short sleeved shirts for him for the spring.
.
Dropping Kaylin off at school the next day, I noticed this one little girl in her class who always looks so cute and put together. Her hair is always perfect with identically matched hair bows. I mentioned something to her mom and she sheepishly said, "I'm kind of a Gymboree-aholic." I quickly decided that she must have money that I don't have to spend on her kids clothes and practically tuned her out. (yes, I just admitted to that...don't judge me, I'm extremely sleep deprived) She went on to say that she waits for their 30% off sale and that's when she stocks up. "Only 30% off?" I thought. "That's nothing! 30% off a $75 outfit is a joke!" I just kept nodding and smiling, wishing I had that kind of money to dress Kaylin and the boys. She said that the 30% off sale is going on right now and she can usually turn around and sell the outfits on eBay for most of what she paid for them.
.
That's where I snapped back into attention. (I obviously wasn't completely ignoring her if I got this far into the conversation, right???) I've had friends tell me that they buy their kids' clothes at Gymboree on clearance and resell them on eBay for around the same price, but I've always had a hard time believing that the math added up. I've even gone into the stores to look for deals and I always walk away unimpressed. I can't find the sizes I want or need and the tops never have matching bottoms so outfits are incomplete...I just didn't get how it worked out for people.
.
When I explained all of that, this other mom said that she shops online for that exact reason. I had nothing better to do for the next 2.5 hours, so I went home and peeked on Gymboree.com.
.
Sure enough, they have a 30% off sale going on, but it's not only on full priced items...it's also on their clearance stuff. Light bulb moment - I was starting to get it!
.
I looked through all of the sale items and added a bunch of winter clothes into my cart for Jason. Then I looked through Ryan's sizes and found cute (and inevitably more durable than Target) shirts for around $8 after the discount...cheaper than Target and better quality! I was so excited. The Target shirts still have tags on them, so they are going back for sure. I also found him some corduroy pants and a lightweight jacket. Ironically, I didn't like any of the girl clothes that were on sale. I'm not into panda bears or kitty cats or guitars and all of the cutest stuff wasn't cheap enough for my taste. But my boys will be well dressed!
.
Not only did I get the 30% off, but they have a "free shipping on items over $100" deal going on through Sunday AND for every $50 you spend, you get $25 in Gymbucks to spend during a designated time frame in January. (Can anyone say, "after Christmas sales" - ?)
.
When all was said and done, I got Jason 6 long sleeved onsies with 3 pair of coordinating pants and 2 pair of matching socks and I bought Ryan 3 long sleeved shirts, 2 pair of pants and a jacket all for $109, tax included. 16 items for $100!!! Things I can resell on eBay for much more than I'd get for Target resale clothes.
.
I am so excited for my package to come in the mail. And for the weather to cool back off enough to put my boys in their new duds! For those whose ears are perked and are on their way to Gymboree.com, HAPPY SHOPPING!!! And to Gymboree...you're welcome for the free advertising. Feel free to hook me up with a little appreciation gift, wouldja?
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4 comments:
I am complete lover of Gymoree sales, Gymbuck, eBay resale value! And the quality of Gymboree things is generally so good that hand me downs last and last through many children & many washes (even with my rough-on-clothing Swiss washer and dryer!).
PS for anyone overseas, Gymboree also ships internationally!!!
Yes! This is where I was Thursday night! $6 shirts for the boys, can't beat it. Since these clothes hold up, it's more than justifiable to shop those sales. :) Now, don't get me started on the super cute vest I bought yesterday from there that somehow managed to get orange marker on it. Already.
ok, I'm like you. I always tuned that stuff out cause I thought it was too expensive. On my way to Gymboree.com now! Oh, and you should totally get hooked up! :)
Thanks for the info.
We like Gymboree too!
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