This is the time of year when many moms start to think about buying Halloween costumes. I’ve already begun asking my son what he wants to be this year, and the resounding answer seems to be Spongebob. I’ve had great luck in previous years buying his Halloween costumes on ebay. While they do sell gently used costumes, most of the ones I’ve purchased for him have been new, such as the policeman’s costume he wore last year, shown in the photo above. This costume cost under $30, including accessories. I’ve found that ebay sellers generally offer much better prices than other stores specializing in costumes, and many times accessories that would normally cost extra are included in the price. All kinds of costumes in all sizes, from infant to adult, are available if you take the time to search. Check them out at ebay.com/halloween+costume and see what you can find.

If it wasn’t for ebay, Craigslist, and consignment shops, my son wouldn’t have half his wardrobe. Children’s clothing is so expensive that it makes sense to buy it in gently used condition whenever possible. Craigslist.org has many listings of large lots of babies’ and children’s clothes, and of course, ebay.com can’t be beat.

Recently I discovered another online resource for designer kids’ clothing: TheFullAttic.com. In addition to selling new designer clothes at good prices, the shop also carries gently used clothing from designers such as Ralph Lauren, Oililiy, and Juicy Couture. Items such as this Good Lad Jacket (pictured above), which is in gently used condition, sell for a greatly reduced price (in this case, just $8.99).

I’ve found that buying used clothing is a great way to buy pieces that your child might wear once or twice, like this one, for holidays or special occasions. Why pay a lot for something that your child won’t get much wear from? Then, when your child outgrows it, you can hand it down to a friend or family member, or sell it yourself on ebay or Craigslist. It’s also a great way to try out the more expensive designers that many people couldn’t afford new.

I’m always on the lookout for new, affordable handmade custom designed clothing for children. That’s why I noticed this Lightning McQueen Boys Outfit by Hollywood Kids Clothing Boutique recently on ebay.com. Available in sizes 12 months to 8 years, the outfit consists of t-shirt, pants, and hat, all for just $21.99. The proprietor is the sole seamstress at Hollywood Kids Clothing Boutique, and therefore she guarantees each and every item she sells. If you’d like to support handmade children’s clothing, visit her ebay store at Hollywood Kids Clothing Boutique.

I definitely enjoy decking my children out in the latest in upscale baby clothes (that’s our newest addition in the photo, wearing a Baby Lulu favorite).  I am glad to say, however, that I have been able to get great deals on many of these items.  Here are a few of my favorite tips for getting good prices on upscale goods:

1)Don’t be afraid of thrift stores! I know a lot of people who refuse to shop at stores such as Goodwill.  People mistakenly believe that they are full of dirty and unusable goods.  I have found that this isn’t the case at all.  For example, where I live, Goodwill receives tons of new items from local Target stores.  Last year, when a friend of mine was pregnant with her first child, I stumbled upon a brand new, still in the box, Peg Perego stroller that retails for over $200 for $30.  I found a new Bundle Me for another friend for less than $10. I’ve also found high-end boutique clothes that are new with tags. A few of my favorite finds include a new Baby Lulu dress and a new Catimini one piece baby outfit.  Sure you have to look a bit, but that is half of the fun!

2)Shop ebay, but shop carefully.  Too many people assume that if it is on ebay, it is a good deal.  I have often found, when shopping ebay for kids clothes, that favorite brands such as Baby Lulu are selling for higher prices on ebay than they are in online stores.  Add in often inflated shipping costs, and you may find that you are actually losing money by buying on ebay.  Especially if the item is new, I recommend doing a google search before buying to make sure there aren’t better prices out there.  Also, while most ebay sellers are good and honest people, there are scammers out there.  I once paid for a rather expensive boutique dress for my daughter and never received it.  The seller dragged things out just long enough that I no longer had any recourse through ebay.  I definitely learned a lesson from that transaction! You can quickly find all of a user’s negative and neutral feedback by visiting toolhaus.org and typing in the user ID–it saves you from wading through pages and pages of feedback to find what you really need to know.

3)Search for discount/coupon codes when shopping online.  Have you ever noticed the “enter coupon code” box while checking out online and wished you had one?  It is easy to skip over, but stores put them there for a reason–in other words, they do issue such codes.  Although they aren’t always easy to find, and don’t always work, I have found it is always wise to do a quick google search with the store’s name and “coupon (or discount) code” before you finalize your purchase. Another site which offers coupons and discount codes for many online stores is RetailMeNot.com. You will sometimes be able to save a percentage off or receive free shipping, etc.

4)Make friends with Craigslist.  Craigslist.com is a great way to find great deals on items for sale in your community.  You don’t have the added trouble of waiting for an auction to end, and you don’t have to worry that you won’t receive and item you have paid for when you deal in person. I bought a gently-used Peg Perego twin stroller for $200 (retail is roughly $600) this summer, and we absolutely love it.  You often find many new items on craigslist as well.  People want to get rid of them and often sell them at substantial discounts.  As long as you know an item’s worth and have done your research, you can’t go wrong.

5)Know the best sources for your favorite brands.  I like a lot of Ralph Lauren’s line for infants, but the retail prices are a bit steep.  I have found that one of the best sources for these clothes is T.J. Maxx (or Marshalls).  I once bought an adorable plaid skirt for my oldest daughter for back to school at T.J. Maxx for $20.  The very next day I saw it at the Polo Outlet where it was selling for almost twice as much.  While you might assume that an outlet price would be the best one, in this case, it wasn’t even close.

One of my favorite ebay stores is Busy Mom’s Bargains and Treasures. Not only does this store carry all kinds of clothing, both new and used, for babies and toddlers, but it also carries women’s clothing, men’s clothing, books, household items, and all kinds of “bargains and treasures.” Plus, they don’t try to soak you on shipping costs.

Right now the store is having a clearance sale on some items, including this Parents Magazine Play & Learn Crib Toy for just $5 (or best offer). Some other bargains and/or treasures featured in the store include this New With Tags Girls Gymboree Wildflower Fields 2pc Swimsuit Sz. 12-18 months for less than $10 including shipping, and this set of 3 New Disney Princess Tagless Underwear for Girls Size 4 for just $4.99.
If you need a pair of jeans for yourself, you might want to take a look at this pair of New Faded Glory Women’s Jeans size 26 x 27 for just $6.99.

It’s worth checking out this ebay store to find any bargains and treasures you might need for your children, your home, or even as a treat for yourself! At these prices, you can afford to treat yourself and the rest of your family.

ebay.com can be a wonderful place to shop for baby and children’s items. In fact, it’s the first place I check when shopping online. Often, sellers on ebay receive new baby and children’s goods in a wholesale lot, which enables them to sell to you, the consumer, much more cheaply than some of the brand-name baby stores. Also, you can find parents who are sellling used baby clothing and baby gear that still has much life left, perfect if you don’t mind second-hand clothing or goods for your baby.

Personally, I always buy my son’s winter outerwear on ebay, second-hand. Winter coats and snowsuits are used for just one season, and hardly show any wear, so they are the perfect item to buy used. I have had much success selling used baby clothes on ebay as well. If you’ve never tried, it doesn’t cost much to sell on ebay, and their interface makes it easy to start selling.

Before buying from any ebay seller, check their feedback. You especially want to pay attention to any negative feedback they’ve received during the past 6 months. I wouldn’t necessarily reject a seller for having negative feedback, but if they repeatedly receive negative feedback about the same thing (for example, slow shipping times, excessive shipping prices, or items with defects) then I would look for another seller.

Also remember to check shipping rates, as some ebay sellers will offer free shipping on larger items that would usually require a high shipping rate. Whatever you’re looking for, ebay.com is a great place to start!

An online friend introduced me to this line of adorable clothes for little girls. One look at the Web site, and I was immediately hooked. The woman who makes these clothes is very talented, and she has a great eye for fabrics. I immediately purchased two outfits, and have since picked up a few more here and there. I was amazed at how quickly she was able to put these outfits together and mail them to me. In fact, her customer service so good that she was worried she wasn’t fast enough! She even included a few samples, which I love. All of the outfits I ordered are holding up very well, and they definitely get some wear. One of the great things about them is that because of the way they are made, my little one will be able to wear them for quite some time. Oliviakate is sold on both ebay and etsy. Prices vary by garment. If you don’t see what you are looking for, you can ask her to make it for you and she will set up a private auction. I think this brand has infinite potential, and I think we will be seeing a lot more of it in the future.