Being resourceful isn't just a way to save money for Daven Tackett.
It's a way of life.
"I was raised by a single mom on welfare," said Tackett, who organizes the Just Between Friends Tulsa sale and is one of the founders of the JBF Franchise. "I have two younger sisters and we learned everything from our mom about how to be resourceful." Adding that the current economic conditions don't do much to help today's struggling families, Tackett said the JBF mission is only growing. JBF is the leading children's consignment event in the country with 114 sales in 23 states. The Tulsa event is a seven-day sale which will be held in a 58,000-square foot space at the Exchange Center at Expo Square from Aug. 21-27. It is also the largest sale in the franchise and is expected to draw about 15,000 shoppers. "We have 1,800 families signed up to consign this year and each person brings an average of 250 items," Tackett said. "I was amazed when I went the first time," said Racheal Linley of Owasso. "Amazing. I usually spend about $100 and can get enough for both of my kids for the entire school year." According to Tackett, if all of the JBF clothes racks were lined up single-file, they would stretch about a mile and a half. The sale is organized like a department store, with areas for clothing (including school uniforms), shoes, costumes, toys, baby equipment, etc. Tackett believes that JBF helps families break through restrictive financial burdens. "This economy is so volatile, up-and-down," Tackett said. "JBF is a dignified way to provide nice things for your family, and it teaches your children a lesson. It's a way to show them that you don't have to go to the mall and spend a fortune." Facts about JBF Repurposing and reusing clothing is not anything to be ashamed of, the organizer of consignment extravaganza "Just Between Friends" Daven Tackett said. "With the economy like it is, there's not as much of a stigma attached to shopping second-hand, it's almost a trend nowadays," she said. What kind of items can you find at JBF? Maternity clothes, children's clothes, shoes, costumes, toys, baby equipment, etc., are arranged for easy-to-find access. "It's not like the flea market... it's organized like a giant kids' store," Tackett said. JBF takes name-brand clothing only. You can find Gymboree, Gap, Baby Gap, Levi's, Land's End and boutique brands like Baby Lulu. Items are gently worn in good to excellent condition. Shoes go through a rigorous inspection process and only those that are in near new condition are accepted. What is the price range? The JBF staff gives selling guidelines to consigners. "We recommend they price things at 1/3 of retail for something practically brand new, and go down from there," Tackett said. "From uniforms to shoes, coats and even something extra like a toy and a Halloween costume, you can clothe your kids for the entire year." How do you get first pick? Be a volunteer at the event. By donating just 12, seven or five hours of your time, you will be invited to the pre-sale Aug. 20. "The whole day is nothing but pre-sales," Tackett said. "It really does compare to Black Friday. But you are shopping with hundreds instead of thousands." What happens to the leftover clothing at the sale's end? JBF has designated two charities, Emergency Infant Services and Catholic Charities of Tulsa to receive any goods consigners donate at the end of the sale. "They bring in a moving van and they are packed to the hilt," Tackett said. "And everything goes to local families in need, no strings attached." Just Between Friends When: Aug. 21-27, pre-sale for volunteers is Aug. 20. Where: Exchange Center at Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. Admission: The first day of the sale admission is $5. The rest of the sale is free. Hours: Sunday: 1-7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon. (new merchandise) Thurs.-Fri. (25 percent off) Saturday (50 percent off) To print a free admission ticket or to become a volunteer, which includes a pass to the pre-sale, go to tulsaworld.com/jbftulsa Tips for shopping the sale Go Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 23-25) if you want to be among smaller crowds. "It's quieter, easier to shop with the kids," Tackett said.
Prioritize. Go to the equipment first. From playhouses to motorized toys to playpens and high chairs and strollers, these items go quickly. There are 320 racks of clothing that will be there all week.
Aug. 25-26, every item with a star on its tag is 25 percent off the marked price. On the last day of the sale, everything is 50 percent off.
"Our consigners are sometimes selling enough to turn around and swap that money out for other items at the sale they need for their own families. It's all about families helping each other."
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