Introduction
Consignment sales are a brilliant way to sell and buy quality children’s and maternity items at a fraction of retail prices–while supporting sustainability and helping families stay stylish on a budget. Two of the most popular and well-loved events in this space are Just Between Friends and Rhea Lana. While they share many values–community, service, and high standards–their seller policies differ in some important ways.
TL;DR
Why pick just one? If your calendar allows, selling at multiple consignment events each season can help you clear more clutter and cash in on more kid gear.
But if you need to choose just one, let your inventory guide the decision. Have a lot of items in the $2–$10 range? Go with Just Between Friends. Their flexible pricing and tagging system make it a smart choice for lower-cost items. If your stash leans more toward $10 and up, Rhea Lana may be the better fit. Their item guarantee adds peace of mind, especially for higher-value pieces.
Either way, both events are great options to save money, simplify your space, and give your kid gear a second life—with just a bit of effort up front.
What You’ll Find at Both Sales — and Why It Might Be Worth It
Both Just Between Friends and Rhea Lana sales are powered by franchise owners, hardworking contributors and consignors who genuinely want to serve their communities. It’s honest, hands-on work with modest financial returns—driven by hearts of gold and a shared mission: to promote sustainability and help families access high-quality kids’ clothing and gear without breaking the bank.
That said, both sales maintain strict standards. Items with wear, small stains, or damage are generally not accepted. As a participant, this can occasionally feel limiting. For example, I’d personally rather buy a gently used $50 polo for $10—even with a minor stain—than a brand-new, fast-fashion shirt that likely won’t hold up well after wash. But I digress. I know these standards ensure a consistent, quality shopping experience.
So, is selling your stuff actually worth the hassle?
In my experience—yes.
What made it worth it for me was the comfort of knowing someone else would actually use the things I was struggling to let go of. I’m one of those sentimental types who finds it hard to part with anything, especially items tied to sweet memories. But something about knowing those little shoes or that favorite onesie would find a second life with another family helped me finally move them out of my house. And of course, the extra cash at the end of the sale doesn’t hurt either.
However, if you’re evaluating selling strictly in terms of dollars per hour—including the time spent sorting, tagging, prepping, and buying materials—your effective hourly rate might land somewhere around minimum wage. Maybe less. If you’re in a season of life where you’re balancing a demanding job or limited time, that math might not feel worth it. And that’s okay.
If time is tight or you’re in a high-demand career season, services like JBF’s or Rhea Lana’s VIP Consignor programs might make more sense. You’ll earn a lower percentage (about 35% at Rhea Lana and 45% at JBF, after fees), but you’ll save hours of prep and still get a check.
At the end of the day, both sales reflect a community-driven effort to do good. The returns are financial, yes—but they’re also relational, environmental, and personal. And that’s what makes them worth considering. Let’s explore the subtle but meaningful differences between these two events.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Selling with Just Between Friends: Easier Prep, Flexible Pricing
- The overall feeling is more laid-back and chill.
- Tags must be printed on cardstock paper—it’s required, not optional.
- Tagging process is simpler: enter 9 tags, print, and tag your items.
- Inspection focuses mainly on clothing, so it’s faster and easier to put items away.
- No minimum price restrictions, allowing you to sell items as low as $1—this is where I heavily discount items that have not sold at multiple sales before.
- Seller payout is 60%, or 70% if you sign up to work the sale.
- No loss prevention guarantees on items.
- Convenient consignment process, with minimal hassle
One notable exception to the easy-going feel is the crib and car seat inspection process, which can be quite time-consuming.
Selling with Rhea Lana: Higher Payouts, More Prep
- Rhea Lana—especially the Frisco location in Dallas—consistently offer some of the highest seller payouts I’ve experienced. And some of the highest prices per piece!
- Rhea Lana offers guarantees on items against loss prevention, which provides peace of mind but adds complexity to the preparation process. For example, at a recent sale the check in process took me over three hours for 200+ items. (A mailing issue meant I had to label everything on-site—something I don’t recommend.)
- Tagging labels are printed for free and made available at several pickup points, but the pickup locations can be inconvenient if you’re not near the sale site. (And personally, I’ve found trying to print the tags at home to be a bit of a challenge.)
- Tagging is generally tedious with Rhea Lana and requires strict categorization.
- The baseline seller payout at Rhea Lana is slightly higher at 65% (JBF is 60%), and the guarantee adds peace of mind, especially if you’re consigning higher-end pieces.
- Crib and carseat selling process is less intense than JBF.
Choosing the Right Sale for Your Season
Ideally, I participate in BOTH sales each season. But when I can only pick one, I let my inventory guide the decision. Start by looking at what you’re selling. Using each sale’s pricing guides (Rhea Lana’s for reference), most items tend to sell for around 25% of their original retail value. For budget-friendly brands like Old Navy or Carter’s, you may need to price items at $2–$3 to attract buyers. If I’m selling mostly lower-priced items in the $2–$3 range, I typically go with Just Between Friends. Their flexible pricing and more laid-back preparation process work well—especially since Rhea Lana requires a $4 minimum per item. While JBF doesn’t offer loss prevention guarantees, the easier setup and lower pressure often make it worth the gamble.
On the other hand, when I have several high-end pieces and I’m looking for a guarantee that they will return to me (or Rhea Lana covers the loss), I lean toward Rhea Lana. The prep process is more involved, but in my experience—especially at Rhea Lana Frisco—it’s where I’ve seen the biggest financial return. If a crib or carseat is in the mix, I would probably lean toward selling with Rhea Lana.
Whichever sale you choose, you’ll be joining a mission-driven community of families who care about sustainability, value-conscious shopping, and supporting one another.
Consigning Like a Pro
Once you have drilled down on which sale you want to participate in let’s talk about how to execute like you are a consignment event regular.
Seller Tips: Smoother Drop-Offs, Better Results
Find Your Local Sale
- Drill down on which location / timing works best for you
- With Rhea Lana and Just Between Friends, I have always encountered a safe, clean, and organized shopping experience with rows of amazing bargains on kids and maternity items under one roof.
Quick Tips for a Smoother Prep & Drop-Off
- Start earlier than you think. Sorting, tagging, and pricing takes time—especially if you’re listing 100+ items.
- Work in batches. Do all your clothing, then shoes, then toys. Staying in one category helps prevent burnout and errors.
- Use the hanger trick. All hangers should face the same direction (usually like a question mark). It speeds up both check-in and shopping.
- Bag your shoes and accessories. Zip-top bags and zip-ties are lifesavers for keeping sets together.
- Create a “drop-off prep kit.” Include safety pins (I buy plenty of 2-inch safety pins to save time attaching to hangers), tape, zip ties, scissors, and your printed inventory sheet.
- Label at home if possible. Printing and attaching tags beforehand will save hours at check-in—and your sanity.
I’ll be sharing a full breakdown of my consignment prep system in an upcoming post. But these tips should help you avoid the biggest headaches and get off to a smooth start.
Drop off items
Drop-off day can feel a little chaotic—especially the first time—but with a few smart moves, it can be smooth and efficient.
- Sort items by category ahead of time. Group clothes by size and gender, shoes together, books in a tote, etc. This makes putting items on the sales floor way faster.
- Use bins, not bags. Plastic tubs or laundry baskets with handles are easier to carry, stack, and unload than trash bags (which collapse and wrinkle clothing).
- Label your bins. Tape a sticky note with what’s inside (e.g., “2T boys, shoes”) so helpers can guide you quickly—especially at larger venues like Rhea Lana Frisco.
- Wear comfy shoes and bring water. You’ll likely be walking and standing a lot, especially if you’re dropping off hundreds of items.
- The “drop-off prep kit” we mentioned in the last section. Make sure that is somewhere you can access, if needed.
- Bring a rolling cart or wagon. Many venues allow (and even recommend) rolling carts for easy unloading. Some may offer them, but it’s safer to bring your own just in case.
- Double-check your time slot. Most sales require appointment windows for drop-off.
- Take photos before you go. This is helpful for your own records, especially if any items go missing (even with a guarantee).
- Plan buffer time. Especially at Rhea Lana, drop-off can take longer than expected—particularly if you’re doing item checks or labeling onsite.
Buyer Tips: Get the Best Deals Without the Stress
Sellers at both sales receive early shopping passes. Here are tips to smooth out the process.
Plan Ahead
- Check the website for upcoming sales events and plan your shopping trip in advance.
- Make a list of the items you need, and prioritize your shopping experience.
- Arrive early to snag the best deals, and be prepared to find some amazing bargains. If I had to stock a nursery for a new baby, I would most definitely purchase the most expensive prepaid shopping pass to Rhea Lana in Frisco. Then JBF Mesquite. And Rhea Lana Terrell after that.
Shop Smart and Save Money
- At every franchise, sellers receive shopping passes, and typically receive passes at the half price days as well. Normally a guest pass is included, so shop with friends and family, and enjoy a fun and relaxed shopping experience.
- Inspect items carefully before purchasing (it is possible an imperfection got missed in inspection), and ask friendly staff for assistance – they are always more than happy to help.
- Ensure games or toy sets have all the parts you need. This didn’t happen at a consignment event, but I recently shopped with one of my kiddos for a board game. We were thrilled to find it for 33% of original retail value. we got home to find 4/5 of the game cards missing. Although the seller was gracious and gave us a full refund, it is no fun watching a kid excited to play a game only to be disappointed and find out they can’t play.
- Stick to list of what you need to not go over budget – with so much variety and such great prices, it is very tempting to overspend.
The Bottom Line
Both Just Between Friends and Rhea Lana offer fantastic opportunities to buy and sell gently used kids’ items while supporting sustainable shopping and local families. You’ll find franchise owners and consignors with hearts of gold—people doing the hard work not for massive financial gain, but to serve their communities and give great items a second life.
While the two sales differ in structure, pricing, and overall feel, you really can’t go wrong with either. Your decision may come down to personal preference—whether you value guaranteed sales, flexible pricing, less time-consuming inspections, or a more curated shopping experience.
At the end of the day, both events share a meaningful mission: to provide families with budget-friendly, high-quality items while promoting sustainability, financial stewardship, and a stronger community.
Beyond the Sale: Join the Movement
These sales are about more than just clothes and toys—they’re a chance to connect. Meet like-minded ladies in your area and be part of something bigger, while supporting area families who may not have the budget to shop for new clothing. Whether you’re shopping, consigning, or volunteering, your involvement makes a difference.
Many sales have active social media communities where you can stay up to date on upcoming events, get early shopping tips, and build real friendships with other parents in the know.
Ready to give it a try? Whether you’re decluttering, shopping, or simply curious—consignment sales like Rhea Lana and Just Between Friends are a beautiful way to connect, contribute, and save. Grab your tags, bring a friend, and jump into something that’s practical, purposeful, and full of heart.
