Ten tips for bagging bargains at an nct Nearly New Sale

Nearly New Sales are a great way to save money, and of course it helps the planet.

The nct run Nearly New Sales across the country, and if you are pregnant or have a little one, and you're in the UK, I recommend keeping an eye our for your local one, or ones further a field, as they are worth the journey.

I used to help at my local one for many years, and got lots and lots of bargains.

Here are ten top tips for getting the most out of them, and further down, specific tips of what I would be looking for if I was pregnant, or had a baby, or a toddler.

General tips:

1. They tend to happen just once or twice a year: in October and/or in March. The idea being that you can get the season's clothes. And not just standard clothes, think warm wellies, coats, snowsuits.

   
   

2. They are are big with so many bargains. There's so much clothing, toys and also equipment. Travel cots, high chairs, baby baths. Look up your local nct and check out photos or videos of past sales to see what I mean.

   
   

3. They are not table top sales. Everyone’s items are put together, organised by type (equipment, books, toys, clothing). The clothing is organised by age, and sometimes by gender, and subgroups of clothing (coats, shoes). You pay for all your items, and then the local branch sorts out paying the sellers, based on their seller number on the label.

   
   

4. Great for Christmas presents for your kids. Usually loads of toys in very good condition.

   
   

5. Don’t take your children, unless you are going in later. The first 30-60 minutes are intense and packed. It is hard to get in and get the bargains if you also have your children. Your partner could come in later with the children, for example. There is usually tea and cakes for sale.

   
   

6. Don’t take your buggy in. Leave it outside and put your baby in a sling or carrier. You can leave big items by the till, or holding area. And put them on the buggy when you leave.

   
   

7. Think about what you want before you go in, as it is easy to be overwhelmed by the bargains and forget what you came in for. Check out the Facebook pages or Instagram pages of the nct branch, as they may share photographs from after they've set up and you can see what’s there.

   
   

8. Want to get the bargains first? Volunteer to help. You get first dibs. Plus it is fun.

   
   

9. Or join the nct. Many branches open the doors for members first.

   
   

10. Plus, you can earn some money by selling the clothes, toys and equipment you no longer need. A fee is charged which goes to the nct to fund their services.

Find your nearest nct Nearly New Sales

Here’s what I would buy if ….

If I was pregnant:

First of all, as new babies don’t wear out their clothes, the condition and quality is high. Personally I’d recommend you don’t bother with outfits under 3 or 4 months. It is much easier to keep them in baby grows for the first few months. Cardigans are useful too. Extra vests are always useful.

Other good buys are more expensive items, that again don’t have much wear: prams, buggies, baby sleeping bags, bedside cribs, Moses baskets, pregnancy pillows, baby monitors, slings and carriers. Changing bags too. Baby mats, arches, and early toys. Washable nappies (a great way to buy cheap and try them out).

Feeding equipment such as v-shaped pillows, sterilisers, bottles, milk storage bags. Feeding tops and dresses.

I’d be stocking up on basics such as muslins, cot sheets, breast pads, as well as baby hats and gloves, and pram shoes, that aren’t worth spending much money as they may barely wear them, and they get lost. If you can get the things that keep baby socks on, grab them!

There is usually a section for maternity clothes and pregnancy/birth/baby books.

Birth balls, peanut balls, and sometimes birth pools and TENS machines.

Avoid items that are not recommended because of safety issues: sleep positioners, sleep nests, hammock beds, anything that props a bottle up, cot bumper, cot duvet or pillow.

If I had a baby:

First of all, equipment: travel cots, high chairs, buggies, car seats, slings/carriers/backpacks.  Really reasonably priced. Cot. Bedding. Black out blinds!

Clothes: think about the next six months, and stock up. Sleeping bags, pram coats, snow suits, first shoes, cots.

Starting solids: high chair, bibs, bowls, spoons, baby cups, slanted Doidy cups, floor covering, recipe books. Good books to look for: Baby Led Weaning by Gill Rapley, My child won't eat by Carlos Gonzalez, and Child's Complete Nutrition by Lucy Upton.

Toys and books: stacking cups, textured blocks/balls, board books, trolley to push when starting to walk.

Avoid items that are not recommended because of safety issues: the foam seats for babies (Bumbo etc); feeding nets; jumperoos and doorway bouncers; cot bumpers; pillow (under 1 year old); and walkers they sit in with wheels.

If I had a toddler/pre-schooler:

Clothes obviously, especially next size up shoes, wellies, coats, snowsuits, swim wear. School clothes too. Snow suits, all-in-one rain suits.

Bikes, trikes, garden toys. Books, videos, toys. Number puzzles, action figures, cars, tea sets, blocks. Games.

And things that disappear: socks, hats, gloves.

There is often bedroom decor items such as lampshades and curtains. Plus bedding.

Potties, and books about potties.

Books about school, having a new baby, emotions.

I hope you found these tips useful. Please share with your friends.

And let me know if you have other tips.

I'm Cathy, Chilled Mama, perinatal educator, trainer, and doula. I don't have any affiliation to the nct, but I used to be a member of my local branch, and did various committee roles.