Local parents reveal secrets to safely sell, buy and swap really awesome kid's gear



SEATTLE -- Kids are expensive and the amount of gear they use can be overwhelming. That’s why parents are always looking for ways to maximize their resources, especially when growing their family. Some local women are using their neighborhood to safely sell, buy and swap used goods for their kids.

Caitlin Hill is one of hundreds of moms who lined up for the Jack & Jill consignment sale at the Lynnwood Convention Center.

“I’ve got my game face on, I’m ready,” she says, as she laughs about the line that wound through the building and up the stairs.

The moms raced through rows and rows of baby gear to score some big deals.

Rachel Kalous started Jack & Jill consignment after she had her third little girl was born. She realized her community of moms needed a place to go where they could sell their used gear and buy new items at a major discount.

“It’s a moms helping moms business,” says Kalous. “They can sell them, make a little money back and they get great deals on gently used items.”

But swapping and selling amongst moms isn’t exclusive to these big events like Jack & Jill, most are taking their parenting needs online. Nelle Reichert is the co-president of the Montlake Moms Co-op, a private listserv for her neighborhood where parents can swap advice, news and gear that needs a new home.

Reichert says she loves being able to, “utilize the technology of the listserv and getting to meet people, set up coffee dates, go to the playground and meeting up there to exchange stuff.”

What makes it an even better place to shop and save is the convenience and safety. Reichert says she can share items with her neighbor around the corner and not be concerned that she is buying and selling to a stranger.

“It connects you to your neighbors over and over again,” says Reichert. “It’s heartwarming to kind of know that you’re passing on to another individual something that is really useful for somebody else and they don’t have to go out and buy something brand new.”

Plus, she says when neighbors start to meet and see the needs of people around them, buying and selling quickly turns to giving.

“A lot of people will just give things away.” Reichert says people have told her, “we’re done with this and we want this to go to another good home.”

We asked our viewers to dish the dirt on finding local deals in your neighborhood. Here’s the top deals you shared: