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If you are looking for a deal, buying "pre-loved" items is the only way to go.

I scored another great deal yesterday from Craigslist (thank you to Sandra in Richmond)! For $30 I received a boy's clothing lot. Most of the clothing lot was in very good condition. In all there were 62 garments (including two jackets, one GAP and one GYMBOREE) and five pairs of shoes! That's approximately 45 cents per item! If you average out that brand new you might spend $10-$20 per item, that's $670-$1340 retail!

For those of you unfamiliar with Craigslist, here's some information to get you started.

• On Craigslist.org, choose your city, then go to the Baby+Kids link.
  
• Bookmark this link so that you can easily check the site. Even faster is, drag the link to your toolbar so it's a one-click link to the site's Baby+Kids section.
  
• If you are searching for specific items, you may want to filter out the listings by typing it into the search bar at the top. Keep your filter as simple as possible - better to include items that are not what you are looking for rather than exclude a listing accidentally. For example, in searching for a boy's clothing lot, I just type the word 'lot'. Keep in mind though that some posters may have mispelled the items; in which case I do a quick manual scan through the list as well.
  
• Check daily or more - sometimes you need to act quick to get the deals. Let your Mommy friends that Craigslist know what you are looking for and have them keep an eye out for you too - that's how I got this latest deal. (Thanks Teresa!)
  

I've found the best item to get from Craigslist is the clothing lots - clothing being the one item that baby continually needs and grows out of so quickly! To receive a good lot like the one I just received can be a little bit lucky, as I've purchased other lots without getting as many pieces. But if you don't try to buy them then you never get lucky.

I've purchased my bassinet ($40), bouncer ($10), Jolly Jumper ($5), Baby Bjorn ($20), toy lots (another good one to get pre-loved), Bebecar Vector stroller (a newer model for $175; retails for $599) from Craigslisters.

Not only will you save lots of money, but you'll be "green" too!

If you live in Vancouver, here is a direct link to the Vancouver Craigslist Baby & Kid Stuff listings.
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