My daughter just received a box of hand-me-downs. Most of the items are several years old, but in wonderful shape. They have many Gymboree pieces in them, but from different lines. I can certainly make some of them work with other pieces in her wardrobe, but others would be so much cuter if I could find a matching Gymboree piece.
I've looked on ebay- too expensive! I've looked on our craigslist- not in her size. Other than consignment stores and hit and miss garage sale, does anyone have any other tips?

Alsoo- in my search, i have found some people who swear buying Gymboree with the deals (circle of friends, Gymbucks, etc.) is the way to go. They say they take care of the clothing well, adn they can resell it on ebay for what they paid for it even after their kids have worn it. After seeing the prices for Gymboree on ebay, I am tempted to believe it. Has anyone had any experience with this?

If anyone knows if this works, info on where to get gymbucks, etc would be appreciated. Thank you!!

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Darcilew

Not sure about Gymboree but I do that with Catimini and Oilily. If you wash on gentle cycle and line dry and take good care of the pieces then it would probably work. Best bet is to sell in season. I think a lot depends on how rare the item is. I have had an Oilily set sell for $178 but it was from the Monster line and impossible to get in the US. I wouldn't buy clothes in the hopes of selling them unless you have the money budgeted. I would do a search and see if what is selling is NWT, EUC, or GUC. If only NWT in that brand is selling at a good price then I would take that into account.

Even though gymbo is still a good market, its not as good as it used to be on ebay. YES always buy with sales, I NEVER EVER pay full price for gymboree. Right now the Spring sale is going on and there are some really good deals. If you can score a coupon (there is a 20% off in Cookie magazine right now) thats even better. Other than that, consignement shops are always the way to go. You learn as you go and the gymbo deals will get easier to spot.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan7.Samantha6,Cameron4

A Pirate's Life for ME!!

I think you could do well with this approach and at least make a good chunk of your money back. This is my first year doing Gymboree--thanks to this site I have finally learned how to get it for dirt cheap!!! I bought 2 lines--Bon Voyage at the end of last summer and Equestrian Club with my gymbucks for fall/winter. I've been watching these on ebay and see that large lots like I have are getting close to what I paid for them. Of course, the NWT do much better, but a large coordinating lot with accessories does pretty good even if its EUC.
Even if you don't get all your money back, its a good way to dress your kids nice, for cheap, with a bonus payback at the end!
Good luck!

what are gymbucks?? I am new to this gymboree thing... I have a coupon from them that they sent me in the mail. How do I buy things and get gymbucks???

Also, I used to buy my boy's clothes at GAP kids on the sale and clearance racks, and they are not marking their stuff down like they used to!!! Gymboree used to seem more expensive than Gap; what kind of prices do you pay at Gymboree?

If you are smart about it, you can definitely make it work for you. I don't recommend trying to resell on ebay, personally. I have been pretty turned off by ebay and their money-grubbing in general. I find I do much better re-selling stuff on gymboree loops (most of mine are yahoo groups - just do a search for gymboree - you'll pull up TONS!). I ONLY buy on sales, and then only if I have a coupon, too. At the spring sale, I picked up an outfit from a current line (Ice Cream Social) for my dd - capris and top - for ~$16. I can spend more than that on one outfit at Wal-Mart or Target and not get the same quality. I also cleaned up on tights for next year - I got 6 pair for $.79 each! I also picked up a pair of bike shorts to go with some of the turtle stuff we already have for $4. Of course there are more expensive pieces, but there were also some things marked at $3.99 or less (tops, pants, even a jacket!) - but they weren't our size or in a line I wanted. You just have to be selective in what you buy and when. My dd's closet is almost all Gymbo for the last year, and I have spent less this year than in a lot of years past when I wasn't buying it! There are still some things we don't buy (shoes, formal dressy pieces ) that I consider out of my price range for what dd does to them. But I have been reselling her outgrown pieces to buy new, and it is working pretty well so far!

Gymbucks only happen several times a year. There is a sticky at the top of this forum, just for Gymboree. It lets youknow about any gossip WE hear and want to pass on about some great sales coming up. Watch that sticky!

Gymbucks is when you spend $50 pretax, they give you a 'coupon' or a gymbuck worth $25. Then they give you a redemption time, and during that, for every $50 pretax you spend, you can use one of your gymbucks for $25 off. Its like getting all your stuff for half price.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan7.Samantha6,Cameron4

A Pirate's Life for ME!!

that sounds neat!! i am going to look at the sticky now!!

You guys are full of info! Thanks for the updates. I'll definetely be watching for the sales.

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Darcilew

Gymbucks earning and redemption just finished a round in april. I'm betting there will be another one this summer, maybe 2. Probably around june or july.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan7.Samantha6,Cameron4

A Pirate's Life for ME!!