best items to look for at a resale event

[nomnom]

Calling all experienced moms!

There is a giant sale of used baby and maternity items this weekend in my town. I'm looking for tips on what is best to look for at a sale like this and what I might need most. Unfortunately I do not know the genders.

I know I need maternity clothes. Should I get only my regular size or also a size larger?

DH and I plan to re-use the items for future children and I don't know how long it takes for any of the battery-powered stuff to die. Which items will be durable enough for multiple children and are safe to buy used?

TIA!

[anotherdreamer]

Definitely get a size up for the end. I was wearing my normal size, but halfway through I needed a size bigger, and by the very end those were barely covering me.

We got everything used for DS except hygiene products and crib (got a carseat from my cousin, knew it wasn't in a crash). With the twins we once again got pretty much everything used, since we needed to buy more stuff. I don't know about brands, but our jumparoos and swings have been awesome. I would look at the items critically, see how beat up they already are, see if you can test them. I bought a twin nursing pillow (My Bestfriend twin plus) at a consignment store, I don't think the previous owners really used it or they didn't use it long. Strollers used, yes, definitely. I did just buy them a new DuoGlide by Graco, but we weren't able to find a decent used one here. Our DSNG was used though and held up REALLY well. Sleep sacks, a lot cheaper used. We were team green and bought a lot of what I considered gender neutral clothes from the boys section, plus mine wear DS's hand me downs (he wore mostly gender neutral things too, easier to hand down).

[mrsp419]

So if your resales are anything like ours, get there EARLY, especially if you want big ticket items. I was relieved that this year I was really only looking for clothes, because those don't go as fast. The gear can get picked over.
Strollers are great to get used. We re-used bouncers with multiple kids, but our swing never survived (that could be from the older kiddos being rough on it/leaning on it). However, if you find a good plug-in swing, grab that! Even if it just lasts for your twins, it will be worth it. If you can get a nursing pillow (especially a twin specific one), snatch that up, as they can be expensive, and if you see a carrier you want to try, grab that because those can be expensive and are washable. I would stay away from carseats.
Have fun!

[FCtwinmom]

Just went to one where we live!

I second getting there early if possible. Strollers and bouncers are what I was looking for. I also found great deals on toys that looked like they had never been used,

[samantha24]

Definitely buy clothes a couple sizes up. I started a size small maternity and by the end was in xl and xxl, I was all belly. And sometimes even those didn't completely cover my belly. I agree with pp about swings, bouncers, and strollers and getting there early!