Can someone help me to figure out GYMBOREE????

[daisy1234]

I am new to Gyboree...usually get sticker shock...but now after seeing the baby sale...and seeing the resale value of the clothes on ebay....I am thinking I should just by gymboree and then sell when I am done! What are the best sale stategies?????

 

[monorailsilver]

I still have sticker shock even with the sales they have so I don't buy from there out of habit.

My youngest dd did get a cute outfit from there when she was born but it was shorts & she was too big for it that first summer so I returned it-a hat, shirt, shorts & I want to say socks. It was about $30 or so.

I had a 20% off coupon so I used that return plus the coupon & bought my dd 3 outfits (sale rack).

Of course 2 of the outfits are stained so I am glad I didn't pay full price. I swear someone posted on here a while back that the only clothes they buy are Gymboree because they don't stain or the stains come out.

And I think to get a good resale value on Ebay the clothes have to be well taken care of. Something my kids don't do well.

 

[tlbwriter]

Buy on sale, never put it in the dryer (it shrinks and fades!), and you should have good luck with resale. The larger sizes are less popular, but toddler and smaller "big kid" sizes do really well.

 

[dreamalittledream]

there is Circle of Friends coming up Sept 14-16. you need a card in the store but the online code is CFFRIEND or CFCIRCLE. It is good for 30% off entire purchase, plus you will earn Gymbucks now. If you buy it right, the clothes are very reasonable. Mine hold up well and I do ebay them and get about 1/2 of what I paid for them. Sometimes I'll get more on the rare or NWT items.

 

[Dancemom03]

never put it in the dryer (it shrinks and fades!), and you should have good luck with resale.

I have always been amazed that hardly any ebay gymboree sellers seem to use their dryers. That's probably why DD6's outgrown clothes (all gymbo) still sit in plastic bins instead of being listed. How does the average mom get through a whole childhood without using their dryer?
I am so behind and just can't compete with people who have the time and/or space to hang kids clothes to dry. Sadly, I don't iron underwear either, as my DH pointed out once.
Our neighborhood doesn't even allow outdoor clotheslines. Those who do have my sincere admiration though...

 

[shruley]

Ah, something I can contribute to the Budget Board. (Is it bad if it's all about spending money?)

Coming from someone who just bought $300 worth of Gymboree this weekend (MIL paid for some) the first advice is NEVER buy anything from the store full price. Every time I'm in the mall, I'll check to see what line has moved to the sale rack. You can also check online...the sales in the stores coordinate to when things go on sale online, it seems. They will also run some good sales...watch closely and buy lots when a good sale hits-- example this weekend, all sale items were an extra 20 % off. I got some cute Bon Voyage clothes (for our Disney cruise!) at like $5 for a shirt and $8 for baby dresses! I got online most of what I couldn't find in the store, and shipping was only $5 no matter what I ordered.

Secondly, Gymbucks. Different times during the year you will earn $25 in Gymbucks for every $50 you spend. Then later, during a set time period you redeem them, and you get $25 off every $50 you spend. So this weekend, not only did I hit a good sale and got some shirts for $5 or so, I earned enough to get 1/2 off whatever I buy (up to $300) next month.

I hardly ever buy new on Ebay. I've usually seen them priced for more than I could find them on sale, especially with shipping. Buying used can be a good bargain, however.

You can also search on Yahoo Groups. There are tons of groups where you can buy/sell/trade Gymbo stuff plus keep you updated on sales, promotions, etc. I like the site www.gymbohaven.com it shows all the past lines, as well as upcoming sales and lines and stuff.

I have never looked at my Gymbo clothes as an investment, except to pass down to the next daughter. Mine routinely wore the knit pants/tops to day care and yes, they do stain! If you are buying to resell them, they do need to be in good condition (no stains) to get a decent return price and DON'T dry them! Small lots of one line do very well on ebay. So do dresses. Buy certain lines to resell instead of just picking pieces here and there.

Lastly, this is just opinion, but it can get addicting. I feel like the more I get of a line the more I need- LOL. I try to stick with certain lines instead of buying one outfit here and there. My rule is I don't buy unless a line *totally* grabs me and makes me say I HAVE to have that! (Like the Bon Voyage and Royal Gardens lines.) I then (painfully) wait for them to go on sale and buy as many as I can when they hit a sale point/Gymbucks. Once I've made a big purchase I just don't look again for awhile. I do ebay and do Gymbo Yahoo groups for used stuff. There are still lines from 3-4 years ago I love and want to keep dressing DD in.

 

[tlbwriter]

I have always been amazed that hardly any ebay gymboree sellers seem to use their dryers. That's probably why DD6's outgrown clothes (all gymbo) still sit in plastic bins instead of being listed. How does the average mom get through a whole childhood without using their dryer?
I am so behind and just can't compete with people who have the time and/or space to hang kids clothes to dry. Sadly, I don't iron underwear either, as my DH pointed out once.
Our neighborhood doesn't even allow outdoor clotheslines. Those who do have my sincere admiration though...

I'm able to dry lots of things. Hanna Andersson dries like a charm, as do most of DD's clothes from Target. But Gymbo just doesn't (nor does it have some kind of stain repellant property - that stuff stains like crazy!). I have a bar in my laundry room that I use for hanging clothes that don't go in the dryer - no clothesline.

The problem with Gymbo is, while it's not really that great quality (and I'm always amazed that people think it is!), it's just so stinkin' cute, and it all goes together so well. So you buy one shirt and one skirt, and then there's a cute sweater that goes with, and oh, wouldn't those pants look cute with it, and if you're buying two bottoms in the same line you might as well buy another top so you'll have two outfits, and then there are matching socks and headbands... ugh. It's addictive.

 

[jagafen]

Yep...I have issues too.....and $100 in gymbucks that I have to wait a month to use!!! AARRRGGGHHH!!!

 

[disneypharm]

I have bought gymboree clothes for DD9 and DD7 since they were born. I only buy on sale from the sales rack and from outlet stores. I also use gymbucks. I have never bought anything from them for more than $15. Most of the shirts are less than $5.
I have never had problems with shrinkage (must be my dryer). With stains, I always pretreat with stain remover for an hour and then add them to the washer.
I have also bought things from Gaps, Children's place, Old Navy and Target and they always were not as durable.

 

[aj2hall]

I shop a lot of gymboree too but try to use the coupons from PLUM magazine for 20 % off or the circle of friends promotion. I have a gymboree visa, so I get alittle discount there, too. I generally only buy the sale items and try to get gymbucks, too. Twice a year in spring & winter they have great clearance sales and I try to buy for the year ahead. I bought fleece jcakets for my older boys for only $6 or $7 and then I had both a 20 % coupon and the 5 % gymboree visa discount. I have 3 boys that are really hard to shop for - sometimes really challenging to find nice boys clothes, but I like gymboree's selection. And a couple of times a year I like them to have coordinating or matching outfits and gymboree works really well for this. But it can be very addictive.

 

[texasteacher35]

I am new to Gyboree...usually get sticker shock...but now after seeing the baby sale...and seeing the resale value of the clothes on ebay....I am thinking I should just by gymboree and then sell when I am done! What are the best sale stategies?????

This is what I do, and I buy ALL my DS2's clothes at Gymboree, not all on sale...however, the baby sale and gymbucks make it all worth while! Anyway, I sell "lots" or lines of his old clothes and it helps to replenish my always huge Gym bill! For example, if the clothes stay in good shape, no stains or whatever on them, you can sell a "lot" that originally costs $500 for about $200-250...depending on how popular the line is/was! I sold last year's holiday line, only 3 outfits for more than I paid for them! Crazy, right, but they were in perfect condition!!! I have been very happy with selling GYM clothes on ebay...theother brands do not have the resale value that gymboree has...Polo/Ralph Lauren definitely does, and boutique brands do, i.e. Zutano brand...but not Children's Place or even the GAP...I have tried those brands before and they do not sell anywherer near Gymboree. I have probably sold $1000 worth of resale Gymboree on ebay and it is great!

 

[texasteacher35]

I'm able to dry lots of things. Hanna Andersson dries like a charm, as do most of DD's clothes from Target. But Gymbo just doesn't (nor does it have some kind of stain repellant property - that stuff stains like crazy!). I have a bar in my laundry room that I use for hanging clothes that don't go in the dryer - no clothesline.

The problem with Gymbo is, while it's not really that great quality (and I'm always amazed that people think it is!), it's just so stinkin' cute, and it all goes together so well. So you buy one shirt and one skirt, and then there's a cute sweater that goes with, and oh, wouldn't those pants look cute with it, and if you're buying two bottoms in the same line you might as well buy another top so you'll have two outfits, and then there are matching socks and headbands... ugh. It's addictive.

I LOVE GYMBOREE!! My DS2 ONLY wears Gymboree and I really do think it is durable and it washes very well! I always wash in Dreft, and on the delicate cycle and I can get everything out of those clothes and NO ironing (which I really love)!!!! PLUS...cute clothes for boys are really hard to find!! Gymboree has, by far, the cutest selection EVER of ANY clothes that I see anywhere! I love everything matching and mix and match duds! Love it! I only have about 3 more years of getting him to wear gymboree and I am going to enjoy every minute of it! TOO CUTE!!!!

 

[svalencia1]

Right now is a GREAT time to shop Gymbo. I just spent about $150 there this past week and got: 2 shirts for my son, 2 pairs of underwear for my son, 1 hoodie for my daughter, 3 hair accessories, 4 shirts for next summer for DD, 1 skirt, 1 sweater for DD, 1 pair sunglasses, 3 l/s shirt, 1 sweater, 2 pairs of leggings, 1 pair of velour pants, 1 dress, 1 pair of jeans, and a pair of socks. In all 25 items for $150 or $6 an item. I get my clothes at Gymboree for less than what I would pay at Target or Walmart, but they don't pill or shrink and the resale value is amazing! I will make back and always have what I spend. Bon Voyage is really cheap now b/c it is marked down to 60%off plus there is an extra 20% off of all sale items and there are coupons out there now for 20% off your order. I stocked up. Gymmies which are normally $19.50 are on sale for $8 after that coupon and so is baby stuff under $20. Things over $20 are going for $16 with a coupon. Since it is gymbuck earning time it is an added bonus because you will get $25 of every $50 spent at redemption. I almost always use redemption to get clothes that are already on sale. Drying your clothes will lower the resale value of your clothes and it is good to have oxy or similar stain remover on hand for stains. If you want a great website with a similar format to DIS that will help you stay up to date with all of the sales PM me and I will get you the info (I would post here but I don't know if that is against rules). Hope that helps!

 

[squeaky_penguin]

Can you tell me how to sign up to start earning gymbucks. I am expecting my first child in December and all this is new to me.

Thanks!

 

[tlbwriter]

You don't need to sign up for Gymbucks - you just buy at certain times of the year. It will be announced on the website, and you can find out ahead of time on fan sites such as http://www.gymbohaven.com . Basically, for every $50 you spend, you get a $25 Gymbuck, and you can use that Gymbuck at a specified time to get $25 off another $50 purchase. There are lots of rules - if you return the original purchase, you must return the Gymbuck, and if you return a purchase made with a Gymbuck, you do not get the Gymbuck back to use on something else, etc. You can also buy and sell Gymbucks on eBay.

 

[kfeuer]

Can you tell me how to sign up to start earning gymbucks. I am expecting my first child in December and all this is new to me.

They run the promotion during certain times of the year (you'll see signs outside the door letting you know). You spend $50 during that time and you get a gymbuck good for $25 off your next $50 purchase during a specified redemption period.

I honestly don't pay that much attention to gymbucks because 1) The best clearance sales don't happen during gymbuck redemption 2) I hardly ever spend $50 in there at one time.

I try to hold out for the lowest clearance prices at the end of season. At the end of August they had an extra 20% off their sale items and I was able to order 9 shirts for next summer for $35 including tax and shipping. I got some tanks for $1.59, and each boy got a sweater vest for $3.19 (originally $26).

I will undoubtedly be able to resell these shirts for more then I paid, but I just sell them at a semi-annual kid's consignment sale (I keep 70%) rather then Ebay. I rarely end up with complete outfits, and boy's Gymboree isn't as popular as the girl's stuff.

I do like the quality for the price and I've never had trouble with their tees shrinking.

 

[squeaky_penguin]

Thanks for the quick response!

 

[tlbwriter]

The fading is actually worse than the shrinking. Many ebay descriptions will claim "typical Gymboree fade" for darker items. Line drying (indoors, not out in the sun) seems to help.

 

[Momrow]

The fade - there is a way to minimize it, by presoaking in a vinegar solution, I haven't done it but have read about it many times. Even though navy does tend to fade quite a bit, I love it and always end up with lots.

I buy on sale, get lots of pieces from lines I love, read all about it at gymborebel.com, and sell it after my dd's are done with it.

As for general quality, I think it is about on par with gap, but it really gets us planning/perfectionist moms with all the matching accessories, mix and match outfits, over the top cuteness, etc.

 

[m&m's mom]

Sadly my Gymboree days are coming to an end. For the past 11 years I have spent over $5,000 a year at Gymboree (my kids rarely wear anything else) and DD (11YO) has informed me she will no longer wear Gymboree.
I was complaining to Gymboree that I love mix and match and their quality but their styles were too cutsey for my DD's. They said "Oh well, then you will love our new store". It is "Crazy 8" and I have checked it out. It is VERY similar to Gymboree and DD immediately said "Mom, do not even think about it". Dang it!