Jane's Exchange — Local services in New York

In the face of Jane’s virtue signaling (woman-owned, good for the environment, Black Lives Matter, etc.), I have to agree with the reviewer who called Jane’s Exchange “sketchy.” Last summer I consigned 20 infant and maternity items with the understanding that I would earn 30% of their sale value for future purchases for my two daughters. When it came time to consign again this winter, Jane would allow me to bring only Spring items, and I had to wait weeks for an appointment. Then Jane was a no show! Because I was coming from another appointment, I waited half an hour outdoors in the cold and impending rain with my baby in the stroller, while a would-be purchasing Dad with an adorable 4-1/2-month-old girl pushed their pram back and forth on the sidewalk in order to stay warm. Finally, both parents gave up. My phone messages 9 minutes and 16 minutes after posted opening time went unanswered. When I called later in the day, Jane said she’d opened only “five or six minutes late.” My cell phone doesn’t lie about the time. Then I asked what my balance was from the earlier consignment: $4.95. You are seeing the decimal point in the right place. It is inconceivable that a consignment of 20 never-used to lightly used brands like Hanna Anderson, Laura Ashley, and Pea in the Pod (including four pairs of shoes, only one of which had ever been worn—once) would have sold for the un-grand total of $16.50. I asked how much the used pink boots I had seen in the window cost: $20.00. So my entire 20-piece consignment and the hassle of jumping through Jane’s weeks-long waits, schlepping to the far LES, would earn me not quite ¼ of one item for my daughter. A couple of other disgruntled former or would-be consigners mention Clementine as an alternative. Unfortunately, it has closed. I have been unable to find another shop that takes children’s clothes on consignment, which I take it is the reason Jane gets away with exploiting her clientele. (There’s probably lots of turnover but just as many not-yet disabused newcomers filling Jane’s overpriced closet.) Personally, I have decided to donate the beautiful items Jane couldn’t be bothered to show up to consign for me to the Reloved Boutique at Manny Cantor Center and the Parents Center at Henry Street Settlement. Feels...

Jane’s Exchange is truly a vital part in the quality of life I am able to provide for my children. This store welcomes everyone with open arms and treats every customer as family. We were able to keep our 3 children clothed in pieces we genuinely love because of this store! THEY HAVE IT ALL! I have seen children have the comfort of shopping with their piggy bank money, turning into a learning lesson of what the amount of money can buy! I have seen a fellow stressed out mother be able to put her shoulders down and breathe in that store. I have seen kids go on a shopping spree and the parents not horrified of a soon empty wallet. I truly would never be able to dress my girls the way I do if Jane’s Exchange did not exist. Donate the old and get money towards the new while helping a small business and other families turn its wheels, no better place! This is more than just a children’s consignment store, this is a comfort place for myself and so many families all over the city! We need, we love, and we can’t wait...

I first found out about Jane’s exchange online. I was looking for maternity wear for my first pregnancy and was not disappointed when i arrived at Jane’s for the first time. I have not been disappointed since! I found so much more than maternity wear that day, i found a welcoming, clean and comfortable place that had a great range of things to browse for all parents and kids of all ages.

We now travel from Brooklyn, despite closer options, because we like to support this 30 year old, family run business . That despite the many finacial challenges facing the world, continues to do its thing, and i am sure will keep doing so for a very long time !

We highly recommend...