Little Liberty Thrift Store

Since my in-laws have moved into town, I’ve been hitting the thrift stores with them in order to furnish their wonderful new home.  This is when we stumbled across “Little Liberty” thrift store in Collegeville.  If you need toys, strollers, clothes, high chairs, or anything else baby/toddler related, you need to check this place out! It’s become a bi-monthly outing for us to get “new” toys and unload the ones we don’t use anymore. It’s a place you have to experience for yourself to understand that it is not “too good to be true.”   

Review: Red Ribbon Consignment Closet

Driving home from the mall last week, I discovered a little shop on Valley Forge Road with strollers out front for sale!  Slamming on the the brakes, I quickly made the turn into the small shopping area.  I was practically licking my lips, ready to sweap up that jogging stroller that had caught my eye.

We were greeted as we walked in the door, by a nice woman who explained the layout of the store.  My husband went to conquer the downstairs, while I roamed the top floor.  There some nice items, but the selection wasn't very big for 9 month old clothes.  The prices weren't that cheap either.  A used Carter's outfit was only a dollar cheaper than what I could have found new.  I was discouraged. 

But wait, there was the stroller!  I quickly made my way to the prize.  It was beautiful...and expensive.  $110 for a used stroller?  Granted, they are expensive new, but I've seen these strollers sell for $60 at the big consignment sales, and I just couldn't in conscience buy it.

I made my way downstairs to meet my husband and see what he had found.  He was eyeing up a shopping cart cover that was $16.  Again, too expensive for used status. But then I had an idea!  If the owner was selling items at high prices, she probably paid good money for consignment items.  I mentally listed through the four bags of clothes and multiple baby gear items I don't use anymore.  Dollar signs chinged in my mental register. 

Did I get to unload my stuff and get lots of money? NO! They only buy items twice a year and the next buying time was in August!!!  So overall, the trip was a bust. Not that the store isn't worth checking out, just don't go expecting to save a lot of money.

Event Alert: Kimberton Bitty Bees Children Consignment Sale

Thanks to a loyal reader, I've just found out about yet another consignment sale, and you should know by now that I'm a sucker for a good sale!  The Kimberton Bitty Bees Sale is 5/14 from 8am-1pm and 5/15 from noon to 2pm at St. Basil's in Kimberton.  I have high expectations now due to the Just Between Friends sale, but if I can come away from this sale with one of those crazy activity jumpers I will be happy! 

This event is in Spring and Fall, so if you're not in the market for more goodies, you've got a couple of seasons to get ready.  Hope to see you there!

Event Review: Just Between Friends Consignment Sale

Wow.  I'm impressed.  After the MOMS of Multiple Consignment Sale chaos, I was dreading the obnoxious Black Friday-esque crowds and hoarding of merchandise at another large consignment sale.  Also, since I was attending the last day of the sale, I expected it to be completely picked clean with only a few stained outfits left for grabs. 

I was very wrong and pleasantly surprised.  This had to be the best and most organized sale I've yet to witness.  Held at the Oaks Expo Center, the venue had plenty of space for stroller access and plenty of space for consignment items.  Despite my vow not to buy any more clothes, when faced with stuffed racks of clothes without having to fight other mothers for a peak, I went weak in the knees.  My expectant sister-in-law also found herself with an armful of clothes for an already well stocked baby. 

As for the other items, I bought a space saver high chair for THREE DOLLARS (at Babies R Us they were over $50!).  Although slightly more expensive, I got a Tickle Me Elmo which my daughter now adores.  Had I needed them, there were strollers, bouncy chairs, plays gyms, books, toys, cribs, blankets, bottles, breast pumps, boppy pillows, and anything else a mother might want. 

I will definately be back for the Fall sale (and post details closer to the date). I'm going to try my hand at consigning this time too.  The cashier told me that you get 65% of your sales and a check promptly two days after the sale.  Not too shabby.

Event Review: Moms of Multiples Consignment Sale

What I thought was arriving early to the event was apparently not early enough. I showed up at 8:40am (20 minutes before the doors opened), and already the field outside the Church Farm School looked like the parking situation at a Phillies game. The line to get in was probably a mile long (no exaggeration), and I was more than grateful that my husband was back at home babysitting. Thankfully it wasn't raining like the forecast predicted yesterday.

As I stood in line, the lovely ladies of the consignment sale started handing out industrial size garbage bags for shoppers to horde goodies in. It was at this moment I knew I was in over my head. I really only wanted a couple of outfits and maybe a high chair. I felt like I was in line for Filine's Basement Wedding Dress Sale. I expected pandemonium as soon as the doors opened.

However, when "open sesame" time came, the line moved quickly and orderly. By the time I got in I saw many people had already filled their bags to capacity. I immediately went to the closest rack that caught my eye: the clothes. This was a very bad move ladies. You have to head to big ticket items first, and if you even remotely think you want something, you have to grab it immediately or it won't be there next time you swing around.

I did manage to get an awesome carrier backpack (practically brand new) for $40, some small toys, a new baby bathtub, and a few cute summer dresses. I managed to get in the 10 items or less line (which was pretty damn long, but not even close to as long as the other line which snaked around the building).

The sale offered EVERYTHING, even breast pumps and maternity clothes. I would highly recommend going to the next sale on Sept 21, 2011 (more to come on dates/time) but get there EARLY!!!

New Event Alert: The Consignment Never Ends...Just Between Friends

Now that I've been to one consignment sale, suddenly I'm hearing of tons of sales this spring.  I guess everyone is cleaning out their closets.  The next sale I've heard of is Just Between Friends sale at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks April 28th-April 30.  It looks like there is going to be an entrance fee, but I found this poster with a coupon to get in free.  

Check out this video on the sale:



I'm really starting to think I should try my hand at consigning at one of these events. JBF apparently will send you a kit with a tagging gun, hangers, and other stuff you need to prepare.  I know that my little girl has grown out of so much, BUT I have a hard time letting go of those outgrown clothes I have such dear memories with. I put my blood, sweat, and tears into getting out stains in those little footies; I can't bear to part with them!  However, I do have clothes she's never worn or worn only once that I could part with, but I also have a sister-in-law expecting their first child and the clothes are probably going straight to her.  I might just have to wait on being a consigner.

I did see that volunteers get JBC dollars for volunteering that they can use at the sale...so it might be worth it just for the experience.  All I know is after three more consignment sales, I'm not going to need any more clothes for my little one until she turns five!

New Event Alert: Chester County Mother of Multiples Clothing Sale

Just discovered another gem of a consignment sale for baby clothes, toys, strollers, etc.  The Chester County Mother of Multiples Club is holding it's annual consignment sale on Saturday, March 19th from 9am-noon at the Church Farm School in Exton.  That's a hop, skip and a jump away from the Exton Mall on Lancaster Ave.  Considering the website give directions from as far away as Pittsburgh, I'm expecting this sale to be HUGE.  And since it's moms of multiples, they've got everything in triplicate!  Even though I really don't need anything (well, maybe a high chair), I'm going.  You never know what treasures await.  Happy shopping!

Event Review: St. Luke's UCC Consignment Sale

Well, sometimes you can't be the early bird to these things.  I had a early admission pass for Friday night to get into the exclusive St. Luke's Consignment Sale, but a long day of work left me feeling a bit lazy.  So I decided to wait until Saturday morning like the rest of the unprivileged public.  Then baby seemed to forget how to sleep through the night...is this the dreaded 4 month sleep regression I have heard of in hushed whispers around Moms' groups?  Whatever it was, I was NOT in the mood to go to a glorified yard sale at 6:30am after getting only a few hours of sleep.  So I "slept while baby slept" until about 9:30am when I finally managed to get my butt in gear and go to get someone else's trash, but soon to be my treasure.

It was the final hour of the sale, and I'm racing down Rt. 113 to get there in time to clean up on the leftovers.  Little did I know but the cars in front and back of me are also headed to the same place!  I feel slightly guilty for being impatient at the mommy in the car in front of me who drove way too slow.   The parking lot is packed, and there are streams of parents and children loading up goodies by the trunk full.  I'm wondering if there's anything left.

I couldn't believe it, but there was a ton of clothes, toys, books, strollers, baths, and more left over and marked down to 50% off!  I managed to get a stroller for $15, a super cute Easter dress for $2, and three baby photo albums for another $2!  I had my eye on a bouncer, but it was looking too big for my apartment.  My husband and I would have to get rid of the coffee table to get it in the living room.  If I hadn't been overwhelmed by the crowd, I probably would have stuck around longer.  I was really glad I didn't have the baby with me, but there were a million babies in bjorns checking out the merchandise. 

I will definately be back next year, but next time I'll get there early.  I can only imagine what goodies I missed out on!

New Event Alert: Consignment Sale

If you have a baby like my baby, then your baby is growing leaps and bounds!  You probably need more clothes, more toys, more of everything!  Good news.... Saturday March12th is the St. Luke's UCC MOPS Consignment Sale in Trappe!  The event is from 6:30am- 11:30am (the final hour and a half is 50% off).  It sounds like a huge event that you need to get in early to get the good stuff.  If you sign up for their "Shopper Mailing List" you can get a Friday night (3/11) pass to shop before the crowds arrive.  Friday night pass is for 6:30-9:30pm.  I signed up for the Friday Night Pass and am looking forward to getting the good stuff!  Hope to see you all shopping there!