I’d been counting down the days until yesterday for months. It was the BIG SHOW, the MAIN EVENT, the SUPER BOWL FOR MOMS… it was consignment sale day.
I had a plan, a prioritized list, a budget (ugh), and caffeine and sugar coursing through my pregnant veins. I was not above using my belly to bump people out of my way. I volunteered, setting up items people were selling the day before, in order to gain early entry into this MASSIVE sale and was in line 50 minutes early for our 3:00 entry time.
The first item on my stalk and kill list was a Graco Snugrider stroller frame, and it wasn’t pretty. I found them, but wasn’t sure of the prices. $30 and $35 for something I can get new for $50? Really, people? But I knew I needed it, and I didn’t want to start the sale off with a loss, so I headed toward the last one available just as a girl on a cell phone began hovering over it. “So it’s $30… it has 2 cup holders… uh, huh… says it will work with your seat… uh, huh…. soooooooo….. hmmmmmmm…..” I could have been a total bitch and just slapped my pink sticker on it while I awaited her decision, but I didn’t, and of course, she grabbed it. Grrrr. Oh well, I told myself that was still too much and I’d find a better deal elsewhere (which I did, last night I found one on CL for $25).
Next on my stalk and kill list was an Arm’s Reach Co-sleeper. I wasn’t expecting to find one since I volunteered in the room they were set up in the day before and didn’t see any come in, but as I turned the corner to the room it glinted like a piece of sea glass in the sun on a beach. It was the ONLY ONE. I had no shame, I did not care who was in my path. I abandoned my stroller (which I had brought to act as a shopping cart) and I ran. VICTORY!! Not only was it mine, but it was mine for the amazingly, insane low price of $56 (and this thing was practically brand new).
Feeling satiated by the kill, I took the rest of the time, well, I wouldn’t say leisurely, but not as ravenously stalking the items. As I meandered through the rooms with the Boppy covers and burp cloths, something that I promised myself wouldn’t happen started to take place. My stroller was slowly being taken over by pink- pink towels, pink changing pad covers, pink burp cloths (many of which I eventually put back).
I also found myself saying things under my breath like, “Really? $25 for a toddler trike you didn’t even bother to clean up, that I’m pretty certain has dog shit on the tires?…. Uh, you know I can get a brand new Gymboree shirt for this same exact price on sale next week, right? … Pshaw. You think really highly of your filthy Wiggles guitar with a broken volume button….You have got to be trying to selling this for more than you bought it. It’s consignment people, and I’m no fool. See you on half price day.”
That said, for every ridiculously over priced item there were so many items priced unbelievably low. It made it very hard to stick with my budget. I don’t know whether to be proud of myself or disappointed in myself for walking away from a like new condition Petunia Pickle Bottom Cake Cameo Clutch for only $25. I still can’t believe I had the will power to put it down, but there were just so many other things we actually *need* (and as much as I try to justify my desire for a Cake bag as a need, I just can’t).
When the final tally came in, I was slightly over my $150 budget, but I think it was worth every penny of the $187 total (including tax).
Among my steals are 4 pairs of shoes for Kendall (including a pair of Crocs and some Stride Rite shoes), a brand new pair of Stride Rite shoes for the baby, just a few gorgeous, tiny baby girl clothes (I promised I wouldn’t go crazy on the baby clothes), a Pottery Barn Kids Boppy cover, a new booster seat for Kendall so we can pass down the Tripp Trapp, and this…
A sweet little bookshelf that looks like it’s straight out of Pottery Barn Kids for only $16. I hope to hang it on baby girl’s wall.
Add in the great deal I got on the Co-sleeper, and I would say calling the day a “success” would be an understatement.
If you’re in the Dallas area, you can still take advantage of Divine Consign. It’s open to the public today from 12-5 (with a $2 entry fee for adults and children from 12-2) and tomorrow (Monday) from 12-3. Then the 1/2 price sale starts tomorrow at 6 until 9, and finishes up Tuesday from 8-12. There were TONS of items, over 84,000, and I’m sure there are plenty of great deals to be had still. I plan on going back to the 1/2 price sale on Monday, I think, just to see what I can find.
Did you make it out? Have one near you? What’s the best consignment sale deal you’ve found?
Kendall is 2 1/3 and I’m 23 weeks pregnant and suddenly feeling a lot more prepared for this baby.