March 2010 Newsletter

Save the Date! 

Next Mom-to-Mom Sale is on Sat. April 17th, 2010

Same time, same place, even more great deals!  Be sure to arrive bright and early, the next Mom-to-Mom Sale will be the biggest one ever!  Now, with two buildings open, you will have even more space to shop and more stuff to choose from! 

The sale begins at 9 a.m. and finishes at 1 p.m.  Don't forget to bring bags and cash in small denominations. An ATM will be on-site just in case...

Be sure to visit www.momtomomsales.org/Items.html to see lists of items that the vendors will be selling.  The lists will be updated as they come in over the next few weeks, so check back frequently.  Before the sale, print out the map and highlight your favourite vendors.  Vendors will be wearing number tags to help you find them more easily.

For more shopping tips, please visit view some of my previous BLOG posts on this site.

Pssst, pass it on! Keep Mom-to-Mom going strong by passing the word on to your friends, families, on-line communities, your children's pre-schools and play groups. Send them to www.momtomomsales.org

Volunteers!  Mom-to-Mom could not be run without the help of volunteers.  We are always in need of help for set up, take down and door monitoring.  Volunteering gives you free entry and early shopping priveleges (which are very limited).  Volunteer (yourself, and especially your strong husbands today)! 

What's New at Mom-to-Mom?

There's always something new at Mom-to-Mom. This month the website is getting it's third overhaul. Along with a different look, www.momtomomsales.org offers you much more! 

Birthday Presents!  With so many birthday parties to go to, I have now devised a set list of my favourite presents to give.  These are all toys, books or games that my kids and the kids we have purchased the gifts for have enjoyed the most. 

Here's one of my favourite baby/toddler gifts (but the older kids love it too)!  It's kind of a night light, but it is soft and huggable and projects constellations on the ceiling.  It's really fun to play with, it's educational and it gets your kids into bed with the lights off!  Want to see more of my picks? 

Visit www.astore.amazon.com/momtomomsales-20

Thinking of Traveling to Disney?   Visit my BLOG for Tips on Surviving Disney with an Infant and a Toddler.  Articles still in draft include Disney with Pre-schoolers, Places to Stay, Shop and Eat in Orlando, Driving to Florida and general tips for travelling with kids.  Thinking of a road trip?  Follow our family as we drive to Cape Cod, Lake Placid, Boston and other parts of Florida.  Not leaving the province?  Read about fun day trips day trips around the GTA!  

Need Help with Dinner Ideas?  Visit my virtual recipe book of Minute Menus- quick and healthy meals that you can whip up in a pinch along with some of my favourite recipes and cookbooks.

Product Highlight- Strider Pre-Bikes

A Strider bike is also known as a run-bike, and they're all the rage. These bikes allow toddlers to ride like a big girl or big boy without the worry of having to pedal. Tricyles never seem to be the right size, and the pedals are difficult to push. On a Strider Pre-Bike, the youngest riders (18 mnths) put their feet on the ground and walk the bike. As they progress, riders learn how to run with the bike, then balance on two wheels and push with their feet to glide. Strider Pre-Bikes are light weight, and easy to maneuver and won't tip over like a trike or two-wheeler.

Mom-to-Mom subscribers are now eligible for a $10 discount! 6 great colours to choose from. Please e-mail StriderToronto@gmail.com to get your Strider today! Visit http://www.striderbike.ca/ for more details and demonstrations.

Newsletter for Nov. 7th Mom-to-Mom Sale and YR Baby and Kids' Show

Mom-to-Mom has grown yet again! At the Nov. 7th Sale we will have 70+ vendors and 100+ tables of gently used baby and kids' items up for grabs. Check out http://www.momtomomsales.org/ to see which of your favourite vendors are back and what new vendors have to offer. Get great deals on clothing, toys, books, furniture and more! The "Items for Sale" list is being updated daily at http://www.momtomomsales.org/Items.html. Savy shoppers often print out the on-line map and check off the tables that are their first stops. Bring cash and some reusable shopping bags to tote your goodies in! We do have an ATM on site if needed. Want to get in quicker? Bring exact change ($3) and you will be able to join the fast track line! Want to see what the last sale looked like?

No need to leave the family at home this time. After you've had your fill of bargain hunting, drop by the York Region Baby and Kids' Show, for some great family fun, snacks and a rest, YOUR ADMISSION IS INCLUDED! Have a seat around our giant carpet for family entertainment and activities. Facepainting and even the possiblity of an exotic animal show! The show schedule will be posted at http://www.yorkregionbabyandkids.com/ Don't forget to drop by the Momstown booth to meet a very special mouse! Looking for some neat gifts or products? Visit our Market Place for specialty items such as green and organic baby and kids' clothing, bathing products and toys. Find the perfect shower gift or present for someone special. Meet up with our Parent Resource providers for enrichment programs for mothers-to-be, parent and tot, and families with school aged children. For a complete listing of vendors please visit, http://www.yorkregionbabyandkids.com/

Lastly, Mom-to-Mom Markham would greatly appreciate it if you could help spread the word about both of these great family events by sending out e-mails to anyone that think would appreciate the information and by posting up one of the attached posters (a colour and black and white version are provided).





Looking foward to seeing everyone again!





Maurita



Here' a video of the last sale.

Mom to Mom Sale Vendor FAQ's

Q. How much does it cost to rent a table?

A. Tables are $30 each, $32 if you pay via Pay Pal. There are no other costs to you.


Q. How much can I expect to make at a Mom to Mom Sale as a vendor?

A. This varies according to what you have to sell and what the buyers happen to be looking for. Every sale is different, sometimes you sell everything and sometimes you have things that nobody wants. It is a good idea to sort clothing into sizes, seasons and gender and use racks if you have them. You might have great stuff, but if shoppers have to dig for it they might be inclined to shop at your neighbour's table if it easier for them to access. We provide the shoppers, you have to do the selling! With hundreds of potential buyers walking by your table you could easily find yourself making $100 at the low end, $350 on average and upwards of $1000 at the high end. Again, it will all depend on what you have to sell. If you've got lots of large items expect to make more, if you are only selling clothing don't expect to make $1000 (although it has been done).

Q. How should I price my items?

A. In general I always recommend selling for no more than half of what you would have paid for it new, and on sale, particularly with clothing. Buyers don't want to buy you used clothing for the same price that they can get it on sale new. New clothing still needs to be cheaper than retail. Remember, your items are USED, you got your use out of them now getting something back for them should be a bonus. If you want to sell high you risk not selling at all! Consider the hassle of putting something up on Ebay and shipping it, or taking the time to meet up with potential buyers and then remember that you've got someone willing to buy it right infront of you. Sell things that you aren't emotionally attached to.

Q. Can I bring a helper?

A. Yes, I highly recommend that you bring a helper to give you a break when you need one and to help keep a watchful eye on your goods.


Q. What can I expect on Sale Day?

A. You can expect it to be EXTREMELY busy for the first hour and a half, all of the die hard bargain hunters will be lined up waiting for the doors to open. The crowd slows down to a steady pace after that and it is usually slow during the last hour or so which allows vendors to relax a bit, slash prices, do some shopping of their own and gradually pack up.

Q. What are my responsibilities?

A. You are responsible for the set up and take down of your table and area. You may have to move your table into place and you will definitely have to move your table to a designated space at the end of the sale. You must not leave any garbage behind, take everything you have left back home. By doing this you help keep the cost of table rentals down, as the cost of a cleaning crew would result in additional costs to vendors.

You are also responsible for the items you sell, please ensure that the items you sell meet current safety standards (especially for things like car seats, cribs, play yards, bassinets, cradles, baby gates, swings etc. ) as outlined on the following link

You are also responsible for the safety of your area, make sure that nothing can fall over and that there is nothing sticking out into the aisle that could pose a safety or tripping hazzard.

Mom-to-Mom Sale Markham FAQ's

Q. What is a Mom-to-Mom Sale?

A. A Mom-to-Mom Sale is basically a giant indoor garage sale that is only for baby and kids' items. You buy items directly from sellers just like you would at a garage sale, there is no middle man. Items that you would typically find at a sale include gently used: clothing, baby gear (mobiles, carriers, boucy chairs, exersaucers, playmats etc.), nursery decor, toys, books, games, play houses, sports equipment and furniture. Basically anything that is related to kids or babies is allowed.

Q. Is the sale indoors?

A. Yes, the sale is always indoors!


Q. How do I pay for items I buy at a Mom-to-Mom Sale?

A. Cash only! You wouldn't try to write a cheque at a garage sale would you?


Q. How do I register for a table and become a vendor?

A. Simply visit http://www.momtomomsales.org/ and click on the "Registering for a Table" link on the left hand side of the page and follow the directions.


Q. Do I need to buy a ticket to get in ahead of time? Do I have to buy tickets for children?

A. No, just show up and pay at the door! Children are admitted for free.


Q. Is there anything special I need to know about buying or selling at the sale?

A. Remember, it is just like a garage sale and sellers should follow guidlines set out by the Ontario Government regarding the sale of used items and that buyers should do the same. It is recommended that sellers ensure that their items for sale are not recalled and "meet current safety standards". Buyers should always check the items they are buying carefully for any defects before purchasing them. Check for recalls as well when you get home. Please visit this government link to find out more info on selling second hand goods. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/cons/garage-eng.php Check this government link for recalls http://209.217.71.106/PR/home-accueil-e.jsp of all sorts.

Here We Grow Again at Markham Mom-to-Mom!

I'm so excited to be holding the next Markham Mom-to-Mom Sale at the Markham Fairgrounds on October 25th from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. in Building #1! It is truly amazing how things have changed over the course of one short year.

This next sale should be the best one yet, both buyers and sellers were relentless in e-mailing me about the Fall Sale. With some considerable difficulty in securing a suitable location, the Markham Fairgrounds stepped in to save the day. I am very grateful to them for helping us out to start what may very well be the best and biggest Mom-to-Mom Sale and Event in the GTA!

With more space in between the aisles parents are free to bring their strollers and not worry about congestion in the aisles. We will also be able to let people in more quickly, which mean less lining up to get in. There will be tons of parking and of course the entire sale is indoors.

In addition to all of the great second hand deals we are hoping to add some new features, including ARTISANS with unique gifts to sell, and my favourite, a GREEN GOODS MARKET. Going green isn't always easy in the burbs, so we're trying to get some earth friendly merchants to come to us!

Don't miss this one, it's going to be great!

Maurita

Since when is Second Hand more than New?

Okay, so for my first official blog entry, I am going to rant a little.

So today, I went to the local kids' second hand store to look for a pair of inexpensive sandals for my one year old after having no luck at the mall. I had no luck at the second hand store either, but was shocked to see that the EXACT SAME pair of Walmart aquasocks that I had contimplated buying for my daughter at $6.97 brand new, were $6.99 at the second hand store!

Now, I understand that the store owner has to make a living, but seriously, the shoes were used! You really do have to be a savvy shopper to make sure you are not getting duped these days. Why would I pay the same for used clothing when I can get it new (albeit on sale) for virtually the same price! I'll admit that for higher end clothing like Gap or Gymboree second hand is a good choice, but even Gymboree is reasonable when it is on sale.

The same store has been charging way too much for baby gear and toys as well, I say skip the middle man and check out Craig's List, Kijiji or a Mom-to-Mom Sale.