Yes, my husband is wonderful and was willing to watch the kids while my sister Melissa and I had the morning to ourselves! We went to the West Michigan Moms’ Sale at the DeltaPlex. It was our first time there, and WOW! It was CRAZY! There were 230 tables of “stuff” according to whomever puts it on, and there had to be more than 1000 people there, if not 2000. It was PACKED.
(Do you like my over-use of caps today? I guess I feel the need to EMPHASIZE WHAT I’M SAYING.)
Here’s a picture of Melissa and I waiting in the massive line to get in this morning:
But once we got in there and got used to swarms of people everywhere, it was kinda fun. There was a huge selection of kids’ clothing (sizes newborn to 8). Admittedly, there was a lot more selection for the smaller (baby) sizes. And there was more selection for older girls than older boys. But all in all, it was great!
One particular seller made it worthwhile for me to spend the $3 on admission. (Sounds silly to pay to go to a garage sale, doesn’t it?) This wonderful lady encouraged bartering, and when I said I loved the clothes she had in Grace’s sizes, she offered to have me just fill a Meijer bag for $7. So, I did it, and when I got home added up the individual price stickers on the clothes…$22.75. Good deal for me!
So, here’s a picture of my haul for the day:
I spent $3 to get in and $23 on clothes, etc. When I added up the stickers on the purchases, it was $43 (or $48, I’m not sure – I might’ve lost one $5 sticker). That means I saved $20-25 off the sellers’ prices. Bartering is totally worth it! I wish I could tell you the retail value of these clothes, but can’t really even guesstimate! Let’s just say I saved a bundle!
For Grace, I got…
10 short-sleeved shirts
2 pr khaki cords
1 pr jeans
2 pr shorts
4 dresses
1 jean jacket
1 sweater
1 new pr tights
For Jaden, I got:
1 sleep sack
1 hoodie sweatshirt
1 little suit that will hopefully fit him in July
And…did you see it in the picture? I got another blue puppy! Those things retail for $25, and this one is like new! So, I picked it up for two reasons – either to have for a backup in case Caleb loses his, or to have just in case Jaden doesn’t get one when he’s born. (We’d have to figure out a way to tell them apart then.) Either way, I was excited, because I got this little treasure for $3!
Melissa and I are seriously considering selling at this sale in the fall. It costs $35 to rent a table, but they do all the marketing and bring loads of people to the event. And we would get to pre-shop before the public was allowed in! 
Obviously, we need to make sure we’d sell enough to make the $35 worth it…I’ll keep you posted on that!
That’s all for now! Melissa, Karl, and their kids are on their way home. I am almost done decorating the big kids’ room – pictures to come soon. And my little boy is turning THREE this coming Wednesday. Stay tuned for pictures from that day as well.
Happy weekend, everyone!
Lacey, you are so brave. Such a shopper! I want to go next year – or whenever the next one is open. Let me know.
You would easily sell $35 plus, so you would make your money back in no time. I hope the place is air conditioned – then it would be worth it all!
MOM – The next one is June 6, but I don’t know that I’ll be up for garage sales so soon after Jaden’s born. Maybe? The following one is September 19, and that’s the one that Melissa and I are thinking about selling at. There’s also one in December. The website has more information.
Yikes…biggest garage sale EVER. You got some fabulous deals, Lace! That many clothes and you only paid $23!!! I did notice the blue puppy; good catch on that one; your kids looove those things.
Love you all!
If I would have seen Luke’s comment about pizza early enough, I would have ordered one over the phone and had it delivered. Luke would have wondered who the heck thought to send him free pizza. That would have been funny! I love to do “funny.”
Have a great day!
Sweeet garage sale! You got some great deals. If you’re planning to do one, I would recommend maybe you and Melissa sharing a table so you can split the $35. Then construct (or have a handy loved one construct) some type of layered shelving unit to go on the table to maximize your space. Like a display table at the Gap or something. Then you can still have a ton of stuff out without buying two tables.
That’s sweet that you’re thinking ahead to July! If Jaden is going to get that dressed up, he may as well be an usher!
Thanks for chatting today! It was nice talking with you.
Love,
Betsey
Ok, I just noticed the feature at the bottom where you can be notified of follow-up comments via e-mail. That is SPIFFY! Nice job, Luke!
- Bets
Would I get notified of my own follow-up comments, I wonder??
- Bets
Can I join in your “garage” sale? I have TONS of stuff (but no baby stuff). Actually, I am taking my stuff to FEBC’s and PCS’s garage sale. I won’t make any money, but they will get whatever they get from my junk.
Have a good one!
that sale sounds crazy and fun. I sold PartyLite at a craft fair that was raising money for an elementary school and it was pretty neat. You get to talk to a lot of people and it is fun seeing what everyone else has to sell. Plus you make a little money and your table fee goes to a good cause… i say try selling next year… nothing to lose!!
Glad you had a fun Saturday!
hey thats a great idea! In the housing development behind our house every summer there is a day where everyone there has a garage sale and its fantastic! but i like shopping most of the time…..when its not my money im using haha i hope to see you on sunday maybe wednesday but not sure because i am sick but tell the kids miss molly says “hi” and i love them and miss them!
i love you and luke too just like my older sister or brother as so i tell luke all the time :]