Archive for February, 2008

Guest Blogger: Stacy Currie / Sale Experience, Consignor Tidbits & Advertising Needs!

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Hi Moms,

 

My name is Stacy Currie (Avon Rep) and I’ve been with Tot Trade since the first sale in Fall 2004, I’m the first consignor and first vendor to sign on with Rhonda and Jodi.  I too have been to many consignment sales in the past, but after my experiences with them, nothing compares to Tot Trade.  This fun shopping atmosphere is addicting!  Rhonda and Jodi really go above and beyond… before, during, and after each sale: Online Tagging, drop off appointment times, entertainment (Billy Jonas and Jodi’s IPOD), Chick-Fil-A drawing (who wouldn’t love a years worth of that), quick pick-up with your check ready to take to the bank! 

 

Tagging-  One thing that I have taken advantage of this year is the Transfer Items option on My Consignment Manager.  If something doesn’t sale from the previous consignment sale then you can transfer it to the current one.  You don’t have to retag it!  Isn’t that great?!  Tip- I know all you moms are busy tagging your items for the Spring/Summer sale in 2 weeks, but go ahead and get a jump on the Fall/Winter sale.  As the weather warms up and you start putting those Fall/Winter clothes away, give them a wash and put into a large plastic bin labeled Tot Trade Fall/Winter 2008.  I keep one at the bottom of my daughter’s closet and as I’m putting clothes up, anything that she has outgrown goes immediately into that bin. 

 

Last year I was asked to become Tot Trade’s first Sales Representative and I feel honored to take on this roll.  All of our vendor spots are full for the upcoming sale, but we still have other options to those of you that would like to advertise your business to Tot Trade moms, dads, and grandparents.  Please see the site http://tottradecharlotte.com/sponsors_spon_options.php for more information about:  Weblink, e-Newsletter, and Grab Bag Blitz.  All very affordable options for your business advertising needs. 

 

Be sure to stop by my Avon booth for a free sample and brochure.  See you at the sale! J

First Time Moms Presale

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.  Tot Trade has designed the First Time Mom presale to help new mothers with shopping at a consignment sale.  We know it can get crazy and we try to make this an exciting shopping experience. 

The First Time Moms Presale is for a mother who is expecting or has a child 12 months or younger or adopting a child.  Children are welcome at the presale.  You must register for the presale to receive your pass.  You presale pass is good for you and friend.  You may only shop during the First Time Moms Presale ONE season.  Please note that if your child is older, please do not register for this presale.  Due to the demand of this program once Tot Trade has reached 300 registrants, we will close regisration. 

Tot Trade will also offer a goody bag for our First Time Moms sponsored by Enfamil, BiLo, Chick Fil A and Beechnut. 

While you are waiting to enter the presale, you will be asked to fill out some information ie:  name, address, etc. This season your information will be used to select a lucky winner to receive 1 YEAR FREE CHICK FIL A!!!!   

BiLo has also sponsored a changing and nursing station!  So, tell your friends, playgroup, moms about town….Tot Trade is the hottest First Time Moms Ticket this season!  We’ll see you soon.  Rhonda & Jodi  If you have any questions, tottrade@hotmail.com

Sale Schedule & Other important Information

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Welcome to Tot Trade!  We are so excited that you are viewing our blog and looking through our site.  Here are the nuts and bolts for this season’s sale:

Sale Dates:  March 15-17 / Free Admission

Tot Trade Accepts:  CASH / MASTER CARD / VISA ONLY

*please note if you use Discover or AMEX, purchase a Tot Trade Gift Certificate prior to the sale and use for your purchases.  There are no cash refunds and gift certificates must be used for the Spring /Summer Sale.

Gift Certificate:  http://tottradecharlotte.com/gift_cert.php

 DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE SALE AND INVENTORY:  ALL SALES ARE FINAL

Where:  Cabarrus Arena & Events Center / Concord, NC

Directions:  http://tottradecharlotte.com/directions.php 

We are experiencing a TREMENDOUS interest this season! So, bring your basket (tied with a belt to drag behind you), your list and a girlfriend and shop till you drop! 

Sale Schedule:

Saturday, March 15  10:00AM-5:00PM

Safe Kids Coalition FREE Carseat Inspection:  9:00AM-12Noon

Sunday, March 16 11:00AM-5:00PM *Select items 40% off

Billy Jonas “Banging and Clanging” Concert 3:00PM

     General Admission / Doors Open:  2:30PM 

     Tickets:  http://tottradecharlotte.com/billy_jonas.php

Monday, March 17  9:00AM-7:00PM *Select Items 60% OFF

Please note that consignor set the price for their items as well as choose to discount and donate at the end of the sale.  Tot Trade organizes the event. 

Check back on Friday, March 14 we are going to try and post a video of the sale for you to start making your list and plan of attack to get your goody’s this season!  Spread the word…Tot Trade is coming to town!  Rhonda & Jodi

Consignor Print Code & Earning More this Season!

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Hey Moms,  A quick note, we are getting a lot of emails from moms who are using the online tagging system.  First, you do not have to tag all of your items at once.  Tot Trade’s system will save your information each time and you can constantly add to your inventory until drop off.  In addition you may choose to print some or all of your tags at one time.  When you are ready to print the system will ask you for a code.  The print code for the  Spring/Summer 2008 sale is PL281X765  - Please do not confuse this with your consignor number.  You will only need this code if you are using the online tagging system.  If you forget, please take a look at the CONSIGNOR PAGE on the Tot Trade website.  Also, if you are tagging your items and note that you have 100 + or more items, make sure to log onto your account and schedule an appointment.  At this time there is still a good selection; however, as we draw nearer to the sale, slots fill up fast.  The appointment helps us to schedule volunteers to minimize your wait time at drop off.  We like to hear from moms who say “Is that it?”  That means that we are doing our job! 

While you are busy tagging your clothes, don’t forget all of your accessories, nursery items, strollers, outdoor play equipment, riding toys, exersaucers, walkers, swings and high chairs.  A quick note:  Your items will sell quicker if they have had a once over with a clorox wipe, etc.  I know how it is when you are trying to purge your house and little ones keep pulling them items out of your pile!  

Please note that we do not sell hospital blankets and diaper bags.  These have been dropped off in the past and shoppers do not buy these items.  Also, we cannot accept CARSEATS.  We are working with Safe Kids Coalition to offer a free carseat check and due to the age, liability, etc.  we DO NOT SELL carseats.  One last note, we do not accept used underwear.  If you have underwear that is new and never opened we can accept those items.  If you have any questions, please email tottrade@hotmail.com

Finally, consignors can earn more this season if you 1) refer 2 moms you 1) register 2) participate in this season’s sale!  Your sales go from 65% to 70%.  This extra effort pays off in the end!  When moms like something they tell their friends and that is the best advertising that we have! 

Later today I will post tagging examples for you to take a look at especially 2 piece sets.  Don’t wait till the last minute to start pulling items, cash in this season and recycle what you don’t need and pick-up the items that you need!  Happy Tagging!  Rhonda

Guest Blogger Kelli Georges Helps Get Consignors Ready for this Season’s Sale!

Friday, February 22nd, 2008

Okay Moms, TOT TRADE is an experience you do not want to miss!  I have been to all the consignment sales but NONE come close to the professionalism, high quality merchandise, and just plain FUN as the TOT TRADE consignment sales!!!  Working with Rhonda and Jodi has been a pleasure and I look forward to the sales they have each season.  Shopping is my passion but doing it on a budget is my reality, and like most Moms I know we want our children to have the best of everything without it breaking the bank.  My husband brags to his friends that I have completely taken the cost of clothing and toys out of the equation of raising our children.  I buy everything my children need for the upcoming season and at the same time other moms are buying things that I have consigned.  Then at the end of the sale I get a big fat check,  “Mommy Money”, to spend on whatever I please!!!!! Whether you are a first timer at consigning or a seasoned pro I have some tips that I hope will help you make some extra cash and get all the great items you need and want for your children.  TIPS:I recommend that you read all the important info listed on the web site under sign up /categories to right in blue box, this info is very important. Go through everything – clothing, shoes, toys, games, books, videos and DVDs, baby furniture and all those large items you had to have for that new baby, outside play equipment, you name it Moms buy it!   

Get your supplies ready -Pick up your safety pins at your local Dollar store, make sure you have plenty of clothes hangers, antibacterial wipes, large ziplocs, packing and masking tape, scissors, batteries, and cardstock paper.  Now you are ready to tag. (Use the online tagging, it is fast and easy!!)

 Sort and organize - every item by category then make sure each item is clean.  If your clothing items have been stored, throw them in the dryer with a downy sheet so they are wrinkle free and smell nice.  Hang and pin all your items, outfits together, then sort them all by size and gender.  This makes tagging much easier.  Toys – make sure they are clean, have all their pieces attached well with tape, and have working batteries.   Pricing – This is not complicated, just ask yourself what you would pay for the item, usually ¼ to 1/3 of retail for most items unless they are new w/ tags or large items.   Unless you want to take your items back home with you, price them to sell.  (Read the pricing info on the web site.) Online Tagging – Use this great tool!   Now is when the sorting will pay off, as each item must be tagged and it goes fast if you have everything organized.  Make the tags for your Big-Ticket items first, this will also help you get in the groove of online tagging.   As you enter each item the system automatically gives you an inventory for reconcile. (It helps if you have a husband or friend who will sit and type out all of your tags, my husband typed over 300 for me last season, of course he sees the benefit and the money I save him!) Spend a little time preparing and tagging each day, it will pay off, I promise!Tell all your friends about the sale, have them consign and shop.  Set aside some time to volunteer, it is a break for you and a great way to meet some wonderful Moms.  Oh, one last tip, when you take all of your wonderful purchases home, save all the pins and hangers, you will need them for the next sale! You have about 3 weeks so get BUSY!!!!  Hope to meet you at the sale!!! Happy tagging,Kelli Georges

Welcome to Tot Trade Charlotte’s Blog!

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Hi, and welcome to Tot Trade Charlotte’s Blog! Jodi and I look each season to add resources for our moms whether you are a consignor, volunteer or shopper! By adding a Blog to our website we felt you could have the latest information about each season’s sale.

Speaking of the latest, through the video of You Tube…we hope to give you a sneak peak to all of the wonderful items that we will have this season after drop off ends at on Friday, March 14. Please check back for more information about our video!

Believe it or not we already have a guest blogger, one of our staff members and Tot Trade Charlotte Consignor. She is quick as a snap at any task and has some words of advice for our new consignors this season! Look for Kelli’s post in the next few days.

Some of our latest developments include partnering with Safe Kids Coalition of Cabarrus County for a FREE car seat inspection on Saturday, March 15 from 9AM-12Noon. We invite all moms to do their shopping and take advantage of this FREE opportunity to make sure that your child’s car seat is installed properly. We will have a firetruck on hand too….something for the kids to enjoy!

Chick Fil A always has wonderful give-a-ways each season, but our representative and mom to be for the 2nd time, Shannon has really outdone herself this season with registration for FREE Chick Fil A for 1 YEAR!!! Can you believe it?! A special note, we are all so excited about Shannon’s little bundle. Congratulations!

Speaking of babies, our own Tupperware Queen, Corinne Martin will be sporting her own new little bundle in pink this season!

Finally, just wanted to say the Billy Jonas “Banging and Clanging” concert tickets are still available! Ticket sales have picked up in the past few days and we are limited to 400 seats! So, if you have seen Billy in the past, missed out or just want a good family afternoon of fun…..order your tickets online today!

That is it for now…just trying out this new tool to communicate with you and let you know how excited we are about this season’s sale. I can’t tell you how happy Jodi and I are to be at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center. We feel like family out there, they work so hard to help you be successful. As small business owners, their encouragement goes so far and the extra efforts to ensure that our moms are taken care of in a FANTASTIC facility don’t go unnoticed. It may seem like you are driving out to the country, but leave the traffic and worries behind and come have a fun day of shopping and meeting new friends! Once you try Tot Trade, you’ll be hooked….we were! Talk to you soon - RHONDA