Mark your calendars for these important dates:
Drop Off Dates:  Tuesday, August 11 5PM-8PM  Wednesday, August 12  8:30AM-8PM  Consignor Presale:  Thursday, August 13 Doors Open at 6PM  Consignor Pick-up:  Monday, August 17  4PM-6PM
Moms may drop off both on Tuesday and Wednesday if they have large loads or may have large big ticket items that require (2) trips!  Not a problem!  See you soon!
Hey Mom - I hope that your tagging is going well…haven’t started tagging yet? Don’t stress! I am telling you that online tagging is GOLDEN!
 
Here is my top “12” list for this week as we start the count down to kick off the Fall/Winter consignment sale season….
1) Your account must be complete to participate in this season’s sale. You may pay by going online or by check (log onto your account for more information about payment)
2) 100 + appointments – we still have lots of appointments to choose from; however as moms start tagging these will go fast, please schedule now!
3) Want to earn more this season? Register to volunteer as a Super Mom Volunteer and earn 70% of your sale! Please see the volunteer page for more information! In advance, thanks to all of our volunteers for your time and energy!
4) Please prepare your items according to the description found on the website on the consignor page. All appropriate items (including onesies) must be hung on hangers and tagged prior to drop off. Tot Trade Charlotte cannot return your hangers.
5) Please download a copy of the consignor agreement, sign and bring to drop off. This step will help save time!
6) Remember this is the FALL/WINTER sale – Halloween Costumes, Coats, Hats, Holiday Wear, Fall/Winter clothing. Please keep light-weight and color cotton shirts, shorts and outfits at home and sell them next season at the Spring/Summer Sale!
7) Toys, Toys, Toys! Toys are so easy to tag and shoppers run to these tables first! Toys will really add to your bottom line! Remember Video Games, Players and older child toys such as legos, power rangers, remote controlled toys, games, puzzles! (You will kick yourself if you don’t start here with your tagging – you are sure to get to all of your clothes!)
New this season – home school curriculum! We will have a section with our books for our homeschooling moms! Stock up and save for this school year!
9) Please ALWAYS log onto you account from the Tot Trade Charlotte Homepage. You will NEVER be asked for a print code using this log in!
10) Remember to check out RECALL information on our site. We will double check big ticket items such as cribs, bassinets, etc. If your item has been recalled we will pull from the floor and have ready for you at pick-up. Due to time, we are unable to notify you if your item has been pulled due to recall.
11) If you are a returning consignor you may transfer items from other sales (if they use myconsignmentmanager.com) or from last season. Simply log onto your account – click manage inventory – go to the season that you want to transfer items FROM and select items by clicking on the box / item number. (look for the item number on the bottom of your tag it will be the middle number) Once you have selected all of your items simply click “Transfer Items” Select the Sale and you are done!  
12) Last one I promise….if you are selling a crib, please bring the necessary tools to assemble the crib on site. We have found over the years that shoppers want to see the crib or toddler bed assembled. Thanks for your help!
Ok, my Top 12 list – just want to keep you in the loop this season. I will be sending out another quick reminder list next week with an added surprise. Please be sure to become a Tot Trade Charlotte Friend on Facebook. We try to post updates and will upload pics after drop off. (Your own little preview party!) Thanks again for choosing Tot Trade Charlotte! We are working hard to make this the most successful season yet! Can’t wait to see you soon! If you have any questions, we are here to help! Email tottrade@hotmail.com
 
Your tagging cheerleaders,
Rhonda & Jodi
www.tottradecharlotte.com

While you are running around room to room and trying to get as much out of your child’s playroom without them being suspect, here are a few ideas of HOT items we see each season!

Got Wheels?  Jeeps, Powerwheels, Bikes, Strollers (single, double, jog, umbrella to name a few), big wheels, scooters and trikes…if it has wheels these are hot ticket items!

New parents, grandparents and parents expecting their second, third, fourth child love to stock up on exersaucers, bouncy seats, cribs, toddler beds, changing tables, pack-n-plays all those big ticket items are scooped up!

Toddler toys, toys with music, toys with lights, trains, cars and trucks!  Don’t forget dollhouses, barbies and babies too!  We love to add tables because we have so many toys!  Remember holidays are coming and everyone likes to stock up!  Don’t forget your older child as well….legos, puzzles, games, crafts, matchbox cars and tracks and  remote control cars! (Please be sure to include all pieces of the puzzle and batteries if needed - the dollar store is a great resource to get you going!)

Last season we started Game Trade with a great reception….we are hoping many will dig into their games stations and pull games not used, older gaming systems and accessories!  These are all great finds at the sale!

Halloween costumes are not just for holidays!  I know I purchased several costumes one year and created a box for dress up!  The kids love running around the house as a pirate, superman, space shuttle and more!  Let’s have the best selection ever this season!

Finally books!  We finally saw the light and started to organize our books last season with crates! (thanks to Barry)  This season we will feature infant books, toddler books, chapter books, parenting books and home school curriculum!  We hope this continued organization will bring big sales for you!  DVDs and Videos will be included as well.  Please be sure the movie fits the sleeve and is not scratched.

Guess that is it for now - I love to see our toys and big ticket sections grow each season.  We have added more tables to handle the number of items you are tagging.  I like to be sure that shoppers can see your goodies and not pile them to sky !  I am so excited about the new floor plan this season I think shoppers will find it easy and scoop up all your goodies.  Make sure to check out your resources on the Consignor page of the website.  Here you will see tagging examples, videos, pricing tips and non accepted items.  We are so excited to have you consign with Tot Trade Charlotte and are working hard to make this the best season yet!  Tell your friends too….Tot Trade Charlotte is coming to town!

clearshoppers.JPGI am spending more and more time at the computer which means that sale time is right around the corner!  I am posting where I think moms will be looking, returning emails and tagging!  This season our word is ORGANIZATION!  You would think that some of the plans that we are using this season would be pretty simple and understood, but when you consider the size that the sale has grown to in only a few short seasons….well, like I say, we get two tries a year and try to make improvements each season. 

Tot Trade Charlotte is truly your children’s consignment sale!  It is your sale because most importantly we wouldn’t be here without your participation and we listen to your comments at the end of the season.  Many say how organized we are, well a lot of that goes back to listening to the consignor!  It takes a lot of people to put together an event of this size and it just keeps growing!  Last season we filled over 65,000 sq ft and it was the Spring/Summer Sale.  Fall/Winter sales tend to be LARGER due to the type of items being sold, if consignors have tried us with a few items they will typically bring in 500 for the next season! Then there is word of mouth, or tell a friend.  We know that when moms like something they tell their friends about it!  This season’s postcard distribution went from 80 last season to 150 this season!  Yes!

Now we know we can’t make everyone happy, but it is our goal each season that whether you are a shopper, volunteer or consignor you walk away with a positive experience.  I just sent my email to staff this week and  I get so excited to hear from them all!  I truly love my job!  I get to work with a great group of women that make me laugh, my lil sis, charities in the communities and know that what we are doing is helping families near and far!

Ok, I will put away the kleenex for now, I just wanted to get this train started.  It is the metaphor that I use each season.  We start out at the station and then once loaded start chugging along to get to presale when we are European Bullet and hanging on for the ride!  We have made improvements for a smoother ride this season including 16 registers for checkout with EXPRESS lanes clearly marked, a simple floorplan (check the download section of the website), 2 entrance drop off for consignors, shoe inspector, volunteer coordinator and more!  All this talk gets me excited so I am off to tag a bit, some moms have already entered 500 items and we still have almost 3 weeks!  Go Girls! 

Jodi and I are excited to see you all - there is still time to register to be a part of this train that comes around each season!  We will see you soon!

If you were trying to access myconsignmentmanager to register, volunteer or enter your items we just received word and tested the site, we are back up and running!  Please continue to check our blog for the latest information about this season’s sale!

I am off to tag for a bit….

*The website is currently down for online tagging.  We are working with myconsignmentmanager to get updates and will let you know as soon as we are back online.  Sorry for the delay to your tagging.  Please read below 

Hello Tot Trade Consignor!  First and foremost, Jodi and I want to thank you for choosing Tot Trade Charlotte to kick off your Spring/Summer Children’s Consignment Sale Season!  There is no better time to start consigning your children’s clothing, toys, accessories, furniture and maternity than now!  Tot Trade Charlotte has always been a win-win situation; however in these economic times it is more important than ever.   We know the goal is to recycle and reinvest.  I think of each season as renting my children’s wardrobe, toys and more!  I can’t seem to get enough….

Jodi and I have put together a check list to help you make sure that you are ready for this season’s sale.   For our new consignors, Tot Tarde Charlotte features a Drive-Thru Drop off to make your drop off experience easy!

• Remember, your account is not complete until you have paid this season’s consignor’s fee.
• Once you have prepared your items and are ready to go to drop off, make sure that you have downloaded the consignor agreement found online, sign and bring to drop off.  This will expedite your drop off experience. 
• Please stay in your car.  You will come to your first station where you will turn in your consignor agreement, confirm your address and receive your armbands. 
• You will move to the next station where volunteers will assist you in removing your items from your car. 
• Please park your car and return to put out your non-clothing items while staff inspects your clothing. 
• Please be sure to check for rejects on the way out!  We will see you at the hottest presale in town!  Friday, February 27, doors open at 5PM.

Remember to tag your toys and accessories first!  Every season we hear moms say, “I had more stuff…”  You will always get to tagging your clothes….we sometimes forget the toys in boxes nad accessories! 

Here are a few changes this season:

• Please be sure to review all changes this season found on the CONSIGNOR page of the website.  “What’s New this Season”
• 100 item appointments:  In order to keep lines moving we have scheduled (4) appointments every 10 minutes.  Once these appointments are taken, we will be unable to add additional appointments.  As moms start tagging over the next 2 weeks, appointments will start to go fast.  Please note we will be able to check you in without an appointment at one of our non-scheduled tables; however, your wait time may be longer.
• In an effort to be compliant with safety standards and recalls, Tot Tarde Charlotte will have a recall book at check-in.  In addition, a staff member will specifically look at all cribs, pack-n-plays and toddler beds for recalled items.  We have also added links on the website if you have any questions before the sale.
• Game Trade:  have you recently upgraded your gaming system?  Do you have unplayed games collecting dust?  Tot Trade Charlotte is a great way to really cash in this season - we are looking for PlayStation 2, 3, Wii, XBox 360 and games.  We will have a TV on hand for shoppers to test your system.  Thanks for helping build this section!
• Homeschoolers:  last season we had a request for these items - we would love to offer our shoppers curriculum materials and supplies.
• Tagging video and more tagging picture examples:  Ok, not Academy Award quality, but it makes the point and we hope offers the tips that you need to tag your items.
• This season all onesies need to be displayed on a hanger.  If you have new oneises still in the package, you may tag and can be put with accessories.
• Please allow time to put out your non-clothing items.  Staff and volunteers work to inspect and put clothing items out on the floor. 

New:

This season we will use a new floor plan including breast pumps and boutique items more accessible to shoppers and organizing accessories  per size and gender in baskets, We will use double decker racks for smaller size to maximize rack space and ease of shopping.  We have improved our check-out including adding a 10 item or less register to minimize wait time.   Finally, we have increased security and we will offer a “consignor corner ” at the registers.  This is not required, but if you are shopping and find one of your items in our consignor corner, help us retag so we can get it back out on the floor.  Tot Trade staff works throughout the sale to retag and get items back out on the sale floor. 

What sells?

• Make sure all pieces and parts are included with toys, accessories and puzzles!
• Toys with batteries SELL!  (Dollar Store is a Great Source)
• Outdoor Equipment goes FAST!
• Tot Trade Charlotte does not accept car seats, car seat bases or booster seats.  We can sell your stroller portion of a “travel” system.”
• No stuffed animals please.  We can sell stuffed animals with batteries that walk or talk.

Remember, consignors can earn more this season by volunteering a Super Mom Shift.  A Super Mom shift is a 12 hour shift over the period of the sale.  You will receive 1) reimbursement of consignor fee 2) 70% of Sale 3) Shop first at both presales.  Check out our available shifts and your calendar, thanks for your time!

Please be sure to check out our Blog to get the latest information about this season’s sale.  There are a lot of resources found on the Consignor Page on our website.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email or call tottrade@hotmail.com or phone 704-644-3972.

I am right there with you tagging and collecting, tagging and collecting more items!   We will see you soon!  Tell your friends, Tot Trade Charlotte is coming to town!

Rhonda & Jodison

Shoppers Wanted this Season!

Consignors are busy tagging, I have a feeling we are going to fill more than 45,000 sq ft this season!  What does this mean for you as a Tot Trade Charlotte shopper?  Great Bargains!  Everything you need in what I call a “one stop shop” at a fraction of the cost! 

This season’s sale will be held in the Events Center at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center. Admission is FREE.  Please check the calendar on our website for the sale schedule. This season, Tot Trade Charlotte will feature a new floorplan, dressing rooms near maternity clothing, a new gaming section:  Game Trade, and the boutique clothing and breastpumps will be more accessable, located near the big ticket items so staff can assist you. 

This season we will feature easy check out with 12 registers.  In addition, we will offer an EXPRESS LANE for customers with 10 items or less.  Tot Trade Charlotte accepts MC/VISA/CASH.  If you use American Express or Discovery Card, consider purchasing a Tot Trade Charlotte Gift Certificate prior to the sale.  Please note that Gift Certificates must be used during the sale purchased, no cash back.

Make sure to bring your list, measurements and a basket tied with a belt to carry your goodies.  Mark your calendars to come back on Sunday when select merchandise will be marked 50% off! 

Just wanted you to be informed regarding the status of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.  It seems there has been a “stay” regarding the implementation of the Act to February, 2010.  We need to keep the heat on for this new legislation to clarify the intent of the law.  Please contact your Congressman / Representative about how you feel about Seasonal Consignment Sales as well as Home Crafters.  Thank you for your efforts, together WE CAN DO ANYTHING!

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.

Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.

The decision by the Commission gives the staff more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.

The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay.

The stay does not apply to:

• Four requirements for third-party testing and certification of certain children’s products subject to:
  • The ban on lead in paint and other surface coatings effective for products made after December 21, 2008;
  • The standards for full-size and non full-size cribs and pacifiers effective for products made after January 20, 2009;
  • The ban on small parts effective for products made after February 15, 2009; and
  • The limits on lead content of metal components of children’s jewelry effective for products made after March 23, 2009.
• Certification requirements applicable to ATV’s manufactured after April 13, 2009.
• Pre-CPSIA testing and certification requirements, including for: automatic residential garage door openers, bike helmets, candles with metal core wicks, lawnmowers, lighters, mattresses, and swimming pool slides; and
• Pool drain cover requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act.

The stay of enforcement provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children’s garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the testing and certification required under the CPSIA. These businesses will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission. However, all businesses, including, but not limited to, handmade toy and apparel makers, crafters and home-based small businesses, must still be sure that their products conform to all safety standards and similar requirements, including the lead and phthalates provisions of the CPSIA.

Handmade garment makers are cautioned to know whether the zippers, buttons and other fasteners they are using contain lead. Likewise, handmade toy manufacturers need to know whether their products, if using plastic or soft flexible vinyl, contain phthalates.

The stay of enforcement on testing and certification does not address thrift and second hand stores and small retailers because they are not required to test and certify products under the CPSIA. The products they sell, including those in inventory on February 10, 2009, must not contain more than 600 ppm lead in any accessible part. The Commission is aware that it is difficult to know whether a product meets the lead standard without testing and has issued guidance for these companies that can be found on our web site.

The Commission trusts that State Attorneys General will respect the Commission’s judgment that it is necessary to stay certain testing and certification requirements and will focus their own enforcement efforts on other provisions of the law, e.g. the sale of recalled products.

Please visit the CPSC Web site at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html for more information on all of the efforts being made to successfully implement the CPSIA.

Statements on this vote by Acting Chairman Nancy Nord and Commissioner Thomas H. Moore are in portable document format (PDF).

Wow, try saying that five times fast!  We have had a lot of calls about the Armband pick-up.  To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to register to attend either the First Time Mom or Grandparent presale Tot Trade Charlotte and the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center have partnered to offer Armband pick-up at the Arena’s Box Office, Monday, February 9-13 or until all bands are distributed. 

Details for the presale are:  First Time Moms are moms who are expecting, have a child 12 months or younger or are adopting a child.  Grandparents are, well we all love our Nanas and Pepaws!  So, once you have your Armband what do you do?  Presale shopping is as follows:

Friday, February, 27

First Time Mom Presale / Doors Open at 6PM

Grandparent Presale / Doors Open at 7PM

You must have an ARMBAND or EMAIL to enter.  Now what in the world is the email and where can I get it?  That is an easy question to answer.  Simply go to the www.TotTradeCharlotte.com website and click sign-up - there you will see either First Time Mom Tab or Grandparent Tab.  Click the appropriate tab and register.  Once you have registered, you will receive an email.  If you don’t receive one immediately, please check your spam/junk file.  The email is good for you and a guest to enter the presale.

PLEASE NOTE!  You do not have to have BOTH an ARMBAND and an EMAIL.  You only need one to one of the hottest ticket presales this season!  So, ready, set, go……we’ll see you soon! 

Rhonda & Jodi

I have talked about it all season it seems like and finally put it all together!  We have put together a general information spot and several “mini” spots if you are just looking for information on how to tag your shoes, clothes and accessories.  I am still putting together a toy spot and it should be up soon.  These are great refreshers for returning consignors and give helpful hints if you are a first time consignor.  We’d love to hear from you if these resources are helpful tottrade@hotmail.com

To see a video, simply click on the link provided!  Happy Tagging!  Can you help us fill over 45,000 sq ft this season?  We will see you soon!

Tagging Overview:

Clothing:

Shoes:

Accessories:

I think I must have missed a season?  I have found bags of clothes for a few seasons that Maggie has long outgrown!  Has that ever happened to you?  It takes me down memory lane and all I can think about was when she wore that and what happened when and those adorable hats! 

I am finally ready to sell my boy things too.  Jack was the third to make his way through what his brothers had “gently” worn.  I think their clothes are the hardest because of three times the memories! 

I feel like I am Spring cleaning and can breath so much better when I start the “pulling” process!  How do I do it?  I have the children’s clothes in bags from the previous the season and start pulling everything out and sorting dresses, outfits, shorts, swimwear, etc.  Once I think I have everything together I start the “hanging” process then it is the coolest online tagging!  Trust me, since we have started using myconsignmentmanager tagging has gotten a whole lot easier!

But the fun I had today was the crates I pulled of piled together “not so forgotten toys” to go through for the sale.  “Mom I was looking for that!”  “Oh, that is where that was!”  It truly was like Christmas around here for about an hour!  Trust me, please go through your playrooms, child’s rooms, attic FIRST!  You will always get your clothes tagged, but you may start to become overwhelmed if you wait to get to your toys and accessories till the end!  Making toys and accessories a priority will really add to your bottom line!

OK, tonight I have set aside time to start working on our tagging video and updated pictures for the website.  Look for them to be loaded in the next few days!  Registration is running about 3 weeks ahead of schedule!  What does that mean?  We will have lots of GREAT things this season!  Can you help us fill over 45,000 sq ft of space?  Oh, I know you can!  Advertising will start soon and postcards are in the mail!

We are more excited than ever and have planned a GREAT time for all!  Thank you for choosing Tot Trade and we will see you soon.