Today I went to my first consignment sale. What does that say about me? That I'm a snob? That I don't know how to save money or that I like wasting it? That I don't like used items? I'm not sure, but let me tell you...
NO MORE CONSIGNMENT SALES!!!!
When I got up to the "counter" to buy the items, there was a 10 minute line. Unfortunately, I waited in it without getting my checkbook ready. You could only pay with cash or check, and it wasn't until it was my turn at the register that I realized I had neither with me (I never have cash with me, but I always have my checkbook - I had just taken it out because I had used up the last check and hadn't replaced it with a new book). All that waiting and being annoyed and getting wet for nothing. The check out lady said they would hold my items if I wanted to go get some cash or run home for my checkbook. I told her thank you, but it wasn't worth it. Then we headed back out in the rain...
This is why I don't bargain shop. It's just not worth it to me. I hate the frenzy of people who think they are getting a "good deal". I agree that there are times you can save money on big ticket items at these types of places, but for the most part, you end up buying a bunch of second-hand junk you don't need for a price just slightly below the price of a brand new something you don't need, standing in lines, fighting crowds, and just being annoyed. Do people actually enjoy these sales? I'm sure there are people out there that do. Those are the same people that "garage sale" and bargain shop online and list Ross as one of their favorite stores. And the only way to really get good deals at these type of sales is the be the first one there. If there really were an outdoor playset at any of these sales, they probably sold in the first 20 minutes of the sale. I just don't care enough about the "deal" to plan my shopping trips with that much structure. I prefer convenience to bargains. If I'm going to save money, it had better be a substantial amount. That's why I shop at Aldi.
In the end, I'm glad I didn't have my checkbook with me. The only thing I really needed out of that pile of stuff was the shoes. And I'm going to find a Payless and get Shaelyn a pair of brand new ones instead.
I had a horrible experience, which I believe has turned me off from all such sales ever again in the future. I'm looking for some backyard toys for Shaelyn, maybe even a swing set or play house of sorts. This is the only reason I ventured out into the rain to go to my first consignment sale - to see what kind of deals they would have. I should have known, but had no idea, that every woman in the greater Triad area would be there, shopping for "deals". I had to park forever away, and again, it's pouring down rain. I brought Shaelyn with me (why wouldn't I - the thought to get a baby-sitter and go never occurred to me...) and I had to figure out how to get her, me, and the stroller from the car to the entrance of the sale without soaking us all. I held her so the umbrella would cover me and her and pushed the stroller. When we got to the entrance, I realized that the seat to the stroller was soaked. I didn't want to put Shaelyn down on a soaking wet seat, so I put two open diapers on the seat, and then put Shaelyn on the diapers. It kept her dry, and I was proud of my inventiveness. One peek inside told me there were no playhouses or swing sets of any kind, but after the excruciating effort it took to get to the sale, I figured we'd have a look around. It was a mad house, and it was very difficult to maneuver the stroller up and down the very narrow isles. While browsing, I found two dresses, a pair of shoes, a baby doll, and some My Little Ponies. None of these were "great deals" in my opinion. The shoes were $4 (which you can get a brand new pair at Target for $4.99), the dresses were little cotton Old Navy dresses for $5 a piece (which you can buy brand new on clearance for the same price, if not cheaper), and the ponies and baby doll were $3 each (maybe a little bit better of a deal).
When I got up to the "counter" to buy the items, there was a 10 minute line. Unfortunately, I waited in it without getting my checkbook ready. You could only pay with cash or check, and it wasn't until it was my turn at the register that I realized I had neither with me (I never have cash with me, but I always have my checkbook - I had just taken it out because I had used up the last check and hadn't replaced it with a new book). All that waiting and being annoyed and getting wet for nothing. The check out lady said they would hold my items if I wanted to go get some cash or run home for my checkbook. I told her thank you, but it wasn't worth it. Then we headed back out in the rain...
This is why I don't bargain shop. It's just not worth it to me. I hate the frenzy of people who think they are getting a "good deal". I agree that there are times you can save money on big ticket items at these types of places, but for the most part, you end up buying a bunch of second-hand junk you don't need for a price just slightly below the price of a brand new something you don't need, standing in lines, fighting crowds, and just being annoyed. Do people actually enjoy these sales? I'm sure there are people out there that do. Those are the same people that "garage sale" and bargain shop online and list Ross as one of their favorite stores. And the only way to really get good deals at these type of sales is the be the first one there. If there really were an outdoor playset at any of these sales, they probably sold in the first 20 minutes of the sale. I just don't care enough about the "deal" to plan my shopping trips with that much structure. I prefer convenience to bargains. If I'm going to save money, it had better be a substantial amount. That's why I shop at Aldi.
In the end, I'm glad I didn't have my checkbook with me. The only thing I really needed out of that pile of stuff was the shoes. And I'm going to find a Payless and get Shaelyn a pair of brand new ones instead.
