Rabid Bargain Shopping With Wendy

For the past couple of years Wendy has volunteered to work 20 hours at the Kids' Market consignment sale so that she can be a part of the first group that shops when the sale opens. Since we are of modest means, Kids' Market provides us an opportunity to get the things Phoenix needs at LOW-LOW PRICES! (Insert best radio deejay voice here). The clothes purchased at Kids' Market will last Phoenix for the next six months.

Before Sunday, September 12 I had never shopped Kids' Market, but Wendy told me all about it. She loves the people, the atmosphere, the items, the bargains - everything. She has always wanted me to shop with her and I have always wanted to be involved with selecting Phoenix's things. So, for the fall sale, I decided to attend and help out.

We all have our stereotypical visions of consignment sales and the kind of violence that might ensue when two or three mothers lunge for the same object at once. I remember an episode of The Simpsons when the town of Springfield was bracing for Hurricane Wilma. On the evening news, Kent Brockman editorialized, "...and if you think it's sexist to name a deadly storm after a woman, well then, you've obviously never seen the gals grabbing for items at a clearance sale." This encapsulated my expectations of Kids' Market.

However, I was pleasantly surprised at the cordial atmosphere and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of items available. When the doors opened, everyone filed into the store and waited for some announcements. Women were already positioning themselves in key areas, eager to receive the green light. Watching those ladies at the starting line made me think of the great American land rush in the 1800s - everyone itching to stake their claim.

When the gun sounded, Wendy and I rushed over to the large kiddy slides and reserved one for Phoenix. We then spent time in the toys section, selecting items and reserving those items that were too big to carry around in the store. It wasn't long before I really started to enjoy the entire experience. We were there from 1:40pm-11:30pm and we came in on budget. After the total was tallied, we averaged about $5 per item. Not bad. And I didn't even have to punch anyone in the face. I should be back next year.