Conference moira::parenting_v3

    
    Ed,
    
    I, too was thinking of Children's Orchard.  They just opened a store
    near us.  But I was approached by an organization affiliated with our
    church.  It seems that there is a tremendous need for infant and
    children's clothes for the poor right here in our town.  The organizers
    came over within an hour and picked up all of our discarded
    maternity/baby clothes/equipment.  I don't know where you live, but
    we never imagined that the need was so great right here in Mickey
    Mouse's backyard!  It was tax deductible too!
    
    I know this didn't answer your question.....
    
    Rochelle

    Where _are_ Children's Orchards located? I've always wondered....
    
    I sold my son's infant stuff through another secondhand store near me
    and found them reasonable in terms of the $ they gave (40% of selling
    price back to me), but very scrutinizing in terms of condition of
    clothing. If you have things that you describe as "destroyed by your
    second child", any second hand place might not take them.
    
    Anothe thought - for buying and selling - is Salvation Army. I dropped
    some things there, got a receipt for the tax credit (charitable
    donation) and also found some great toddler sweaters for 49 cents
    each!!!
    
    

There is a Childrens Orchard in Nashua, NH on Amherst St.

I donate my used children's clothing and toys to Goodwill Industries.

			Steve

    I have picked up a lot of "daycare" clothes for JA (now 16 months old)
    through Children's Orchard (Westboro) and Just Us Girls (Northboro).
    The clothes are in very good condition and reasonably priced (priced
    well enough not to get too upset when they get torn or stained at
    daycare).
    
    As for getting rid of JA's clothes, I just give them to a family who
    needs them and are appreciative to have them ... we've been lucky that
    JA's not too hard on her clothes, so they are in good and excellent
    condition when she's outgrown them.  I know I could pick up some $$$'s
    by selling them, but JA has received SO MUCH from others, that I feel
    better about joining in the spirit of "passing things along"
    (including baby furniture, toys, etc.).
    
    I've been in the stores when people have come in for their "money" and
    one lady picked up over $40!!!  (not sure how many clothing items she
    sold, but she got a nice little stipend ... and I heard the clerk tell
    her that if she uses the money in her store, they'll add an additional
    "credit" to the sum ... like 20% or something ... the lady took the
    cash, though).
    
    That's all I know ...
    
    Dottie
    

    
    Thanks for all the replies, and suggestions.
    
      

    Most secondhand children stores are consignment shops.  You are paid a
    percentage of the sale price when and if the item sells.
    
    Children's Orchard is NOT a consignment store.  They pay cash up front
    for items that they can use, though I believe the percentage is
    significantly lower.  They basically get a bigger cut for assuming all
    the risk.
    
    When I checked with Just Us Girls, they carried most items on
    consignment, but paid cash for a few in-demand things.
    
    I usually give my girls' clothes away, but when I wasn't working I sold
    things to the C.O. in Westboro, MA, several times.  The most I got was
    about $90, but that included a car seat, a swing, a baby bath tub, a
    baby scale and several boxes of clothes.  So the per-item amount wasn't
    much.
    
    I haven't bought many things there, but I've had good luck there on
    occasion.  In particular, I love wool dress coats on little girls, but 
    can't justify the cost for the number of times they wear them.  But I
    bought a Rothschild's coat for Paige in Westboro, and another for
    Caileigh in the Peabody, MA, C.O.  for less than one new one would
    cost (even at Raschel's) and they both look like brand new.
    
    I believe there are also Children's Orchards in Framingham and Ipswich.
    
    -Tracy
    
    

    
    There's a Children's Orchard in Milford Ma, on Rte 140 heading towards
    Hopedale and Upton.
    
    Also, there's a Rothchild coat outlet in Fall River, Ma.  It's close
    to the other factory stores in Fall River.

    re: .6
    
    If the Children's Orchard that you're referring to in Framingham is
    the one that's on Rt. 27, it's actually in Natick and is no longer
    called Children's Orchard but rather Children's Boutique.  It's
    owned and operated by the same people, but they just broke away
    from the Children's Orchard chain.  They sell new and used clothing.
    I bought my son (he's 5 1/2 months old) a pair of corderoy's and
    a sweater and paid $2.50 for the complete outfit and they looked
    brand new.
    
    There's also a consignment shop downtown Leominster called Kid's
    Stuff.  The woman who owns the place is extremly fussy about the
    condition of the clothing that she'll take in (i.e. no stains, no
    buttons missing, no holes...).  Her prices are also extremly
    reasonable.  I bought my son a beautiful pair of Hush Puppies overalls
    and a long sleave shirt to go with them and paid a total of $3.30.
    
    I shop at consignment shops quite often and also yard sales and
    flea markets.  You'd be amazed at what you can find and how little
    you'll spend.
    
    Lori B.

    
    I just happened to be in "Just Us Girls" yesterday and had a chance to
    briefly talk with the owner.
    
    She told me the rule of thumb is:  she usually pays the "seller" about 
    1/2 of the rack price ... prices vary depending on condition of clothes
    (brand new vs. slightly used vs. used, but in good condition) AND name
    brands (Oshkosh, Carter, etc. draws a slightly better price).
    
    I've found that the prices are generally about:
    
    	.  $4-5 for bibfronts  ($6-7 for Oshkosh)
    	.  $3-4 for jerseys
    	.  $8-10 for jackets, $13-16 for snowsuits
    	.  $7-10 for dresses (party dresses are $1-3 more)
    	.  $3 for stretchsuits, $5 for those heavy sleepers 
    
    (now, we're talking toddler sizes prices here ... she does sell all
    sizes of GIRLS clothes, infancy to teens AND maternity clothes).
    
    She takes maternity and women's clothes "on consignment", but pays
    "outright" for baby things.
    
    I prefer to buy the name brands from JUG (Just Us Girls), preferably 
    Oshkosh, & find all JUG's costs average about 1/3-1/2 of the cost of 
    a "brand spankin' new" price ... so I get more clothes for the money &
    they make great play clothes (and many times they are BRAND NEW 
    anyway!).
    
    JA gets a lot of clothes as gifts, mostly her dresses, jogging suits &
    nice daytime outfits ... so we usually only need to buy "new" 
    her shoes, boots, hats/mittens, socks/underwear and sleepers.
    
    JUG's been running a 1/2 off price-tag sale this past week or so on
    all winter clothes:  jackets, down vests, cordoroy (pants, skirts,
    jumpers), sweaters, sweatshirts, hats/mittens and anything with
    long-sleeves (blouses, dresses, jerseys).  I picked up quite a few
    bargains, especially considering that JA will be wearing bibfronts and
    long-sleeve jerseys & dresses well into April.  I also bought some 
    of the larger sizes for next Fall/Winter  (JA's growth pattern is
    very predictable) ... but most of JUG's winter bargains are "picked
    over" now.
    
    JUG is located in the Country Villa shopping center, Route 20,
    Marlboro.  Hours are:  Tu,W,F 10-4:30; Th 10-6; Sat 10-4 --
    closed Sundays and Mondays).  Her store is smaller than Children's
    Orchard and I think her prices are a little higher, but I have better
    luck getting the brand names and better condition of clothes at her
    store ... She's also very pleasant and honest and fair.
    
    Shop 'til you drop ... and spend less.
    
    Dottie
     

    I may have misunderstood the previous reply ... but do be careful about
    children wearing used shoes.  Actually, don't let them!!  My 2nd son
    had a problem walking, and his feet were pointed quite strangely (both
    to the left or something), and he was always falling over himself (more
    so than a toddler).  The Pedi. noticed that he was much better when
    barefoot.  Come to find out the hand-me-down shoes that his brother had
    BARELY worn had been broken in JUST enough to his brother's feet, but
    were VERY different from his own feet, and were having a major impact
    on him.  I suppose if your feet are only 5 inches long, and there's a
    half-inch 'depression' in your shoe, the 'wrong' way, it feels pretty
    major.
    
    

    We recently went through the cellar and sorted out the no-longer used
    baby furniture, clothes, maternity clothes and such.  In conversation
    we mentioned our "activities" to my son's Godmother who works for the
    Worcester Visiting Nurses Association.  She said they will take no
    longer needed baby and maternity items and give them to mothers and
    children, amny of whom are on public assistance.  She said many
    visiting nurse ass'n will do this.
    
    I will be glad to put people in touch withthe right people if you
    contact me off-line.
    
    Lyn

    My experience with several Childrens Orchard branches is
    that it does seem to depend on the branch.  Some seem
    to be more selective than others.  They ask that clothes
    be stain free and not pilled (sp?).  I have found some to
    be more particular about name brands too.  However, they
    do claim to all maintain the same policy branch-to-branch....
    
    There are branches on Rte 28 in Salem, NH and another very
    well stocked one in Tewksbury (sorry I don't have the address
    here at work).  There used to be another in No Andover too.
    
    Just my "two bits"!
    
    Julia

The C.O. in Tewksbury, MA is located on Main Street (Route 38) in a small 
collection of shops almost across from Aubuchon Hardware.  There is another 
one on Route 38 in Dracut, MA about a mile north of the intersection with 
Route 113.  There is also a Children's Changeables (former C.O.) in 
Tyngsboro, MA (in the Flint's Plaza on Westford Road, about .25 miles west 
of Route 3 off Exit 34.)  I've also heard there are stores in Derry, NH and 
in Manchester, NH.

I have found that each store has its specialties.  I've had better luck 
with clothing in Tyngsboro and with things like walkers and back-pack 
carriers at the Dracut C.O. (probably a combination of personal preference 
and timing.)  I still check the Tyngsboro store first because its closer.  

Every time I'm in one of the stores, I check their small toy displays.  
I've gotten several little things like the blue, white and orange chiming 
bird for $2 that I saw for $4 - $6 in larger stores.

Meg

    
    I would like to know where the closest Children's Orchard is to me.
    I live in Clinton.  I have alot of girls clothing I would like to sell.
    I also have a swing I would like to sell. I want to go this Saturday.
    
    Amy

    There is one in Westborough, MA.  That's probably the closest one to
    you.  My sister went two weeks ago, and I think she said that the name
    had changed.  I have a phone book from last year that lists it at 
    36 Lyman Street with a phone number of 366-7966.
    
                                           Tracy

    
    
    	RE: .13
    
    	The one in Westboro is in the Caldor plaza if memory
    	serves correctly.
    
    	There's also a consignment shop in Clinton called
    	"Dress 'Em for Less" who accept only children's and
    	maternity clothes.  I didn't speak very long with
    	them since I have mostly adult clothes to get rid
    	of, but they did say you can bring in your clothes,
    	they'll determine what they can sell and what they
    	can't, put them on a rack for three months and
    	will send you a check for whatever they could
    	sell.  The rest would need to be picked up by you
    	within a week or it would be given to various
    	charities.
    
    	/Kim

I've bought Juli's "daycare" clothes from both Children's Orchard
(Westboro) - now Children's Carousel (I think!), Just Us Girls (Next to
Country Villa Restaurant, Route 20, Marlboro), and Dress 'Em For Less
(Clinton -- my Mom got friendly with the owner, Dawn, who's very nice, but
has decreased her store hours YET MORE! - I believe she's working parttime
now).

I'd rate:
	1) JUG - more expensive, better condition, brand names, small inventory
	2) Children's Orchard - medium priced, bigger inventory and turnover
	3) DEFL - cheaper, smaller inventory

There's also a "trade" store on Main Street, Leominster (just as you enter
Main St, Leominster from Lancaster -- on the right -- donut shop at the
intersection).

Rarely do I trade Juli's hand-me-downs ... I tend to just give them to
friends/family.  "Maybe" I'll attempt to sell them at one of our family
craft fairs this fall (along with her crib layette, table clip=on, etc.).
I know JUG is real picky about brand names, condition (original buttons!),
etc. -- not worth the hassell! (although she did accept all the items I
traded in early-summer!).  DEFL will take "anything"! and price it accordingly.

Dottie

    I shop at consignment/second hand shops quite often for my son.  One
    shop that I really liked a lot was Kids 'N' Caboodle.  It's located in
    Acton on Strawberry Hill Road (just off of 2A).  They had tons and tons
    of children's clothes, mostly used but they did have a few new things. 
    I walked out of there with 18 outfits for my son for $42 dollars and
    most of the stuff was Healthtex, so I'd say I got a few bargains!
    
    Also, I just got of the phone with the Woman at "Dress 'Em For Less"
    and she was extremly helpful.  I told her what I was looking for and
    she put me on hold and checked to see if she had it.  She was extremly
    helpful.
    
    My experiences with consignment/used clothing stores has been great. 
    I'd highly recommend them to others with limited incomes!
    
    Lori B.

    I've been pretty pleased with Classickids resale shop in Westford,
    north of LKG and Kimballs ice cream.  They have a bright yellow sign 
    outside.   I've found their prices to be even lower than Childrens
    Orchard of Manchester, NH.  (shhh - don't tell them)  They have a
    decent selection of older kids' clothing, as well as baby-toddler.
    
    Laura                                                             

    Thanks for the replys.  I went to Children's Orchard in Framingham on
    Saturday dropped off 11 dresses and 4 pairs of Oshkash jeans, 3 pairs 
    of Healthtex cords, a baby bunting and a coat. I was to call on Wednesday
    (today).
    The woman I spoke to said she would only give me 19.00.  I washed 
    and ironed everything.  Half the dresses were never worn.  I told
    her I would be down to pick up my clothes.  I was not satisfied with
    her offer she said the clothes were dirty.  My clothes were in
    excellent condition alot better than in her store.  I guess I will
    try another store.  He sells Polly Flinders dresses for 8.00 in her
    store. I would rather donate my clothes to charity than give to her.
    
    Amy   
    

    I picked up all my clothing from Children's Orchard and went to
    Dress Them up for Less in Clinton.  The woman is so nice there.
    She told me that if my dresses sell I would get 5 dollars for each
    dress.  You get 40% of the sale price.  She said that the dress would
    sell for 15.00 to 17.00.  I am going back the weekend with winter coats
    and snow suits.   Times are getting really tough nowadays.
    
    Amy  
    

    As an aside to this, and hoping not to come accross as some kind of
    "sentimental nut case", am I the only one who has boxes of these little
    tiny, cute newborn outfits, in great shape, but can't find the heart to
    part with them?
    
    I mean before my son was born, and we knew it was to be a boy by amnio,
    my mother inlaw went out and bought literally a rack full of adorable
    outfits, name brands, I've seen some of these outfits in places like
    Filene and Lord and Taylor, even though she bought them at Raschells,
    Calverts and some place on the south shore.  But it's sort of like I
    just can't seem to part with these things.  Is it just me, or has
    anyone else had these feelings about giving or consigning clothes?
    
    Lyn

   re: -.1
     Nah!!  I have all of my daughters.  But the things that are really
    special to me are the things of mine that my mother saved!!  I love to
    see Megan in my PJ's, using my blankets and wearing my sweaters now!
    
    W-

    Lynn,
    
    You are not alone.  I don't ever plan on having another baby (doesn't
    everyone say that? (-: ), but yet I refuse to part with anything.  I
    have boxes and bags of stuff that he'll never be able to wear again
    (some things he never even wore and some things only once or twice). 
    I'm sure I could sell this stuff to consignment shops and make quite a
    bit of money, but I just can't bare to part with this stuff.
    
    My mother is the same way.  At my baby shower she gave me an afghan, 
    sweater and hat set that she made when she was pregnant with my older 
    brother.  He turned 34 last weekend.
    
    So you never know, my grand children might wear some of this stuff! :-)
    
    Lori B.

    re: .20
    
    Where is there a Children's Orchard in Framingham?  I know of a
    Children's Boutique on Rt. 27, but that's in Natick.  Personally, I am
    not thrilled with the owners of that store.  The husband is quite rude
    and extremly frugal.  He won't budge on his prices to save his life. 
    One day I went in there and upon entering he stated, "Anything with a
    hole punched in the price tag is an additional 50% off".  I looked
    around and picked up 4 items.  One was a button down dress shirt for my
    son, there was a crossed out $2.50 on the ticket and $1.00 was written
    below that, there was also a hole punched in it.  I brought my
    purchases to the register and he did not take the additional 50% off
    this shirt.  I questioned him about it and he said, "Well, it's already
    been marked down more than 50%, so I'm not going to take any more off". 
    I argued with him about it (I know it was only 50 cents, but it was the
    principal), but I ended paying the $1.00 anyway.  I also made sure to
    let him know that it was the last time that I would shop there.
    
    Lori B.

    I think the second generation stuff is really precious.  We were
    going through some boxes with Cindy's mom and found a quilted bunting
    that she wore.  Also the Philadelphia Inquirer from the day she
    was born.
    	Linda

    Alex lobbies to have *most* of her clothing set aside in the box, which
    is to be handed down for her kids; fortunately, she also understands
    about giving to the Goodwill or Salvation Army, and she *loves* selling
    and buying at the "Great as Nu" (really the Good as Nu [sic], on Rt. 85 in
    Hudson).
    
    The legacy box gets everything I've made her, because Momms get to
    exercise their unbridled pride and vanity, unless the article had
    previously self-destructed.  It also gets most of the Polly Flinders;
    those that I never cared much for get the axe (G as Nu) unless Alex
    convinces me they're important to her.
    
    I'm just afraid the legacy box will be a legacy ROOM by the time Alex
    goes to college...
    
    Leslie

    I've just noticed that Baby All's located in Nashua is empty.  This
    was a great store for used children's clothing.  My son is due for
    some winter clothes, any information???
    
    Thanks,
    

    If you're looking for a consignment shop there's one in Amherst on
    Route 101A called Mother & Child (Heritage Shops) across from
    Winchendon furniture.
    

    
    Also, there is Childrens Orchid, RT 101A in Nashua.
    

   Just saw something in the paper about the one in Clinton, MA. -
   Apparently they are closing - not sure when, but it will be soon if
   its not already done.
   
   - Tom
   

    I just recieved my check for the clothes I had on consignment at the
    Clinton Store Dress Them up for Less. You get a 20% off your first
    purchase.   The woman is very nice,she also sells homemade dresses, 
    overalls, quilts, and bibs. She is still taken winter clothing 
    until Jan 1. Her overralls are made in the same print just like
    Oshkosh.  She has a few of my daughter's Christmas dresses hanging
    in the window.
    
    -Amy 

    
    
    A WAY TO GET EXTRA CHRISTMAS MONEY$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$4
    
    Take good care of your party dresses and your baby clothes
    cause they can make you money later on.
    
    Just Us Girls a really nice consignment store on Route
    20 in Marlboro is for SALE/and or closing soon.
    
    WHY?  She can not find enough quality used dresses 
    or baby clothes to keep up the inventory in her store.
    
   I am going to go through my closet over the weekend and
    pulling out party dresses that I am sick of and my
    children's clothes that are in good condition.
    
    I know that most of us have a lot of clothes also that
    we don't need so why not bring them to Just Us Girls
    and make some extra Christmas Money.
    I don't know about you but most of my dressy dresses
    and baby clothes are hardly worn out.
    
    JUST A SUGGESTION....I don't want them to close cause
    I find so many good deals there.
    
  

I agree ... Just Us Girls is my favorite, too!  They deal with just
quality and name brands ... NEVER have I gotten home to find a stain or
tear that went "unnoticed" (you cannot return items to a consignment store
even if they are damaged!).  JUG did allow me to return some items that
didn't fit (as long as their tags were still attached.

I never got burned by JUG, the owner and personnel are extremely pleasant
and helpful ... and I'll be so disappointed if they close.

Sigh.

Dottie