Big-time bargain sale of kids stuff

While shopping for used items may carry a stigma in some circles, a group of several women Thursday proudly traded stories of deals they had scored in the past: a gently used child's Burberry outfit that sells for $140, purchased for $8. An almost new deluxe red Radio Flyer double-seater red wagon bought for $30. Or an expensive plastic playhouse snagged for $40.

"My snobby friends say, 'How could you go to garage sales and consignment shops and buy people's used items?' " said Lauren Dunkel, 38, a Bellmore mother of two boys. "In this economy and on one income, how could you not?"

She was among volunteers setting up for another bargain hunt that begins Friday at the Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, where The Kids Kloset Inc., is holding a giant consignment sale and expecting at least 2,000 shoppers. The event kicks off with a VIP presale Friday, and it's open to the public Saturday and Sunday.

One of four such events held a year, the sale this weekend features 35,000 almost new and new items, including clothing for newborns to size 16, maternity apparel, baby equipment, toys and furniture. About 365 consignors stand to earn anywhere from $150 to $2,000 depending on the items they are selling, said Gail Roca, of West Islip, founder of Kids Kloset.

"We attract different types of people," said Roca, 45. "Some people are in this for the money and they need to pay bills. Others like doing this. And others believe in recycling and can't bear to throw stuff out."

Roca always shopped at consignment stores when her two children were young, but it was while she was visiting friends in Georgia that she was introduced to the concept of large-scale consignment sales. In April 2008, she decided to bring the concept to Long Island.

She was worried she wouldn't be able to fill the 1,400-square-foot American Legion hall she had rented. But, she said, "Once I opened the doors, the line never stopped." The Kids Kloset quickly gained consignors who also shop the sales.

Consignors register and set the price of their items online. These sellers make at least 60 percent of the price if the item sells, but can earn up to 75 percent of the selling price if they volunteer to set up and run the sale. They can opt to donate items if they don't sell.

"I'm a stay-at-home mom and I don't have time to put my stuff on eBay, take pictures and have people over," said Nicole Kanallakan, 25, of Port Washington. "This is clean and simple. It takes two days to tag my stuff, and then my husband watches the kids when I volunteer."

Roca says she is very stringent about quality, tasking volunteers to check for rips, stains, tears and make sure toys are working and equipped with batteries. For this sale she has more than 150 volunteers.

"People used to go into a store and spend $300 without thinking," Roca said. "Now that's money that could go to gas, put toward a vacation because we can't just write a check."

The Kids Kloset Inc.

What is it? A three-year-old company that runs seasonal consignment sales in each county every six months.

What about charity programs? With the consignor's consent, the company donates items that don't sell to charitable organizations. It also has a program where charities can hand out fliers and then receive a percentage of purchases made with those fliers.

Who can go to the VIP presale event? Volunteers, expectant mothers, new parents, teachers and military families can shop today at specific times. Registration for presale is online at thekidskloset.com/Home_Page.php.