Bell Creek Mom 2 Mom Sale FAQ

A. The Fall Bell Creek MOPS Mom 2 Mom Sale will be held on Saturday October 15, 2011 from 9am-1pm at Franklin High School (31000 Joy Rd Livonia, MI 48150– between Middlebelt and Merriman Rds). Please follow this link for directions. (http://mapq.st/k8qJ0r)

Q. What is a Mom 2 Mom Sale?

A. A Mom 2 Mom Sale is like a giant indoor garage sale that is only for baby, kids' and maternity items. You buy items directly from individual sellers, just like you would at a garage sale. Items that you will typically find at a sale include gently used: children’s clothing, shoes, baby gear (bouncy chairs, swings, exersaucers, playmats, carriers, strollers, car seats, etc.), baby furniture, nursery décor, toys, books, games, baby feeding supplies, maternity clothing, birth preparation items, and much more.

Q. How does admission to the Sale work?

A. Come to the main entrance of Franklin High School, facing Joy Rd., on the morning of the sale. The doors will open at 9am. We ask for a $1 donation per adult entering the sale. Children are admitted for free. Be aware that many shoppers choose to arrive before 9am and wait in line, so plan accordingly.

Q. Are strollers allowed?

A. Yes, strollers are allowed at the Sale all day. Walkways are large enough to accommodate strollers comfortably.

Q. How do I pay for items I buy at a Mom 2 Mom Sale?

A. Our Large Items area accepts cash only. Most table renters will also restrict purchases to cash payments. Purchases in the Large Items area will be made at the check-out table staffed by MOPS volunteers. Purchases from Sale tables will be made from individual sellers.

Q. Will food be available at the Sale?

A. Yes, we will have a concessions area located in the South Cafeteria near the main entrance. We will have hotdogs available for lunch. There will also be pop, coffee, water, baked goods and snacks available throughout the Sale Day.

Q. Is there anything special I need to know about buying at the Sale?

A. Remember, a Mom 2 Mom Sale is similar to a garage sale. Both buyers and sellers should follow guidelines regarding the sale of used items. It is recommended that sellers ensure that their items for sale are not recalled and "meet current safety standards.” Buyers should always check the items they are buying carefully for any defects before purchasing them. Check for recalls as well when you get home. Please visit this government link (http://www.cpsc.gov/) for more information on recalls.

Questions About Renting Tables:

Q. Are tables still available for rent?

A. Yes, we will post an announcement on this site and deactivate the Google Checkout when all tables for this Sale have sold out.

Q. How do I register for a table?

A. To register for a table, you must submit both an application form and payment. Go to our Mom to Mom Sale Page HERE where you can register and pay for your table rental. Table rentals will be assigned on a first come, first PAID basis, as completed forms are submitted.

Q. How much does it cost to rent a table?

A. Table rentals are $25 per table. Rack space is $5, making a table rental with rack space $30. Vendor tables (for the sale of commercial/retail items) are $35. Vendor tables with rack space are $40. To register and pay for a table Go to our Mom to Mom Sale Page HERE.

Q. How can I pay for my table rental?

A. At this time, we are only accepting payments for table rentals through Google Checkout. Go to our Mom to Mom Sale Page HERE.

Q. What size table and space is available for rent?

A. Table rentals include one 6' table within 6' of space. Each space will be approximately 4' deep including the table. Rack space will be 3 additional feet of space to one side of the table to allow for one rack; however you must provide your own rack.

Q. What is the layout of the Sale area and tables?

A. The Sale takes place in the Franklin High School cafeterias, as well as some attached hallways. You can see a layout of the school by CLICKING HERE.

CLICK HERE to see the table arrangements of Tables 1-38, and CLICK HERE to see the table arrangements of Tables 39-70. Please use this information for locating tables only, as spacing and various other notes may not be accurate.

Q. What restrictions apply to renting tables?

A. Only two sellers are allowed per table rental. Four is the maximum number of tables allowed per renter.

Q. Can I request a specific table or location?

A. We cannot accept requests for specific table numbers. If you would like to have a table next to another renter, please submit your table rental application form and payment jointly. You must include the names and contact information for all renters. Table rentals will be assigned on a first come, first PAID basis, as completed forms are submitted.

Q. What types of items can I sell at my table?

A. You may only sell used items that pertain to babies and children including clothing, toys, books, and accessories (baby equipment, feeding supplies, bedding etc.), or maternity clothing and birthing preparation items. Certain types of large equipment, as well as any item that does not fit on our under your rented space, must be placed in the Large Item Area.You may not have commercial (retail) products displayed or advertised at or on your table unless you purchase a business vendor table.

Q. Can I register as a vendor to sell new (retail) items?

A. If you wish to have commercial (retail) products displayed or advertised at or on your table, you must purchase a business vendor table. The items sold at vendor tables must be pre-approved, and the items must pertain directly to children. A limited number of vendor tables will be available for purchase. Vendor tables are $35 for a 6’ by 4’ table and space. A 3’ rack space at one side of the table may be rented for an additional $5; however you must provide your own rack.

Q. How are vendor items approved and a vendor table registered?

A. Register and submit a description of the retail items you are interested in selling at your table - Go to our Mom to Mom Sale Page HERE and follow the instructions for vendors. We will let you know whether your items are appropriate for our Sale. A limited number of vendor tables will be available for purchase. If your retail items have been approved, and vendor tables are still available, you may proceed with registration by filling out a table rental application.

Q. Are vendor tables still available?

A. Yes, we will post an announcement on this site when the vendor tables available for this Sale have been sold out.

Q. If I cancel my table rental, will I receive a refund?

NO REFUNDS on table rentals will be given within 2 weeks of the sale date. Prior to that time, if you need to cancel, we will refund your rental fee ONLY if we are able to re-book your table before the date of the sale. No refunds will be given for no-shows on Sale Day.

Questions about Large Items:

Q. Can I sell Large Items at the Sale? What types of items are considered Large Items?

A. A Large Item Area will be provided for the sale of certain types of equipment, as well as any item that does not fit on our under your rented space. The following types of items must be placed in the large item area: Bassinets, Beds, Cribs, Bikes, Bouncers, Car Seats, Diaper Disposals, Discovery Tables, High Chairs/Booster Seats, Large Inside Toys, Play Kitchens, Large Outside Toys, Play Pens, Portable Cribs, Push Toys, Safety Gates, Double Strollers, Single Strollers, Swings, Walkers, Exersaucers and Jumperoos.

There will be a $2.00 consignment fee per large item sold.

Q. Can I sell Large Items if I do not have a table rental at the Sale?

A. Yes, you may sell large items even if you do not rent a table at the Sale. You will be assigned a “table number” for the purposes of record keeping, since this is the onlyway that Large Items and payments are identified.

Q. How do I register my Large Items for the Sale?

A. Register and submit information about the Large Items you will be selling by Thursday October 13, 2011 - Go to our Mom to Mom Sale Page HERE and follow the instructions for Large Item Registration. You will need to include a list of the large items, asking prices, discounted prices (after 11am if you desire), and whether you would like to donate the item if it doesn’t sell. Additional items can be registered at the door, but be aware that this will increase your check-in time.

Q. How does Large Item check-in work?

A. All large items MUST be checked-in on Sale Day by 8:30am at the West side of Franklin High School, middle entrance, regardless of where you check-in if you have a table rental.

• Seller gives MOPS volunteer their Table NUMBER. (If you are not renting a table for the sale, a “table number” will be assigned to you for the purpose of record keeping.)

DOUBLE CHECK the table number, as this is the only way that items and payment are identified.

• Seller looks over their large item master list and makes corrections as needed.

• Seller crosses off the items they did not bring on master list.

• If seller brings more items, they CAN add them in on the master list.

• Seller verifies their items and initials on RIGHT side of master list to show approval.

• Seller creates tags for their items, if not already done, and attaches tags securely to their items.

• Seller places their items by the correct signs in the large item area, organized by type of item.

Q. How do I create tags for my Large Items?

A. You can download the ¼ sheet tags for your Large Items by CLICKING HERE

Please fill out tags before the sale, and bring strong tape toattach tag(s) to your item(s).

On your Large Item tags you will need to include:

1. Table ID: Your Assigned Table Number (sent in an e-mail).

2. Price: The amount you are asking for this item.

3. Type: General Category of Large Item (stroller, crib, outdoor toys, bouncer, high chair, etc.).

4. Description: A detailed and accurate description of the item (to answer questions from buyers & in case of tag falling off).

5. Donate: If you’d like to donate this item in the case that it doesn’t sell.

6. Discount Price: If you are willing to accept a lower price after 11am, be sure to register the discounted amount when you register your item.

Q. What restrictions apply to Large Item pricing?

A. Large Items must be priced $5.00 or more, in whole dollar increments.

Q. What are the restrictions on discounting Large Items during the Sale?

A. For the first 2 hours of the sale, you may NOT lower prices on your large items. At 11am, prices will be lowered to your specified discounted price, and tags marked accordingly, by MOPS volunteer staff ONLY. After that, no further discounts on Large Items may be made.

Q. How are Large Item purchases made?

A. The large item area will be staffed by MOPS volunteers. When a buyer decides to purchase a large item, they will take that item to a check-out table. A volunteer from our MOPS organization will collect the payment. The seller will be given the money, minus the $2.00 consignment fee, at the end of the sale.

Q. How does Large Item check-out work?

A. • Sellers may NOT pick up their payments for large items sold until the end of the sale!

• At the end of the sale, MOPS volunteers will process the sales receipts and mark each item that was sold and the payment on an envelope for each seller.

• The money for the total sales, minus the total commission of $2 per item sold, will be added to each envelope.

• Seller picks up their envelope, counts their profits, verifies what was sold, and initials the master list to show approval.

• MOPS volunteers will mark the master list to show that the seller has picked up their money.

Questions About How the Mom2Mom Sale Works:

Q. How many people attend the Sale? How many tables are rented?

A. At our Fall 2010 Sale we had 609 people come through the doors, and we had 70 table rentals. At our Spring 2011 Sale the front door count was 987, and we had 102 table rentals. We do extensive advertising to get the word out about our Sales, and have seen consistent increases in attendance and table rentals over the years.

Q. How much can I expect to make at a Mom 2 Mom Sale?

A. This varies according to what you have to sell and what the buyers happen to be looking for. Every sale is different, sometimes you sell everything and sometimes you have things that nobody wants. It is a good idea to sort clothing into sizes, seasons and gender and use racks if you have them. You might have great stuff, but if shoppers have to dig for it they might be inclined to shop at your neighbor's table if it easier for them to access. We provide the shoppers, you have to do the selling! With hundreds of potential buyers walking by your table you could easily find yourself making $100 at the low end, $350 on average and upwards of $1000 at the high end. Again, it will all depend on what you have to sell. If you've got lots of large items expect to make more, if you are only selling clothing don't expect to make $1000 (although it has been done).

Q. How should I price my items?

A. In general, it’s recommended that you sell for no more than half of what you would have paid for it new, and on sale, particularly with clothing. Buyers don't want to buy your used clothing for the same price that they can get it on sale new. New clothing still needs to be cheaper than retail. Remember, your items are USED - You got your use out of them, now getting something back for them should be a bonus. If you want to sell high, you risk not selling at all! Consider the hassle of putting something up on ebay and shipping it, or taking the time to meet up with potential buyers, and then remember that you've got someone willing to buy it right in front of you. Sell things that you aren't emotionally attached to.

Q. Can table renters bring along a helper?

A. Yes, it’s fine to bring along a helper who can assist with sales and keep an eye on your items.

Q. Can table renters bring their children to the Sale?

A. If you bring children with you to the sale, you are responsible for your own child-care and for

supervising your children.

Q. How does Sale Day set-up work?

A. Set up will begin at 7:00 A.M. on the morning of the Sale. Unfortunately we cannot allow sellers to set up their tables the night before the sale. You must arrive at the Sale prior to the sale start time of 9:00 A.M.

You must check in before proceeding to your table for set-up. The check-in locations will be at the main and side entrances to the building. At check-in, you can verify your table number, find the location of your table, and order lunch if desired.

You will be responsible for transporting your items into the Sale. We may not have carts or

dollies available for use on the day of the Sale.

You may not move to a different table at any time during the Sale. You may not set up your items on any table other than your assigned table, even if a renter fails to show up.

Q. What are the restrictions on rental space displays?

A. You are not permitted to use any electrical outlets with or without the use of an extension cord or power strip without prior permission. Only fused (15 amp max) power strips or 14 gage, U.L. approved extension cords will be approved and they may not be in, on, over, or under pedestrian traffic patterns. You may not have open flames, use combustible and/or flammable gases, liquids or solids, have non-flammable compressed gas such as helium, have combustible decorations near the ceiling, or have demonstrations in hallways and/or corridors.

Q. Will there be a pre-sale opportunity for renters to buy items from each other?

A. Yes, from approximately 8:30 A.M. to 8:55 A.M. table renters will be allowed to pre-shop at each other’s tables for personal use only and not for resale! This pre-sale is open to table renters only, not the general public. After 8:55AM table renters are expected to be at their table to sell their items to the outside shoppers.

Q. What can I expect on Sale Day?

A. You can expect it to be EXTREMELY busy for the first hour and a half or so. All of the die-hard bargain hunters will be lined up waiting for the doors to open. The crowd slows down to a steady pace after that and it is usually slower during the last hour or so, which allows vendors to relax a bit, slash prices, do some shopping of their own, and gradually pack up.

Q. Will lunch and snacks be available on Sale Day?
A. Yes, we will have a concessions area located in the South Cafeteria near the main entrance. We will have hotdogs available for lunch. Put in your order when you check in, and they will bring it to your table around 11:30am. There will also be pop, coffee, water, baked goods and snacks available throughout the Sale Day.

Q. What are table renter responsibilities?

A. Table renters are expected to provide their own change (bring lots of small bills) and their own bags for shoppers.

Renters are also expected to act as their own security for items that they bring to sell. We will not be responsible if items or money are stolen from a renter/seller.

You are responsible for the safety of your table area. You must keep your items in the area assigned to you, and not have items protruding out into the walkways where they may cause injury.

You are responsible for pricing and tagging your own items, and arranging them in an attractive, orderly manner. This will help you sell your items.

You are also responsible for the items you sell. Please ensure that the items you sell meet current safety standards (especially for things like car seats, cribs, play yards, bassinets, cradles, baby gates, swings etc.) Please visit this government link (http://www.cpsc.gov/) for recall information.

Q. How does Sale Day take-down work?

A.Renters are expected to stay until 1 p.m. You agree that you will not begin to pack up your table before the sale ends at 1 p.m. Please do not rent a table if you are not able to commit to having your table set up for the entire time slot. Many shoppers attend numerous sales in a day, and may not arrive until the very end. You are obligated to keep your table "open for business" during the entire time of the sale.

The table renter is responsible for the take down of their table area. Please, leave your table area in the same condition that you found it in. There will be several trash cans around for waste. Donations of both Large Items and items from tables will also be accepted at the close of the Sale. Drop off your donations near the Large Items Area.

Q. Can I donate items left over after the Sale?

A. Yes! We will have a charity (AAA Pregnancy Resource Center) that will gladly accept donations of gently used items at the end of the sale. They can provide you with a receipt for tax purposes if you wish. This will be located at the West side door near the Large Items Area.

This year Bell Creek MOPS will again be collecting newborn baby clothes, blankets, toys, washcloths, burp clothes, bibs, etc. to donate to a local hospital for moms who arrive without clothing or other items for their new babies. A bin to collect donations will be located in the Large Items hallway.

Primary links

Secondary links

Bell Creek Mom 2 Mom Sale FAQ

Resources from Desiring God

The Gospel Coalition Blog

Solid Stuff from J.C. Ryle