Moms Find Bargains at St. Thomas a'Becket Sale

Georgette Stubin enthusiastically directed the 6th annual mom-to-mom sale at St. Thomas a'Becket Catholic Church

"What I like about the event is that it provides a good service," she said. "It gives moms the opportunity to get some money for their unused stuff, and it gives others a chance to get toys or clothes for a deep, deep discount. So it's win-win for everybody."

About 250 people arrived at the church on Saturday, ready to shop. The three-hour sale, which began at 9 a.m., featured 78 vendor tables lining the church's halls, various rooms and the gymnasium. Stubin said it was her first time running the sale and that she thought it ran smoothly, though keeping everyone involved happy was the challenge.

"The toughest part was organizing the large items, getting people enough time to set up -- and having enough tables for them," she said. "I wanted the event to be a comfortable sale for both the customers and the sellers."

All the beds, stollers, high chairs and bigger toys were set up in a cluster of rooms in one wing of the church. A large table staffed by three chuch volunteers handled the transactions for these items. Otherwise, each vendor was responsible for his or her own sales -- which included negotiating prices at times. While customers looked for deals throughout the morning, most vendors didn't entertain bargaining until after 10:30 a.m.

"This is the best mom-to-mom sale to attend and to sell at," said Canton resident Chrissy Billimoria, a second-time vendor. "It's a great turnout. They are very well organized." 

Canton residents Ron Mladjan and Nicole Dreslinski made a deal on a play kitchenette. Mladjan not only made the sale to Drslinski (for an undisclosed amount) but also helped load it on a cart and take out to her car.

"I got a great deal on an immaculate kitchenette," said Dreslinski, who purchased the toy for her 1-year-old daughter Leah.

"And I get to give this to a girl who will really enjoy it," said Mladjan, whose 12-year-old daughter Anna gave him the go-ahead to sell the item.

A Canton Newcomers mom-to-mom sale is set for 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Summit on the Park. This sale is also a benefit fot the Autism Collective of Ann Arbor.