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What is
being said about Tot Trade? |
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It is
hard to believe all of the wonderful feed back and testimonials received
about Tot Trade. Thank you for taking the time, to see how we have
grown! |
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Tot Trade Testimonials |
April 8, 2005
I just wanted to say how pleased I am with my experience with Tot Trade.
This was my first year to participate and I couldn't be more thrilled. You
are very organized and the whole process was as smooth as silk. The
volunteers were helpful and polite and I had no trouble checking my items in
or picking up the very few items that did not sell. I can't believe how
quickly you sent out checks and WOW was I surprised at the amount I
received! It was at least double what I hoped for. I'll definitely see you
in the fall!
Lynnette Stevens
April 7, 2005
I just wanted to let you know how impressed I was with this sale. I just got
my check ($350 yipee) and I'm counting the ways I'm going to spend it. I
LOVE Tot Trade and tell all of my friends about it. Actually, I tell
EVERYONE about it. My mom told some 1st time mom's that she teaches with and
they made the 1 hr 45 min. trip from Thomson, GA and my sister in-law
(another 1st time mom) drove almost 2 hrs to experience the Tot Trade fever.
I was able to get each of my kids enough clothes for the whole season and
some toys that of course, we didn't need :-) Everytime I'm complimented on
one of their outfits, I just say 'Tot Trade'. I was very pleased at pick up
that almost all of my items sold. It confirmed that the extra time that I
took to press them really paid off. My only regret is that I waited until
the last minute to get started so I could have done so much more had I
started early. I'll know better next time. A BIG THANKS to you and your
staff! You are the sweetest. See you in the fall.
Wendy Hughes
October 17, 2004
Once again, I did not leave disappointed! I found terrific name brands for
my children, saved gas by shopping at one place, and have gotten SO many
compliments on my children's clothes this fall! Loved the 'daytime' shopping
for consignors and the sale days! If you are looking for great clothes at
wonderful prices, don't miss Tot Trade! God bless you Kelly and Team!
Melissa
August 8, 2004
I'm a vendor at several consignment sales in SC. In every way, Tot Trade is
the best. Your consignors are treated so special which
is so important. If you take them for granted you will lose them, and I've
seen it happen at other sales. Not at TOT TRADE!
I know your inspection process takes extra time and work, but it pays off by
the qualify merchandise you are offering to your consignors. Again, I've
seen other customers at other consignment sales walk away disappointed by
the quality of the merchandise. But, NOT AT TOT TRADE! By far, your
sale is the biggest sale around. When I consign I want the
maximum exposure possible and Tot Trade offers that in a big way. I'm always
pleased with how big my check is. Plus, the unbelievable amount of items at
your sale is truly unbelievable until you see it. It can't be described.
Anyway, keep up the great work!!!!! You're providing a wonderful service to
Columbia.
Tammy Webster, Beads & Bows
July 28, 2004
Dreams really do come true, thanks to Tot Trade!!!!! I have been able to
fulfill 3 of my lifelong dreams this year, thanks to money made from the
last 4 sales. By cleaning out closets and toy boxes, I was able to travel to
New York to shop with girlfriends, fly to Europe, and have a portrait of my
children painted by a local artist! Without making a biannual clean sweep of
my house and having a place like Tot Trade to bring the items to, I would
have never had the opportunity to see these dreams come true! Thank you
Kelly for making my dreams a reality!
Tot Trade's #1 Fan!
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"The State Newspaper"
Columbia South Carolina |
March 2004 Issue
TOT TRADE
An easy, low-cost way to turn your kid into a clothes, um, pony
Thousands of bargains in children's clothing, toys and accessories await you
at the TOT TRADE sale beginning Friday. With more than 70,000 items to sift
through, you'll need a shopping strategy. Kelly Graybill, the sale
organizer, offers these tips to help you navigate the sale like a veteran.
1. Get a good baby sitter. Kids are more than welcome, but you won't be able
to even think about getting everything you need if they are with you.
2. Take a laundry basket with a belt tied to the end. You will need your arm
strength to look through the clothes on the heavy racks. Use the laundry
basket to lug around your finds so you can keep looking.
3. Arrive with a list of what you already have for each child, including
type and size. That way you won't end up with too many things in one size if
you really need another size. The clothes are divided into sizes )0 to
6month, 6-12 months, 12-24 months, 2T etc.) Check the sizes about and below
what you need: some companies items run big and some run small or have
shrunk while being worn by the old owner.
4. Cash or credit. Don't worry about how you will be able to buy everything
you need. You can pay with MasterCard and VISA. Cash or check.
5. Drive the biggest car in your driveway or borrow a friends truck because
you will need it- if not to transport all of the clothes you buy, then to
transport all the toys and playground equipment you can find. |
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"The State Newspaper"
Columbia South Carolina |
September 2003 Issue
Sale offers tots' toys, duds galore
Jamil Temple event features 60,000 items from 700 area consignors
The Jamil Temple screams of oh-so-many bargains these days. In what's become
an annual rite of fall, moms and dads are flocking to the temple in St.
Andrews in search of the perfect toddler outfit, high chair or special toy.
It's TOT TRADE time, otherwise known as South Carolina's largest children's
consignment sale. Today through Tuesday, shoppers can make their way through
the 24,000 square foot building where they can select from more than 60,000
items being offered for sale by 700 area consignors.
That kind of billing was more than enough to bring Chapin's Kathryn Sandifer
our for and evening of shopping earlier this week.
"This is the first time I've been to one of these," Sandifer said during
Thursday's special volunteer sale, as she made her way down aisles of Fisher
Price toys and brand name clothing with her 3 month old son, Landon Sandifer.
"I'm trying to break him in, : she said of her son, who seemed to be
enjoying tagging along.
Steve and Priscilla Johnson of Forest Acres also made their way out to make
a few purchases for their 9 month old daughter, Charlotte Johnson, who
stayed back home with grandma.
While the Johnson's primary search mission was clothing, by early Thursday
evening they had picked up a car seat and high chair as well. Last time we
got a jogging stroller, " Steve Johnson said. "It's so large. It offers
quite a bit."
That's exactly the kind of scenario that that TOT TRADE founder, Kelly J.
Graybill envisioned. when she started the sale in 1997. Since then, she's
seen the event grow from 36 consignors to more than 700.
"I knew it would take off," Graybill said. "There's nothing that parent's
won't do for their children. The concept just grew."
And grew and grew.
Today there are two sales each year, a fall/winter and a spring/summer sale.
The events require the help of hundreds of volunteers.
Julie King is one of those volunteers. In addition to helping out, she also
was taking the opportunity to pick up some things for her own kids, 7 year
old Maddie and 4 year old Robert. "I'm on the lookout for a karate suit for
him," she said, "That's the one thing he requested."
Most of the items not sold by Tuesday will be donated to three area
children's charities.
The sale runs from 8am to 7pm today and continues from noon to 5pm Sunday
and from 9am to 7pm on Monday and Tuesday.
Jamil Temple is located at 206 Jamil Road, near St Andrews and I-26.
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Certificate of
Appreciation |
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This
certificate gratefully acknowledges
Kelly Graybill, Tot Trade Children's Consignment
for your generous support of the children and Foster Parents in
Lexington County represented by the
Lexington County Foster Parents Association
Theresa Starnes, President
October 12, 2003
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PLAYDAY MAGAZINE |
March 2003 Issue
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Tot Trade - A Business that Cares
By McGeath Freeman
Who needs yard sales and flea markets when you have Tot Trade? Tot Trade is
a huge consignment sale for children's accessories, held twice a year
(Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter) at the Jamil Temple in Columbia.
Some people say that Tot Trade is the best place to shop for all of your
children's clothes and equipment. Since 1997, when Kelly Graybill started
Tot Trade with 36 consignors, it has grown to more than 700 consignors. For
six days in March you can find everything you need for your children and
some things you don't. There's children's clothing, shoes, equipment, baby
and juvenile furniture, outside playground equipment, nursery items,
maternity and toys galore. Time it right and you can shop for an entire day
for 25% or even 50% off. Tot Trade also offers 16 booths with services for
children and parents.
Now you may wonder why we chose to highlight Tot Trade in Making a
Difference in the community. Tot Trade does make a difference in the
community. Tot Trade provides an invaluable service to the family community
of the Midlands. It serves those families who are looking for a bargain and
those families who live on very limited budgets and need quality goods at
affordable prices. It even serves those families who have nothing through
donations. Goods that are not sold during the six days are donated to local
charities and this spring Tot Trade will also be working with Harvest Hope
Food Bank to collect canned goods.
Graybill was just looking for a way to stay at home with her children and
bring in a little added support for her family. Her background in retail
management has helped Graybill succeed in her modest goals in just six short
years. Along the way she has touched the lives of many families and children
in need and helped solidify Columbia, South Carolina as a Family Place To
Be.
The Spring/Summer Tot Trade will run March 11-19 at the Jamil Temple. There
is plenty of free parking and free admission. Credit cards are accepted.
Food and beverage vendors will be on site. Visit
www.tottrade.net for more
information. |
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COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN
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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER
2002
TOT TRADE
By Meredith Ritchie
Twice a year, around March and September, Kelly Graybill holds a consignment
sale at the Jamil Temple, home of the Shriners. But this isn't just any
garage sale - this is strictly for children.
Kelly started the "Tot Trade" in 1997, after participating in a similar
project in her home state of Alabama. While at home with her then newborn
baby, Kelly was looking for a way to spend time with her child and also
contribute to the family. Kelly had her first sale in 1997 in a small room
at the Jamil Temple with only 36 consignors. In her most recent sale, over
500 consignors participated.
Kelly's long background in retail management helped her to organize the "Tot
Trade." Twice a year, participating consignors bring her toys, baby
equipment, clothes and furniture in impeccable condition. The consignors are
responsible for pricing their own goods and they are then displayed in a
rented room at the temple in department store fashion. Kelly also invites 20
to 25 vendors to the sale to set up booths offering services and products
that are family and child related. While the sale is predominately a
business for Kelly, 65% of the profits go back to the consignors. The toys
and clothing not sold are donated to the Shirner's Children's Burn Hospital
and also to local charities.
After five years and nine sales, Kelly is encouraged every day by the
positive reinforcement she receives from the consignors who participate in
the event. Families have come to depend on Kelly's sales, where they know
they can get quality clothing and children's items at a fraction of the cost
of department stores
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Certificate of
Appreciation |
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This
certificate gratefully acknowledges
Kelly Graybill, Tot Trade Children's Consignment
for your generous support of the children and Foster Parents in Lexington
County represented by the
Lexington County Foster Parents Association
Theresa Starnes, President
October 12, 2002
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A note dated October 3,
2002 |
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for allowing us to come in and choose clothes and other
items for the Lexington County Foster Parents Association on Thursday,
September 19. We allowed our current foster parents to choose outfits for
the children currently in care. Following that, we re-stocked our clothes
"closet" at DSS for the children who will come into care during the Fall and
Winter months. The maternity clothes were sent to our shelter in Charleston
for pregnant teens.
What a blessing you and these clothes were! Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Stephanie Trevitz
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A note from the winner
of the $100 consignor referral giveaway |
Thank you so much for
the $100 prize! Our family
greatly appreciated your generosity! It was a great blessing for us.
Thanks for doing the TOT TRADE and all the hard
work you put into making it so great!
Love,
KR
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A very sweet note from
a TOT TRADE volunteer |
It was Christmas at my
house this morning thanks
to you! The boys wore their costumes all day playing with their toys! Your
generosity was a gift straight from heaven to our home.
I wanted to "squeal " with delight last night when you opened
your "closet" to me! I literally drove away in shock and
rejoicing over the blessings of God!
Thank You from the depths of my heart! God loved on me thru you!
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