News

The time has come to say goodbye to all our company ...

Not yet, but over the next few weeks. Yes, after 8 1/2 years we're closing the doors of Ditto Kiddo.

The biggest reason ...

• Jason and I want to be home more and focus on the family, homeschooling five kids and just plain raising five kids is where I need, and want, my focus to be right now

There are lots of other reasons mixed in with that but that's the short explanation! If time permits over the next few weeks I'll go into more detail.

Get into the store now! As soon as we tell people of our plans they buy, buy, buy because they know that now's the time. We've got some great stuff right now but it's going fast!

We're no longer buying any items, of course.

We'll be honoring all frequent buyer cards that are in circulation until the end of March, but will not be giving out any new ones.

Tomorrow will be the last Grandparent's Day.

We've been asked if the store is for sale ... sure! Jason and I have a price in mind, but are pretty flexible. If you are interested, act quickly because the landlord is actively trying to lease the space.

Will we be marking everything down? Yes, within the next week or two and I'll post an announcement here ... and even the new merchandise, like Melissa and Doug will be included.

Just about everything is, or will be, for sale ... fixtures, hangers, furniture, office supplies.

We're still bringing things out of the back room and will be for a week or two so the stock will continue to change ... but, like I said, hurry in 'cause once the inventory is gone it's gone!

Our years at Ditto Kiddo have been full of joy and the memories are awesome. I'm sure there will be some tears shed before this is over and done with (um, starting now).

A Bit of Bookkeeping

We've returned from all the holiday fun and are back to our normal schedule ... and, baby, it's cold outside!

Fear not ... we are well-stocked with winter jackets, jeans, sweaters, and long-sleeved shirts, all at great prices.

It's January, and that means we are no longer accepting winter clothing, so nothing with long pants or long sleeves. We begin taking winter clothing again on August 1st. We are happily looking at spring and summer clothing, which we accept year-round.

Items we need at this time include cribs, mattresses, pack and plays, jogging strollers, and bike trailers. We are also in need of highchairs, which, like everything else, need to be in like-new condition.

I hope your holidays were decadent and I wish you the best in 2008!

The Hired Help

I hired some new "seasonal" help today. Don't worry ... Jason and I will still be around, this help is here to restock, price, hang, and put out merchandise. My new employees range in age from 4 to 9, and work in close contact with the already-on-the-payroll 14 year old.

Why am I using cheap* child labor (which, apparently, I can get away with because they're family)? Let's see ...

• 13 big boxes of Melissa and Doug, just in time for the holidays ... some great new toys and puzzles as well as restockings of our favorites
• 2 large Rubbermaid tubs filled to the brim with great clothing, including girly dress-up ballerina wear, Lilly Pulitzer dresses, boys suits, and much, much, more
• Pants ... we got ahold of some pant hangers and put out over 60 pairs of pants/shorts/skirts today
• Markdowns ... new markdowns on clothing will be done by Monday
• Toys ... yesterday I couldn't walk to the backroom because we'd taken in so many wonderful toys, including some Thomas train items. I can walk now as all the toys are priced and put out in our full, but very organized and tidy, toy room
• 26 pairs of Bobux arrived yesterday as well ... most sizes and designs are now fully stocked

*The labor worked inexpensively ... total cost for 5 laborers @ 2.5 hours of work was $23.75, but they insisted on being fed dinner at Crisper's which cost $38.00!

Oh what a busy day!

New stuff, new stuff, new stuff ...



Just when you've decided that all I do all day is sit around and eat bon-bons (I don't, but I can't deny that I've been eating pink m&m's ... to help fund breast cancer research, of course) ... I present some of the new items that have come in this week.



There is plenty more, like two white cribs ... pictures to come in the next day or two. Speaking of cribs, we've received the parts for the recalled Simplicity crib we have and it's ready to go to ... a pretty, simple light wood crib.



To change the subject completely, the kids and I kept very busy this afternoon doing markdowns ... lots and lots of markdowns, so come on in and check out the clearance racks.



We've also received a number of holiday dresses and outfits, enough that they are on their own rack. Now is the time to get these items, at our prices they don't last long.



At closing today we accepted a Little Tikes Climb and Slide Castle, as well as a neat Little Tikes water table.



We just happened to drop in to the Diamond District today. Seriously, not somewhere we go every day but so worth taking a look ... the diamonds are breathtaking. My gentlemen working there were so nice, really nice - not fake nice, and helpful.

The reason I'm telling you this is because as we were parking we noticed a new business, Kid Zoo. It's one of those kids play places ... looked interesting and worth checking out, and it's nice that it's in Bonita.

Clothing ... oh yes, lots of clothing.

If you've got a boy in a size 3 or 4 we've got clothes for you! Actually, there's a great selection in every size but the preschool boys rack is especially full, and all great brands like Gap, Gymboree, and Ralph Lauren.

Also, our larger girls clothing selection, sizes 8 and up, is exceptional. Roxy, Gap, Limited Too, etc.



High chairs ... we currently have six, including two Peg Perego. Baby swings ... also 6, including two cradle-style by Fisher Price.

Oh yeah, how could I not mention this sooner ... we have 3, yes THREE, single jogging strollers from $79.90 ... I'll try to post photos in the next day or two.

Halloween Shopping at Ditto Kiddo

Today I can believe it's fall. I'm loving the nice breeze we've had yesterday and today. While the beautiful weather doesn't have me digging out the kids winter sweaters and coats (I so look forward to the few days they can wear sweaters!) it does have me thinking more seriously about Halloween.

We do have quite a few costumes at Ditto Kiddo, including an adorable clown and a menacing Darth Vader. All are priced between $1.9o and $7.90.

If you're interested in bringing costumes in they must arrive at Ditto Kiddo by this Wednesday, the 3rd of October.

When I was a child we usually made our own costumes. Some years we were treated to a store costume, complete with stiff plastic mask with gigantic eye holes, but most years we made our own. This was in Wisconsin and back before kids trick or treated at the mall so under or over our costume was our heavy jacket ... which kind of distracted from the costume!

But here we are in Florida, where my kids have never had to wear a jacket on Halloween, but where they still often have home made costumes, often out of parts of other costumes, things from the dress-up box, Ditto Kiddo shopping, and a bit of sewing from Mom.

Not only does the "make your own" technique of costuming save money but it allows the kids to be more self-expressive and creative. AND, we've found that the costumes that win the contests are usually home made ... and really really cool!

Last year three of my kids were the Blues Brothers (when they had the little kid with them), one was a good purple witch (using parts of store bought costumes), and the last was a pirate (he's always a pirate).

So what kind of costume could you make from your finds at Ditto Kiddo? Here are a few simple ideas:

denim overalls + flannel or t-shirt + hat + straw or raffia = scarecrow
jean skirt or jeans + white t-shirt + scissor-fringed vest = cowgirl or cowboy
shredded dirty white clothes + face make-up = mummy
jeans + white tee with sleeves rolled up + loafers = James Dean
white tee + white tights + stuffed pillowcase with arm and head holes cut out = marshmallow

For more great ideas, even some instructions, check out these sites:
www.familyfun.com
homemade halloween costume ideas
JoAnn Fabrics
Halloween kids
Budget 101

Little of that, little of that

I had every intention of explaining this photo today, but I can't, yet. I have a feeling there's an interesting story to go with the reason why I can't, and I shall tell you, but it'll have to wait. The plot thickens ...

The real question on everyone's minds seems to be whether or not we're buying this week. And THAT I can tell you ... Yes, we are. Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 to 3:00 (except Thursday when we buy until 2:00, because we close at 2:00). Please remember, a maximum of 20 items, and all clothing must be neatly folded or flat, no plastic bags of clothing.

The gals in the photo are getting ready for a birthday celebration ... someone is going to be 8 years old! More on that tomorrow, unless you've joined our mailing list, then you'll get the scoop (and a coupon) tonight.

Buying Update

I hope a wonderful, relaxing weekend was had by all!

At this time Ditto Kiddo is buying like new baby gear and furniture.

We expect to begin accepting clothing and shoes on September 18th, but recommend calling first to double check.

As always, we buy Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 to 3:00.

Thanks!

Buying Information

At this time Ditto Kiddo is accepting baby furniture and gear, and a limited quantity of toys.

We'll be happy to look at your like-new clothing beginning September 11th.

Please call or e-mail if you have any questions! Thanks.

Grandparent's Day

REMEMBER

Every Wednesday is Grandparent's Day

Save 10% on your Total Purchase at Ditto Kiddo

***************

New Bibs by Because I'm Me arrived today.

***************

Ditto Kiddo will not be buying any clothing through 8th.

Interesting Day!

What a day we had at Ditto Kiddo.

I brought a quilt I needed to bind, thinking if we didn't buy much today I'd get that done (a benefit of owning the store!). Yea right, I barely had time to put it under the counter ... and never even looked at it.

The first phone call of the day was a reporter with ABC7 doing an article on the recent recalls, which we've mentioned here and here. Here's the link to the article (the video news segment is on the right). Being interviewed was so much fun! The last time I had to do a tv interview was about 12 years ago when I organized a fundraiser for the American Red Cross to support the flood victims in Bonita Springs. During that interview I had a huge camera and giant mike in my face ... very intimidating! This time they clipped a little mike to me and had the camera across the room ... it really felt like I was just talking to the reporter, Katie LaGrone, who is just a really neat person. Toward the end of the interview they needed "footage" and filmed me doing everyday work ... of course it was the only time today when the store was empty ... I felt like such a boring dork ... fortunately that didn't make it onto the report.

As soon as the news people left the store was flooded with people, both buying and bringing things in. And all great stuff - Ralph Lauren and Baby Lulu dresses, a dark wood toddler bed, Florence Eiseman boys outfits, and so much more. The biggest comments we've heard the last few weeks is that store is so full, and that it's all great stuff.

And then the last call of the day was USA Today, also doing an article on the recalls. I'm not sure that I'll end up in that article. The interviewer was looking for information about dealing with returning and receiving refunds for recalled items, but we've been blessed to not actually have any of the most recently recalled items in the store. I was able to inform her about how we've dealt with recalls in the past (call the company on the recall notice at cpsc.gov, they send out a mailing label and usually an envelope to return the item, return the item, they send refund/retrofit/credit within a few weeks ... easy peasy) and relay the wording in the recall notice to her. While I wasn't able to be too helpful to her it was pretty cool to be well-thought of enough to be called!

Fisher Price Toy Recall

As you may already know, Fisher-Price issued a major recall today - close to 1,000,000 items because of lead poisoning hazard. Read more here.

Many of the affected products have the date code on the packaging and not the product itself, and as we cannot ensure the safety of your child without record of the date the toy was manufactured, Ditto Kiddo will not accept any of the recalled product, effective immediately, regardless of the date code or date of manufacture.

We are always very careful to not accept or sell recalled products and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Oh, and in other news ... it's that time of year! We're accepting fall clothing.

Don't forget ... Saturday begins the Florida tax free period. All clothing and shoes at Ditto Kiddo will be sales tax-free until August 13th. In addition everything in the entire store will be 10% off during the tax free period!

New (To Us) Cribs

We've had some great furniture come in lately. One crib came in Saturday morning, I got it put together and "dressed" with bedding and it sold immediately. Gotta love that!

Today our friend Jason, who did all the lettering on our windows, brought in his beautiful blue crib. I've always loved this crib. I put this blue Kidsline Del Mar bedding on it and, let me tell you, it's beautiful ... really just dreamy. The bedding colors with the crib colors are just perfect. The photos just don't cut it this time, the crib is a not as pale as it's showing up ... but at least you can get some idea of how it looks (stop in to get a better view). The crib would really go well with any number of bedding sets, including the Pooh set we got in Saturday. This crib is $119.90 and the bedding set is $69.90.

This set came in Saturday. The crib and dresser have the same acorn detailing and are just beautiful. I love the Classic Pooh with this, the 100 Acre Woods and the sweet acorns just work perfectly. This crib is $119.90, the dresser is $89.90, the Classic Pooh bedding set is $14.90, and the accessories are all available and priced individually.

The little boys and I had fun this morning. We completely cleaned the play area and replaced a bunch of toys with new ones, like the Melissa and Doug cutting food. The changing table has been restocked with diapers in many sizes, wipes, diaper cream, and talc. So far, the response has been very positive!

Buying Question

If I bring my things in in August when you're getting inundated with winter merchandise will I recieve the same amount of money as I would now?

YES. We pay a percentage of what we'll sell the items at, and since the selling price won't change neither will the amount you get paid. So bring the same Gap dress in in August, November, and March and you'd get the exact same amount for it each time. Pretty cool, huh?

• We will be becoming even stricter about following our purchasing policies - no plastic bags of clothing, limit of 20 items.
• As always, items must be in excellent, like new condition. If it doesn't look new we won't take it - it's that simple!
• Bring us your winter clothing, starting August 1st, and bring us your summer clothing year-round.
• We still need boys clothing, sizes 12 months through 2T.

And remember -- we celebrate the Florida Sales Tax Holiday August 4-13 and all clothing and shoes will be an additional 10% off that week.

Last week we were crazy busy, with lots of girls clothes, cribs, infant boys clothing, baby furniture, and toys coming in. Come on in and see for yourself.

Wanted: Boys Clothes 12 month - 2 year

Spend a hot summer day making a bit of cash!

Enjoy your air conditioning while cleaning out your son's closet and bring us his gently used outgrown spring and summer clothing. Enjoy our air conditioning while we sort through them and pay you cash on the spot, for you to either keep or use towards our wonderful merchandise.

Our most needed clothing sizes right now are 12 months through 2T, but we are, of course, happy to look at all boys clothing from newborn-7 and girls clothing from newborn-10.

Remember, we'll start taking winter clothes on August 1st.