Now that's surplus...

[californiagirl]

Happily for me, I had just ordered this 54-piece magnetic block set from American Science and Surplus (http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm?terms=10970&cartLogFrom=Search) for $2.99 when I found it at kidsurplus (http://store.yahoo.com/kidsurplus/esh975054.html) for $17.99! I love Kidsurplus (and they have a much spiffier photo and description), but for what they have, American Science and Surplus appears to be the way to go. To be fair, I haven't yet gotten my package (I just ordered on Tuesday, so it's not like it's late or anything, but I can't confirm what the condition is like. So far so good, they confirmed my order immediately and clearly.)

[sugarsnappea]

Wow that is a deal! Thanks for the link. I may have to check it out too. :)

[calv]

did you only purchase 1 set? It say something about having a minimum of a $10 dollar order? I wonder what thats' all about? TIA!

[californiagirl]

I bought a bunch of random stuff, some for me and some for amusing the baby. Oh, and a tie for a friend of ours who really needs a piano tie you can actually play. I had no trouble getting over $10! (The piano tie cost a whopping $7.95, making it the most expensive thing I bought.) I got a 7-day pillbox for amusing the baby on airplanes (http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm?terms=10611&cartLogFrom=Search) and some stickers of various kinds, and some magnets (http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm?terms=3050&cartLogFrom=Search) and a book to stick them in (http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm?subsection=1&category=18) among other things.

A lot of places have minimum orders for mail order; particularly if you don't have a big margin to start with, a small order can cost you more in time to ship it than you make in profit, and if you make the shipping price high enough to compensate, that may tick off more people than a minimum order.

[zen_bliss]

great site! they have the make your own shrinky dink plastic. someone recently asked about this. 8 sheets for $5! and plaster wrap for masks, forms, etc.

ttp://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm?subsection=11

[zuzu]

Thanks! This set looks like a lot of fun. I don't think I'll have any problems reaching $10. ;)

Melissa, mom to Sarah (5/03)

[chlobo]

Thanks for the link. I bought a bunc of stuff for dd including a cool looking magnetic book.

[ett]

Thanks for posting this link. That is a great price. DS is really into his magnetic blocks these days, so I may have to pick this up.

[californiagirl]

My order arrived today. I'm really happy with the magnets for $2.99, but wouldn't have been for $17.99. Looking closer, the set from Kidsurplus does include a magnetic board, which the American Science and Surplus one doesn't. It's possible they're spiffier in other ways, but it sure doesn't look like it from the picture.

I was happy with everything in my order, particularly with the "Rings for Giants" http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm?subsection=11&category=112 which I thought would make good bracelets for DD. They are, in fact, quite clearly intended as bangle bracelets, and she is very taken with them. She is also happy with her magnets and playboard (under close supervision, especially since she hasn't yet figured out the difference between magnets and stickers, and keeps trying to stick the magnets to the back of her hand).