Tuesday Morning. Is it me, or too good to be true?

[kseltmann]

OK, here's the deal. My mom lives in Florida and constantly talks about TM. To be honest, it goes in one ear and out the other because it's my mother (I hope DD doesn't say that about me someday!)
I have been reading a lot of posts about toys being available there, especially wood toys that we are all coveting, so I decided to check it out. I went to the local TM yesterday (in NJ). I found a BRIO PLAN dollhouse that I have been checking prices on and they have the one I want for $59.99! The retail label said $109 special value $79 (manufacturer label) and the TM price was $59.99. I think to myself, SWEET DEAL! Yeah, think again. I see the same dollhouse at kidsurplus for $43 and most of the RETAILERS charge 59.99. I then checked the BRIO site (never a deal buying direct) and wouldn't you know it's $59.99.
What do you guys think? I trust my mommies.
DISCLAIMER: I am a tried and true bargain hunter so I don't want anyone thinking I am a skeptic. I will spend more in gas money to avoid tax, use a coupon, whatever.

Kathryn
Emily 9.24.03

http://lilypie.com/pic/050418/75e04e7.jpg http://lilypie.com/baby2/030924/3/4/3/-5/.png

[Corie]

I did an advanced search using the key words "Tuesday Morning"
in the Bargain Alert forum.
This is just a sample of the awesome deals that the Baby Bargain
moms have found and posted.
I think you can find incredible deals but it seems to be pretty
hit or miss.
Good Luck!! :)


Little Giraffe Baby Blankets

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=82&topic_id=8587&mesg_id=8587&listing_type=search


Step 2 Angel Fish Rocker

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=82&topic_id=8657&mesg_id=8657&listing_type=search


Kid Kraft Doll Changing Table & Ironing Board

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=82&topic_id=8596&mesg_id=8596&listing_type=search


Neurosmith

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=82&topic_id=3857&mesg_id=3857&listing_type=search


Corolle Dolls

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=82&topic_id=2787&mesg_id=2787&listing_type=search

[holliam]

I'm convinced that everyone else in the entire universe has a better Tuesday Morning than we do. I go scurrying off to find all these amazing deals people talk about and all I ever find is crud or nothing! There is nothing amazing in our store, ever! At least not the dozens of times I've attempted to find it!

Holli

[eb1]

Agreed that it's hit or miss. I check there on occasion and have seen some legitimate good deals, but I think I've only purchased wood puzzles ($4.99, generally sold elsewhere for $9.99). My complaint is that the toy aisles are a disaster at my TM--crammed, no organization, stuff falling into the aisles, etc.

[ett]

Tuesday Morning is pretty hit or miss here. They have some good deals and some not good ones. I've picked up Puzzibilities peg puzzles for $4.99 which usually sell for $10 elsewhere. But I've also seen Wood n Things peg puzzles for $4.99 which you can also find for the same price at AC Moore and use their 40% off coupon. Their "compare to" prices do seem quite inflated for some items. A while back I saw a Brio Friends train set selling for $19.99 which was the same price that I paid at an independent toy store. It said that the retail price was something like $50, which seemed to be pulled out of the sky. I searched online and everywhere was selling the set for around $20.

The point is, I always check prices at other places before I buy anything at Tuesday Morning. (or I check afterwards to make sure I'm getting a good deal.) You can't trust their retail price listings.

I've found several good deals but generally their selection is not that good (at least at my local store) - mostly plastic toys and brands I've never heard of.

[SuenosDelMar]

Despite having 3 of them w/in 15 minutes of my home, I just started going there a few months ago. I have been to 5 different ones in that time period and they are all a mess and all had slightly different toy stock. It is truly exhausting for me to shop there as you have to pick through everything - but there are definitely bargains to be found.

I bought 3 of the $10 Kidkraft Wooden Toasters which are normally $30 and haven't seen them cheaper anywhere. We also bought the Battat craft table that was posted about here and it is awesome. Also the wooden changing table, the ironing board, a vanity and storage stools (all by wood stuff by Kidkraft) were purchased by my mom for Xmas gifts.

IMO, it is like every other bargain store, you have to know your prices going in cause some thing aren't cheaper than you could find elsewhere. The REAL deals are to be had at TM when they reduce things by 50% which was the case in some of the purchases we made.

It IS totally hit or miss, but worth checking in every once in awhile IMO.

[Corie]

You are definitely right about knowing your prices.

I was even thinking about making myself a little price sheet.
Just write down some of the bargains that were mentioned on
the BBB and the price.

Sometimes, I get in TM and the toy aisle is so messy that I
start to get overwhelmed. Plus, I always have my kids with me
and I seriously start to sweat. We don't spend too much time
in there so I really need a gameplan before I go. :)

(I usually re-apply more deodorant in the car! haha)

[stillplayswithbarbies]

The best way to shop Tuesday Morning is to watch for their sales ads and then get in line at the store at 6:00 AM on the day the sale starts. Know what you want and where to find it, or you will get run over in the aisles.

But I have also found great deals on wooden toys in the clearance section. (which seems to be the floor between the aisles)

[mom2kandj]

Our three TMs are crazy like that, but I do agree with the PPs that wooden toys on clearance could be had for screaming deals. FWIW, I saw a KidKraft wooden BBQ grill with food and accessories yesterday for $30 with 50% off for a final price of $15! I just checked online and that same set is about $90 almost everywhere! Hope you find some good deals!

here's what it looks like!
http://www.the-toybox.com/kiwobbqgrset.html


Rose
mom 2 Katie 12/02/00
& Jack 04/16/02

[brittone2]

I agree...hit or miss. OUr store back in PA was generally a mess and prices were at times inflated, but I also got a few great deals. One was a nice wooden truck (about 12-14 inches long) made by a German company (can't recall the name) in natural wood...for $5. There was no price and when DH asked they made one up for us :) I also got several deals last year after Christmas when they had take an additional 50% off or an additional 70% off the old price. I got a Hero wooden train set, a castle playset with knights (wooden), a ring stacker unlike any i've seen anywhere else, and a few other goodies that way. Oh, and a big set of Tumbletree Timbers (I think that's the name) which are like Lincoln Logs. I checked prices after I got home and I paid half the retail price on those items. Puzzles are usually a decent deal but I haven't purchased any there.

I definitely think it is hit or miss. I plan to check the TM stores around here in NC to see how they compare to my "old" store just for fun. I think they'll probably have similar sales after Christmas again if anyone is interested in checking those out. I haven't shopped TM a lot but the other times I've gone I haven't seen too much in the way of "take an additional 50 or 70% off" stickers like I did last year post Christmas.

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

I have a lot from TM...and I do mean alot!!!
I think it depends which stores you go to, I know the one closest to me is not that great and others are great!!! BUT many of the wooden toys I have from there sadly need a glue gun near by. I don't find them to be the greatest (with exception of course) but we have enjoyed them.

I have NEVER been there when a sale starts, when it opens etc... so I have yet to witness that but I have heard...
Neve
Reichen (6), Karsh (3), Tristan (2) and baby girl Bronwyn born March 10th!!!!

[ribbit1019]

I've only been to mine once. I went with DD and I was there for 10 minutes. There were only five other shoppers there and I felt crowded. So, I haven't bought anything and it does seem too good to be true at this point.
I have to be really in the mood to bargain hunt to dig through piles on toys that are stacked on the floor. ;)
Definitely a place to shop without kids.

Christy
Maddy - walking finally!

http://lilypie.com/baby2/040609/3/4/0/-5/.png
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