NCT nearly new sale - worth going?

[SilverSixpence]

Just wondering if people have been to one and if it will be worth going. I'm not a member so when can I go in (I've heard members are allowed in first). I only need a few bits as this is dc2 and were trying to minimise the clutter!

[HoratiaWinwood]

Glad it was a success. The busy ones are the good ones...

[SilverSixpence]

Also they had chip and pin machines

[SilverSixpence]

Huge numbers of toys, clothes and books, useful things like sleeping bags bedding etc. not much I really needed as its for dc2 so just want a few nice bits and pieces, so didn't buy much. 2 books and unused new pocket nappy and inserts which were a good deal. Saw a maclaren xt for £45 in good condition so some bargains to be had so worth it I think

[HoratiaWinwood]

Always worth it. At our last sale I saw a new pram (some bits still had tags on) that had been £800 new go through the till at £135...

[Smicha]

I was thinking of going to one of these this afternoon but I'm not a member so not so sure there will be anything left (and I don't really like crowds)! Let us know if it was worth it in the end silver!

[SilverSixpence]

I got here 5 mins after the start and there's a MAD queue!

[LonelyCloud]

Our local NCT sales let sale volunteers have first pick, and you don't have to be an NCT member to volunteer to help out at the sale. It might be worthwhile you considering this if you are after big things like a baby swing and a changing table, as there's normally a limited number of big things available. You would need to be there for the whole setting up / sale time / tidying up though. Ours have a card machine as well now.

The ones I've been to tend to have loads of toys and baby clothes, although a lot of the baby clothes are blue or pink.

[Nevercan]

Helpers get in prior to everyone else at our sale. Helpers can be non members or members so well worth it if you can spare a few hours...

[MolotovBomb]

I'd rather do eBay, personally ...

[sleepybump]

In fact take a friend if you're after a swing!! Lol -nothing wrong with an extra pair of 'weve reserved this' arms to hold stuff for you while you root out staff to slap a sticker on there... :D

[BikeRunSki]

Ours has a card machine now. You can use a cheque too, but need photo id. At ours you get in early if you volunteer to help, it's a long morning, but has been so worthwhile!

[sleepybump]

Erm, borrow a friend/friends car if you find anything big?

[sleepybump]

Queue early if you need big stuff- least you'll be the first of us common-folk to get in then! (i did this and got lovely crib& changing table before anyone else nabbed them!) and they take cash but also took a cheque last time i went (last year).

[SilverSixpence]

What sort of things did you pick up there? I'm mainly after a baby swing, maybe some clothes and a changing table/unit. Not sure how I'd get them home without a car though! I suppose I'll need to take cash? What's a reasonable amount?

[hzgreen]

i think it's totally worth it but do sharpen your elbows! NCT members go in about 15 minutes early so they do get first pick but if you get there nice and early you can still pick up some great stuff. i'm not an NCT member and still managed to get quite a bit at the one i went to the other day.