BARGAINS; LITTLE TOTS' CLOTHES, BIG SAVINGS.

Byline: Trisha King and Deborah Newmark

If you've never shopped in a resale clothing store, especially when it comes to buying for babies and children, you've been missing the proverbial boat. Trader Tots, a resale store for infants and children to size 6x, is one of the best.

Rather than paying $10 to $30 for name-brand infant rompers and sleepers, you can buy them at Trader Tots priced at three for $5. A pretty little party dress in organdy, with a matching purse, was $10 instead of the original price of $40.

When shopping resales stores, your first impression when walking through the door can be a good indication of the likely quality of merchandise. If the store is a jumbled mess, chances are you'll find slim pickings. On the other hand, if a resale store's presentation is as clean and neatly organized as Trader Tots, you're bound to find plenty of treasures at bargain prices.

All clothing at Trader Tots is laundered before making it to the sales floor. Everything in the store, - including bibs and onesies - is completely stain-free. Owner Jeanne Miller has come upon her own secret formula for laundering stains. Items that Miller can't make look brand-new are donated to the Red Cross or Planned Parenthood.

Even the toys look new. A good example is an electronic talking activity center, still in the box and complete with all parts and instructions, for $17 instead of the original price of $30. Also, items such as cribs are completely refurbished with new paint and hardware.

As in most resale stores, you'll find plenty of new items. Some are from private parties, others are manufacturer and chain store closeouts. On the day of our visit, two new quilts from a high-end department store were $12 instead of $42, and a new Fisher-Price vibrating bouncer was $24 ($40 retail).

If you have little ones, there's an enclosed play area that will keep them occupied while you're shopping. Consignments are always welcome (50/50 on most items, 60/40 for furniture that needs refurbishing). Just call ahead to make certain Miller is available.

Trader Tots is located at 7021 Reseda Blvd., Reseda; [phone]. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Cash or checks only are accepted.

Inside info

It will be music to your ears when you stop at Music & Memories: The Vinyl Resting Place. A collector's record store, it features more than 25,000 albums in categories that include big bands, Broadway musicals, movie soundtracks, vocals and rock 'n' roll of the '50s and '60s. Prices start at $10 (about 30 percent less than other collector record stores). Music & Memories: The Vinyl Resting Place is located at 5057 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood; [phone]. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

If you rent camping equipment from the Sports Chalet, you can apply two days' rental fee toward a later purchase. They offer tents, sleeping bags, Coleman lanterns and stoves, coolers, water skis, canoes, kayaks and much more. Call for pricing and availability. Sport Chalet has three locations in the San Fernando Valley: La Canada Flintridge, [phone]; West Hills, [phone]; Burbank [phone]. Store hours vary at each location.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO Owner Jeanne Miller with some of the merchandise at Trader Tots in Reseda.

David Sprague/Daily News