BARGAINS : THOUSANDS OF POTS, PLANTERS TO CHOOSE FROM AT POTTERY ETC.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

If the weather experts are correct, we can thank La Nina for a mild summer. So, if you haven't done your spring planting, it's probably not too late. For pots and planters of all sizes - 1-1/2 inches to 42 inches - it would be difficult to find a larger selection at discounted prices than offered at Pottery Etc.

For example, 18-inch terra cotta pots that sell in large discount chains for $16 to $19 are available at Pottery Etc. for $10. If you need something much larger, a concrete planter (concrete lasts much longer than clay), with a Roman relief pattern, runs $200 instead of $350 to $500 elsewhere.

If you've never visited Pottery Etc., be prepared to be overwhelmed by pots and planters - at least 500,000 of them - in glazed and unglazed finishes. What a large variety of sizes, colors and materials! We never knew there were so many types of pots. Discounts average 15 percent to 30 percent below retail, sometimes more.

In glazed pots, you'll find items such as a rimmed, 18-inch shallow pot in emerald green for $34. We've seen similar pots in specialty stores for more than double this price, and if you're into bonsai, the prices for pots are at least 50 percent less than what most nurseries charge.

If you already have all the pots and planters you need, Pottery Etc. carries lots of other items for your patio or garden. Anyone who wants to add a little color to their garden might be interested in brilliantly colored stepping stones made of stained glass. Twelve inches across, the stepping stones are available in a variety of themes, e.g., hummingbirds with iridescent wings or a simple red rose on white rainbow glass. The stepping stones are $25 each ($30 to $35 elsewhere).

Pottery Etc. also carries benches - traditional and some in animal themes such as horses, rabbits, bears, swans and turtles - fountains and outdoor fireplaces at discounted prices.

If, by chance, you don't see what you want, special orders are no problem and are discounted 15 percent to 30 percent below retail, depending on the item.

Pottery Etc. is located at 7441 Canoga Ave., Canoga Park; [phone]. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Inside info

Get educated and save money while learning about the Fashion District of Los Angeles. The last Saturday of the month you can get a free trolley tour of the Fashion District. It will introduce you to some of the best places for discounts on womenswear, menswear, yardage, sandals and much more. It includes a free guide map, which is available by calling the Fashion District at [phone]. Reservations are required for the trolley tour.

Take 99 cents to the Record Trader and stock up on used records, tapes and compact discs - that's their starting price on those items. They have a large selection and will buy or trade your old records, tapes and compact discs. Record Trader is located at 7321 Reseda Blvd., Reseda; [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.