People Seeking Refuge From Recession

Save the pennies and they will grow into dollars, the old adage goes.

Recession-spooked customers of a local consignment shop seem to agree.

Duck Duck Goose Consignment has developed a loyal following during the 22 years of the West Pasco business specializing in children's clothes and toys.

But the economic downturn in 2008 prompted 400 more people to bring in their gently used goods to sell on consignment, the owner, Carol Vaporis, says.

The shop at 7264 S.R. 54 in the Seven Springs Plaza now has 4,300 consignors in all, Vaporis reports.

Bargain hunters scout the shop. Customer Diane Jones is convinced.

"I was able to find several adorable pieces of clothing for my niece and nephew - brand new, still with the tags on," Jones said. "I also picked up some great Dr. Seuss books that if they have been read already, you would never know by the looks of them."

And since her 2-year-old son has no idea whether something is brand new or not, Jones bought some "Thomas the Tank Engine" items to add to his collection, along with a few puzzles and DVDs she hopes will keep him busy for hours.

"Total price, if I had bought all these items at a full price retail store, around $75," Jones declared. "Total price that I paid at Duck Duck Goose, $29.75."

Budget-conscious shoppers, however, might lose a weapon against the recession if proposed federal regulations go into effect in February, Vaporis fears.

In response to the rash of recall of possibly unsafe consumer products in 2007, including about 200 used by children, Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. Among other things it increases the budget and staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The law, which goes into effect in February 2009, was intended to keep items containing potentially harmful substances such as lead and the plasticizing agents known as phthalates away from children 12 and younger. Under the law, products for children made before the adoption of the law, in August of this year, would have to be pulled from shelves because they may contain more than negligible levels of toxins that are illegal under the federal legislation.

"A charitable organization could not even give a used baby blanket under this law," she said.

For the moment, with the holiday shopping season here, Duck Duck Goose is busier than ever. "It's a very high-energy day on Tuesdays," Vaporis said.

That's when her sister, store manager Cathy Robinson, inspects goods brought in for consignment and tags accepted items with account numbers. Robinson has been with the store for 10 years. Their mom, Bernice Bright, comes in a few days a week "to help us muddle through."

"We've been around so long the second generation is coming back to shop for the grandchildren," Vaporis said with a chuckle.

"It's a great way to recycle," Vaporis said. "We live in such a disposable society." Children grow out of items quickly, long before the clothes or toys are worn out.

"One example, we had a little bumper car come in ... a couple of weeks ago. A consignor (had) bought it in here over a year ago for her children. And she brought it back in, consigned it, it sold again, so it's on its third family at least enjoying it. Still in great condition."

The shop's claim to fame remains clothes from newborn to children sizes 16 to 18 boys and girls. Junior girl sizes are available. The shop also carries maternity clothes.

Shoppers never quite know what to expect, though. A number of collectible Barbie dolls are displayed in one corner. A Hip Hammock Child Carrier that looks new in its box is selling for $12.99 at the shop, for instance, compared to $30 brand new. A used child monitor also carries a $12.99 price tag. A Leap Pad reading skills game catches the eye of one youngster.

Vaporis will soon celebrate her first anniversary as the fourth owner of the business. She home-schooled her own children, but now that her youngest is a junior in high school, she felt ready for a foray into business. Her husband, Michael, a retired Tarpon Springs firefighter, is supportive and helps around the store.