Well I went to the Wilton Tent sale on Saturday. This was my third and it was the worst one for me. The crowd was unbelievable,It very HOT in the tent, not many fans this time. I couldn't believe that there were no cake circles,no cake boxes, no vanilla or butter flavor only almond, no eight inch cake pans, and no icing. Hardley any fondant, there was only a few boxes of white. Not many seperator plates either. To me the sale was not geared toward the cake decorator this time. I did see student Kits for the first time. But in all, This is one sale I could have missed.
That's too bad. Hope you didn't have to drive too far to go to it. It is very disappointing when you think you might get in on some bargains, drive an hour to get there and then find nothing. Bummer.
You are not the only one disappointed. I've been going to the tent sales for 16?yrs now. This one was unbelievable. I went on Friday night at 4:30pm. Comparing it with the year before this one was way too crowded!! Last year it was not nearly as packed. I went through so quickly I missed some of the stuff I really needed to get.
Some things missing this year and was there previous years was 8oz butter extract, #9 flower nails, I couldn't find a specific tier I was looking for and there didn't seem to be as much cake pans as in previous years. I went back today with hubby in tow (he loves going to the sale w/ me, some years he purchases more than I would!) and couldn't believe just how much was missing compared with Friday. I would say 1/2 of the things I purchased were not there today. Plus previous years they have had a bigger selection of past year books and this year I only saw 2007 I think. I know they were restocking as we were shopping but was not enough restocking being done. Today's lines before 12:30pm were pretty short and quick. I might go one more time before it ends. DH said I should get orders from people on here who can't make it and help them out. I would hate to say I saw something and then it not be there when I go.
I hope they improve for next year. If I remember correctly, 16yrs ago they had 2 sales a year. My MIL would take me with her and was hoping I would get started making cakes. I wish they had 2 sales a year. One in the spring and one in the fall. Would be a lot easier on the pocketbook.
As far as student kits, we didn't see any today and on Friday they had quite a few. Don't remember which ones though.
Take care,
Michele
I went early Saturday morning (my first time) and was a little bit dissapointed in the prices. They were 50% off only and I can get that when Michaels or hobby lobby has a coupon out. BUT I did find almond, vanilla and butter flavoring and the picture frame selection was decent. I don't think that I will fight crowds and lines like that again though.
I went on Friday at 4:30 which is when they said the sale was starting, but the tent was open before that. I found a lot of the things you stated were not there, but I can surely believe that they were sold out. I only saw 1/3 of what they had to offer because it was so jam packed...the aisles were literally log-jammed...and the checkout line was all the way down at the end of the last aisle so I just got in when I entered that aisle and tried to grab things as I moved my way to the checkout. I got lots of things I needed, and am happy that I don't live too far and have the opportunity to take part. I've just started decorating too and have only been to 2 other tent sales so I can't say if it was "worse" than before or not. I might go back again toward the end and see what's left. It was really hot and crazy in there though...but I had fun picking up a few things.
I can't believe that I'm reading others were disappointed too. I went today, Sunday, and I promised myself "not to go back". 20 years of these tent sales and Wilton has not learned yet how to handle a crowd. And yes they use to have 2 sales a year. So many people, and so hot in the tent. This is only the third day into the sale, and so many items were either sold or just not available. They need a night crew just for restocking. To go up and down the aisles to try and find something was horrible. Why don't they make some kind of map, number the aisles, and then you would know where things were.
As far as the prices, I didnt' think was all that great. The checkout lines were way too loooooooooooooooooong. Also the choices of the cookie cutters were the same choices I have at JoAnn's or Michaels.
I seen some nice websites that sell supplies and I may start ordering from them. To me, the drive there, the crowds, the tent, and then not being able to get what you want, the shipping charges are looking good to me.
A box of 4 primary colors......$2.50
Indivual cookie cutters ranged from .75 - $2.50
Candy Melts...$1.50
Confectionary tool kit $5.00
cake sprinkles $1.15
07 yearbook $6.10....pattern book.....$4.00
parchment paper.....$2.50
" " " " triangles, pkg.100......3.99
11x15 sheet pan......$10.00
10x2 round..........5.00
I seen some charactors pans.Dora, Spongebob, Elmo's face, most were $5.00. The 26 cupcake display stand was $15. The round, square, heart shape pan sets were $17.99. No oval pans.
I also seen lots and lots of men there. That surprised me. they have Even my cousin who was with me, mentioned it, and may I add the men loved it. I'll never understand men. The last place I would think of seeing so many men and they were more into it then their wives.......lol
I was planning on going tonight but maybe I'll save my gas money and stay home.
My DH says:
Thanks for this post you saved me some time and money.
Jackie
Well I went on Saturday to the sale. My first time there. I thought it was good. I didn't know what to expect so I was impressed. Yes there was a crowd, but I expected that on the weekend for sure.
There was plenty of the flavorings when I was there and cake circles so it was probably just the luck of the draw on what was there.
I actually thought about taking the 4 1/2 hr drive.
I am wondering if the were out of things because people are buying huge amounts to sell on E-Bay.
I've seen this done.
Even garage sales they are there an hour before the sale starts. The average person can't find good deals.
E-Bay is the worse thing that could ever happen to bargin hunters. I don't even look on there because usually the items I can get for less at the store.
That is so true about eBay, I was thinking that while I was there.
This was my first saw I had nothing to compare it to, so I was satisfied. There were a couple of things I wanted that were missing or just out. I asked someone if that meant they were out for the day or for the remainder of the sale - they said just for the day. So I guess they restock each day or as the sale goes on....
I'm amazed at how much you say was missing from previous years or just from Friady to sunday. I was there Saturday. I was wondering if maybe it's good to hit it up at the end?
It would be AWESOME if they had a true decorator's sale and got together with other names - CK, etc. That would be heaven.
There was a line to get in for me but moved OK, took about 25 minutes to get in. Wasn't too hot for me and crowd wasn't too bad. Got better as time went on. There were a few pushy people. Seriously - stay home if you can't behave. It's bad enough to have to deal with a crowd and the weather, we don't need your attitude on top of it. And it's not a good idea to bring infants there...
I don't even bother with Ebay anymore because the shipping usually makes it prohibitive and more costly than if I just ordered something from an online supplier!
The only good deal I've gotten from Ebay is my KA Epicurean mixer and then the shipping was $25 but those suckers are heavy so I can understand that!!! But when they charge like $10 shipping for a cookie cutter that you know would only coat about $2 to ship, I have a hard time justifying it!!
This is good to know! I live in NJ and wondered if it'll be worth it for me to travel for this. Probably not, huh?!
I have found wilton year books in the dollar store, yes for a buck! i think i have from 2000 - 2005 i bought that cheap. I have bought parchment paper for $2 and parchment triangles 100 for $2. A few old character pans and mini pans for $2-$5 each one. Holiday cookie cutters for a dollar. Cookie icing, yes i use this sometimes for $1 or 2.
Cookie sheets for $5, well the list goes on. And i have gotten a few of their pans at 50% off on sale or used the coupon.
I started a thread on this Saturday night when I got home (I think that's when I started it!!??) and I commented on it in two other threads! Anyway, I am totally with you on being p.o.'ed about the sale. I thought it was embarassing how bad the sale was. There was nothing there that I wanted, I ended up spending all my money on cupcake liners and a few items that I didn't really need, but got just to say I bought somehthing, you know? I didn't spend half of the money I set aside for it. I guess that's good cuz now I can spend that at CK products!! YAY! In case you are interested, here are the threads.
When are you hitting the tent sale?
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-319043.html
Disappointment = Wilton Tent Sale
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-323843.html
Wilton Tent Sale...WMI
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-316443.html
I'm just glad I am not some mutant that was disappointed... that other people felt the same!
katscake:
Cookie sheets for $5, well the list goes on.
I think that was my best find - cookie sheet for $1.90 and cupcake pans for about $2. You can find many deals elsewhere.
If this one didn't compare to previous years, they need to get it together!
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Guess I'm glad I decided not to drive from Missouri to the sale.
Well I just left the Tent Sale. (Father's Day). I got there a half hour after it opened and there was no crowd, It was not too hot, I got a real good chance to look at things. Today was MUCH better. I got my vanilla,cake circles, and my 8 inch pans. It was stocked pretty well. But it still seems that it's greared more to house wares. There was a lot of cook wear and picture frames. Not as many cake pans like last year. But in all, I wasn't too disappointed today.
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