Thursday, February 2 – One of our favorite sayings is…When in Rome, do as the Romans. Well, Marsha took it to a whole new height. She and three friends visited a ropa store today. But before the girls could go shopping, they need nourishment, so off to Cheddars for an early lunch.
(Front left-front right) Angie, Carol, Marsha, Jan, Jane
You may ask what is a Ropa…here is your answer…
- Ropa means cloth; all kinds of silk, woolen, or linen, used for domestic purposes; wearing apparel, clothes.
The first visit for the day was Tres Dimesiones.
This ropa is approximately a 70,000 square foot warehouse that sells used clothing by the POUND. Various specific qualities of clothing are available, as well as unsorted clothing by the bail or Monton. There is no minimum purchase amount for the Monton, and Bails range from 900 lbs. to 1300 lbs.
What is a Balis you ask…Bails (pacas) of clothing weigh 1,000 lbs. and more, and are sold for .50 cents a pound
A Mound (Monton) is over 3,750 cubic feet large. 25'x30'x5'.
Keep this all in mind as this story continues. Marsha, Jane and Jan were the "virgins" on this trip. Angie and Caole have visited ropas for many years. Marsha explains that when we entered the building nothing seemed odd.
Then we turned the corner…
What in the world…
Our fearless leaders, Angie and Carole, show us how the experts shop.
Marsha couldn't believe what she was seeing. But in no time was digging in with the rest of them.
In a Ropa, you need to hunt through piles of clothes, all makes, sizes, colors, genders, and styles. You just start pulling clothes out of the piles and see if it is what you are looking for. The clothes come from every store imaginable. They are clothes that were on clearance, discarded or donated.
How are these clothes stored before they arrive to the buyers…on a pallet or Balis.
This is an interesting sign…you best heed the warning too!
This is a shot from way up on the top of the mound.
These people hardly moved out of the way when the new load was delivered.
Jane wanted a closer view.
Marsha may have found a keeper.
Here is one for our friends, Ed and Linda. They are huge Boston Red Sox fans.
These people are here for many different reason. Price is the big one, but many of them buy the clothes and then resale them in their own shops or yard sales. This is the only way many of them can afford any clothing at all. This poor little thing feel asleep while mom was shopping. Not the most sanitary place to have the little one sleep.
There is a section in most ropas that have items priced. In this one, a bride can purchase a wedding dress for only $20.00.
Some other items that can be purchased in this section are
Flannel shirts $1 (seasonal), Party Dresses $10, Men's Shoes $2, Men's Sandals $ 1.50, Women's Tennis = $ 3, Kids Shoes = $ 1
When you are ready to leave, you must have your items weighed.
Today our items were $.20/lb. Marsha spent a whole 43 cents on three items. The big spender was Carole. A grand total of $1.78 for her heap.
Just to let everyone know…the girls all wore their oldest clothes and had tons of Purell with them. All in all, Marsha said it was an experience she will never forget. If you are reading this, chances are you do not have to shop this way. At least in this area there are many places for a family to find very, very cheap clothing. Say a little prayer of thanks for that!
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!
