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GREENSBORO — As the mother of a young boy, Kimberly Riek grew frustrated trying to find affordable, but quality, children's toys and clothes.

Riek had an inspiration: Open a kids' consignment store that sets itself apart.

"I steam clean and sanitize everything that comes in the store with the exception of clothing," she said in her office in the back of Kid Tested (2310 Battleground Ave., Suite 102; 455-1922). "The quality here is top of the line."

The prices?

Expect to pay 40 to 60 percent less, compared to brand-new items.

Looking to sell? Riek pays cash for everything but clothing, which she takes on consignment. In return, you get 50 percent of the sale price.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

More information at www.kidtested.net.

Scaring up business

The Halloween & More (3118-B Northline Ave.; 852-3255) seasonal shop is open at Friendly Center this month.

The store, which is near the Macaroni Grill, has more than 10,000 Halloween costumes, wigs, decorations and other spooky stuff.

Pretty in pink

Orrell Design (440 N. Eugene St.) will put a pink streak in your hair this month for a $10 donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

All breast cancer survivors also get a free 30-minute massage in October. Call 273-0025 to make an appointment.

Saving green on the links

You might want to consider hooking up with a Preferred Players Card at Greensboro's Bryan Park.

Here's the deal: You pay $55. In return, you get $200 worth of discounts at the driving range, the clubhouse and Bryan Park's two golf courses.

The card expires Feb. 28.

Details at www.bryanpark.com/playerscard.html.

Soldiers can save green

Soldiers can get a 10 percent discount on purchases at Christopher & Banks (3226 W. Friendly Ave., Suite 126; 632-4156), a specialty women's apparel retailer.

Just bring your military ID.

Halloween on the cheap

Awesome Finds Vintage, Thrift & Gift in Liberty (129 W. Swannanoa Ave.; 622-6223) is selling Halloween decorations at reduced prices this month.

The store also has many costumes and accessories from infant to adult, new and gently used with prices starting at $2.

Donate a coat for discount

Donate a coat at Old Navy stores in Greensboro between Friday and Nov. 5 and get 10 percent off.

You also can get a 10 percent off coupon that you can use on a return visit during Old Navy's outerwear sale Nov. 6-12.

The donations will benefit One Warm Coat, a national nonprofit that provides coats to people in need.

Old Navy is at 3000 Northline Ave. in the Friendly Center (632-1804) and 1208-B Bridford Parkway (315-0729).

Breast cancer donation

Donate at least a buck to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and get a 10 percent discount at Torrid (400 Four Seasons Town Center; 854-1140) through Oct. 31.

Torrid specializes in women's plus-size fashion.

Bargain Box coat sale

Bargain Box (122 N. Elm St.; 273-6349) is gearing up for its annual coat sale.

The resale store will have up to 18 racks of coats for men, women, and children, beginning Monday.

Bargain Box is owned and operated by the Junior League of Greensboro, a charitable group that helps women.

New shipments at Sylvia's

Sylvia's Outlet (4654 U.S. 29; 621-6466) has restocked the shelves with rugs, more Halloween clothes, Christmas sweaters from misses to women's sizes and a new shipment of purses for $15 each.

QVC is one of the main distributors for the outlet store.

The staff is also stocking shelves with a Denim & Co. order of 150 items in women's sizes.

Big discounts at Ashley

The furniture might have some dents, blemishes or dings. But you can save 50 percent or more during a clearance sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first Saturday of each month at Ashley Furniture Homestore Distribution Center (4224 Tudor Lane; 369-0500).

Discontinued items also will be on sale.

Free Sears wall portraits

Sears Portrait Studios in the Triad will be offering free 10-by-13 wall portraits and no session fees to families that donate non-perishable food items.

The offer starts Saturday and ends Nov. 22.

Sears will give the food to local food banks.

Sears Portrait Studios are at 3200 W. Friendly Ave. at Friendly Center (632-3300) and 921 Eastchester Drive at Oak Hollow Mall in High Point (888-3469).

Become Web Savvy

Check out Bargain Blog, where you also can sign up to become a fan of the blog's Facebook page.

Also, subscribe to the free, weekly Bargain Bytes e-newsletter at www.news-record.com/bargains. You can sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bargain blog.

Do you have a retail tip for Savvy Shopper? Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com