Any advice on selling to a resale shop?

Peri

There is a place near me that says they will buy...not consignment, they just buy your stuff and then sell it. I'm wondering if it is worth it?

For instance, what do you think would be a fair price to be paid for a Talbots classic looking sheath dress? If they offer me $10, I won't know if that's the norm or not. Plus, the dry cleaning they require first would be more than that!

Any experiences to share or advice to give?

12 years ago

General

19 replies

Latest reply was from ironkurtin

kkards

Veteran

there is a resale shop near me that works they same way; but they are very upfront about how they pay. if you take the payment in a store credit, they give you 45% of what they plan to sell them item for, if you take cash 30%. when you bring items in, they tell you their retail value, as well as the store credit and cash. but since i live in a college town, they typically don't take a lot of conservative workwear, so i usually end up donating that stuff to goodwill.

12 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Psst... there is a store in my town that says they require dry cleaning, but lots of people don't bother. If it looks and smells clean and is on a hanger, the store takes it anyway.

12 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

There is a store here which has ripped me off a few times, selling my higher end items for the same price as forever 21 items. ("OH, I had never heard of THAT brand!") THEN GOOGLE IT.

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

For $10 minus dry cleaning costs I'd be giving them to charity

12 years ago

Glory

Veteran

I have to agree with Caro. With what you have described it hardly seems worth it. Perhaps ebay might result in a better outcome?

12 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

I've given up on selling to my local one. If I can't swap it or sell it on Tradesy, I donate it.

12 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Places that pay up front give you less money than you would earn if you put it on consignment and it actually sold, but that is a big if. The places like the Buffalo Exchange that I have visited in New York are very particular about what they take and don't pay much. If something is clean and presentable I would not dry clean it for this purpose. Hope that helps!

12 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Don't get your hopes up. Today I tried to consign a pair of Elizabeth & James sandals I paid over $100 for. Two consignment stores rejected them. I finally got $16 for them from Buffalo Exchange.

12 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Thanks ladies. It's starting to not seem worth it. I think I'd get a bigger boost out of a donation than a tiny cash prize.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Hmm, I sell some of my stuff at consignment and they pay 40% only if it sells. Plus if it's there for a while, they discount it and then you only get 40% of the discounted price. So I think in the end the pay-up-front and pay-if-it-sells probably evens out.

For certain recognizable brands (i.e. Frye or Fluevog) I usually sell them myself on ebay. That will net you the highest returns but it's more trouble so I only usually bother with things I can get a reasonable price for.

I don't dry clean before I take my stuff in. I figure it's clean if it's hanging in my closet anyway and my stuff has no smells whatsover (since I hate fragrances, never mind bad smells.)

Anyway, to answer your original question: I think $10 to $15 is probably what I'd expect for the dress. So, at my consignment store they usually price items at maybe 30-50% of retail if they're gently worn. Assuming the dress starts at around $100 retail, then that would be $30-$50, of which I'd get 40%, or $12-$20. But since you're selling up front, they'd pay you a little less, so I'd say $10 is reasonable, maybe a little low. Remember that my item (consigned) might not sell, in which case I'd get $0, or might sell at a discount (anywhere up to 75% off), in which case I'd get as little as $3.

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

As a heads up, eBay has been very dead lately for clothes selling. It's definitely a buyer's market an boy do they know it. Buyers want to pay $2 for a $300 item, with free shipping and guaranteed returns... Hardly worth the time selling IMO.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I have a couple of places around me that will buy clothes outright too. Considering the only two experiences I've had with the other type of consignment stores were that they went out of business with my clothes on their racks I prefer the buy-outright situation!

First, let me say that it can be terribly humiliating to have a young, clueless, gum-chomping gal rifling through your precious, expensive, and/or quality clothing and then offering you a mere pittance for your items. Or worse--rejecting them! I've had to kind of just get over that. Do I want some cash or don't I? The clothes I'm getting rid of are leaving my closet either way.

That said, I find it helps to merchandise my things a bit. I bring them in on hangers, with some brands I know they like in the front. I arrange things in a capsule, or in outfits if possible. I've been known to pin scarfs or ties on blouses, for instances. I put like colors together. I clean up my shoes and bags and touch up any worn spots. My store would rather have cheap plastic shoes that look new than expensive leather shoes that look like anyone had them on for a few wears. Oh well. I've had to fight against getting an attitude with them by reminding myself that the girl with the Sharpie has the power!

Now that they know me, they give me 65% because my items sell fast. I could have more in store credit, but that's a crap shoot, so unless I find something I want while they're pricing my clothing, I just take my money and run. The last 4 or 5 times I've gone they've bought everything I had.

12 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

As a previous consigment store owner, I can tell you that buy outright stores have to pay low prices because they are taking the eintire risk of paying for merchande that might not sell until clearance priced. In the industry the recommendation is for them to pay just above garage sale prices... They are not buying low to insult you, but to stay in business. It is a tough busines with a low profit margin. I relied heavily on selling new goods like jewelry to make up for that...

For people who just want to get rid ot things that buyout right midel works.. If you are looking for more it's better to go with a store that consigns or to put it up online yourself.

12 years ago

T-Rex

Veteran

If you aren't necessarily in need of the cash, you may get more out of your unwanted clothing by hosting a clothing swap with a few friends.

12 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

I'm about to do this for the first time tomorrow. Claire's tips on merchandising is super. Will let you know how it goes.

I'm thinking no more than 20 cents on the dollar for the whole lot factoring in what they don't take and what winds up on clearance.

12 years ago

Mia

Veteran

I agree with Claire that a little effort can pay dividends. I always scrub the soles of shoes if rubber and take my items in sorted on hangers in nice garment bags etc. I tried a couple of places but found a well run store and have cultivated a relationship with the owner who now takes all my stuff as it tends to sell, I am always astounded by what commands the best prices. You just never know. Different things sell better at different stores too. I used to take things to my mother in law in another city and her consignment store could sell things that would not go here.

I use this process as a way to "let go" as that is tricky for me.

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

There are no consignment boutiques in my area, so I took mine to one of the two places that buys outright.

I did it once and only once as it was not worth it. I sold a few Talbots and Jones New York cardigans and sweaters. They gave me between $2-3 for each piece.

Not only am I better off donating for the time it took me to drive over there and wait for them, but then I am at least helping a charity. I give to Goodwill or my church, depending on what the item is. You can also write the chairty donation off your taxes.

12 years ago

ClaraT

Veteran

I don't buy many clothes, and I don't consign many clothes, but I've had really good luck with those I have consigned. My tips: 1) I take just a few items at a time (3 or 4); they are clean and pressed and ready to wear. 2) I only take things in the right season (for example, I just brought in a pair of sandals; I'll wait until next fall to consign a coat I don't wear much). 3) I make sure I'm nicely dressed/groomed when I bring stuff in. I want to make sure that I look like someone who has clothes that others want to wear.

Maybe these are just common-sense tips, but I've been shopping when people bring in grocery bags stuffed with t-shirts--there may be some jewels in there, but I can tell that the girl who works them is (mentally at least) rolling her eyes.

I don't think the buy-it places are worth it. You'll likely feel better just donating. Just my $0.02!

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I think you should never buy clothes expecting to sell them and make your money (or really any money) back. Clothing - unless its designer vintage - loses value almost instantly, especially if used. Set your expectations low and be happy you get a little $ back, is what I say.

12 years ago

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