For years I wished I could get it together to consign but the process is emotionally charged enough that I've decided that for me it feels better to just let things go.

Also, I'm with Sal on turning soft discards into household rags. I like the way it feels to see part of an old towel or tee turn up in the garage.

I've used ThredUp several times but in the last six months they haven't been sending out bags (except for donation ones) - I guess they've got a lot more people wanting to send in than buy. So now I just drop everything off at goodwill. I'm determined not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good - getting it out of my space and out of my mental real estate is the most important, even if I'm not completely maximizing my money or charitable potential.

I used to shop consignment and quite liked it but it requires a certain population density and wealth that my current area doesn't have.

No, it’s not worth my time to consign. It’s not like I lead such a busy life but I like to keep things simple, and doing the consignment thing equals Not Simple. It takes some mental effort that I apparently don’t have

I also don’t like doing garage sales, or selling on Kijiji. I prefer just giving things away—the person getting the item is doing me a huge favour by taking the stuff!

I guess my philosophy is rooted in the fact that sunk costs don’t bother me that much. Or at least, I try not to let that bother me.

I don't generally buy high-end enough, nor do I have enough wardrobe churn, to qualify for the minimums at the women's consignment place close to me. When I have time, I do sort, and take items to the most appropriate place- children's clothes to a non-profit that works with families, husband's to a men's shelter, etc. But, sometimes, I simply drop off at the closest staffed drop-off location. I did try consignment for household items, but with a trip to drop off items, then another to pick up the ones they didn't take, and a third trip a few months later to pick up the items that didn't sell, it wasn't worth the effort for me. That said, I get all my kids' dress clothes at the local kids' consignment place, and I do love that other people drop their stuff off there.

I tried consigning where I used to live but the store's owner refused most of my stuff because of size or cut. She knew her clientele and most would not buy what I had. Plus, I could never find anything in that store for myself, which meant visits felt like a waste of my time. I started donating to the women's shelter instead. I also give quite a few things to my step-daughter, who is close to my size. She won't take silk or wool or leather items, however, so ironically, some of my higher end pieces are the ones that end up in donation!

I might try consigning something here in Vancouver. There are a number of excellent higher end shops here. I'll certainly do a bit of consignment shopping in these parts, and already have! I am thinking that I'll look in particular for statement outerwear here at consignment.

I had a long thoughtful response written out this morning and then my connection timed out.

In a nutshell: I think for consignment and resale to be worth it, you have to enjoy the process, otherwise it is just a burden and a chore with very little return. It also seems that regional differences matter a lot. Urban areas with higher volume seem to be more discriminating about what they take in, but rural areas probably have less variety to choose from which makes using one's store credits less interesting. I'm really lucky in that I've managed to find consignment venues that align with my lifestyle and preferences. I don't really have many clothes that would be suitable for Dress For Success type orgs.

To be honest, consigning at the gear shop feels like a good solution. When I was a student and just getting into outdoor activities, having a place where I could go and find high quality used gear at cheap prices was SUCH a boon; I really appreciated the things I found there. So I consign my stuff and imagine young folks with little disposable income coming in and finding just the right thing for their next adventure.

Not many of my clothes go the rag route; we cloth-diapered DS, so I have what feels like a lifetime supply of car-cleaning and floor-cleaning rags. Thank goodness for municipal textile recycling.

Also -- I tried ThredUp once and I agree the cash you get back is so dismal it's hardly worth the effort. I have a Poshmark account but find buyers and sellers there much less professional/courteous than on eBay, so eBay remains my preference for online sales.

I haven't yet amassed enough housewares to need to donate them. In fact, I'm very grateful to all of you who do take unwanted housewares to the thrift store because that's where most of my dishes, flatware, candleholders, vases, etc come from! I'm a big mid-century modern fan so I love scrounging for Canoe Muffin silverware and Fiesta dishes.

Our Humane Society actually turns away sheets and towels because they receive more than they can store. I'm just in awe of people who have extra towels to begin with. Our relatives have learned to bring their own when they come to visit .

Okay, I guess I re-wrote my long response!

Lately, I donate or pass things to a friend. She takes what she wants & donated the rest to her favorite cause (which is something through her church, which I'm ok with)

Items good enough to sell and in season go to a consignment shop that will give an extra large part of the proceeds from sells to a group I belong to that uses it for scholarships for women. The group has been getting hundreds of dollars a month from this arrangement. I donate other things to a homeless shelter and to the local library which has a big box of donations of warm items in winter for those who need them.

The demograph at our consignment shop is definitely young and hipster (male and female) - I think their eye is pretty good but definitely labels help...........

I used to get a lot of homewares from thrift shops - sometimes slightly curated shops - but I think with the rise and rise of online auctions, and resellers etc, it is harder to find stuff.

I don't buy a lot of this sort of thing now anyway as my house is mid sized and full enough. I have old crockery, glasses, vases and tablecloths for lots of guests!!

I don't buy bedlinen or towels second hand - not because of fastidiousness - just because I buy new and use them til they wear out (except for the odd child's duvet cover that we have sold or donated)

It is always a balance with time/money/environmental factors/style.......