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I need to get back to just donating my ( culled) clothing

unfrumped

Veteran

Well I've been around the circle on this.
Until a few years ago I'd never even been in a consignment store.

Then I tried consigning, which was inconvenient and haphazard due to seasonal limits, but had a few early " successes" before finally realizing it wasn't good for me.
Then I did one of the mail- ins, until it went out of business. It was the best and easiest.
Then there is a resale chain that pats directly. Kind of a hassle but again, got
some okay results at first before running into delays, wrong season.
I " know" all about sunk cost and the pathetic return on the dollar.
I think I'm almost more rejected by, " we can't take these as they are not trending or in demand" for very on trend items; so then I go, okay, you only want my Loft shirt or dress for the clientele, and even then found it unpredictable. And time consuming, waiting or returning for the estimate and still taking the rejects to the charity drop off.

Add to this that I " know" that even if I sold my ENTIRE wardrobe, at these prices, it would not actually make any difference in the long run on my ability to replace. It's not really an issue of affluence as it is the return being pennies on the dollar,

So I am trying to resolve to never go back to any type of consignment or selling. Period. I just don't think it's good for me.
I want to remember GOODWILL as opposed to the rejection/ dejection/ ill- will I feel with the attempted selling process. The occasional " sale" here and there is not enough, on balance.

I've lamented. about this before but I am hoping i am finally seeing the light!

34 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

always trying

Veteran

Yeh! Hurts to get $5.00 for $95.00 shoes worn twice. I have also given up on consignments. My fav place to donate is Laura's House. It is a charity for womens shelter. Also have an Assistance League to donate too in my area. The two consignments in my area seem to cater to the young, and don't care about quality.

cindysmith

Veteran

I gave up on consignment when my 2 classic cashmere and wool Armani jackets got rejected by high end consignment shops in Dallas. I donated them to a dress for success program.

rachylou

Veteran

The only things I've ever had success in selling are bikes and the tackiest necklace ever. My Anna Sui was rejected! And it's pristine.

Maybe it's because I worked in a consignment shop and hated it.

donnat

Veteran

I do not consign either. It is just not worth the money or effort put in. I give alot of my clothes to a friend who counsels single moms trying to get on their feet and earn an income. These young women are on welfare. They love getting a big bag of my stuff to go through.

JAileen

Veteran

I just took four trash bags full of clothes to the thrift store this morning. I wanted to clean out my closet yesterday but then my husband wanted to also, so I ceded the top of the bed, for sorting, to him, since I could do it another day. So all the clothes and shoes were his! Some of the shoes were quite expensive. He's into comfort shoes now, so someone is going to get a good deal.

I've never consigned anything. I just donate. It's so easy and quick, and I know the organization is terrific (Assistance League), and the money will go to one of several great programs.

RobinF

Veteran

Yeah, it's not worth the effort. I remember once going with my daughter who had a bag of teen stuff (to a store geared to young clothes), name brands, Hollister, Abercrombie, American Eagle, really popular at the time. The only thing they accepted was a worn pair of jeans from Steve & Barry's! I mean these jeans were only $10 brand new! And they had racks of jeans in the store! I think that was the last time.

Anonymous

Yeah. I tried my luck with consignment but other than a few things that went fast and for good prices (handbags, boots) it wasnt worth it. The consignment store I went to starts out at moderate prices and then drops the price in intervals. If it still hasn't sold at 75% off, then it gets a $5 price tag.

It's great for buying! I've found amazing stuff--good brands, current styles, in pristine condition--for $5. But the consignor gets $2.50 in that case. There just seems to be a glut of clothing at resale, making it a buyer's market. I blame fast fashion--people aren't as concerned about quality any more because clothing is considered disposable. So instead of trying your luck at a consignment store, you just go to the mall where you're sure to find something.

Style Fan

Veteran

I stopped taking my stuff to consignment stores after a few bad experiences. The return on my items was not that great and once an item was "lost". A year later the owner called me and found the ticket. It had been sold. She gave me my money and apologized but it turned me off the whole experience. I had a few other similar experiences.
I now donate everything to women shelters, emergency rooms at hospitals, thrift stores at animal shelters, etc.
I do occasionally try and sell something online.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've had only a little success with consignment and slightly more selling on eBay when it's something really appealing to the general public (DVF dress, etc). I'm leaning more towards donating most things these days too, as much as it pains me to not get $$ back for things that cost a significant price.

In fact, I have a few items in a cabinet in my office that I've been planning to sell. Between photographing, researching price, writing listings, measuring, etc, and THEN waiting for bids and THEN payment, and THEN packing and shipping things... it is a lot of time and effort invested.

Marilyn

Veteran

I've given up on consignment as well. It's just not worth it for me. I was shocked with my lovely/perfect condition items that didn't sell and the return on what did sell was not worth my effort. I'm resigned to donating at this point. I can feel good about that as I know there are many people out there in need.

Lyn D.

Veteran

IKWYM about consignment, tried it but found the whole process uncomfortable.
I do try to sell some items on EBay, but find that buyers are looking for bargains and don't pay much.
Here in Australia one charity takes donations of a particular brand and gives you a $10 voucher to use towards your next purchase of the same brand at retail stores!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't consign any more either. I do have a few leather jackets that I might take in, but honestly, I'm just as happy to donate. People are in need and if the items are good quality and in good condition they are going to make someone very happy.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I echo every word Suz said.

Laurie

Veteran

Ditto ditto ditto. I recently put a few things up on eBay including bike shoes and a "vintage" Coach briefcase, and nothing is selling. It is such a pain to photograph and so on - like Janet said.

I donate all of our clothes that are still good quality to my sweet cleaning person who lives in a community of people who can use every item. She never says no. And, she's my size, so often when I buy something I actually think, "Margarita is going to look really cute in this, too!" She wears things I give her all the time. I love that she's comfortable to do that. It's much easier to give things away when you know where they are going, I think. My mother cannot part with anything (drives me nuts) because it's "perfectly good". Part of that is the era she came from and a family that had next to nothing, and the other part is she can't envision how others can use things.

I would like to find a local women's charity that needs business clothes. In fact, I'm going to google right now!

I share my best items with friends and my sister when they are still "perfectly good" and I know that they will look great in them.

I do get depressed when I read articles about the excessive amount of clothing going into landfills - much of it made from synthetics.

Anonymous

I have tried selling clothing a few times in the past, but have found donating works better for me. I pass on a lot of useful items, and know others can use these things. Especially if they are donated by me in a timely manner.

unfrumped

Veteran

Thanks for all the support!
This is one of those things where you know what is good for you but somehow keep doing the same not/ good thing. And it's funny because it's post- YLF. I don't mean that as bad, I mean more modern or trending items, so I assumed they'd be more popular for resale, and " contact" with posts on consignment, e- bay, re- selling , whereas before I was blissfully ignorant.

Anonymous

I'm with Suz. I am happy to give things away and consider it a privilege to be able to afford to do so. (well, not always , but you know what I mean). It's also my penance for dumb purchasing habits.

SW Ann

Veteran

Having heard so many stories about consigning that didn't work out well, I have never consigned. I just donate, which here means Goodwill. Many Goodwill stores, including some new ones that have opened up where the "best" stuff goes. It's easy, and I feel good about the clothes being bought by people who want/need cheaper options. I also get a small tax write off. We also use the Habistore (Habitat for Humanity) to give our used furniture....

Bonnie

Veteran

I also donate clothing instead of consigning. I suggest donating to a charity, like the Salvation Army, instead of Goodwill if possible.

Anonymous

I agree with how disheartening it is to get pennies on the dollar for all the effort you exert. I personally donate nearly 100 percent of the stuff I give away.

Gail

Veteran

I have tried consignment stores but as we all seem to agree its a hassle for very little return. I give clothes to my sister in law who works with some very poor people who are thrilled to have them. I also donate to the Salvation Army, used to donate to Goodwill but read that more of the money goes to the actual charity at Sal Val.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I have never consigned anything, donating to the Salvation Army instead.

BrieN

Veteran

it is SO uncomfortable to consign at the place near me--they totally give off this judge-y vibe. Very disdainful. I don't get it. In any case I love the "feel good" of bringing my things to the locals spots that help folks help themselves.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I used to do everything as donations to Salvation Army, and then I felt resentful when they threw my still-nice stuff into a pile of what looked like stinky rags. Now I use a consignment store that I make a bit back on (and feel less guilt for mistakes) but which also donates unsold items to a local women's charity after three months.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I work at a charity shop that relies on the kind donations of all of you non-consignors, and your donations are very appreciated. The clothes may or may not go to needy people but the proceeds of their sale add to the operating budget of the charity and it makes a difference.

shedev

Veteran

I consign a few items, donate a few, and give a few to one of the disabled people I work with. It all depends on the item. I've had mostly good luck with the things I've consigned, but I don't get much for them.

Eliza

Veteran

I am a donator, not a seller or consigner. There are many places locally that make sure the clothing goes to good use, which works for me. The re-sale market on clothing, household and many estate items (apart from fine art, etc), seems over-saturated these days. All good reasons for being patient and picky with our purchases initially. I'm working on it...

kkards

Veteran

I don't consign --please really i can not believe how difficult they have made it....you need an appointment, appointments are only Monday-Friday and generally only from 10-5...sorry I have a job so that i can pay from all of the things i'm consigning! we do have a resale shop that pays up front, but it skews young, so they generally only take about 1/4 of what i bring in.....the rest....Goodwill.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have donated for many years. Previous to the explosion in my wardrobe in past 8 years I felt like I didn't make that many clothing mistakes and it wasn't worth the effort to try to get money back on the odd one. More recently I did try to sell some on Trade Me, which is our equivalent to E-bay. But I had no luck, as catty says there just seems to be such a glut of clothing out there for resale. It's so wasteful and one reason for my current shopping fast and trying to be more mindful in the first place.

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