Just started my first consignment experience.

Peri

I've wondered if I could do something besides donate the last few things that survived the major purging...things that don't get me anymore but just seem really nice otherwise.

I took in a dress and a top and talked to the owner first before I brought them in. Learned some interesting things. You are supposed to make an appointment, the next available would be the end of July, and they would be looking at Fall things then. Wow.

But she was very nice, friendly, and since I only had two things she said she would look at them. She took both, which made me feel very good...I was afraid to find out my idea of "still really nice" would not be good enough for anyone else!

So now, wait and see. Interesting and fun. I don't expect a lot, I just wanted to learn.

11 years ago

General

13 replies

Latest reply was from rabbit

Anonymous

Good luck. Consignment is ok if you aren't expecting much.

11 years ago

Peri

Veteran

I know it won't be a lot, but I have donated a huge plenty so guilt there...this way I'll at least a few $ back.

I didn't know when I went in if it was sell outright or consign. And I don't know which way would be better either. She said she researches, marks the price and we split 50/50. So I thought that way at least they would be motivated to mark a decent price. I thought for sell outright she could offer me $10 and sell for $50 if she wanted to.

I just know I am too lazy to sell them myself on Ebay, so this seemed worth a try.

11 years ago

Gracie

Veteran

I've been consigning clothes for many years. The shop has changed owners a few times. They contract the clothes for two months and they do not return what doesn't sell, unless you specify if an item is so precious that you'll want it back. (This policy is fairly new - the items get donate items to local charities.) It also takes two or three weeks to get an appointment. I think you will find consigning appealing after you get your first check. I also enjoy thinking that somebody else chose and will wear an item from my closet. Good luck!

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yay! That sounds like a pretty good deal and arrangement, Peri. Good for you.

Our local consignment store is pretty meagre. I do take the odd item there and I have made occasional (lucky) finds there also, which ended up being free or nearly free in exchange for whatever I had earned on my account. And I feel good knowing that it is donated if it does not sell.

11 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I first investigated the consignment store this year when I decided to do a big purge of things that did not fit, or that I just wasn't wearing. I had previously given a lot of stuff to Salvation Army, but somehow I did not want to see some of my nicer stuff just tossed in a dirty pile. My consignment store does not require appointments. I just go in, and let them look through it. If they're busy, I go to the grocery store and come back. They have the same 50/50 policy, plus donate what is left to a women's charity. I've made quite a bit from them, and they just hand over cash on the spot if you have a positive balance. Basically, I think the key to success with consignment is either high end brands or recent season merchandise.

11 years ago

always trying

Veteran

I have not tried the more upscale ones like corona del Mar, but one closer to me was a surprise. Took a pair of Payless Booties , bought just to keep my feet from freezing at spur of the moment, for something like $19.95 and was immediately given $6.00 cash for them. Then she rejected a high end burgundy sweater that was, I thought, still in style-just plain crew neck soft knit, and a really cute scoop neck long sleeve t. Both were just too snug across my bust to wear without jacket so decided not to keep them. So now I just take things to Lauras House ( a charity for a womens shelter-so good cause, and I am happy with that. After rejecting my tops she asked if I had any denim-so I just said for you NO!

11 years ago

NancyT

Active Member

I have sold some things on consignment in the past, there is a really terrific store near me. If I recall, it's more of a 60/40 split, no appointments needed as they only take in items on 3 specific days/week.

It's a jam packed store, and I almost always find something when I drop in!

11 years ago

doubleh

Veteran

I have consigned in 4-5 different cities with varying degrees of success. If you don't expect much, it can be a great little bonus. But it seems a lot of work for some (iron, hang, appt, etc) with little return. It all depends on the fit between consignor/consignee. I did best in Charlotte (anyone who lives near there, I am happy to share) and eventually they just took whatever I brought with no appt, as my stuff sold well there- and I shopped well there too.

Where I am now is super-picky and like AT mentioned, they will take a low-end item and totally poopoo something you would think they would eat up. I've become super picky about what I bring even. But no rhyme or reason.

There is a church near here that does a week long consign sale in teh fall and I save most of my items for that. It's a lot of work, but I can set the price and if it's discounted. And it sells quick or not at all and then on to plan B. I wish there were more places like that!

11 years ago

Mia

Veteran

I have been incorporating consignment on top of donation as a way to "let go". There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason about what sells as others have said and for how much. I almost did not take in an old Lululemon gym bag and they sold it first day for a crazy high price. It was discontinued and someone wanted that one?! I have taken nice designer items in and they languish.

I did try another shop before finding the one I deal with. Now that I have a relationship with the owner she takes all my pieces so it's worth a little perseverance. Good luck!

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Interesting. I am just starting my first consignment process too. The place says that it has designer labels and "mall brands" like Gap, J. Crew, etc.

I called today for an appt. and was able to get in on Wednesday. They are still taking spring/summer stuff. But we have had nice weather for only about two weeks, so we're still kind of in spring here. They sell S/S stuff through the end of July, so I still have a good seven weeks for my stuff to move.

It will be interesting to see what they take. I have a lot of classic items, and I don't know if that's good or bad. If they don't want much of it, I will hit one of the other stores to maybe find a better fit. It is a lot of work to get the items ready, so I hope that someone takes most of them! I don't relish the thought of trying to sell them on eBay. I would probably send them to Twice before I try eBay.

11 years ago

April

Veteran

Consigning can definitely be intimidating, Peri. As I've said here before, my local store doesn't need an appointment but they want high-end labels, perfect condition, still in style, and a minimum of ten pieces that meet those criteria. If you have nine great pieces that they really want -- nope.

It does feel like a rejection!

Anyway, congratulations on taking the plunge. Consignment can be a great way to feel like you've made a little back on those items that turned out not to work for you.

BTW, for anyone who doesn't have a good store nearby, the one I go to is now online: http://shop.greenestreet.com/

11 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Things are less stringent here but I consign stuff all the time. One thing that I find interesting is that there is not clear relationship between original price and what they take or sell. It is nothing personal and it has nothing to do with the value of clothing. If they reject your stuff it is because they don't think it will sell to their clientele period. No reason to feel rejected!
It is usually a 50/50 split and they usually donate after 2-3 months if you don't collect. I prefer not to think about the specific items once they leave the house. I have a specific place I go to with my nicest things and they always return what doesn't sell.

11 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I recently took two batches of things to consignment -- I'd picked out the best condition clothes from the donate bag.

First stop was Buffalo Exchange: My experience there was even though I arrived just as they opened, there were two people ahead of me with big Ikea sacks of clothing (professional pickers I think), and it took 45 minutes to get to the front of the line as the buyers very carefully went through each item and there was a high degree of 'keep' as the sellers really knew what BE was looking for. I enjoyed browsing in the mean time.

From my stuff they bought a magenta metallic mini skirt, my grandmothers black velvet super wide leg pants (too small for me, vintage), a flowery chiffon tassled huge scarf thing, and a weird hat. They said to come back in the fall with some beat up pea coats and another weird winter hat I had. They paid about 3$ per item (30% of resale price) so not much (I would have gotten more for store credit), but if there wasn't a line I would probably go again with anything bizarre and otherwise of little value.

Then I went to a local consignment shop that specialized in natural materials, they didn't need an appointment, and took everything I had in season in good condition that was cotton or linen or some scarves that were very boho. They marked them for around 20$ each, and if they sell it's probably worth it because it's down the street from me and many of the items were previously thrifted by me and weren't my style now.

What I gathered is like Shevia says that it really simply has to do with the current inventory of the shop and the season, so browsing shops for the look and labels they carry is useful, but also just holding onto things for the right season.

11 years ago

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