Consignment shops can be a win win situation for the seller and the consignment shop owner. Consignment shops take in articles to be sold in their business. The consignment shop owner is providing the store front, utilities and staff. The seller is providing the articles to be sold. Once the item is sold, the price is split between the owner of the consignment shop and the seller. The shop owner usually gets a higher percentage of the sale as they are providing the majority of the service.
Consignment shops may take a variety of items or may specialize in certain items. Consignment shops may specialize in children’s clothing, designer clothing, wedding gowns or sporting goods as examples. Books, movies and toys are also popular consignment items.
If a person wants to use a consignment shop there are several things to consider. They want to be sure the shop is clean and organized. The location of the shop is important as well. Consumers should also find out what the policy is for items that are not sold. Find out what the profit split is, how long the items are kept on the shelf for sale and how records are kept. Consumers should get and retain a receipt for everything they bring in.
Consignment shops are looking for clothing that is in good condition, free of stains and intact (no buttons missing, no broke zippers etc). Toys should not be cracked and have no chipped paint or missing parts. Books should be in relatively good shape with no bent pages or markings inside them. Jewelry should have no missing pieces and be polished.
Consignment shops will take most items that are in good condition and sell them. If the item isn’t good enough to be sold at a consignment shop, try selling it on a garage sale or donating it to a charity that may be able to use it.