A consignment business can be a good place to both buy and sell gently used items.
However, it depends on what you want to buy and what you want to sell.
Selling clothing to a consignment store can be tricky:
With respect to clothing, it can sometimes be difficult to sell your clothing. For a couple of reasons why, read Buying and Selling at Consignment Shops: Pros & Cons.
These are just a few of the reasons why it can be difficult to sell used clothing:
- The owner of a consignment business is going to be very particular about the clothing they accept for their shop. Typically, these owners want clothing in only 1 or 2 niches.
- Most consignment shop owners will only accept clothing on a particular day of the week.
Buying clothing from a consignment business can be tricky too:
- If your taste is not in the same clothing niche as the owner, then you are probably not going to find anything you want to buy.
- Consignment shops, as a rule, tend to gravitate toward female clothing only. This can make it difficult to buy clothes for a family.
Selling (or buying) furniture and household goods at a consignment business can be much easier:
- You can get large discounts on furniture and household goods at consignment shops. The prices tend to be quite a bit lower than what you would pay new.
- If you decide to sell some furniture or household items to a consignment business, then your item will probably sell quickly and for a good price.
Tips for selling clothing to a consignment shop:
- Give your local consignment shops a call before taking your clothing in. This gives you a chance to find out what types of clothing they will accept ahead of time.
- Only consider selling clothes that are still stylish or are vintage to a consignment business.
- Visit the consignment shop first to make sure it is brightly lit, well organized, and clean. Your items will have a better chance of selling if it is.
Tips for selling furniture or household goods to a consignment business:
- Lamps, clock radios, and CD players sell well at consignment shops, if they are in good condition.
- Gently used children’s items and toys that are clean, safe, and in good condition can also bring in a nice amount.
- Vintage pianos and mid-century items also tend to sell very well.
The Bottom Line
These are the 3 tips that I find the most useful:
- Know your price range and don’t spend outside of it. Otherwise, you could end up spending far more than you want to.
- Take your time. Consignment stores can have a lot of nice goodies, and you don’t want to miss a bargain.
- Only purchase items that are like-new. Since in many cases consignment shops are a bit more expensive than thrift stores, choosing like-new clothes will help you get the most bang for your buck.
My favorite things to write about are topics that have to do with weather, pregnancy, weddings, saving money, living green, and my life with dogs. When I’m not writing, I love to spend time with my husband, read, create 3D artwork and Native American beadwork.