How to Consign

If you decide to consign your items, it allows you to have a larger audience and can save your valuable time versus selling them yourself. Consignment shops do not make money until your items sell, so it is a type of profit sharing. Learn how easy it is to consign and make extra money while cleaning out some clutter.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Clean out your closets, drawers and attics. Organize into groups based on category. Categories may include furniture, children's clothes, adult clothes and a pile of miscellaneous such as music CDs or decorations.

2. Make sure all clothes are appealing to the store and to the purchaser. Clothes should be laundered and wrinkle free; dry clean more expensive clothing. Check that all buttons are secure and zippers are functional.

3. Ready other household items for sale. Furniture should be free of dirt including pet hair and should smell nice. Consider spraying furniture with a refresher. Check CDs to make sure there are no visible scratches.

4. Choose your consignment store. Call around to several and check what items they will take based on your inventory. Make sure the store already has items similar to what you're going to consign and glance at the prices to confirm they're reasonable.

5. Call for an appointment. Most shops require a set time to come in. Also, confirm what seasonal items they're taking. For example, most stores won't be able to sell white pants or summer clothing after certain months.

6. Confirm with the consignment store on how they want items brought in for review. Some require clothes to be organized by size, on hangers or nicely folded in boxes.

Tips & Warnings

• Donate the items that you do not sell to charities or non-profit organizations.