How to Sell Your Crafts On Consignment

To Consign or Not to Consign.....That is the Question!

Selling arts and crafts in a consignment shop is a great way for crafters who are just starting out in the craft business. There are many types of consignment shops and finding the best one that suits and supports the style of craft that you make is important to the success of your business as a crafter.

Do your homework. Research several consignment stores. There are local stores who take crafts on consignment and there are stores who accept crafts via shipment from your place of business to theirs. Learning all you can about consignment stores and how they operate will ensure you a better understanding of what it takes to become a crafter who can profit from this type of selling.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Becoming a Craft Consignment Vendor:
   
   • Shop around and visit the stores you are considering before you decide which store is best for you.
   • Ask questions. Find out about the stores annual sales.
   • Ask if the store you are considering does any advertising. Do they advertise to attract customer- not crafters? What per cent of their advertising goes to attracting customers?
   • What does the store do to encourage shoppers to make large purchases? Are there large shopping carts and baskets for the shopper?
   • Ask about "traffic." How many customers on average shop there? What is the traffic outside the store and are there enough sales registers and people to accommodate the sales activity?
   • Ask how long customers shop. If they shop for a long period of time, then there must be a large quantity of items to choose from which will attract people from all over.
   • Ask how well other crafters are doing. Talk to other crafters and find out about their consignment experience with the store.
   • Ask if the store has a web site and are customers allowed to order from the site.
   • Does the store have a program that promotes the sales for a crafter such as custom orders requested by shoppers?

2. • Find out how craft sales are tabulated. Does the store have "state-of-the-art" security systems and computerized sales combined with inventory systems allowing the vendor the ability to lookup their daily sales on the Internet or another form of tracking sales.
   • Does management pay attention to detail and make sure the store is neat, clean, organized and attractive for customers who shop there?
   • What does the management do to encourage shoppers to stay and shop longer?
   • Find out what fees are required if any by you.
   • Learn what store policies are regarding checks and visa charges.
   • Does the store offer special orders, layaways and gift certificates?
   • If you wish to sell your crafts in a store that is not local, ask if they decorate, sell and restock your items since you cannot.
   • What is the store's company policy? If they have a motto, do they take it seriously and do they "practice what they preach?"

3. Store Policies and Procedures:
   
   Before you can be accepted to sell your crafts in a consignment store, you need to present your items to the store for consideration. Your success as a crafter is also their success and vice versa. After all, the consignment store is also in the business to make money and if you have an item or items that they think will sell. You will be invited to apply for a "juried application." An application of this sort gives the management an idea of what you sell, the quality of your work and detailed information about you as a crafter.
   
   Once you have been selected to have your crafts represented in the store, you need to find out what is expected of you and what you can do to ensure the success of your sales. When your crafts sale, you will need to know what percent of your sales go toward the store who sells your product.

Tips & Warnings

• OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS
• • Find out what percent of your sales go to the store and if there are any other fees due as part of your relationship with the consignment store.
• • What does the store do to aggressively sell your crafts so you can make money?
• • Know the size of space you will be given for the sale of your crafts.
• • Learn about "licensing" from the store. Find out how long you are obligated to stay and what restrictions are placed on you as a craft vendor.
• • Most important is to find out the pay schedule of the consignment store. Do they pay once a week or once a month? Are fees automatically deducted from your sales or are checks written?
• • Learn all the policies and procedures of the consignment store.
• More Things to Remember Before You Consign • What's the reputation of the store? When looking for consignment stores in which to sell your crafts, begin by finding established, reputable stores. Get honest references. Would you shop there? • A presentable and well laid out store can make a difference to sales. Look around at how the merchandise is displayed, and also what comparable items are selling for. • Where is the store located? It may cost you more to work with stores in high

[consignmentchic]

on 3/11/2009 Great info. I'm a consignment owner and operator, please read some of my articles to gain more great insight about consignment! 5*** Excellent Info!