How to Make Money Selling to Consignment Stores
Consignment shops will display your unwanted items for sale. Once the items sell, the consignment shop owner takes her cut and sends a check to the owners of the items for the remainder of the amount sold. Many consignment shop owners are very picky about the items they will accept for display. If you want to make money selling your items to a consignment shop, you need to be aware of a few tips and tricks.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Make a list of all of the consignment shops in your area and what items are sold in each shop. If you have more than two consignment shops in your area, it is helpful to keep track of this information in a notebook. Be sure to include all contact information as well.
-
2
Visit each consignment shop and look at the specific brands and quality of the items they are selling. Knowing what the owner is looking to buy will help you sort through your own items and choose what to bring for an appraisal.
-
-
3
Search through your items and create a pile for each consignment shop. Maybe one consignment shop accepts gently used clothing while another accepts jewelry. Doublecheck that the quality and brands match the items you looked at when you visited the store.
-
4
Call each consignment shop to set up an appraisal date. This is the date you will take your items in to be reviewed. Some owners review the items on the spot and let you know which items they are willing to display, while others bag your items and review them at a later date.
-
5
Clean your items before you bring them in for the appraisal. Clothing should be washed and ironed, silver should be polished and electronics should be dusted so that all items look as close to new as possible.
-
6
Review the consignment shop owners offer. You don't have to accept it, but if you are just going to get rid of the items -- donate them to a charity store -- you might as well accept the offer. At this time, you may also be given a choice. You can accept cash when the item sells, or you can take store credit. Each consignment shop is different, but many owners offer a 60/40 split cash or a 50/50 split store credit. You won't see any cash with store credit, but it can be worth it from a children's consignment store if you have small children who outgrow clothes quickly.
-
7
Repeat as often as you have items to sell.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Make sure the clothing you bring for an appraisal is season appropriate. Consignment shops are not going to display winter coats in the middle of the summer.
You can make even more money by having your friends and family members donate their unwanted items to you. You can go through their items and bring any sellable items to the consignment shops for review.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Indeed/Stockbyte/Getty Images
