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Tips for Making Money Selling at Consignment Shops
There are a lot of reasons I like to sell at consignment shops. Not only is it a great way for me to be able to clear out my closet, but it's also a great way to make a little extra money without a lot of effort. You can find consignment shops that will sell furniture, used sports equipment, baby and kid's stuff, and clothing. Consignment shops give you a storefront to help sell your items easily and I'm sharing my best tips on how you can make money selling your used stuff at a consignment shop.
8 Tips for Making Money Selling at Consignment Shops
What is a Consignment Shop?
A consignment shop is a store that sells second-hand items using their storefront. A consignment shop takes on the responsibility of selling an item on behalf of the owner, taking a larger portion of the sale proceeds. A business agreement is made between the consignee and the consignment shop offering to give you a percentage of the sale price {usually between 20-40%}.
What's the Difference Between a Consignment Shop and a Thrift Store?
There can often be confusion over the difference between a thrift store and a consignment shop. A thrift store {like Goodwill or Value Village} exists because of donations. Many charities or non-profits run thrift stores and there is less quality control in the listing, pricing, and inspecting donated items.
A consignment shop will often inspect the items for quality, condition, style, and age and can be very selective in what it accepts in its store. Consignment shops will either pay a percentage upfront or give you a percentage of the sales price after. I've done both and don't feel like there is one way that will give you more money.
Oftentimes, I'll bring items into a consignment shop and if they aren't selected, I donate them to a thrift store. I went to the effort to clean those items out of my closets, I don't want them in my home again!
8 Tips for Selling Success at a Consignment Shop
Shop the Store First
I like to shop at the consignment store first so I can get a feel of what items they have in stock. I like to see how they display items, what items they accept, and what items they have an abundance of. This will help you know what to bring in when you are ready to sell.
Know Before you Go
Many consignment shops have rules for selling. They might only buy during certain hours and they have specific instructions for how they accept items {on hangers or in boxes but not bags}. Educate yourself on the rules of selling and you'll be more likely to consign more items.
Bring Current Items
Unless you are selling at a vintage resale shop, most consignment shops {especially those selling clothing} want items that are three years old or less. Did you know your clothing has a date on it? Yep, occasionally there is usually a tag on the inside seam that will often have the date on it.
There are exceptions to this rule, so make sure you are aware of what the consignment shop is looking for.
Good Condition Items Only
Your items will be up for security as the consignment shop buyer will be combing over your items with a fine-tooth comb. Make sure your items are in good condition and there aren't any rips, stains, or holes. Toys and electronics need to be fully charged and have batteries that can be tested. There is often some leeway on furniture consignments because most expect general wear and tear, however, make sure the upholstery is clean and odor-free.
Bring Current Season Items
Most consignment stores want to sell seasonally. Don't bring in patio furniture to consign in November or a sweater in July. There are often buying seasons, so make sure you know what buying season the consignment shop you are trying to sell to is in.
Ask Before You Go
I often ask if the store is looking for any particular items before I sell. Consignment stores that sell clothing will often tell you if they are running low on any particular clothing item. This will help me target what items I'm ready to part with and hopefully will help me sell more since their inventory is often low.
Don't Be Offended
Sometimes it's hard not to take offense when a consignment buyer passes on your beloved items. They often know what sells and what doesn't at their store and they know their market better than you do. Just because your favorite sweater from two seasons ago isn't their cup of tea, doesn't mean it's not a cute sweater.
Be Realistic
You will not get rich selling your items on consignment. You will make more money selling it at a consignment sale {like PoshMark or Facebook Marketplace}, though you're going to be required to price, tag {describe}, market, sell, and {sometimes} ship your items.
I like selling my items on consignment because I can basically clothe myself for free. I'm fairly frugal when I buy clothing {most are second-hand or on deep discount} so I am not getting a gut punch selling a $150 sweater that I paid full price for and only making $3 on it.
PIN THIS FOR LATER
I have found a consignment shop I like shopping at {google local resale or consignment shops in your area} so I often keep credit from my sales and use that to buy new-to-me clothing. I'm basically getting clothing for free!
Know what else I love about consignment shops? I love that buying used is the most environmentally conscious consumerism that you can take part in. You are not only keeping items out of landfills, but you are also reducing your carbon footprint.
disclaimer: this post may have affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing through them, I may receive a small commission. These small purchases help me to continue to keep writing content and creating at Rachel Teodoro. Thank you!
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