This week, I took one look into my closet and about passed out. It looks like a bomb went off in there! I just have way too many clothes. See for yourself...
Okay, stop judging me.
I think everyone out there has had a time when they realize, I need to purge my closet! And it is then, my lovelies, that you have the perfect chance to make a little extra cash. In a situation where a lot of people just pile their unwanted garments into bags and drop them off at the nearest Goodwill, take this opportunity to put in a little extra work and get paid for your clothes!
I regularly take my clothes to a couple of area consignment shops and it is always a worthwhile experience - especially when I go back weeks later to collect my check! So, here are a few tips for all of you out there. If you have never tried consigning your clothes before, you should definitely try it!
1. Search out shops in your area. Visit their websites for information on how to consign your garments and whether you will receive a percentage of the sale's price or a flat upfront price for your items. Practices vary widely from shop to shop - some stores require garments to be ironed and on hangers, some do not. Payout percentages to consigners vary also, in my experience, from around 40 - 60%.
2. Consider only shops that pay a percentage of the sale price to you, the consigner. In my experience, shops that pay a flat rate to you for your clothes (places like Plato's Closet) do not pay much compared to those that give you a percentage of your sales.
3. Visit the shops where you are considering consigning your garments. Look at their overall merchandise and their prices. Is the shop in a good area? Do they seem to move merchandise quickly in and out? Do they ever have sales or promotional offers? Are there other shops nearby? Higher end consignment shops may pay a lower percentage back to you, but may guarantee a higher price for your items, because they draw a large clientele of upscale shoppers. Sometimes, these places are worth taking a lower percentage payback because prices are higher (so it all evens out in the end). For example, 50% payback of a $20 top is $10, but, so is the 40% packback if that same top is priced at $25.
4. Look at your pieces very carefully and consider what you will try to consign. It is best to take items that are unaltered (we have all tried on things that we thought were our size, only to find out they'd been hemmed or taken in and they didn't fit us, right?). Also make sure that there are no stains or problems with the garments and that, of course, everything has been laundered appropriately. Additionally, most shops, especially higher end ones, ask that garments be current styles - no more than 2 years old. At times, it can difficult to tell how old your clothes really are (especially if you are like me and you have too many to remember quite when you got them!). However, in the last few years many designers have started putting season codes on their labels... but sometimes they are hidden so you have to know where to look! On many labels, for example, these codes can be found on the back tag of the garment, on the underside. Below, I show a J.Crew tag. The very last line indicates the season - SP 10 = Spring 2010.
5. When you take your items in to be considered for consignment, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions, especially if it is your first time consigning at that location. Most stores will attempt to sell your items for a certain number of weeks before pulling them. Make sure to clarify to the shop staff whether you want unsold garments returned to you or donated to charity. Make sure you understand how the payment works - will they mail your check or should you come by after a certain amount of time to pick it up? Will any sales will held during the time your items are in the shop and if so, what will the possible discount be on your items (it is often good to know this, just to understand if it is possible that your items could be sold at a reduced price, thus lowering your payout).
6. Think beyond clothes. Many consignment shops take shoes, jewelry, and purses. And larger shops may accept household items and furniture.
Consigning your clothes can be a little bit of work, but good reward! Happy money-making!
