The internet has made knowing things so much easier. Speak into your phone and get everything from the baking time for zucchini muffins to tips for solving quadratic equations. Almost anything you would want to know, you can find in seconds. But what about the things you don’t know that you need to know? Specifically, I talking about consignment things – whether you’re buying or selling there are things you need to have on your radar. So with that in mind, I’m sharing my quick list of things that consignment shop owners wish you knew. And that way you’ll be all set when it comes to consignment and you’ll be able to get back to those math problems that I know you’re dying to complete.
Consignment Shop Owners Wish You Knew That They Have A Schedule
First up: most consignment shops have some sort of schedule that they work on. They either take consignments in only on certain days or they require an appointment to bring things in. This is how we do it at Consignments Ltd. And this is definitely worth finding out before you schlep down to your local shop with all your stuff.
Consignment Shop Owners Wish You Knew That They Work on A Calendar
Much like the scheduling above, most consignment shops also work on a calendar. They take in certain things only at certain times of the year. A good example for me is wicker furniture. At my shop we start taking it in (by appointment) in March. At this time of year winter is just about wearing us out. And seeing furniture that feels like summer adds a skip to your step. But conversely, we stop taking wicker mid-August. It’s when people think all those types of things should be on clearance. No sense taking things in to immediately mark them down, right? So check with the shop and find out things like:
- When they take holiday items?
- When they start taking coats?
- When they take fireplace-related items?
- Even when they take art that is of a winter subject matter?
Knowing these answers saves a lot of time and effort in the long run.
Consignment Shop Owners Wish You Knew That They Do A Lot of Research
Whether from their own database or from our old friend, the internet, good shop owners have to research a lot of items that come into their shops. This takes time and effort. Asking what they will price something at from a picture of the item on your phone or as you’re dropping the item off, negates this. Shop owners that are worth their salt and worth your time and items take this seriously. It’s to everyone’s benefit.
Consignment Shop Owners Wish You Knew That They Have Contracts With Their Consignors
Consignment shops usually work from a consignment contract, which sets up the parameters they work within to sell consigned items. Sometimes prices are negotiable, especially if the item has been in the shop more than 3 months. But many times the shop owner is bound by the contract and the price that is on the tag. This listed price is the price you’ll pay. They stand in for the consignor and if it was your item you’d want them to do the same.
Consignment Shop Owners Wish You Knew That They Love Their Customers and Appreciate Their Kindness
Most days I LOVE my job. You know what they say, “Do something you love and you’ll never work another day.” But every once in awhile, I’ll admit it, I cry on the way home.Someone has gotten under my skin with derogatory comments or rude behavior. It’s the hard part of working with the public. And it’s the part that makes a lot of consignment shop owners walk away from the business. You should ALWAYS expect to be treated with kindness and respect as the customer or consignor, but the shop owner deserves the same in return. More of that in this whole wide world would be great, wouldn’t it?
Still up for some reading? Check out my previous blogs like: Consignment Shop Best Buys and Consignment Shop Best Buys Fashion. Think someone you know would like to read the blog? Feel free to share it via the buttons below. Have an idea for a future blog topic? Drop me a line at consignmentslimited@gmail.com. And thanks.
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