Owning a consignment shop is a little like Christmas very day. People come to their appointments. They drop off their boxes and we unpack them. Surprise after surprise awaits us. Sometimes the things are basics that we see all the time. But really, almost every day, we get to see things that we’ve never seen. Cool things. Unusual things. And then there are the odd things. People often ask me, “What’s the strangest thing people have tried to consign?” Well, I’ve made a list and broken it down into two parts. First there are the “accidental” consignments. Things that people may not have known were in their boxes or in the drawers of their furniture. And then there’s the “you’ve got to be kidding me” category. Buckle up, my friends. I know some of these things will surprise you. They may even shock you. But, hopefully, they will make you laugh.
Strangest Things People Have Tried To Consign: The Accidentals
Consignors accidently leave things in their consignment furniture all the time. They leave things in handbags and luggage too. If I had a dime for every pair of socks or pantyhose left behind in a chest-of-drawers I’d have a lot of dimes. People have left envelopes (only once containing cash), keys (only once to a safety deposit box, that they were so happy to get back) and so much chapstick it embarrassing. But two times, in the 20 years that I’ve been open, I’ve had to call the police because of “accidental consignments.” Both of these items came in desk drawers. The desks were not the issue. The bullets and the joints were. Yup. True is the day is long, we receives a box full of unused 22 shells. And a bag of pot with a half dozen hand-rolled cigarettes. Both times the responding officer seemed a little surprised to get the call at all, especially with the marijuana. He mentioned something about why I didn’t just keep it. But being the square that I am, and the fact that it wasn’t yet legal in Rhode Island, I dialed them up. It sure makes a better story than chapstick to tell Bruce about at the end of the day.
And Then There’s “The You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me” Stuff
In my blog about How To Make The Best of Your Consignment Appointment, I talk all about cleanliness, organization and seasonality. But I guess I failed to address the bull in this china shop. The things that I continue to be amazed that people would try to consign. I’ve even included some actual pictures in the gallery above to let you know that I am not making this stuff up, even though you might think so. Yes. Someone tried to consign rat traps. I suppose that they were new in the package, but seriously folks? Car parts are another common one. A lady brought a hubcap the other day. I could almost see this, as we do take license plates, but brake pads? Yup. It happened. And speaking of pads, people have brought in unopened packages of maxis, minis. I know. Your mouth is hanging open at this moment. Ladies, explain this one to the gentlemen. And let’s not forget the diapers above that someone brought in last May. I occasionally cry like a baby, but I’m definitely a little too big for these. Makes me wonder what kind of shop they think I’m running here anyway. LOL
Lastly, I have one that is in neither category, but I have to include it. Several years ago, a consignor brought in an oil painting. It was a nude. Very well done, so no problem there. But you could have knocked me over with a feather when she told me that she was, in fact, the subject. Talk about trying to keep a straight face. And the net-net on this one? Took it! Sold it! And boy was she happy.
And Now For A Little Music Before We Leave…
If you know someone who would like to read this blog, please feel free to share it via the buttons below. And if you’ve seen something crazy or strange whilst out thrifting, feel free to drop me a line about it at consignmentslimited@gmail.com. Feel like some more reading? Check out mey previous blogs like: Why Bring Only Clean Items to Thrift or Consignment and How Consignment Shops Set Their Prices.
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