Hints & Tips
Getting your items together in order to consign them can be absolutely overwhelming and time-consuming. We assure you that it's worth the effort, and here are a few tips and tricks that will hopefully make the process easier-- and more profitable.
Tagging Tips:
- Start tagging early: It might seem like a no-brainer, but when you wait until the last minute, you never get everything tagged. This means less to sell and less profit. Last minute hanging and tagging increases the odds that you do something incorrectly and make pricing/tagging mistakes.
- Know the rules: Because each sale is different, every sale has its own unique guidelines and rules. Make sure you know the proper tagging procedures and what is expected of you. It is not much fun (and a waste of time) to have to re-do things because you didn’t tag the correct way or because you tagged items that are not accepted at the correct seasonal event. We have been doing this for a long time and there IS a method to our madness. Trust the process.
- It's all in the presentation: Things that look good on the hanger sell. This could mean the difference of making a profit or taking the item back home with you at pick up. When possible, freshly wash, press, and hang your items neatly on the hangers. Add any socks or hair accessories to outfits if you have them… the ‘extras’ always sweeten the deal! A little extra time and thought about how your items look makes a big difference.
Pricing Tips:
Here are a few principles to keep in mind when pricing your items for our sale.
- Don't overprice: The majority of the items we have left at the end of the sale are simply priced too high. Remember, your items will generally be surrounded with an abundance of similar items that are just as nice as yours, and the best price sells! Keep in mind, this is a consignment sale, and shoppers are all looking for a bargain! If you have items that are expensive-- price accordingly, but don't become a victim of "emotional taggage". Ask: "Would I buy the item at this price if I saw it in the sale?" A great consignment rule of thumb is 25-40% of what you paid for the item (depending on brand name and condition of item). Consignors golden rule: Don’t sell what you wouldn’t buy!
- Use the "No Discount" sparingly: Consider avoiding the ND (no discount) since many shoppers return just for 50% off Saturday. Save the ND for truly valuable and expensive items for which there is high demand and low supply-- example, rare boutique items or items new with tags.
- Do your research: Check online consignment expert sites to see what current recommendations are for pricing individual brands.
Drop-Off Tips:
To speed up your screening time and make the most of your drop-off appointment follow these helpful hints/tips:
- Group your clothing by gender and size
- Make sure all your items have tags
- Make sure all items (especially pants) are hung properly. Pants must be pinned securely to the top of the hanger with the corners folded over (see photo).
- Hang all items with the hook facing left (like a question mark)
- Bring a self-addressed stamped envelope if you prefer to have your check mailed to you
Item Pick-Up Tips:
The one mistake most consignors make when coming back to pick up their items is leaving things behind. Don't get so focused on getting your check that you walk out without your leftover items.
- Check EVERY station: At our sale we have a series of stations for you to check: Clothing, Gear, Big Items, and Lost and Found. Workers should escort you to each section, but please check each one. Many feel they don't need to check a certain area and then they walk out without many of their items.
- Check Lost and Found: Tags easily become separated from their items after hundreds of people have picked them up and handled them. Although we do our best during the sale to match the tags back up so that the items can sell, we always have a section of items that remain unclaimed. Make sure to glance through those items before you leave.