For those interested in consigning, but unsure of how to begin, the following might help you get a few things together and get started. As the consignor, you need to prepare your items for consignment so that you get the most out of your experience. The same preparation should be taken if you are consigning a high chair or a tuxedo, an antique ring or a dining room set. First-timers should bring no more than 10 items to keep the initial meeting short.
The person accepting your consignment will look over each piece for “sale-ability.” Don’t go in expecting all your items to be accepted for consignment. Shops will only accept for sale what their clientele will buy. The store’s personnel will know what has “sale-ability” in their shop and what does not. You can always try a second shop with the items that weren’t accepted. Not all shops have the same requirements or the same purchasing clientele. Most shops accept only current
styles for consignment. Trendy merchandise that is more than two-years old may not be in style and, therefore, not accepted for consignment. Traditional items will have a longer selling life. Use your best judgment when selecting items for consignment. Consider reading “The Keepers, The Sleepers & The Weepers” for more information. Cleanliness of your items is a MUST.
Requiring dry-cleaning will depend on the store. However, preparing your items by laundering or spot cleaning can make a big difference. Original price tags and cleaning tags should be left on the items when possible. Clothing should be pressed and brought in on hangers to keep them wrinkle free to avoid pressing or preparation fees. Consign seasonally. Your plan as a consignor is to get to the best selling price for your
merchandise. For instance, coats don’t sell well in June and sandals don’t sell well in November. If the shop you are choosing marks down their inventory every 30 days, you need to be even more selective in your timing when bringing in your merchandise. Not all shops use the mark down method in their stores. Shoes, handbags, jewelry, knickknacks, equipment, furniture and miscellaneous items should be clean and dust free. The price you will receive for your items depends on
the shape they are in at first glance, so, spruce them up before you consign. Unsure if an item is “sale-able?” Bring it in and let the shop decide. Before you pack-up and drop-in on an unsuspecting shop owner, give your local shop a call. Find a Members-in-Good-Standing shop by clicking on the state of your choice from the ConsignmentShops.com Home Page. Ask if appointments are required, if they have any standard requirements, consignment fees
or if they have a minimum or maximum amount of items consignable at one time. Payment schedules and percentages shared can be discussed with each shop at the time of consignment. That’s all there is to it. It’s that easy. for more information on consigning antiques and furniture, click here | 
