Consignment Stores
Consignment Stores
We’ve spent the past few weeks discussing thrift stores around Athens. They’re a great place to find diamonds in the rough. But what if you haven’t got the patience to dig for buried treasure, but you haven’t got the funds to just buy treasure at full retail value? What’s a savvy shopper to do? One answer is to check out consignment stores. They offer all of the bargain but none of the hassle. Here are the pros and cons of consignment in a nutshell.
~Consignment stores are selective in what they’ll take to resale, so most of the work has been done for you. Stores will usually only accept items in great condition, in current styles, and sometimes only in select sizes. The down side is that if you’re looking for something really specific you may not find it. Because they only carry used items, you may not find the trendiest or latest fashions in great supply here. One-of-a-kind or vintage items are more likely to be on display
~Prices are slightly higher than thrift stores but still dramatically less than retail. Expect to pay less than 50% off what you’d pay at the mall. Consider the markup from thrift store prices a finders fee that the store collects for sorting through everything and only presenting you with the best.
~You can even consign your own items in good condition to make a little extra money. For best luck only take clean, stylish items in good condition to consign. Many stores will donate the items that they won’t accept, and some will allow you to come and pick them up if you’d like to try to donate or sell them yourself.
~Stores vary on their payment process for consignors. Typically you’ll get a percentage of the sales price after your item sells. Some stores will pay you outright for your items whether they sell or not. Many stores offer to write you a check or offer store credit. Ask if the value increases if you forgo the check and spend the credit in the store. In the following weeks we’ll explore more about consignment stores in Athens. Happy savings!
