The Second Hand Store Revolution is here! Savvy shoppers and clever consumers know that consigning their unwanted property can put money in the bank and remove clutter from closets and storage areas. While retail struggles in this tough economy, consignment stores are booming.
It happens to all of us. Over a lifetime, we accumulate possessions. Sometimes tastes change and what were once prized items lose their luster. Lifestyle modifications also affect the items we keep and which we sell. Many of us find that we have grown children and no longer need to keep a child’s bedroom suite. Moving to a smaller or larger home dictates the need for different furniture.
Following are a few of the traditional ways consumers have disposed of unwanted property.
An outright donation of unwanted goods is one possibility. A private sale is a possibility, too.
Yard sales have been a long-standing method of selling unwanted items, but it is inefficient and hard work. The weather can be a problem. A rain or wind storm can quickly damage nice furniture and clothing.
Advertising a yard sale is usually limited to a poster stapled to a telephone pole. Besides that, there is the problem of strangers coming to your house to view your goods.
Flea markets are popular places to buy and sell. But how do you know someone will find your treasures let alone pay for your items amid the mounds of goods at a flea market?
Craigslist is another option. Unfortunately, this site seems like a magnet for scammers, spammers, and the unscrupulous. It’s a similar situation with eBay. First you set up an account. Then you wait for buyers. If you have someone that is interested you will need a way to qualify the buyer to make sure they are honest and legitimate. There are many people willing to take your goods on Ebay and not pay for them.
Second hand stores, also known as consignment shops, solve a lot of the aforementioned problems. Consigning is the manifestation of the adage, “one man’s trash is another’s treasure.” If you’re unfamiliar with consigning goods, read this consignment primer to learn more about it.
Finding a good consignment store has many advantages. They should have a knowledgeable and skilled staff. They will know how to present your goods if you’re a seller and be able to give some history on the item if you’re buying.
Not only will bargains abound at a consignment store, but it’s a fun and addictive way to shop.
There is a huge market for second hand, or lightly used goods. Furniture consignments and jewelry consignments are extremely popular. In addition, consigning means everyone wins. The seller makes money, the consignment store keeps a percentage of the sale and makes money, and the consumer gets a bargain with a nice item purchased at a value price.
Consigning is easy. There’s no need to set up an online account, advertise, or entertain strangers in your home. The basic routine is this: take your item or a picture of the item into the consignment store. The staff will evaluate the goods and tell you if it’s something they can sell and for how much. If you agree to the price, a consignment agreement will list the terms and conditions of the sale including the split. The split is the percentage of the sales price for the seller and the consignment store.
The Second Hand Store Revolution is here. Consigning is the wave of the future as more shoppers practice frugality. Consumers will always want to have nice things. The twist is that they want to buy them at a value. Consigning satisfies the need for great items at good values.
