If you're looking for ways to make ends meet, and a quick way to make money, consider selling the clothes in your closet that you no longer use. Clothing consignment shops make the selling of your unwanted clothes simple and convenient.
"There is gold in them hills!" Make money by selling your unwanted clothing, jewelry, winter coats, boots, shoes, belts, and other accessories to a clothing consignment shop.
Here are step-by-step instructions for selling clothing at a consignment store:
1. Clean out your closets and dressers. Consider ALL the clothing you or your family members have in your home that you're no longer using. If you haven't worn the item in the last two years, get rid of it.
Whether you gained or lost weight, your children have grown out of their clothes, or you simply no longer care for the item that has been sitting in your closet, you have clothes that can make you some money.
2. Divide Your Clothes into Two Piles.Go through your entire household and find all the clothes that are no longer being worn. Make two piles, one for the clothing consignment shop and one for donating.
Pile One: The first pile of clothes for the clothing consignment store need to be the gently used clothing without rips, stains, or otherwise making the article of clothing unattractive to buyers.
Pile Two: The second pile of clothing is for donating. Almost all charities are in need of clothes no matter the condition. Bag this pile of clothing and donate it to your local charity (Goodwill, a church, AmVets, etc.). Many of your local charities will even come to your house to pick up your unwanted clothes if you make pickup arrangements with them.
Be sure to collect a donation receipt so that you can account for this at tax time. When figuring out the value of your donation, consider 10% of the original price of the clothes.
3. Wash and iron the clothes for clothing consignment.
Remember, you are looking to earn the highest dollar amount possible on the clothes you are consigning. Make these articles of clothing as attractive and new-looking as possible.
4. Shop around for consignment stores. Look in a phone book, research online, and ask friends about any local consignment clothing shops they recommend. Visit the stores to become familiar with their selection and price points of clothing.
You want to sell your clothes in the store where you would feel comfortable shopping. Be aware if the storekeeper displays items in a fashionable way. Make sure that the store is in a great location, smells fresh, is nicely organized, and shopping is a comfortable not cramped experience.
5. Not all consignment stores want your clothes, now.
Inquire if the store accepts out-of-season clothing or if they are only selling in-season clothing. Ideally, you want to save the out-of-season until it's the season for the articles as you will earn a lot more money at that time.
6. Consignment stores are not created equal.Typically the better the neighborhood, the better the clothing, and therefore, the higher the price tag. Some very high-end clothing consignment shops only accept designer labels. If your clothes are not designer label, remember this store for an upcoming special event where you may need to buy a special outfit. After wearing it, have it dry cleaned and resell it!
Some stores only sell women's clothes whereas some only sell children's clothing. My neighbor shops for all of her three children's clothing at consignment stores. Once they grow out of the clothing, if it is still wearable, she sells it back to the store. Her children are so well dressed since most of her children's clothes are designer made. Men's consignment clothing is available but not nearly as common.
There are even bridal consignment shops now where you can find bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and tuxedos. If you are planning a wedding and you want to investigate this option, do some research. It may save you hundreds of dollars to travel to the largest city near you to find a bridal consignment shop. You may even save thousands of dollars depending on your taste. Another thing to consider are vintage clothing stores. Many accessories for weddings can found such as elegant evenings bags, maternity clothes, bridal gloves, and antique jewelry.
7. Make an appointment to bring your clothing in for review. The shop owner will review your clothes in front of you and provide you her/his insight in their ability to sell the items you brought in for resale. At this point you will discuss pricing. Remember that even if your clothes have never been worn before, people shopping at consignment shops are looking for great deals on clothing. You can't expect to get retail prices.
8. Know the store pricing policies.In my experience, the clothing consignment shop makes 50% of whatever they sell. If you have a leather jacket that you want to sell, for example, the store owner may suggest a price of $40. You will be paid $20 and they keep $20. Regular blue jeans may bring in a total of $10 in which case you need to decide if it's worth it to you to earn $5 on those jeans or if you prefer to keep them.
After 2 - 4 weeks, the store may have a policy to put your clothes on a clearance rack. Again, you may make 50% of the selling price. Those $10 jeans, may now be $5 on the clearance rack, earning you $2.50 if they sell.
Be sure to get an itemized drop-off receipt from the storekeeper for the items you are reselling. Double check the receipt and read the contract before signing.
9. Pick up your check and any remaining clothes.
After 6 - 8 weeks, the store will give you the option to pick up your check. Be sure to bring the original drop-off receipt that you were given. You may call the store and ask the status of your drop-off. If you decide to have them mail you a check, but they have remaining clothing that didn't sell, the store may end up donating this clothing. You probably won't get the tax write-off if you decide to do this, but perhaps the convenience is worth more to you.
Be sure to know all the facts up front so that there is no misunderstandings.
10. Rinse and repeat.After selling your clothes, ask your friends or family members if they need help organizing their wardrobe. In exchange you may make a deal with them to take all their unwanted clothes to a resale shop. You'd be surprised how people really would appreciate the help and the ability to get rid of all their extra stuff.
Don't forget that consignment shops also sell gently used jewelry, handbags, belts, shoes, and accessories.
On a separate note, consignment shops are a very interesting business model. As a budding entrepreneur, I'm very intrigued with the low overhead of clothing consignment stores.
All of the inventory comes in without having to pay a penny. I don't know too many brick-and-mortar businesses where your inventory cost is $0. And, if you plan it right, you can either live in the same building as your store or have a very short commute to work which saves a lot on car expenses.
Happy Re-Selling!
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