Among Friends

[Allthingsgirly67]

I get kind of creeped out by Goodwill and other stores that have used clothes as I always think that it bengef to a dead person or could have bedbugs. When I look at the sets of china it seems to me that a family has cleared out a dead relatives home.

[granddi]

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@Allthingsgirly67 wrote:
I get kind of creeped out by Goodwill and other stores that have used clothes as I always think that it bengef to a dead person or could have bedbugs. When I look at the sets of china it seems to me that a family has cleared out a dead relatives home.

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I try to not think about hotel beds, hotel floors, what happens in a restaurant kitchen, airline air, dr office germs,who else tried on the shoes............

[msgb]

Like most things you have to do your "homework" on the consignment shop or the resale shop that you bring items to.

In the last two years one of my brothers and I have been bringing items to two different consignemnet shops. We usually get 1/2 of the selling price when the item is sold. We are given a window of a few weeks that if not sold we can take the item back .

If we do not agree with the amount that they want to sell the item we will take the item back at the time of the appointment.

There was even one item we brought that was going to be priced too high even for them and they told us of a place where we might receive a better price.

(our parents passed in the last few years and though there are a number of siblings --we are not able to keep or ship items off to them as they live out of state and some out of country--this way with the money when an item is sold it is put into an account for all 7 of us).

There are a number of consignment sites online and others in the area. We did our homework and saw that we would be able to work with these ones the best.

[LavernLuvsShoes]

I consigned a $250 Coach bag (in mint condition)...

I ended up with $37.00

Never again!!! 

[amyb]

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@LavernLuvsShoes wrote:

I consigned a $250 Coach bag (in mint condition)...

I ended up with $37.00

Never again!!! 

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Wow...I can see why you felt that way....that's low.

[amyb]

I've consigned, but have also donated to assisted living places, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and a pet care center too (blankets, towels.)

I'm just curious as many posts here sounds like you go in and they "buy" your items outright, by offering a price right then?

In my places, and I always thought it was the way consignment works everywhere...you bring it in on the chance they will sell it, and only if they do you get paid.

Unless you ask for things that don't sell to be returned to you, what doesn't sell in the two months they try to sell it, it will be donated. All places I've gone I only make 40%, they take 60%, and they decrease the sale price after the first month. I've done ok. It's just some spare cash, nothing big deal. Wasn't hard to do, and I needed to do something with the things I declutter.

When we cleaned out my mom's home to sell it a furniture consignment took my grandma's big cedar chest, like new, sold it for about $280, and I made only $75.00. I really would have loved to have it for linens & sweater storage, but I had no room for it.

My childhood bedroom set, mahogony, mid-century modern, American made (I think they told me Scandinavian is the most valued) didn't sell.

They wanted some other items I wound up taking for my home and I'm glad I'm happily using those items instead for what I'd have gotten.

Sometimes it is easier to just donate, if there's a good place to do so. I guess I try everything. It can get tedious...after the whole process of emptying, storing, donating, consigning, giving to friends in need and tossing went on at mom's I kept saying...we're all just stewards of our stuff in this lifetime!  

[RedTop]

A consignment or resale shop pops up in this area occasionally, but never lasts more than a year.  I would think a shop like this would surely have the local business, but I think the issue has always been with poor management.  

I give my items away to anyone I know who needs or can use them, donate what I can to Union Mission, because they also let locals in need choose items for free, and trash anything in poor condition.  They have someone in their receiving area 10-4, 6 days a week, to carry all donations inside, so nothing is ever left in the weather, which is exactly why I stopped supporting the local Salvation Army thrift shop.   

[AuntG]

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@sandy53 wrote:

I have a very good consignment store near my summer home.  I have gone down two sizes, so it has been a great source of clothes for me, especially jeans.  It's been nice to try on a wide variety of brands.

I have consigned some clothing and shoes. I only get money if items sell.  I can take 15 items every 30 days, so I donate clothing that would give such a low return that it wouldn't be worth it. 

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Based on your purchases @sandy53 , it appears @chrystaltree is wrong and people do buy jeans at consignment shops. As far as what they pay out, those stores have rent and other expenses to pay. I'd take what they offer just to get rid of stuff I no longer want.

[bikerbabe]

We tend to overvalue what someone else should pay for the stuff we want to discard. 😉

[granddi]

@amyb When we cleaned out my dad's house, we knew we were going to sell it. Our time was so limited as to selling or donating furniture. We ended up selling it partially furnished including appliances. 

It was an accidential selling point. The home sold quickly to a first time home buyer.