I love consignment shopping! I love it so much that I opened FRATZ’ Consignment, LLC with my Mom and sister in June 2001. We believed that we could do it better. With our 5 year anniversary and second expansion close upon us, our beliefs have been validated.  Consignment stores are the best place to maximize your dollar or find some great treasures to list on eBay.

Consignment stores are stores that charge a percentage to sell items for a consignor. Most consignment stores discount items on a predictable discount schedule. Prices are not negotiable because they are under contract with the consignor. In most cases, the owner of the store does not own the items that she/he is selling.  If a consignment store does not offer scheduled discounts, you might be able to negotiate a lower price (it never hurts to ask). I once heard a new consignment store owner say that she didn’t discount prices because she wouldn’t “play games”. What she didn’t understand is that consignment shopping is a game - it is fun to find a bargain - and discounts are expected in consignment stores.

When I watch some of our “seasoned” consignment shoppers, I noticed that they were armed with a few consistent tools.

Consignment Kit

Digital Camera

Tape Measure

Paper & pen

Magnifying Glass/loupe

Black Light (check for damage on ceramics or organic stains on linens and furniture)

Cell Phone (Get an opinion from a friend )

Pocket Guide to Collectibles and Antiques

Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D and 9 Volt)

Snack!

Check the condition - carefully!  Almost all consignment stores sell items as a final sale. This means, the minute you pay your money, you cannot return the item!

When buying antique/collectible ceramics or glassware, ask to see the item in bright or natural light. This will allow you to see cracks, repairs, and chips more clearly. A black-light and magnifying glass are very helpful. Remove ribbons added to handles - they are sometimes used to hide chips or repairs. Ask the staff if the consignor provided any information on the piece. If a piece is identified “AS IS“, ask the staff to explain the “AS IS” condition (it might not be what you think it is).

When buying furniture - turn the item over.    Look for drippy glue (could be a repair), poorly reupholstered cushions or structural damage.  Remove dresser drawers to look for repairs, poorly constructed drawers and cheap drawer braces. Check for a maker’s name impressed inside the drawer, paper label on the bottom or stamp on the back.  If you are considering buying an expensive piece of furniture,  go home and do a search on the internet to check quality and price range for the furniture manufacturer before you buy it.  Most consignment stores will place a hold on an item for a few hours. Do not pass up a quality piece because of light surface scratches or corner wear - there are some great scratch cover products available in your local hardware store. Sit on the chair, wiggle the table to check sturdiness, look to see if the legs can be tightened (if the piece is unstable, ask the owner to try tightening the screws). Ask if the surface of an antique piece has been refinished (refinished surfaces on antique furniture can reduce the value of the piece by up to 50%). SMELL it! If it smells musty - it has probably gotten wet somewhere in its history.  If it smells smokey - airing it out might not work.  If you don’t like the smell, don’t buy it unless you plan on reupholstering it or just living with it. If it smells like urine (usually cat urine) - it will, most likely,  always smell like urine!  I am always suspect when a piece of furniture has scented drawer liners. Nothing like the smell of violet scented cat urine! Look at the structure - if it is a quality piece and fits your style then a coat of paint, paint stripper or new upholstery could make it your favorite piece!  Ask for the history.  Most consignors share interesting history with the staff as they are going through the consignment process.

When buying small appliances ask the staff to demonstrate that it is in working condition - do not take their word for it - the staff might be going on the word of the consignor.

When buying linens check for stains, tears and general condition. Smell it! Ask the staff to measure the piece, do not go by the size on the store's price tag - they might be guessing.  If needs a bath - ask the owner if you can buy it, take it home and launder it/have it cleaned and return it if its cleaned condition is not satisfactory (get approval in writing, dated and signed by the owner/manager).  Do not expect the store to pay for the cleaning.  If this is not acceptable to the owner, do not buy the item. I would not waste my hard-earned money on a used item that “might” clean-up.  A great deal on a dirty rug might not be a great deal when you find out how much it costs to have it professionally cleaned. Use your cell phone to call a rug cleaner BEFORE you buy the soiled rug!

While I have focused on household consignment, these general rules also apply to buying clothing from a consignment store. Basic rule: like it, check condition, try it on, check condition again (cleanliness, buttons/fasteners, seams, hems).  I have found that by examining the label I can determine if the piece of clothing has been washed A LOT. Clothing that has been wash a lot usually has weaker seams, looser buttons and color loss - I pass them up. Look for quality pieces - be willing to pay for a little tailoring to make it a perfect fit for you!

The fun is in the search and the discovery of a perfect treasure!