I clean out my closet once every six months and consign whatever possible. Because consignment stores split the profits from their sale with the consignee, it’s a win-win situation: I get rid of clothes and I make some cash!
Here’s how to consign your clothes:
- What can you sell? Shirts, pants, shoes, jewelry, handbags, outerwear, scarves… Most consignment stores will accept both men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. This goes without saying, but don’t try to consign torn or stained clothing or your underwear.
- Wash and iron the items you want to consign. If an item smells funky or looks dingy, the shop may not accept it.
- Research your local consignment shops. Check out their websites or call them to figure out what types of items they accept, when you can drop off clothing, their consignment rates, and reimbursement methods. Many stores will wait for your items to sell before they cut you a check. They may also offer higher in-store credit (for example, you could get 20% of your sale in cash or 40% in credit for shopping at the store).
- What happens to your clothes if they don’t sell? Many stores automatically donate items after their retail period is up (stores like to stock in-season items, so they won’t need your cashmere sweater after winter). Talk to your consignment shop and see if you can pick up your items if they don’t sell.
- Choose the store for you and set a reminder for when your items may be picked up if they don’t sell. If you’re game, you may be able to make a few extra bucks taking items that don’t sell at one store and consigning them at another, provided they’re still in-season. But this won’t work at a consignment store that cuts you a check outright when you drop off your items.
I’ve never made boatloads of cash consigning, but $20 here or $30 there is perfect to help out a little with date night.
Image by Thing Three via cc.
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