I made $1000 in a single year cleaning out my closets, and I didn’t have to plunk a thing out in my yard and didn’t have to negotiate with a soul to squeeze an extra dime out of a jacket bought on impulse and never worn. When I have a cavity, I see a dentist. I don’t try to repair the tooth myself. When I have personal items to sell, I contact a consignment broker. After all, I’m not an expert on valuing and/or in selling used items. Though I pay for the expertise of a secondhand specialist, I come out ahead, because I leave the selling to someone who knows what he or she is doing.
Consignment is a way of finding buyers for things that you don’t need, want,
or can’t fit into anymore. Not only do you get a chance to make a little extra
money and a chance to de-clutter the house, you put usable goods back out in
the marketplace which helps reduce the waste of resources to create new goods.
When serviceable goods are passed along rather than hidden in the attic or
garage or tossed in the trash, everyone benefits including those selling, those
buying, and those involved in the management process.
Some individuals are suited to sell items. Some are not. In the case of
consignment, everyone suits up and plays a comfortable role rather than trying
to make personality adjustments that may be uncomfortable or even impossible.
While you may hope to see your mother’s silver find a good home or may
imagine how pretty some young girl may look in your old wedding dress from the
marriage that didn’t work out, a direct transaction may be quite uncomfortable
or emotionally wrenching. Taking a step back and allowing a more objective
exchange works better for many. If you’ve considered the secondhand circuit but
didn’t think you could deal with the pressures, then consignment may be the
ticket. It accomplishes the same purposes and serves the same benefits but with
a different business model in place.
The main difference between consignment and yard sales and direct sales (off
or online) of used goods is that a sales professional is added to the equation
between the seller and buyer.
Those Benefiting from Consignment Arrangements
Those who hate to evaluate,
price, and bargain but support the concept of remarketing goods, this is a
great set up.
Those who are great at
matching secondhand items to buyers, this is a way to stay involved and
employed even when personal supplies of goods are not available.
Those out there looking for
items, the consignment resale process can make the difference between finding
or not finding something coveted. And, most consumers also save money when
shopping on the new-to-you circuit.
So, all in all consignment is a win-win situation for all.