Once you’ve taken the time to collect and to prepare your items for
consignment, case out the markets. Though it may be possible to work with one
seller, it’s usually better to match items to consigners.
Most stores and dealers specialize. For example, many shops cater to parents
shopping for children. Your kitchen goods are not going to appeal to the
clientele. The clothing that will move fast in shop near a college may not go
over so well in a shop drawing an older buying group. Your grandmother’s shelf
ornaments may be featured in a little downtown shop but may be jumbled in the
dollar box at a store where furniture is the main draw.
If you’re not familiar with your local consignment shops, take some time to
visit and look around. Even glancing in the phone book at ads can give some
indication of the type of shop involved and a suggestion of which items you’re
marketing might match and which probably wouldn’t.
Begin to sort your goods and to plan for pitching. When in doubt, try to market
up. If you think your old kitchen set might sell in an upscale consignment
shop, plan to start there. It the shop owner does not accept the pieces, then
move down the list.
Make contact with consigners before popping in with goods. Most have
specific days and times to look at items and make offers. Most also have
seasonal guidelines. Some have drop in policies. Others set specific
appointments. Most can give you a pretty good idea as far as what they want and
do not want and also the general value of items. It’s impossible to prepare if
you don’t know the rules and how the shop or dealer works. Call ahead or ask
during the casing visits.