Tips for selling your undesirable clothes to consignment stores

Having too many items in our closet can give you daily stress and anguish. Purge your closet seasonally and as an added bonus, make some money! All of our closets hold some sort of value to us – whether it be emotional love towards certain pieces, actual dollar value or simply the value of your expression through fashion. Here are some ways to get some cold cash in your hand.

Things to consider when consigning your pieces

The quality of the label
The state of the item – wear and tear
How current the item is

How consignment stores work

Most shops have their own specifics but do inquire about the following:

Ask about the split between what goes to the consignor and consignee. (Online only should be less of a percentage to the store)
What is the pricing structure and split if the items goes on sale?
How long is the contract for?
Ensure you know what happens after an item doesn’t sell (Will it be donated? How much time do you have to pick it up? Are you responsible for remembering the date?)
When do cheques get issued – monthly? As requested? Or do you get paid immediately in cash?
Do you need an appointment to drop off items?
So you have them laundered for drop off and what state should they be in? Hangers? Folded?

Insider tips

When I am switching over my seasonal closet, I will pack up my pieces that I didn’t wear that season separately so I can easily grab that bin/bag and consign while still in the opposite season. As in, February and March is when they are taking summer pieces yet we still have winter in our closet. Since I previously divided my summer pieces, I am ready to take my summer items I didn’t wear last summer to consignment.
I also recommend calling or visiting a few consignment stores before making an appointment to take in your pieces. Each shop caters to a certain kind of clientele. You can easily discern if your pieces will fit in after a look around.
Trust the employees as they know what will sell and what won’t. And hopefully they deliver that in a polite lovely way!

Platos Consignment

Carries mainstream retailers such as H&M, Garage, whose clients are young – teens and early 20s.
They offer you 30-40% of what they will price an item for on the floor, which is 50-70% off retail pricing. So it will sell for $10 and you will get paid $3-4.
No appointment necessary and takes all seasons but asks pieces be laundered and folded.
Priced based on the computer system that judges based on brands, age, etc. The employee has little control over the value aside from judging the condition the item is in.

BCBG runway aztec print flat front shorts

Would price at the store for $12. Seller would receive $3.50 – $4.50

Aritzia Wilfred silk black culottes

Would price at the store for $35-$40. Seller would receive $12-$16

Zara crochet top with fringe

Would price at the store for $9 or $12. Seller would receive $3-$4.50

Rewind – Couture Revisited

Very edited offerings of beautiful and unique couture pieces.
Gives you instant cash therefore gratification without you having to wait for an item to sell which could take months. There could be major reductions and the item may not ever sell.
Here you don’t need to track an item.
The process is quick and easy with no misguided promises.

Schumacher grey blazer

Buying price: $50.00

Alexander McQueen corseted blazer

Buying price: $100.00

Chanel chunky knit sweater

Buying price: $140.00

Designer Consignor Girls

High end authentic accessories
This is online and has very selected offerings of high end designer accessories. Since it is online and there is no storefront, the consignor/consignee split is different than the traditional split. This particular online consignor takes 20% of the sale price.
They focus on selling new with tags but mostly barely worn accessories of brands that retain their value such as a Chanel, Louis Vuitton, etc.

Louis Vuitton tote is a Neverfull GM in Damier ebene

This is the largest size tote from a few years ago. New today is $1700 plus tax. Resale price is anywhere from $1100-$1500 depending if it has the pouch or not. This one doesn’t so it would sell for $1100-$1200.

Chanel Vintage double flap lambskin with gold hardware.