Consignment stores are
often very different from a traditional retail store. In order to be successful
at resale shopping, and to find the best deals, you need to know how each store
works, and how to make it work for you.
Let's start from the
beginning. With consignment, our inventory has been gently
worn before coming to our store. (We do get brand new items too!) At Our Friends' Closet, we receive an amazing
selection of brands in all different sizes from several different consignors,
which makes our selection like no other! Follow these simple tips to get the
most from your shopping experience.
Rule #1: DON'T COME IN WITH A SIZE IN MIND
Most women know their
size, and if they shop at the same store regularly, they know how that brand will
fit. However, with consignment shopping, you can no longer only look under one
size. Try your normal size, as well as one size up or even one size down.
Consignment stores get in a multitude of brands from all over the world, brands
you may never be able to find again, or from a country whose sizes run
differently. You don't want to miss out on finding a gem just because the label
said it was a size small and not a medium.
Rule #2: TRY EVERYTHING ON!
We’ve
found that nearly every brand runs differently and a small in one brand may not
fit like a small in another brand. No one wants to spend money on an item only
to have it not fit when they get home. If you don't have time to try it on, or
if you think your daughter would love it, but you need her to try it on, ask to
have the items held for you. Typically,
all sales are final.
Rule #3: LOOK FOR SIGNS
Most
consignment stores will have all the information you need posted throughout the
store. Check signs to find out what tag colors are on sale. After the items
have been in the store for several weeks without selling, they are discounted
to increase the chances of being sold. After more time, the items are further
discounted, and the process continues. So that already great deal could become
an AMAZING deal just by knowing the store policies. Signs are also used for
organization and merchandising, to improve your shopping experience!
Rule #4: FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Everyone
has some sort of social media account these days, and they can be helpful in
learning about ways to save at your favorite consignment store. It isn't always
efficient to send out an email to 3,500 people at one time, but it only takes a
few seconds to make a post to Facebook/Twitter/Instagram. This is also the
easiest way for us to post our new and best merchandise. See something you
can't live without? Call the store and purchase it over the phone. This is
often the first place we go when we want to post new sales or specials.
Rule #5: DON'T HESITATE! IF YOU LOVE IT, BUY IT!
Generally
in consignment, we only get one of everything we have. So you find the perfect
pair of shoes, they fit like a dream, but for some reason you hesitate. What
typically happens is that while you’re thinking about the purchase, someone
else buys your perfect pair of shoes. We’ve seen it happen in as quickly as 15
minutes! Most of the time, waiting for a small markdown isn’t worth the risk of
losing the item, so BUY IT NOW!
