How To Shop Consignment

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!