Consigning your stuff can save you lots of money

By Allison Berman
August 25, 2009

I discovered consignment shops when I was in my early 20s, living on the Upper East Side. I had this realization that I could buy my very wealthy neighbors' castoffs at a fraction of their original cost, and I was hooked! In this economy, lots of people who used to donate their old clothes, and then go buy new ones, are tightening their belts and discovering they can make money consigning. And once in the shop, they are spending their earnings on new or "like new" merchandise because the prices are right.

I got a pair of True Religion jeans - with the original tags still attached - for nothing because the proprietor thought the holes made the jeans look old and tattered. Clearly she didn't realize people like me actually pay more for jeans with holes.

I love consignment shops in general - both consigning and scavenging for that vintage piece nobody else has. So when I moved from the city years ago, I opened an account at a local shop. My daughter went to school down the street on Tuesdays - the one day they let you bring in merchandise to sell or pay you for your merchandise that sold. I was there often. Then my daughter's schedule changed...

Somehow, a full year elapsed since my last visit, and per their policy, clearly stated on their contract, they closed my account. Translation: I would need to pay to re-open my account to consign, and I was no longer entitled to my proceeds. I took the stuff I had intended to consign and left.

Many places fit all requirements
I needed a consignment shop with a more lenient policy, better suited to a now-working mom who can't always make it in on Tuesdays anymore, who might take a year to claim a check. I want to be able to leave my bag of goodies in my car and consign between meetings or while waiting for my daughter's prescription to be filled.

Fortunately I found several shops that fit this description right here in Warwick. Savvy Chic, just outside the village, carries designer brands for women - Prada shoes, Gucci bags and Donna Karan dresses. And Marilyn's Consignment Boutique in the village also carries high-end merchandise, including a few Marc Jacobs bags.

Both stores have adorable fitting rooms - and Savvy Chic even stocks theirs with shoes so you can see what the clothes will look like with heels. You can consign any day of the week at both stores, and neither store is going to close your account if dormant. Nor is there any time limit on collecting your money. Whew. For the ultra-busy, Glitz, in Goshen, mails you your check when your merchandise sells so you don't even need to go back to claim your money. How fabulous!

I still can't believe I couldn't find the time in an entire year to get to the consignment shop - but, truthfully, with so much on my plate, something had to give. I just wish I picked something else to keep re-writing on my to-do list.

Lucky for me, there are other consignment shops that cater to us over-programmed, less-than-punctual souls.

Allison Berman, an artist and mother of two, handpaints custom home accessories for interior designers and private customers. She works out of her home studio in Warwick, NY. See her collection at www.withlovealib.com. She can be reached at ali@withlovealib.com. Her column appears Tuesdays.