Assignment: Consignment
Shop consignment? Why not? All the cool kids are doing it! Treasure hunters, harken; consignment is a virtual trove!
Here's what to know: There are two schools of thought on consignment. Some shops accept anything you can haul in. Those shops offer a true treasure hunt, if you're up for it. Many people enjoy the hunt as much as the find. I prefer to skip straight to the treasure.
I frequent the other kind of consignment shop: selective consignment. These shops offer curated merchandise at bargain, but not garage sale, prices. I’m fine with that, because, while I love a good deal, I don't want to schlepp through a mound of trash to get one.
What I love about select consignment is the bespoke nature of their offerings. Many of these shops do a bang-up job coordinating disparate merchandise into appealing vignettes. The nature of the beast, though, is everything is a one-off. There’s no matchy-poo showroom to guide you. This is the blessing and the curse of consignment. Bring your design eye.
Click on the pics to see some of my consignment finds:
Before you dive in, I’d encourage you to do some homework, because there is a LOT of distraction in a consignment shop. Consignment is the TJMaxx of home furnishings. (Some of you are saying, "Ohhhhh, I get it!")
It helps to know brands, because, at first glance, some things might seem pricey to a true bargain hunter. For example, you might find a Guess t-shirt at TJMaxx for $12. Yay, a bargain! On the other hand, you might come across a Michael Kors blouse at TJ's for $40. Hmmm...Is it really a steal? Here's how you decide. You employ the cardinal treasure-hunting principle, which is only this: The bargin is directly proportionate to the retail price. A Guess t-shirt usually costs 30 bucks or so, whereas the Michael Kors blouse usually costs one million dollars. Ergo, the MK blouse is the better deal at TJMaxx. See?
Likewise, an Ethan Allen sofa in good condition will have a higher consignment price, because it costs a bundle at retail. If you're in the market for a high quality sofa for a value, pick the Ethan Allen. You won't be sorry; quality speaks for itself. If your budget won't allow it (or it's a hideous color, or gigantic or something), pick the Ashley Furniture sofa for a steal. Again, one's a value, one's a steal. One will last longer, one is easier on your wallet.
Tips for treasure-hunting:
- Hone your style and purge your stuff. Moving a lot has taught me the value of purging, and living a lot has taught me about my style.
- Have a particular item in mind. This helps you to ignore the minutiae and zero in on the prime real estate.
- Stand still and survey the store bit by bit. Again, it's not a showroom, and there is a lot of visual noise. Put your blinders on and focus, focus, focus.
- Don’t be fooled into a bad purchase by a good price. Trust me, you’ll regret it. Been there, done that.
- Be intentional. This is a hard-won philosophy, but you’ll thank yourself. Make things matter.
- Enjoy the hunt! Some of my favorite things are consignment finds, and most of them were complete surprises.
Bottom line, shopping consignment is its own reward. The thrill of discovery, alone, is worth it, but seriously, who doesn’t love a bargain? My friend, Mags, who manages my favorite shop, let me in on a little secret recently: designers shop consignment too. And why shouldn't they? Designers value the collected, the curated, and the unique. Just like the rest of us cool kids.
Click on the pics to see some current consignment offerings in my area:
*Cover picture courtesy of Savvy Snoot, Atlanta