Posted in Shopkeeping talk, tagged markdowns on October 28, 2007| 11 Comments »
First, read The Jacket I Left Behind. I STILL lust after it. I still regret it.
So there I am. A consignment shop owner, author, editor, and consultant, shopping in another consignment shop while on vacation.
I’m thrilled to find a shop, thrilled that DuH has a magazine that he can sit in the car and read, thrilled that I have time to really shop.
Sashay I into said shop. Nice place! Lookin’ good. Oops. There’s (more…)
Posted in Shopkeeping talk on October 26, 2007|
How many hours a day do you work? If you’re an entrepreneur, you probably cannot answer that question. Do you count just the time when you’re physically at your business? Do you include that focused-mental-set time known as commuting? How about the minutes here and there that your brain wanders from making dinner or listening to your preteen complain about her friends towards what you have to do at work?
Then there’s the hours (more…)
Posted in quotations of use on October 18, 2007|
Today would have been my father‘s birthday, so, in honor of him, an artist, today’s Quotation of Use:
— Confucius
Posted in economics of resale, Shopkeeping talk, tagged Thrift on October 15, 2007| 23 Comments »
After all these years, I didn’t think there was anything new to learn about
resale. But my volunteer job at a consignment-only, not-for-profit shop has proved me wrong!
You’ve heard me preach forever about the disadvantages of item limits on incoming. It’s inconvenient for the consignor, she selects the wrong things to bring, the best consignors won’t put up with it, and so on.
Well, here’s another reason to NOT have item limits:
The shop where I’m working has a 20 item limit. Canny consignors bring in 25 or 30 things. So what did I find myself doing? Choosing the 20 “best” items from those offered. After all, the consignor interprets the 20-item limit as I am entitled to bring in 20 items. . . and so, kinda, did I.
Even if that meant I was accepting things I wouldn’t accept if there was no limit. Without limits, I’d choose the 2 or 12 or 22 best. I’d choose what would sell and not accept the things that wouldn’t.
But no, I was taking 20 from each consignor, even if the last few were not things I really thought I should. And I was forced to reject some mighty fine stuff once I had gotten to #20 with the folks who offered the 25 or 30 really good things.
By thinking “20 item limit” and mentally turning that into “20 from each person, regardless of quality”, the “bad” were driving out the good!
This article was originally run on TGtbT.com, and is reprinted here because it is more important than ever to operate any retail business with care and thoughtfulness.
Posted in My Favorite Things on October 13, 2007|
Another one of Kate’s favorite things for your consignment shop decor:
This elegant announcement stand might be just the thing in your foyer with a short message. Just arrived: Prada boots or Pearls are a girl’s best friend. I can see this in a shabby chic cottage-style shop, a high-concept black-and-white boutique, or even a ribbons-and-lace baby shop. Rumor has it, it’s double-sided, so you could write a bye-bye message on the reverse.
Since it’s cast iron, it should even be useful outside, depending on your location.
Available at Old Durham Road.
Too Good to be Threw is the flagship site of the TGtbT Family of Sites for the Professional Resalers
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 