Auntie Kate The Resale Expert

How hard is it

to bring merchandise into your shop, for the client who’s cleaning closets, clearing cupboards, coaxing calmness out of the chaos of the basement or attic? Since spring cleaning season is fast upon us, it behooves you to re-examine your procedures.

Make it easy by:

• Not making it hard to time their visit to your shop. Make sure you have the ability to accept items and give consignors a priced, itemized receipt or to make an on-the-spot  buy-outright offer,  for as many of the hours you’re open as possible.
• Not posting great long lists of what you DON’T “take.” Try a positive statement instead of a long list of nasty no-nos (do you really think listing “no crotch stains” improves your shop’s image?)
• And while we’re at it… “taking” is not what you do. Selecting salable goods or curating stylish selections is more client-friendly.
• And most of all: forget the numerical limits. Asking a potential supplier to bring in no more than X items is setting your shop up to fail. She doesn’t know what will sell…you do. So why would you base your livelihood on the choices she makes?

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