Was your New Year’s Resolution to spend less time working in your consignment or resale shop and more time with family?

Or maybe you are finally realizing that pain in your shoulders is because you’re stressed over the length of your to-do list. Here’s the best tips from resalers of all sorts to making more time in your shop:

10. Devise and use shortcuts in inventory description. It’s amazing how much time can be saved using JKT, ls B&W ck/ grn instead of “long-sleeved black and white checked jacket with green trim.”

9. A place for everything and everything in its place. Your mother was right. If you find yourself yelling where’s the gun more than once a week, you need to find a home for your tagging implement.

8. Don’t be afraid to say No to items you don’t feel will sell. The biggest time-waster of all is to handle, tag, straighten, then explain to the consignor why her unsaleable never sold.

7. Think “time” when people ask what you want to a gift. A better vacuum for the shop can save hours a month.  Hanger stackers save de-tangling time. Microfiber dusting cloths keep your furniture in tiptop shape with a single swipe.

6. Simplify. A window display of one spectacular outfit, with a pyramid of accessories, is as effective (some would say more effective) than a window full of merchandise. And it’s a lot quicker to create and maintain.

5. Save explanation time: When mailing consignor checks, always include a letter. Thank them for their continuing participation and encourage more bring-ins. Remind them what you’re accepting now and mention items you particularly need.

4. Speaking of explaining: Do you have a supplier information handout? When potential consignors ask, explain how you operate, and then hand them a motivating flier with the major details. A handout can be simple or elaborate. But it must be neat, free of errors, and easy to read. No time to do one yourself? Our Customer Service Brochures on our Layout Kits Page at TGtbT.com include a ready-to-go layout for this, as well as 8 other useful brochures.

3. If you haven’t re-read your copy of Too Good to be Threw The Complete Operations Manual for Resale & Consignment Shops recently, you might want to. It’s amazing, the things you did read once, but simply forgot to put into action.

2. Cut down on the time you spend fretting (which makes your time less productive) by making key decisions based on cold hard facts: Is it worth it to take up floor space with Product A? Does accepting Product B really help your bottom line?

and…

1. Give up that which you do not a: enjoy; b: need to do yourself; and c: see as enhancing your life.