Sometimes, in their rare grumpy moods, consignment, resale, or thrift shopkeepers b**ch about how clueless their shoppers are. Why? Only because those shoppers, in a burst of enthusiasm, say
“I’d love to start a little shop like this.”
But, really, think about it. The fact that they see our businesses as so desirable is a full-out compliment. We make it look easy, so they only see the fun.
That’s a compliment.
Imagine how you’d feel if no one ever said this in your shop. That would mean that no one sees your business as appealing or exciting, which you (at least in your non-grumpy moments) know it truly is.
Wouldn’t that be a bummer.
(Natch, you’ll say to these spirited folks that the first step is to go to TGtbT.com and get the manual. That will make me happy, keep them out of your hair, and make them realize that while fun, running a resale shop is only for professionals like you.)
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
For years, I’ve recommended Kate’s Manual, website, and NARTS to anyone considering opening their own shop. The other question I ask them is if they have ever run a business before. If their answer is “No”, I recommend they contact their local SBA and see if there is a SBDC (small business development center) in their area. There’s a whole lot more to running a business than what most people think.
I’m with Carrie, I always take it as a compliment! I do explain that it takes a lot of work, and mention some of the things that have proven to be the most important (like location and getting your information), and encourage them to let me know when they open a place nearby so we can work together. I think the more shops in my area, the better! It would bring people to town (and off the interstate) if we had several good options. I made a list of other similar stores and hours to hand out to my shoppers. My feeling is that if I help them find the table they need, even if it is at another store, they will come back to me the next time they need something. The goodwill seems to be working!
We have a ga-jillion shoppers that want to have a shop like ours 😉 We send them straight to you, Kate. and to NARTS too. Who knows? Maybe one day they will open a shop too! It takes a lot of hard work, determination, thick skin, and hours book-keeping to run this little shop. More power to them!
I hear you about thick skin, Jenni… and in your case, strong backs to move all that great furniture around! SOMEday I’m gonna do a road trip to your area and see all the great shops there!
Hi Auntie Kate, My Name is Erika, I Open a Kids Resale Store named Twinkle Twinkle Kids Resale a month ago, im really afraid now i dont make more than 150 in the first month and i have alot of people selling stuff!!! but not buying, sorry to writte here but im feeling bad about my desition, since i discover resale stores and consigment i get crazy buying for my littles princess (tree) I think this is a really good business is just that not everybody know how it work i have people coming to the store and triying to buy for a dollar just because is second hand clothes, please help me, I spend money trying to get a nice looking store, the location is very comercial but not familiar, am in a very trafic street, i have restaurants and pawn shops and other but nothing like walmarts or pharmacis, my store is a little reply of once upon a child, but we are smaller and more friendly(theyare rude and all the time are full).
I really need help, now im broke and i dont know what to do with this
(i sale $5 today and is almost 5pm)
Thanks
Erika, I am so sorry for your predicament, and hope that you can pull your way out of it. Sounds like you need some real help and right now. I don’t see any mention of your planning this business before you opened, which might be your obstacle to overcome. If you’ve been open only a month, you cannot really judge matters yet… and since you make no mention of advertising or social media, I don’t know how you are gathering customers.
It also sounds like you are buying outright rather than consigning, and that is something I warn folks about: it’s almost impossible, without extensive experience in the merchandise you’re selling, in working retail, and in dealing with secondhand goods, to buy effectively. Plus, as you know, it requires a lot of capital, especially at the beginning!
The only thing I can really tell you is that you need to read the Manual, and The Big Book of Buying Outright, and possibly even get a second job, to get you though the opening pangs of your business. As you have learned to your dismay, it’s NOT a business to start without education: running a resale shop is only for professionals. But, if you are motivated, you CAN come back from a disastrous start! Best wishes!
Funny, I’ve always thought it was a compliment… I’m living the dream! Had the guts to do something few others actually do! It makes me appreciate that I have an opportunity that doesn’t come very often in life.
What does bother me is when shoppers come in and tell me they go to stores like mine all of the time and our prices are too high… this is usually while looking at a shirt for $5. I have to patiently explain that we, unlike Goodwill, have to pay to acquire our merchandise.
Carrie S. I agree, I want to tell them that I am not Goodwill and if they want Goodwill it is about 3 miles down the street (but I don’t)
Sue M
Thank you, Kate! I have had a couple women say the same thing to me and I never thought of it as a compliment. It just irritated me that they thought all they had to do was snap their fingers…but now I will send them to your website for the manual!
Thanks for the thought! I always love finding a way to turn something that annoys me into something more positive… so much more empowering 🙂 and less likely to lead to ulcers.
I see you started and then never did anything with your blog… hope you’re coming to Conference. I am SO hyped about “What, ME Have a Blog?” that my extra research and how-to’s are turning to a BIG Product for the Professional Resaler right now!