We’ve talked before about consignment and resale shops working with various non-profit groups to help them with their fund-raising… and incidentally, helping YOUR business with your profile-raising.
The second consignment account I set up in my shop (the first being me, of course… where else would I get to be eternally #1?) was the charity my mother-in-law was so active in. Lee collected, prepped, and stored donations from her chapter until I picked it up and consigned it in the charity’s name.
Another one of my consignment accounts was a not-for-profit group I was active in. This charity never got a check from us… they always used up their credit outfitting women who had a need for interview and career clothing, after completing various courses designed to give them a hand up after difficult situations. Our program of consign/outfit won an international prize from the organization for innovation and results!
Here’s a neat summation of how a Junior League has dealt with the difficulties of one of their past fund-raising events, by partnering with a NFP consignment shop in a very specific, very profitable way.
Read the article in the Woman’s Exchange Consignor News.
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
[…] Maybe a local charity rummage event is faltering for lack of volunteer workers? Here’s another twist. […]
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How can I turn my Consignors in to Buyers? I have a good amount of Consigners in my upscale ladies clothing Boutique, but my Consignors, just pick up their check and drop items off. They do not buy.
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Hi Debbie! You really do not particularly want your consignors to be buyers (you want them out there buying all those new things so they can consign them next year!) but it still is nice to recapture some of the consignment dollars you’ve made them, for sure 🙂
Couple ideas: First, be sure that there are tempting little POP (point–of-purchase) items right at their elbow when they are at your counter. Impulse items, nothing too extravagant.
Next, talk up the extravagant things you have: an Hermes scarf? LV billfold? Locally crafted silver earrings? (Since many consignors are not really keen on buying “used clothes”, these accessories may be more tempting to them.)
Third: Pay in cash, and pay on demand. Nothing like having $15 cash in hand 4 times a month, rather than one $60 check, to set a woman’s mind to spending.
Let me know how these ideas work for you!
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