Auntie Kate The Resale Expert

A while back, Tanya of Tags, in Oakdale CA, contributed an excellent article for her fellow consignment, resale, and thrift peers to our web site, TGtbT.com. I thought you’d enjoy it, going forward into a new year:

Become a ReFashionista this year and “RE” your way to success!

What is “RE”? It is a ReVolutionary way to think about your store, your employees, your customers and clientele! RE starts with Me!

ReMind! Remind yourself and your employees of how appreciative you are of them and should be of each other! Maybe it is writing a quote of the day in the bathroom or break room or a simple “thanks” at the end of a busy day. ReMind your people to Thank the customer for their business- they have a choice, and they have chosen to grace your doorstep, creating an opportunity for you and your team to meet a need.

ReTrain! Yes, take one topic; make it a discussion point with your employees. The consignment agreement one week, color-coordinating racks the next, followed by a healthy dose of how to spot a potential consignor. Train your team in chunks,- taking five minutes to ReView with your staff what should be featured on the mannequin is worth is weight in $$$. How many times have you simply moved an item that has been sitting around, and then it sells that very same day? Teach your staff to touch!

ReStyle! Make sure to change your merchandise around, so eyes can see it,- look for areas in need. For example, “did a lot of jewelry sell today?” If yes, go change it up so the jewelry center does not look so sparse. Receive in a batch of green for spring? Set up a quick vignette at the front of the store for an eye-catching reminder that “Green is the New Black” in the ReSale world! Don’t be afraid to move whole racks; recently we moved dresses to an entirely different spot, and they are selling like crazy!

ReInvest! TIME! Do you immediately think of money when you look at the word Invest…? Stop and think about investing time! Time in your customers, time in your employees, time sprucing up your office- stop and think about what time you can invest in one area. Focus on bringing your time and attention to it. Don’t let the busy-ness of the day-to0day choke your time! ReEngage in ReVenue-generating activities such as calling 5 customers, sending 5 thank you notes, sending 5 brochures to the weekend garage-saler! It will absolutely pay off.

ReCruit! Being a ReFashionista is easy! ReCruit new customers everyday! Make them a fan of ReSale while they are feeling frugal and watch your sales flourish now and into the future! Again ReState the value of being frugal, the fun of ReSale and the ReSponsible choice they made by shopping resale.

ReFer! This is the most important aspect of consignment! Take a tip from the multi-level marketers out there tell your wonderful consignors to refer your services! Did a great consignor drop off dresses in size 6? Tell her to tell anybody that is size 6 that your store has great dresses in size 6 right now! Help her, help herself!

You can also ReFer your business! Are you a store that utilizes coupons? Throw a coupon from your store in the tip jar…give a coupon to the person in the drive-through window. Tuck it into a fund-raising gift! ReFER your business with a name badge and wear it everywhere!!

ReSTATE your value to the community! Toot your own horn. I know, I know, this is a ReVolutionary way of thinking for those of us that are so modest, but if you don’t know your value, neither will your customers! What did you do for a customer today? Did you give them an extra stamp on their rewards card…Tell them! What value does your store provide for your community? The consignment message is a great one, here are some examples:

ReInvestment: Did you know that your purchase keeps money here locally – you reinvested locally today! Your purchased helped another family in the community.

You are so smart, buying that blouse here for 10.00, saving you 40.00! It would have been 50.00 at the mall!

Did you know that your donations support the cancer society, women’s shelters, homeless, and many other great causes

ReEntering the workforce? – Your store has solutions: such as helping women stick to a back to work budget: TAGS has Recycled career wear in adorable condition available now!”

ReDuce! Solutions for every family! On a budget – no problem! Find clothing for your whole family at every price point. Your pocket book will thank you!

ReUse! By putting items into ReUse you are being ReSponsible to your environment, your pocket book and your community!

Empower the use of “RE” today! You can ReNew your store, ReFresh your outlook and ReVolutionize the Resale industry!

You are a True ReFashionista!!!!

The History of “RE”
“RE” began with a Staff brainstorming session at TAGS Consignment. TAGS has a special workday once a month, and it was on a field trip with all our staff that the power of “RE” was born! A special thanks to our great staff for their energy & contributions! Sandy, you Rock!

Thank you to all the hard-working ReSellers on the tgtbt sharing board, sharing board hostess Kate Holmes and to the group of Flamingoettes in Florida for a time of ReSpite and work! You have all blessed me in one-way or another, May all of you be blessed and prosper! [Ed note: The TGtbT.com discussion board is no longer, but you can visit TGtbT’s web site, TGtbT on Facebook and Pinterest and even Twitter.]

Visit Tags Consignment on Facebook.