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Nothing worse than an empty picture frame.

January 28, 2013 by Auntie Kate of Too Good to be Threw

Now, some consignment, resale, and thrift shops do really well selling empty frames. Some don’t.

Those that do, market their frames directly to local art classes/ schools/ students/ associations (you will not believe how expensive frames can be unless you’re a painter!)

Others, fill empty frames with something to make them more appealing. Scrap wallpaper, scrapbook paper, even old calendar pix. Not that the buyer will particularly hang the frame as-is, but to show how great the frames COULD look.

Source: laurenconrad.com via Mallory on Pinterest

For a  free seasonal PDF to print and stick in some 8 x 10 frames, see this Pin TGtbT.com found for you... could be a real hit in your shop!

Posted in 5- Minute Fixes, Shopkeeping talk | Tagged | 11 Comments »

Follow the TGtbT Family on Pinterest? If not, you’re missing a lot.

January 27, 2013 by Auntie Kate of Too Good to be Threw

A picture is worth a thousand words, right? We all love looking at pictures.Sometimes, though, the

images might need a few words of explanation

as to WHY someone wants you to look at them. And that’s what you get when you follow Too Good to be Threw on Pinterest, so I hope you do.  A few little extra tips, hints, and ideas which might be just the thing to make your business all you dream it can be.

And if you follow HowToConsign.com on Pinterest, you’ll see what HTC is saying to your future customers and suppliers. You can even repin those messages onto your shop Pinterest boards, which is a 2-second way to improve YOUR business with no effort, thanks to the Sponsor Shops on HTC!

Here’s a handful of examples of what you might be missing over on our Pinterest pages:

What do these clipboards have to do with running a consignment, resale or thrift shop? A lot, perhaps. Click to see what I suggested…

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An easy way to polish your teen-oriented business within your community is suggested at this Pin. Click to see if it might be a way to raise YOUR shop’s community profile and reputation.

Source: data.whicdn.com via Kate on Pinterest

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Click the photo to read why this home-decor magazine photo can be very useful to your shop, no matter what you sell. Then after you read that Pin, read this one. Similar but different.

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And over on HowToConsign.com’s Pinterest, this single Pin has been repinned almost 100 times. I’m betting 80 of those people checked out the Consignment & Resale Directory while they were there, and here’s hoping they found out about YOUR shop there!

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Follow Too Good HowToConsign.com uses Pinterestto be Threw on Pinterest

Follow HowToConsign.com on Pinterest

Posted in economics of resale, Shopkeeping talk | Tagged , , , |

Let’s Make a Staff Selling Manual!

January 26, 2013 by Auntie Kate of Too Good to be Threw

Employee manuals in consignment shopsI’m sure most established consignment, resale and thrift shopkeepers have two employee manuals around.

One about procedures and policies, and one about expectations for their jobs. Maybe these all-important publications are combined into one. That’s a good start towards having an effective crew of employees or volunteers, but it’s nowhere near enough to truly succeed.

Your business needs a “Staff Selling Resources” manual. Do you help your helpers by giving them the opportunity for self-education?

Here’s how:

First, get a loose leaf binder and some page protectors. It’s fun to shop for these, but if you are adamantly REUSE, or just cheap, post a note on your shop’s community board asking your customers if they have any of these to pass on.

Then, find materials that will teach your staff whatever they need to know about the merchandise you sell. Most of this information can be found on the Internet, and here’s some ideas to get your “Staff Selling Resources” binder started and to save you time, courtesy of Too Good to be Threw’s Pinterest boards. (As always, click to see the graphic full-size and read the helpful captions):

Helping a customer’s all about knowing what will work for her/him:

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A picture’s worth a thousand words, particularly if you have to explain what a houndstooth check looks like compared to a gingham check.

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Calling merchandise by its right name, or knowing styles and eras, makes staff more confident and helps them communicate with shoppers:

Source: stylinspire.com via Kate on Pinterest

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Your selling resources can even include styling tips, which help your staff show their professional expertise and impress their customers!

Source: Uploaded by user via Ana on Pinterest

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Many more Pins can be found here and here.

Do you have web resources that your staff find helpful? Share in the comments!

Posted in economics of resale, Shopkeeping talk | Tagged , , | 6 Comments »

Have a heart, times two. Perfect window for your consignment shop.

January 24, 2013 by Auntie Kate of Too Good to be Threw

People (smart, stylish, chic, thrifty) people love consignment, resale and thrift shops. Shopkeepers love simple, eye-catching window displays.

Everyone loves a lover.

Hence, our two easy Valentine’s Day windows. One, you can do in an hour. The other, takes some pre-planning, so hop to it! Click the pix to see the thinking behind these examples.

If your shop hasn’t been open very long, all you need is a paint brush and some red paint:

Source: 23hq.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: 23hq.com via Kate on Pinterest

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On the other hand, if you have built a loyal cadre of regulars, all you need is a bunch of paper hearts that your customers can write on, with a few words about why they love your shop:

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And, a little bonus idea (on the theory that one must ALWAYS give their “customers”… that’s you, Dear Reader… more than they expect):

Source: etsy.com via Kate on Pinterest

Posted in Shopkeeping talk | Tagged , | 5 Comments »

Adding interest… and gaining interest… in your consignment showcases

January 22, 2013 by Auntie Kate of Too Good to be Threw

Most resalers have at least one, if not more, glass showcases in their shops. Showcases are great because they, well because

they showcase merchandise.

But if you’re just using your cases as, basically, neat storage, you’re not making the dollars per square foot you could. Here’s some examples to get you thinking.

First up, the importance of DEPTH and DIRECTION are all-important. As the owner of the following graphic says,

Depth and Dimension: customers’ eyes struggle Continue Reading »

Posted in Shopkeeping talk | Tagged , , |

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