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Posts Tagged ‘starting a consignment shop’

You Can Learn a Lot by Looking: Shade the Sun

Posted in Really good ideas, Shopkeeping talk, tagged , , , , on August 11, 2016|

Got big windows that suck up the sun and cause your electric bill to suck up your profits? Here’s an unusual idea that might be just (more…)

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My media message re online furniture resale

Posted in I've been meaning to tell you, Shopkeeping talk, tagged , , , , on August 10, 2016| 2 Comments »

Guys, I tried, I really did.

I was contacted by Real Simple magazine re an article they wanted on buying and selling resale furniture online. (It’s on pages 87-90 in the August issue.)

treasure chest island arrangementI gave them ALL SORTS of reasons to look local, real-life, bricks-and-mortar first. But alas, I was left on the cutting-room floor*.

Not one to waste brain cells, I thought I’d share my reasons to shop real-life first, in case you could use them.

Kate’s Reasons Why You Should Shop In-Person, In Real Life, for Gently-used Furniture

  • Well, the obvious first reason: ’cause you can see and smell it in real life. Computer monitors don’t show colors accurately and they haven’t perfected Smell-o-Vision yet. Who wants pumpkin when they thought it was coral?
  • Touchy-feely is the way to go: Does the finish feel good? The upholstery feel sturdy? Is it weighty or flimsy? Cab you wiggle it to see if it wobbles? Can’t do that on a screen or monitor.
  • Flip it over. Stained? Dust cover ripped or even non-existent? Is the little brass stud on the bottom missing… or replaced with a bottle cap?
  • See it up next to other pieces that might inspire you. Resale furniture stores showcase goods in vignettes which might inspire you (or heck, you may like that armchair over there, better!)
  • Have a shopping experience. I’ve known folks to make fast friends in resale shops, to decide to totally redo the den when they ere looking for a kitchen table to start, and to pick up the Best Ever Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce recipe. Not to mention, get bystander opinions, which I have always found helpful.
  • Know who you’re dealing with. Have recourse if needed. Not dealing with strangers, who may be fly-by-night or even less than savory, online.
  • Delivery? It’s cheaper to hire a local company, or even a guy with a pick-up, than shipping something from hundreds or thousands of miles away. Not to mention much more eco-friendly.
  • The usual: Shop Local to keep your local economy going. Support your neighbors. Keep downtown alive.

For more resale furniture/ home decor ideas and suggestions, visit TGtbT.com.

* For digital natives, “The term cutting room floor is used in the film industry as a figure of speech referring to unused footage not included in the finished film. Outside of the film industry, it may refer to any creative work unused in the final product.” — Wikipedia

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Bag Sale Jam Ups… and a charitable solution

Posted in economics of resale, Shopkeeping talk, tagged , , , , , on August 3, 2016| 2 Comments »

Bag sale ideas from TGtbT.comBag sale days can be wonderful for you and your clientele… but they can be a logistical nightmare. Lines, lines, everywhere lines…

Bag sales can also mean great income for your shop from scads of items that might have to be otherwise disposed of dumpster-direction. But hey, couldn’t your local charities use that stuff?

Here’s a way to address all 3 issues at one time:

1- Sell (more…)

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URL it, DARN it!

Posted in Shopkeeping talk, Teeny Tips, tagged , , , , on August 1, 2016| 7 Comments »

When people put “Find us on Facebook” Don't make them have to FIND you on Facebook!in their ads, on their web sites or business cards

they don’t really mean that!

Facebook is many things… but it’s not (more…)

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Go to a flea market this weekend.

Posted in Functional Friday, Shopkeeping talk, tagged , , , , , on July 22, 2016| 1 Comment »

If you’re less than confident about the look and appeal  of your shop, get out and about.

You can learn a lot from some flea market vendors.

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