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Whether you’re fretting over the current state of the economy or blissfully ignorant of it’s increasingly dismal outlook, the bottom line is we could all use a little more fiscally savvy techniques when it comes to our personal expenses. Perhaps nothing scares you more than how the current costs of gas, groceries and everyday necessities are affecting your all-important shopping budget. Between learning that the landlord is jacking up rent and talk around the water cooler of the company forgoing bonuses, you’re only moments away from losing your marbles.
But what if there was a magical place to ease your worries, somewhere you could go to not only save money but make some, too? This is no fairytale, friends, but a place you have likely seen time and time again but for whatever reason failed to explore. It's called your local consignment boutique, and if like many people you have long ignored this lucrative niche in the retail fashion world, now is perfect a time as any to start becoming a fan.
Consignment boutiques typically sell previously owned (and sometimes new) clothing and accessories for a fraction of what they would cost brand new, and make their business by selling items on behalf of people who no longer need them. Not only are they great places to find bargains, they're an incredible opportunity to make spare cash pretty quickly and effortlessly. The process is simple:
1) Go through your closet and pick out gently used (or gasp, new) items you no longer wear.
2) Inspect items for quality and clean them accordingly.
3) Stop into a local consignment boutique and have them review your offerings. They advise you of the amount they would sell your item(s) for.
4) Leave your stuff at the shop (and quietly squeal with glee that they've accepted your stuff).
5) Receive payment from the boutique after your items sell.
Though every boutique has their own policies, the standard rate for consignment is 50/50 - that is, you and the boutique split the selling price of items in half. Before you hem and haw about only getting half the proceeds, remember it's more than you'd get if that suit or cocktail dress were still hanging in your closet. And keep in mind the more you bring in for review, the more money you can potentially make. Although some boutiques specialize in carrying certain items and seek specific labels, as a general rule of thumb, they will not accept items that aren't in good condition (would you want to by a dress with a gaping hole or cigarette burn?) and only sell items that are currently in season.
Ready to earn some big bucks? Click through the photos to learn about some of the fantastic bargains and moneymaking opportunities to be had in the wonderful world of consignment boutiques!
