Is it worth it to consign your unwanted clothes? Do they sell? Why do people shop at second hand consignment shops when they can get brand new designer name clothes at Marshalls or TJ Maxx really cheap? Will anyone want my 80's acid washed jeans (Stacy and Clinton would be horrified)?
shareYes. I shop consignment for the most part but will occasionally shop at the mall. It depends on where you live, but I live in a middle/upper middle class area so when you shop consignment, the clothes aren't all an 80s mess. People donate almost new clothes from brand names. And if there's a location near a college, the college students donate really nice clothes. I have gotten Dooney & Bourke, Coach, BCBG, Polo, Lacoste, Calvin Klein, etc for anywhere from $1-$10. And consignment shops don't just accept everything.... they are more likely to put out lightly worn clothes and newer fashions because that's what sells. They also sell more basic brands (stuff from Kohls, Jc Penny, Target) that are nice pieces and trendy but not $35. After shopping consignment so much, it's hard for me to shell out a lot at the mall. I don't know, I think you have to learn what to look for and what to buy when you shop consignment. Not everything is perfect but most of it is really good quality.
shareI have since consigned clothes. The shop I use doesn't accept things that look too 80's, understandable. They say the clothes have to look nice and have no pilling, but they seem to accept certain labels no matter how faded and pilled they look, like Talbot's and Chico's stuff, and are stricter with the "basic brands" as you call them, which is mostly what I wear.
It's made me a bit of money, but not enough money. They take half. I have been tempted to buy a few things from the shop but that defeats the purpose of making money. I do regret passing up what appeared to be a genuine sterling bangle with a bear claw pattern that seemed to be Native American made and of excellent quality.
Some of the shoes are also nice. There are shoes the likes of which they don't make any more, real leather, soft leather, comfortable, made in the U.S., even. There are so many shoes of abysmal quality today.
I can see some of the benefits of shopping consignment, but mostly not for me. I do like the fit of lived-in jeans. But I still say new clothes at Marshall's is the way to go if you want stuff that is trendy. And probably out of style next year.
I buy from consignment very occasionally, or thrift shops once in a while, but I do donate a lot. I don't buy a lot of designer clothes, but I like unique things, so I buy online, sometimes custom made, or direct from Asia, or on sites like Etsy.
I tried selling some items by consignment, but didn't get much money. I wasn't satisfied that I'd received a fair price (I got very little for multiple expensive suits, some silk etc). So I'd rather donate to charity or thrift shops and take the tax deduction. Plus someone else gets it at a better price (or free) than the consignment shop would give.
Since I also like to restyle and add handwork (crochet, beading, embroidery, sequins, paint, etc), I don't think the consignment shop would value my clothes properly. In fact, my friends suggest selling on Etsy instead. Since I shop for better clothes there myself, I may do that.