1. Check the shop out. Visit the retail store and take time to look around the store before consigning. Evaluate its look, feel and appearance. Is this the kind of store that you yourself would frequent? If not, then maybe other people feel the same too, and hence your chances of selling your items are slim at best. Also check merchandise condition, how merchandise is displayed, and the prices of comparable items.

2. Determine the store's match with your products. To improve your chances for sales, look for consignment shops that sell the same general type of merchandise you are offering. For instance, if you produce clothing that are western in style, a shop that focuses on hip-hop clothing is not going to bring you any sales. Similarly, if you are offering antiques, don't offer your wares to a contemporary home furnishings store.

3. Choose a retail store that gets adequate traffic. You stand a better chance of selling your products faster if you choose a store that attracts a huge number of customers. The store must be able to attract enough buyers, first of all. Many consignment stores go in and out of business quickly, so only consign with a store that has proven itself and has been in business for less at least three years.

4. Make sure your products are prominently displayed. Even within the store you need to be sure that your products are right in the line of customer traffic. Your products stand a lesser chance of getting purchased if it is tucked in the furthermost corner of the store where customers hardly ever go. If you can arrange to have your products included in the store window display, so much the better.

5. Set a timetable. Give the consignment store a period of time to sell your items. If they are unable to sell your goods, arrange to have your items pulled out. Maybe you made the wrong choice in terms of store, or their location is not working for you. Whatever the reason, keep in mind that unsold inventory means that your money is "sleeping."

6. Be sure to get the terms in writing. Spell out the agreement with the retail store in a written contract. Get the owner or buyer to sign and agree to your terms regarding the payment schedule, responsibility for lost or stolen goods, and display and upkeep of the merchandise.

7. Know what the exact fees are. Make sure you know how much you will be getting, i.e., 25%, 33% or 50% of the sale. Also find out if it is a 30, 60 or 90 day consignment. Aside from the sales percentage, inquire if other costs will be charged to you. Some shops charge an "administration fee" in addition to the percentage cut, sometimes without informing the consignee. Beware of the shops that do not give you the prices they are going to charge for your items. If you are not satisfied with the price that you are offered, find another place.

8. Retrieving your goods. Not selling anything is bad enough; never getting back your merchandise is worse. And believe it or not, these things happen. There are cases when unscrupulous store owners refuse to give back a consignee's products. You particularly need to give this due consideration if the shop is located at a distance from you, which can make getting your merchandise that doesn't sell costly or impossible.

9. Check the back-end systems. Ask how your inventory is tracked and when goods are paid for. Shops that are computerized keep more accurate records. Moreover, make sure to receive a receipt for the items brought in, as well as a statement at the time of payment showing what sold.

10. Determine how carefully the goods are treated and protected. Ask what type of insurance they have particularly if you are selling valuable items like jewelry, antiques or artwork. If the storeowner has no theft or fire insurance, think twice about placing your products with that store. Check if the store has fire alarms and water sprinkler to protect the items in case of fire. Choose a storeowner who is willing to protect your items, even to the extent of providing locked cases for valuable products.

11. Know your products well. Lastly, be sure that you know every little bit about your product. Inspect the quality of your merchandise, making sure that there are no stains or tears if you are selling clothes, or cracks for porcelain items. When you hand over your merchandise to the storeowner, point out that your items are in pristine condition. This way, he or she cannot tell you later on, "Opps, sorry. We won't pay for that item since it has stains in it" especially if the product has remained unsold on their shelves for six months.