The Washington DC area has a very thriving second hand or consignment market. With plenty of foreign service personnel living in the area, shopping in the consignment stores can yield one-of-a-kind pieces from various parts of the world. It’s always a thrill to find great and unique pieces of items from consignment stores that you won’t find in the department stores.
So how do you join the fray and start your own consignment store? I’ve found several resources on the Web that can help you start your own consignment business:
- The WEBworks Consignment Store “How To” Manual
- Getting Started in Resale
- Thrift Store Safety Checklist (can help you decide on what products to accept in your resale store)
- How Do I Start A Consignment Shop?
- Rags to Riches (a success story of a woman who started a consignment store)
Also check the website of the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops http://www.narts.org/ as they have publications catering specifically to those who are thinking of entering this business as well as those already running their own resale stores
Consignment store owners should check out
ShowroomFinder.com for a free store listing on their web site. ShowroomFinder.com is the #1 web directory for consignment and resale stores.
Consignment store owners should check out
ShowroomFinder.com for a free store listing on their web site. ShowroomFinder.com is the #1 web directory for consignment and resale stores.
One important aspect that was not mentioned in preparing to open your own resale and consignment store is to find a job in an existing store for a while. The experience is invaluable, especially in the inner workings of buying and accepting inventory; knowing what to buy/accept, and how much to pay for it will make or break you.
The learning curve is huge, as in any business. I’ve owned my store for three and a half years and I still learn something new everyday!
Tara Bren
Owner, Born Again Resale & Consignment
http://www.bornagainresale.net
http://bornagainresale.blogspot.com
One important aspect that was not mentioned in preparing to open your own resale and consignment store is to find a job in an existing store for a while. The experience is invaluable, especially in the inner workings of buying and accepting inventory; knowing what to buy/accept, and how much to pay for it will make or break you.
The learning curve is huge, as in any business. I’ve owned my store for three and a half years and I still learn something new everyday!
Tara Bren
Owner, Born Again Resale & Consignment
http://www.bornagainresale.net
http://bornagainresale.blogspot.com