Consign Yourself
Consignment. It means, to entrust to another, or in the case of clothing, to deliver for sale. Consignment shops are another way to donate your old clothing. But the best part is that you get cash back!
The way it works: you offer your clothes to the shop. They will keep them and put them out for sale. Whenever one of your items is sold, you'll get a percentage of the price (usually 50%). It's not donating, because you get some money back, and you don't have to do the selling work.
The cons, first:
- the sale price can be much less than what you paid. Usually the value is appraised by the store.
- you won't get the whole price. In fact, if your item doesn't sell, you may get nothing and it may end up going to charity (or back to you, if you choose)
- it may take a while to get your money, because you have to wait for a sale.
The pros, on the other hand:
- you make cash on something you might have donated for nothing
- someone who will really use your clothing buys it
- you don't have to set up a garage sale or put out a classified ad
Ways to get a good deal: make sure items are in good condition. Check for tears, rips, etc. and even take a picture to ensure any damage that shows up later wasn't caused by you. Make sure you get a receipt and find out what the details are (how much do you get, how long will you have to wait). Tell the store whether you want to have the item returned to you, or to charity, if it isn't sold.
Click here to find a consignment shop near you!