I'm Fed Up with Consignment Shops- Updated
I'm annoyed with children's consignment shops. Especially those that market themselves as "boutiques" or specializing in "upscale children's clothing." This is the third time that I spent an afternoon carefully selecting clothes from my children's closets that I could consign or sell and while doing so, making sure that the clothes I did pick were in "perfect" condition and "upscale." Then, after carefully selecting my clothes and dropping them off "on hangers and wrinkle free," I get a call from the store asking me to pick up my clothes ASAP because they need to clear their floor space.
And when I finally do get there, I learn that the store didn't' select the nicer name brand clothes that looked brand new (because we wore them only on special occaisions) like Ralph Lauren, Heartstrings, or anything like that. But that they selected four dresses (brand new but from Target, nonetheless) and some older stuff that I threw in the bag at the last minute, not on hangers or wrinkle free.
The store offered me $10.80 in store credit for the new dresses and $3.10 for the old stuff. I declined the $10.80 for the four dresses, thinking I would much rather give those dresses to a friend or cousin, (something I should have done in the first place since I would have felt much more happy about it), and perused the store for something I could put my $3.10 store credit towards. I couldn't find a single thing that didn't look old or worn-out in either of my three children's sizes. This just made me even more annoyed.
Of course I understand that they need to make a profit off of me but don't market yourself as a high-end consignment shop only to sell Circo and Wal-Mart brand clothes for the same prices I could get them at Target or Wal-Mart. Both store have those cute little mix and match short sets for 2.00- $4.00 a piece.
So I bought a dress for Daughter, Target brand, for $ 4.99 plus tax. The dress looks like a hand me down.
Updated: When I showed Daughter her dress and asked her if she liked it, her response was "Ummmmmmm, no not really." Go figure!!!
Hmmph!
Mamalaw is a group blog about three moms and wives who just happen to be lawyers too. We have seven kids between us which means that we have no shortage of funny stories, touching moments, reasons to rant and the occasional kernel of parenting wisdom. In our "spare time," we founded 
12 comments:
So funny. I was thinking of trying a consignment shop for daughter for spring because I can't find anything affordable these days. You're making me reconsider because I would be very peeved if I wasted my time.
Oh yes! I hear you loud and clear! This is why I don't waste my time trying to consign!
Coming over from SITS! Welcome!
Okay, I don't think I have ever found a good consignment store. Maybe that is why I am addicted to online shopping...with coupons of course!
I don't want to say much more because I became real word shy once I knew all 3 of you were lawyers. I plead the 5th. Ha!
Stopping by to give you a big welcome to the SITSahood! You 3 rock! WE are so glad you joined and can't wait to see you around!
We have no good consignment shops where I live!
Welcome to SITS! It's great to have you in the SITStahood:0)
Welcome to SITS...you will love this blogging community!!
I've had some bad experiences with consignment shops in the past- Two of which closed and took off with my clothes!!!! which were never seen again. I've sworn off them.
And you are correct that you can get some new items for pretty much the same price and without the hassle, plus you can return them if they are purchased from a regular store.
Anyhoo, coming by from SITS to say "hi" and welcome. I know that you will enjoy being a part of this vibrant group of bloggers :-)
carma
ooohh not cool...that would drive me crazy....you could probably do better on Ebay...lol....Welcome to SITS...I'm so excited you are here.
oh yea i did this not that long ago and was shocked with what they wanted and what they passed up. i said forget it and left. i made more at a yard sale a few weeks later.
Stopping in from SITS to welcome you. You are going to love being a part of this amazing community of women! So welcome to the SITStahood!
If you have time I am hosting a pretty great giveaway on my blog right now...come check it out!
Yeah . . . I never had good luck with consignment shops. I always felt the clothes were put to much better use if I gave them to a friend or donated them to goodwill and took the tax deduction. (Goodwill will give you a receipt for taxes - - turns out to be a better value than consignment.)
i never bother with consignment shops. maybe it's the snob in me, but they just seemed like so much work for minimal payoff. from your experience, it seems like i had the right idea.
again - another reason why i am target's biggest fan!
I don't take stuff to the consignment store anymore either. The time I spend getting it ready and over there, is worth more than what they offer me. And the only clothes we buy our kids are Target clearance stuff occasionally and thrift store clothes (my husband is a regular at the thrift stores). The thrift stores always have great stuff, and it's always cheaper than those "upscale" consignment stores. Most of their clothes are hand me downs or grandparent gifts though. I'm cheap and hate shopping, did you guess?
I've found a couple of really cute boy things at the consignment shop, but overall, I'm with you - when Target and Walmart are practically giving things away, it's difficult to not shop with them.
Sorry your daughter didn't like it :-) Sounds about par for the course around here.
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