I know this probably won’t come as a surprise to many of my wonderful readers, but it seems that consignment shopping is increasing with our economic woes. Really?! Well, I’ve been doing it for a long time, so I guess folks are getting smarter and realizing how much further their dollar will stretch at the consignment and thriftstores. I’m talking mostly clothes now and we have a number of new upscale clothing consignment stores that have opened in my area.
This recent article in our Birmingham paper, summed it up this way:
The National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops recently released a survey with store owners citing an average spring sales increase of 30% over the same time in 2007. One of our local furniture consignment shops, Consigning Interiors, said their increase is more like 40-50%,with new clients contacting him every day.
About 80% of the store owners in the survey reported more new customers, and 65% reported more new consignment sellers. Many customers sell what their children have outgrown, then shop the store for winter or Holiday outfits.
Everybody is looking at what they can do to cut some money from their budgets and this is one way they can cut down on spending, but still get clothes. People still want to go to their parties, but they are trying to find a more economical way to do it. By and large, this industry is a depression and recession friendly business. It is advantageous for the seller as well as the buyer.
So, how about you, my sweet readers? Do you shop for clothes (or furniture/accessories) at consignment or thriftstores (or yardsales)? If you read my blog, you will know that I am not too proud to wear second-hand clothes and wallow in a good deal on designer duds. In fact, it thrills me to no end, like when I scored on all those clothes from my neighbor, who has her own upscale consigment store. I asked her if business was picking up and she indicated that it was for her too. Sounds like from the article that women selling clothes is also picking up. An easy way to make a quick few bucks perhaps.
I know some girls turn up their nose at the idea of second hand clothes…but many of you probably love it as much as I do.
Yes or no on buying or selling second hand clothing?
Be sure to come back on Monday. I’ve got the new guestroom all ready for viewing and y’all will be the first to see it! I have to say…I love it! 
I LOVE resale, thrift, and consignment shops! Not only for clothes, but for household items as well. I have a lot of beautiful clothes from Goodwill – good name brands, too: Lands End, Coldwater Creek, Liz Claiborne, Geoffrey Beene, etc. It thrills me to no end to get a bargain; to be wearing a gorgeous sweater or jacket that was $4.99. The resourcefulness runs in my family – my mom, aunt, and grandma are the same way! As they say, “You could pay more, but why?”
Yes! Absolutely yes. And you know there are just some things you find that you could never find anywhere else. It is indeed a treasure hunt, but paid for in a lot less gold!
Once we’ve worn and laundered our clothing the first time, it’s used. So, there ya’ go.
If it fits and it’s in good shape, I say, “Why not?”.
Girl, I love the cartoon on this post. Cutie patootie!
I’m a HUGE consignment shop fan, as well as Goodwill. I’ve made a ton of money from taking clothes to a few shops too. Love it!
Hi Ms. Rhoda…Oh yes, I LOVE thrift shopping…clothes, home decor, whatever…and who can’t launder or dry clean apparel to wear again?! The ones who turn up their noses at the idea, they might think about all the people that tried on the new stuff in the stores before they bought something…heehee. I think that’s just SMART spending… 😉 Bo
Consignments store are now considered Chic, I think that’s called going green! Great Job. 🙂
Absolutely but here in Germany they keep their clothes FOREVER and honey I mean FOREVER so the clothes are very worn. So I’m looking forward to getting back to the U.S. where I can find some great bargains. Ya know I learned my thrifting from you with that bookcase in Raleigh that you and Rhonda helped me paint. Great memories!!!
Yeppers…..I buy almost everything for the house from gently used sources. (sometimes not so gently…then I have to revamp!) Clothes come from wherever I can find them and go to a resale shop when I am finished!
Love your blog and hugs to you!
You bet I do. My Mama made all her childrens clothes until we moved to NE when I was in the 2nd grade….then she found out there was such a thing as a yard sale….well they called them a rummage sale back then…in that town anyway. We thought it was grand to have an “uptown” dress and we certainly had more changes of clothes than we had ever had.
I still to this day love a good bargain. It wouldn’t matter if I were a millionaire…I’d still shop the second hand stores and yard sales. I think smart people just do it!! Ãœ