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! 
Can’t wait to see the new room…I am sure it looks wonderful!!
As far as your question regarding yard sales or consignment shopping, I am ashamed to say I don’t.
When my kids were younger, I got a lot of there clothes from yard sales. But I guess to me clothes seemed like the no brainer.
But I admire you and others in blogland. Too be able to go into a thrift store or consignment shop and look at a piece of art or home decor and to know instantly what your going to do with it.
I wish I was that creative!! Too be honest, I think that is why I don’t shop consignment shops. I feel a little intimidated. Does that sound silly!?!?!?
Any pointers for us newbies??
Yes Maam! My daughter, DH and I spent most of the day “roaming” today, yard sales and thrift stores. Gotta love the cheap stuff! I actually just posted about the deals of the day.
Yes, we definitely do the consignment thing. And aren’t we fortunate to have some of the best consignment shops in and around Birmingham. My mother is practically a professional consignment finder, and I am fortunate to have found somewhere to consign the outgrown clothes of my three children (Clotheshorse in Vestavia). I really appreciate that there are shops in this business… from both ends of the spectrum!
By the way, I am adding your blog link to my blogroll. I meant to do it a long time ago… in fact, I thought I had. But, it’s there now. 🙂
Blessings,
Christi
Oh my gosh, I went to my three favorite thrift stores today! One’s particularly good for knick-knacks (Goodwill), another good for clothing, and the last is just kinda all-around okay. I’ve outfitted my six kids since my now 17-yr old was 18 months old, and I’ve also bought much furniture and decor (in fact, most all of it) at thrift stores and yard sales. Sometimes it’s a matter of necessity, but I really believe that even if I was “rolling in the dough” I’d still thrift!
And I was just telling my mom that the word is out…my fave thrifting place was packed today…with lots of upscale vehicles in the parking lot!!
I buy and sell my children’s clothes via resell. I don’t buy new clothes for myself very often and when I do, it’s usually new, but my kids stuff is on a rotating cycle at the local consignment store.
Oh my goodness. I can dirty tshirts like nobody I know. I Have to buy them at thrift shops..lol. That where I get my jeans too!! Laurie
Looking forward to seeing your new room. You always amaze me with all you do and all your wonderful ideas. Yes I shop thrift and consignment. It is in my blood!!
Ah, one of my favourite things! Not only do I frequent thrift and consignment shops, but I love curb shopping. I picked up a fabulous dining table from the curb a few years back. Whenever I go online, the first things I check are craigslist and freecycle. It’s like kissing frogs… you have to kiss a lot before you find the handsome prince. 8-} I don’t think there’s a new piece of furniture in my house right now.
Oops, I reckon I kinda wandered off the subject of clothes. I’m not much of a clothes horse at all and really don’t like to shop for them. But when I do, I always check the thrift/consignment shops first. In a rare moment a few weeks ago, I actually ordered from a major catalogue. It was all on clearance, plus I had a coupon, so I got all those new clothes at TS/CS prices. ~\o/
I’m not big on shopping at consignment stores or garage sales. Where I live, it just seems like there’s nothing but junk. But I do buy second hand! I an a huge fan of E-bay! And that way I can cater to my designer tastes without the huge price tag!
This is so timely (to me)! I gathered up some of my better “clothing product” and I’m heading to a local consignment store tomorrow to see if they can take them. And I’m also curious to see what’s available while I’m there. I can’t do used shoes, though…just can’t do it. 🙂 I did buy a new pair of Aerosole boots at a yard sale a couple of weeks ago for $5 and I’m still on cloud nine over that one!
See you in NYC?! Oh, I’d love to meet up!
xo, Laura
Definitely I buy from thrift stores, consignment and garage sales for my home, but I don’t spend a lot of time looking at clothing. I’m certainly not against it, it’s just that I don’t seem to find much. I do plan to start looking a little deeper. There is a very nice consignment shop a little distance from me, but it’s on my list to stop by it soon. CAN’T WAIT to see your new room!!!! 🙂
I have some secondhand clothes but honestly most of the things I find in my size are not things I’d wear, it seems anything good is in tiny sizes. On the other hand I find very nice designer things for my husband and sometimes something for myself when shopping on the men’s side of our GW store. I haven’t invested enough time in checking out the local consignment shops as far as clothing goes, maybe I’d have better luck with the clothes. I buy mostly things off the clearance rack anyways at very inexpensive mass market retailers so I’m not spending much on clothes to begin with. Now home decor items are a whole different story for me! I work for HL and my boss is amazing about giving me a great deal on clearance merchandise. I seriously score. I love thrift stores, yard sales, consignment shops, antique shops, junk shops, roadside finds, clearance sections, I really have great luck with anything NON clothing related.
Absolutley Yes,! Ive been Garage Saling and Thrift storing for a long time now. The kiddos aren’t Crazy about it but for my Hubby and myself along with the Home and my Jewelry shop, its Great. They are really on the Rise here in Southern Cali, sign of the times I guess.
I am not too proud to pass up a good deal on almost anything! Being frugal and thrifty is a way of life for us.
Looking forward to seeing your guestroom!
I’m all for buying second-hand, but here is what I’m seeing in our area: Walmart has summer clothing on sale right now for $2 and $3. Our Goodwill charges $4.98 for ladies’ tops and $6.98 for jeans and slacks. Goodwill must realize the price difference or they’re going to lose a lot of customers like me. I still buy a lot of small furniture at GW.
Girl, I have been consignment shopping all my life. It’s hard to go back to paying retail for a pair of jeans that you could buy at consignment for $4.00! I get most of our kid’s clothing at bi-annual consignment sales. I just hate that more people shopping means less bargains!!!!
Absolutely! A lot of my own and my children’s clothing comes from thrift/consignment stores or garage sales. A few weeks ago I got 3 pairs of jeans for me (2 Gap, 1 Ralph Lauren) for $1 each!
However, lately I’ve become addicted to thrifting for household/decor items (thanks to blogland!). So, while I get those things cheap, I’m not sure it really counts as thrift, since I’m sort of spending extra money on it, as they aren’t needs.
I used to do more consignment shopping in Amarillo than I do now — mostly because I just don’t have a lot of time to shop and scour. I love it, though, and wish I could do more.
I love to find a good bargain. I don’t care if it is new or second hand. As long as its a good value, who cares. I also have a bad habit of bragging about prices. I’m trying to be better about it though. : )
~Liz~
I’ll be back tomorrow to check out the new guest digs!
I haven’t had much luck finding clothes at garage sales or at consignment stores here.
I have had good luck though at Hudson’s Treasure Hunt and Dirt Cheap which are both stores that sell salvage.
I usually don’t buy anything unless it’s on sale except for special occasions!
I love consignment stores for kids clothes and home furnishing and decor!
There are 2 great ones in Tuscaloosa…you may have been to them!