Consignment versus Thrift Stores

We’ve been asked “When is your thrift shop opening?” many times since we started this endeavor, and aside from hesitating on the opening date (!) we’ve tried to clarify the key differences between thrift and consignment stores. Here they are:

• Consignment shops value quality over quantity. Unlike most thrift stores (think Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.), consignment shops handpick the items for sale. This generally means that they will be in top condition – no stains, tears, excessive wear, or odor. Yes, you may be able to find a similar item at a thrift shop, but you have to dig through a lot of stuff to find the gems!
• Consignment shops offer you money for your items. Thrift stores let you unload a ton of unwanted stuff, but for little (donation tax write-off, if you itemize deductions) or no return. Consignment shops, on the other hand, pay you to clean out your closet! Yep, we’re picky, but we want your items to sell so you can recoup some of the money you’ve spent on your wardrobe.
• Consignment shops usually have a narrow target demographic. Most thrift stores accept a vast array of items, whereas a consignment shop tends to stick to just a few categories. This reduces the amount of extraneous “stuff” floating around and for many is a more pleasant shopping environment – you can expect consignment shops to be orderly and tidy and for the staff to know the inventory.

It is often noted (and sometimes lamented!) that consignment shops charge more for items than thrift stores, and that is largely because of the above differences. Also, thrift stores deal in sheer volume and this necessitates set prices for items regardless of their condition. So, if you're anything like us and get overwhelmed in thrift stores when you're looking for specific items, try visiting a local consignment shop. We think you'll like it! :)