Dealers, what are your thoughts on the trend toward consignment?

[Paper Roses]

I have recently been attempting to sell some real good merchandise to local shops and they all want to take it on consignment. Some want to drop the price 50% after 30 days. These shops stock just about anything. I have to offer good antiques, about 300 items at a foolishly low price just to move it on.
These are things I have collected for years. No-one wants to lay out cash anymore. I guess I understand that aspect but when the goods are good....not granny's old jelly glasses, I wonder where their thinking is? In this business, sometimes you wait a little longer for the customer but the return is better.


Your thoughts?

[Vinca]

1. I sell larger items - furniture I refurbish - on consignment.

There really isn't much other choice. If your items are smalls you should really think about renting a booth in a shop for a few months so you can control the pricing. An auction house nearby has been holding "estate" sales in addition to their auctions. They set up a section of the auction house with priced items and open the doors for a couple of days. Something like that might be an option if you want to sell it all at once. Of course, you'd be on the hook for a commission so you wouldn't get the full value of the item.

[grasswire]

2. my only experience with consignment was that I got burned..

...by the owner. She moved her shop and took my merchandise with her. When I was able to find her, she said she would call me back. I lost the stuff.

[Vinca]

4. You never got your stuff back? That's outrageous.

The woman is guilty of theft and lucky you didn't call the cops.

[mopinko]

3. as an artist, i have been burned.

unless they can convince me they have the inventory control practices to keep track of my stuff in their store, i wouldn't do it.