Treasure hunters find gems at consignment shops [replica watches]
Rene Stickle calls it an "addiction."
The New Castle resident will travel pretty much anywhere to satisfy her craving. And she tells everyone she can just about get them hooked, too.
"I am addicted to consignment shopping," says Stickle, while shopping at Ambiance in Oakmont. "Look at all of these items that are name brands. You can find one-of-a-kind coats and dresses and shoes and jewelry at reasonable prices. If I find something that doesn't fit me, I will recommend it to my friends, because it is such a great buy, someone should have it."
Stickle's find for that day was a gorgeous long angora Calvin Klein coat for $100 that would have cost $800 to $1,000 brand-new.
She's not alone.
Consignment shopping is on the rise. NARTS: The Association of Resale Professionals reported in its 2010 Operating Survey a growth in net sales of 12.7 percent for 2009 from 2008. Retail sales were down 7.3 percent in 2009 from 2008, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Consignment is when individuals offer merchandise to store owners who determine whether the piece will sell and for how much. If sold, the original owner receives part of the sale and the other part goes to the store owner. Some consignment shops require a nominal fee to consign. Merchandise not sold after a particular length of time decided on by the store owner can be donated to a charity or returned to the original owner.
The popularity of consignment shopping led to the Bravo show "Fashion Hunters," which follows fashionistas at Second Time Around as they go searching the attics, closets and garages of New York's elite.
Locally, shoppers can find high-end items by big-name designers such as Prada, Tory Burch, Coach, Lafayette 148, Calvin Klein, Stuart Weitzman, Chanel, Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton. Some items still carry original price tags, because they were never worn.
"People who previously gave away clothing, household goods and furniture are seeking other ways to dispose of unwanted items during an economic pinch," says Adele Meyer, executive director of NARTS. "Some donate merchandise to a not-for-profit resale shop and take advantage of the tax deductions while helping a charity raise money. Others may choose to sell or consign merchandise at a local resale shop, ... turning their no-longer-needed articles into cash."
"Consignment shopping is like a treasure hunt," Meyer says. "Because you never know what you are going to find."
Western Pennsylvania has some wonderful consignment shops, says Jeanne Goad of South Fayette, while browsing at ecoChic resale boutique in Robinson. She travels for work and knows where the best stores are located.
"I would love to shop at stores like Ann Taylor and J. Crew, until I see some of the prices at those stores, so that is why I shop at consignment stores," she says. "I can still buy those brands but at a fraction of the price. And most of the consignment stores don't look like consignment stores. They look like boutiques. Plus, the customer service is outstanding, and I like to support local businesses."
Having that one-on-one relationship with the customer is key to making this business work, says Terry Chesky, who owns ecoChic and Consignment Cottage in Moon with her mother, Jean Maggio. Chesky has teamed with fellow consignment owners to form Pittsburgh Area Resale and Consignment Shops. They meet monthly to share ideas.
"The vision is to increase the awareness of consignment and resale shopping in Western Pennsylvania," Chesky says. "If someone comes in and is looking for something I don't have, I will gladly refer them to another consignment shop. It's about doing what I can to help keep people shopping consignment stores versus going to the mall. And with all of us communicating with each other, all of our businesses will grow because we learn from each other."
Colleen McKenzie who owns Savvy Fox with locations in Mt. Lebanon and Peters, says joining with others is a way to get the word out about consignment stores through shared advertising, the organization's Facebook page and a coming website.
McKenzie says consignment stores are selective about the items they will accept. They also are careful about making sure the designer pieces they have are authentic, she says.
"We would never sell a fake handbag or fur as real," says McKenzie, who has 4,600 consigners and puts out, at minimum, 200 additional items a day and can put out 600-plus items in one day. "It is important to make sure these items are the real thing."
She says part of the intrigue is the thrill of the hunt in finding that one thing that no one else will have.
"The customer has evolved over time," McKenzie says, "and they want more value for their dollar. I discovered consignment shopping when I had a job where I needed to attend fancy events and needed to be dressed up all the time. If you are only going to wear an item once, like a dress or gown, why pay a lot for it?"
Pat Gregorini of Bentleyville shops consignment stores weekly. "I love bargains," she says.
So does Christine Phillips.
"If consignment stores put out junk, then no one would want to buy anything," she says. "But consignment stores today have really great items that are top-quality. I shop enough to know the (retail) price of something and to know if I am getting a good deal."
Karen Zaborowski of Green Tree says shopping at consignment stores allows you to look high-maintenance, without the cost of high maintenance. They are especially perfect for finding children clothes, she says, because kids grow out of everything so fast.
Each store offers its own merchandise, says Nicole Saniga, owner of Plus Consignment in Castle Shannon.
"If someone is going to shop consignment, they want to know where other consignment stores are," Saniga says. "I really think being part of the local organization, we will all benefit and be able to network with each other and offer our customers other options to find great clothing, shoes, accessories and furniture.
"We plan to have a pamphlet in each of our stores showing where other consignment stores are and to offer other good shopping information about resale shops," she says. "We all need each other. And customers appreciate you calling other stores to help them find what they are looking for. They will remember that, and that will being them back."
Read more: Treasure hunters find gems at consignment shops - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_769283.html#ixzz1f3MocJBA
The New Castle resident will travel pretty much anywhere to satisfy her craving. And she tells everyone she can just about get them hooked, too.
"I am addicted to consignment shopping," says Stickle, while shopping at Ambiance in Oakmont. "Look at all of these items that are name brands. You can find one-of-a-kind coats and dresses and shoes and jewelry at reasonable prices. If I find something that doesn't fit me, I will recommend it to my friends, because it is such a great buy, someone should have it."
Stickle's find for that day was a gorgeous long angora Calvin Klein coat for $100 that would have cost $800 to $1,000 brand-new.
She's not alone.
Consignment shopping is on the rise. NARTS: The Association of Resale Professionals reported in its 2010 Operating Survey a growth in net sales of 12.7 percent for 2009 from 2008. Retail sales were down 7.3 percent in 2009 from 2008, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Consignment is when individuals offer merchandise to store owners who determine whether the piece will sell and for how much. If sold, the original owner receives part of the sale and the other part goes to the store owner. Some consignment shops require a nominal fee to consign. Merchandise not sold after a particular length of time decided on by the store owner can be donated to a charity or returned to the original owner.
The popularity of consignment shopping led to the Bravo show "Fashion Hunters," which follows fashionistas at Second Time Around as they go searching the attics, closets and garages of New York's elite.
Locally, shoppers can find high-end items by big-name designers such as Prada, Tory Burch, Coach, Lafayette 148, Calvin Klein, Stuart Weitzman, Chanel, Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton. Some items still carry original price tags, because they were never worn.
"People who previously gave away clothing, household goods and furniture are seeking other ways to dispose of unwanted items during an economic pinch," says Adele Meyer, executive director of NARTS. "Some donate merchandise to a not-for-profit resale shop and take advantage of the tax deductions while helping a charity raise money. Others may choose to sell or consign merchandise at a local resale shop, ... turning their no-longer-needed articles into cash."
"Consignment shopping is like a treasure hunt," Meyer says. "Because you never know what you are going to find."
Western Pennsylvania has some wonderful consignment shops, says Jeanne Goad of South Fayette, while browsing at ecoChic resale boutique in Robinson. She travels for work and knows where the best stores are located.
"I would love to shop at stores like Ann Taylor and J. Crew, until I see some of the prices at those stores, so that is why I shop at consignment stores," she says. "I can still buy those brands but at a fraction of the price. And most of the consignment stores don't look like consignment stores. They look like boutiques. Plus, the customer service is outstanding, and I like to support local businesses."
Having that one-on-one relationship with the customer is key to making this business work, says Terry Chesky, who owns ecoChic and Consignment Cottage in Moon with her mother, Jean Maggio. Chesky has teamed with fellow consignment owners to form Pittsburgh Area Resale and Consignment Shops. They meet monthly to share ideas.
"The vision is to increase the awareness of consignment and resale shopping in Western Pennsylvania," Chesky says. "If someone comes in and is looking for something I don't have, I will gladly refer them to another consignment shop. It's about doing what I can to help keep people shopping consignment stores versus going to the mall. And with all of us communicating with each other, all of our businesses will grow because we learn from each other."
Colleen McKenzie who owns Savvy Fox with locations in Mt. Lebanon and Peters, says joining with others is a way to get the word out about consignment stores through shared advertising, the organization's Facebook page and a coming website.
McKenzie says consignment stores are selective about the items they will accept. They also are careful about making sure the designer pieces they have are authentic, she says.
"We would never sell a fake handbag or fur as real," says McKenzie, who has 4,600 consigners and puts out, at minimum, 200 additional items a day and can put out 600-plus items in one day. "It is important to make sure these items are the real thing."
She says part of the intrigue is the thrill of the hunt in finding that one thing that no one else will have.
"The customer has evolved over time," McKenzie says, "and they want more value for their dollar. I discovered consignment shopping when I had a job where I needed to attend fancy events and needed to be dressed up all the time. If you are only going to wear an item once, like a dress or gown, why pay a lot for it?"
Pat Gregorini of Bentleyville shops consignment stores weekly. "I love bargains," she says.
So does Christine Phillips.
"If consignment stores put out junk, then no one would want to buy anything," she says. "But consignment stores today have really great items that are top-quality. I shop enough to know the (retail) price of something and to know if I am getting a good deal."
Karen Zaborowski of Green Tree says shopping at consignment stores allows you to look high-maintenance, without the cost of high maintenance. They are especially perfect for finding children clothes, she says, because kids grow out of everything so fast.
Each store offers its own merchandise, says Nicole Saniga, owner of Plus Consignment in Castle Shannon.
"If someone is going to shop consignment, they want to know where other consignment stores are," Saniga says. "I really think being part of the local organization, we will all benefit and be able to network with each other and offer our customers other options to find great clothing, shoes, accessories and furniture.
"We plan to have a pamphlet in each of our stores showing where other consignment stores are and to offer other good shopping information about resale shops," she says. "We all need each other. And customers appreciate you calling other stores to help them find what they are looking for. They will remember that, and that will being them back."
Read more: Treasure hunters find gems at consignment shops - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_769283.html#ixzz1f3MocJBA
2011-11-29 12:02
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