Comments for Auntie Kate The Resale Guru

Comment on The 10 Best Ways to Ruin a Resale Business by Tanya

Tanya — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:46:01 +0000

Way to Go Kate! Thanks for a wonderful top 10 items to consider when making your shop thrive!

Each area, will be digested over the next 10 days!

Thanks Again!

Comment on The 10 Best Ways to Ruin a Resale Business by patricia

patricia — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:51:40 +0000

Nice and “wide eye” opening!
Thanks as always Kate for your wisdom!

Comment on The Ideal Consignor or Seller by Cynthia

Cynthia — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:24:06 +0000

One of our stores is in a particularly wealthy area. If the second line of that box read ‘with all the money I don’t know what to do with’ …we market to them, yes, but at certain times of year (spring and fall before the social season sets in) when we offer a limited time frame personal pickup service. Many of our customers in this particular group of women expect and value personalized service and want to deal ‘with the owner’ and my time can only be split into so many zillion little pieces.

Funny, during those visits, which can sometimes take a while as they ask for ‘advice’/help making decisions, we have to reiterate our consignor confidentiality statement we make in the hand addressed mailing about a million times. Many of these ladies do not want it known they consign their under-loved stuff because they are worried ‘word will spread’ and others will think they are in some financial difficulty or something. It also helps to attend the most popular charity event functions in the area to ‘network’ with these women.

We also market to their maids and personal assistants.

There is another segment of the group that will not bother consigning, because they give their stuff to household help, particularly the maid or personal assistant as what they see as sort of a benefit. We offer a referral fee to the ’staff’ of these individuals and also promote in a little handout how to turn these ‘benefits’ into cash - which they almost all would much rather have. We have quite a number of household staff members from the surrounding community that consign all manner of things with us.

I must also say that many of these wealthy clients are some of the worst hoarders I’ve ever met - especially of their clothes. The hoarders think if they hang on to the stuff long enough they will eventually be able to sell it at Christies or something like Jackie O’s stuff was sold! The latest was a women who had installed hang rods the entire length of her quite sizable walk-up ‘attic’ as it was called - a veritable graveyard of clothing. It was sad to witness the true agony this individual suffered even contemplating parting with some of this stuff.

Comment on Perceived Value and The Lipstick Index by Lora

Lora — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:36:03 +0000

I have 4 kids so when we shop we shop for them, but if I can get a small candle I’m happy! I always joke about it with my friends that if I get to buy a candle I feel like I got something too.

Yesterday I took my girls, age 13, to buy some clothes for camp. They found lots of things… of course I steered them towards the sale racks… I don’t usually pay full price for anything. Anyway, I was feeling bored and bummed that I never get to buy anything, but I found this cute little bracelet with a peace sign on it for $1.99 and bought it just for me. Then I was happy :O)

When I open my kid’s resale shop I plan to have plenty of little things for moms and novelty toys for the kids… moms usually can’t resist buying a little something extra and inexpensive for the kids. I know my 8 yr. old always suckers me into buying a little something wherever we go.

Comment on Perceived Value and The Lipstick Index by Marriette

Marriette — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:18:57 +0000

Interesting. My grandmother was a single mom and she always had lipstick. We would give her a hard time when we were kids because she woul put the lipstick on and the more she used it the pointier it got.

My mom is the same way. She was married but had five kids to clothe and feed, but she always had her lipstick. She still does and could pretty much buy herself what ever she wants, but doesn’t.

This blog was insightful. Thanks Kate!

Comment on Perceived Value and The Lipstick Index by Kristin

Kristin — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:32:36 +0000

That is so true! When I was a new mom, and didn’t have any extra money to spend, I’d always go shopping and just buy some lipstick, makeup, nail polish….any little thing that I could afford and still be able to shop for something other than diapers and formula! It always made me feel better. Now that I think of it, when I was in college I would do the same thing with costume jewelry. This is something I will definitely keep in the back of my mind when I open my children’s/maternity shop. I will try to find those little things that Mom can buy to make herself feel special.

Comment on Perceived Value and The Lipstick Index by Cathy

Cathy — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:13:22 +0000

Excellent reminder…and so true when I was a single mom I bought nail polish every week. I probably had 100 bottles at one point. For $2.99 I could sit in my dinky apartment living room, paint my toenails, and feel like a papmered woman, on a single mama salary. I’m moving up in the world, it’s pedicures these days!

Thank you for this webinar Kate. I love to take an idea and immediately make it happen, your ideas are so great for that!

Comment on Perceived Value and The Lipstick Index by Cynthia

Cynthia — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 02:55:13 +0000

Well here’s a big SWACK for you Kate - and for this last post in a fabulous webinar!

When our Mom was alive and running our clothing end as a separate store - she hunted down and sold LIPSTICK! Wow! The memories that brought back. (Now I guess I’m goin’ to have to get me some to sell in her honor)

Again, thanks for the reminder. Gotta do something about more POP and stressing add-ons to the staff! Sigh….always somethin’.

You’re a peach!

Comment on Perceived Value and The Lipstick Index by Patty

Patty — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:36:56 +0000

I was raised by a single mother. She never ever bought anything for herself except lipstick. She had lipstick in every shade, and she wouldn’t answer the door without it. It used to sort of annoy me how prissy she was, but now I understand. Thank you Kate.

I also now understand why we’ve been selling so much inexpensive jewelry lately. I’m going to call it the “Dolly” syndrome after my mom, and order lots more. It’s inexpensive, pretty, and makes people feel better.

Comment on Perceived Values includes Positive Outcomes by Cynthia

Cynthia — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:33:48 +0000

Thanks Kate for the great series! I love the fortune cookie idea. I’m gonna em for it straight away. We use little ‘Thank You for shopping with us today’ cards that we personally sign and attach a candy or little something . It’s still a struggle some times to get the staff to remember to utilize them. It goes in spurts it seems.

I’m going to print this out for them to read - to help remind them. The fortune cookies will be a GREAT new gift! I’m sure the staff will have as much fun as the customers.

Again, thanks a million, as always!