Comments for Auntie Kate The Resale Expert

Comment on Spelling is important too. by Tracyk

Tracyk — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:55:23 +0000

I clicked on the link and read the whole entry. Kate, she may have been telling the truth. If you read her “About Me” it says her and her Super Hot Man are trying to populate the world single handedly. But they stopped at 8. That could be because of her New Years Resolution! lol!

Comment on OMG: Turning suppliers OFF by MBFChristine

MBFChristine — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:48:06 +0000

You’re right, Kate, I kind of got o/t there. I just finished revamping my consignor’s agrt but since reading this post, I’m going to have another look at it with a view to making it more ’supplier friendly’. Thank you!

Comment on OMG: Turning suppliers OFF by Sarah Gauger

Sarah Gauger — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:42:46 +0000

Always good reminders Kate. It’s so important to look at verbage from others perspectives.

Comment on OMG: Turning suppliers OFF by Auntie Kate

Auntie Kate — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:16:21 +0000

Thanks, Christine. In this entry I wasn’t addressing the “rules” situation…I was merely pointing out that language is SO important to setting the tone…what a supplier or shopper thinks of your business even before coming in. If I’ve helped you step back a bit from your way of expressing yourself so you can “see” how it might come across to another person, I’ve done my job!

Comment on OMG: Turning suppliers OFF by MBFChristine

MBFChristine — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:29:29 +0000

I have to say, I will be reviewing my wording regarding payment split/store credit. On the other hand, I do have a “no garbage bags/paper or plastic grocery bags” rule at my women’s consignment shop. Maybe it’s a psychological thing, but I find I receive items folded neatly and in better condition in dept/clothing store shopping bags with this rule.

Comment on OMG: Turning suppliers OFF by Auntie Kate

Auntie Kate — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:59:20 +0000

Oh yes, Jenni, I am sure we’ve ALL muttered these things to ourselves…and probably even worse ;) But to put them out into the universe…in all caps? I just feel so bad for the shopkeeper who was SO upset that she was driven to write this…and then hit the “ENTER” button. Where’s a paper shredder when you need one…and a nice glass of Chardonnay?

Comment on OMG: Turning suppliers OFF by Jenni

Jenni — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:46:03 +0000

The first example is certainly off-putting to say the least. How much nocer your version sounds, Kate!

The second example really made me laugh though… In the furniture and home decor resale environment, that’s exactly what I’ve said to myself a hundred times (in my head only!) Although it seems like common sense, not everyone knows that you don’t want to consign a blue plastic flower dust garden from 1970 ;) Better not to put it in writing though and instead, a polite NTY. Plus, every time a consignor or seller comes into the shop to see if we want to buy something, there is a good chance they will end up a shopper. Win Win for us both.

Comment on OMG: Turning suppliers OFF by Julie@repeatstreet.com

Julie@repeatstreet.com — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:31:00 +0000

All I can say is wow! I’m sure I should review my wording, but I have to hope I never sound like either of those. Thanks for sharing, Kate.

Comment on Is this consignment cheating? Resale rip-off? Thrift thievery? Tell us what you think. by C-

C- — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:22:53 +0000

I own a consignment shop. I have been in business for over 12 years and I too have the same problems where people want their items returned to them. They sign a contract telling them they have 1 week after their time is up to come and get their items. And out of 3,500 consignors only about 100 want their items returned and perhaps 10 actually come to get their items.. I had a lady one time tell me not to donate her items she would return for them, we called her several times and she always missed her appts. Finally after a few weeks she stopped in and actually told me to donate the items.. I was furious ! I have a closet full of items that were never picked up..
I have decided that this year will be different. I am no longer taking any consignments that want their items returned. Its too much work.. If you have 3,000 + consignors that is 3,000+ attics and basements. And if they wanted their items, they would still be in their attics and basements taking up space… As far as selling what isn’t picked up I agree we should be able to do so.. I have yard sales and benefit sales and I take the stuff that isn’t picked up to these sales. After all I have to still pay rent, and pay employees..In my contracts, I have it that if the items aren’t retrieved in a week they are mine to do with as I please. I know shops that do this with the money that is owed to people as well. I have people that are supposed to come back to pick up their checks and never show up. I donate that money and send them the receipt.

Comment on Razzle-Dazzle Them: Your New Year’s Resolution? by Blast from the Past: Is your Razzle Dazzling? « Auntie Kate The Resale Expert

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:30:45 +0000

[...] January 2, 2010 by Auntie Kate Hope you’re really Razzle-Dazzling [...]

Comment on What are you proudest of having done in ‘09? by Diane

Diane — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:32:14 +0000

Hi, I am proudest that I did not let fear get in the way of making my dream come true. I and my partner forged ahead, despite the “gloom and doom” of the present economy, and are opening our store on january 7, 2010. We know we are going to make it a great success. We can feel it in our bones.

Comment on What are you proudest of having done in ‘09? by Alexa Thornton Hartman

Alexa Thornton Hartman — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:18:53 +0000

I am proud of the fact that I have nearly doubled my store income from the year before (I have only been open 2.5 years). I attribute much of my success to learning ALOT from Kate Holmes who provides so much great guidance and advice. I also feel that being a member of NARTS has been invaluable with the opportunity to learn from them thru their fabulous yearly conferences and newsletters. I would not be where I am without those two great resources.

Comment on What are you proudest of having done in ‘09? by Simone

Simone — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:25:44 +0000

I’m proud of the fact that I opened the store of my dreams, and it has had very nice response from people.

My plan for 2010 is to figure out how to make a profit.

Comment on What are you proudest of having done in ‘09? by Jill

Jill — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:02:00 +0000

This year I am proud that I grew my store from 1300 square feet to 2400 square feet and I might be moving to an even bigger space now! I’m up in sales by a monumental amount and to me, the sky’s the limit in 2010. Thanks Kate for the website, encouragement and information that you provide on a daily basis. Although I mainly am a lurker, maybe I will get my courage up to post some more on TGTBT and “share” like we’re supposed to be doing.

Jill
Boomerang Consignments & More

Comment on Is this consignment cheating? Resale rip-off? Thrift thievery? Tell us what you think. by Jody

Jody — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:28:39 +0000

Former shop owner (buy outright) …

I made an offer, they either accepted or didn’t … their choice. They got paid immediately and were on their way. What I then did with the items was up to me. What I paid was a %age of what I felt I’d be able to sell the item for (not everyone does it that way, but it worked for me).

I take my kids stuff to a buy outright store. I prefer that for many reasons … I get paid asap, I know what they are taking and aren’t taking, and there’s no waiting and wondering to see what will or won’t sell.

ALSO … I’ve taken things to a consignment shop. I have no idea what she accepted, she donated the things she wouldn’t accept, unsolds were donated, I checked in a few times and only a few items had sold, after a while your balance was zeroed out if you didn’t pick your money up … I had to take the shopowners word for all of this (no, no contract, no paperwork of any type … I wasn’t attached to the items I took in so it was fine, but I wouldn’t do it again if I were actually hoping to get some $ .. just didn’t feel professional and I have no way of knowing, or even guessing, if she was being legit).