Consignment

[Lady of the Lake]

I have to admit I'm peddling fast here to try to get information so I can look out for number one.

I just figured out the wholesale thing and how it would work for me...now I've been asked about consignment.

What do I need to know? What is the "normal" breakdown retailer vs creator?
20/80 30/70 40/60.......I've looked over a few online consigment forms but they all seem to be geared towards art galleries not boutiques.

Help me, please!

[Kathy Ann]

I've seen consignment ratios all over the place! I honestly don't know if there is a standard. Every contract I've seen is different too. Some are month to month, some are long term. It seems like it's up to each shop owner to re-invent the wheel.

[greenoak]

most stores i know about have tried consignment and given it up...... .....its so much hassle....and crafters usually overestimate what something will sell for..and dont have a n understanding of retail and wholesaale and how much it takes to keep a store open,,..they wont come get their stuff at agreed time...
it would be a pretty unusual store to only want 20%....our store uses up 30% of every dollar just to cover overhead..........

but still we consign 2 places with our imports and our furniture and they take 25%..and im glad to do it..they sell a big amount for us..... we dont take consignments in our store.....
one consignment store i know about takes 50% and the price goes down every month and if you dont come get your stuff it goes down to nothing....its household stuff...so that might be different...

i would think clothes would be a lot of work and call for a big cut for the store...

there are so many what ifs to consider...theft, damage, time limits, timely payments, all things that you need to be sure of on both sides..hopefully in writing....


ann of greenoak


www.greenoakantiques.com