Consignment Cash

Consignment!!! Cash$$$$
There are several options for realizing cash for gently used clothes. Two that I am aware of are consignment and selling on-line through a website like e-bay.

I've always given away my clothes, but this time  I decided that some of my clothes had hardly been worn and it did not seem quite right to give them away.  My thinking may also have been coloured by the fact that I was feeling that the items in question had been purchased by mistake so the idea of cash was a way at redemption.  Or so I thought,  as the dollar signs started floating in front of my eyes

The real story is a little different.  This is a true study in supply and demand economics. For this little adventure I decided to go to Second Nature Boutique on Mt Pleasant,  a store that I have passed by for years and always been a bit curious about.  Here is what I learned:
1. Clothes can not be more than two years old
2. Good consignors are extremely picky-they demand the clothes be clean and in good condition
3. The price they are willing to sell the item for will be deeply discounted from the original purchase price
4. You will only get 45% of the final sales price
5. There is no guarantee that the item will get sold and you only get paid if the item is sold
6. You have no control over the price once you hand over the goods-the market decides.

I brought the following items
1. Tory Burch 2009 Spring/ Summer jacket -white with purple and charcoal grey detailing and buttons. Would look great with white pants and a white shirt.  Retailed for about $575.00
2. Missoni Tank top. Purchase in Florida in 2006. Retailed for about $160.
3. Teenflo 3 peice suite purchased in 2007. Retailed for about $700-$800.

Here is what the consignment shop offered for each item:
1. Tory Burch Jacket $200 to start.
2. Missoni Tank Top $65
3. Teenflo suit 3 pieces for $275.  Each piece could also be sold separately.

I''ll get 45% of this if I am lucky, so $200 and change.   From this, I need to subtract the $51 I paid to have the items dry cleaned. All in I'll get about $150. You might be able to get away without the dry cleaning but you'll need to take good care of your clothes.

Since I'd never been to a consignment store before I took some time to look around. Everything was in great condition and nicely displayed. The staff was courteous and professional.  There were some beautiful Prada bags and a pair of 7 year old Miu Miu sandals, that I in fact own! These were priced at   $65.  So when does something become Vintage? When will it go up in value? Good thing I love them even though I've hardly worn them - looks like it will be a while!

Next time I might try e-bay. I'll have more control over the price and I would consider having the purchaser pay the shipping or at least include it in the price.

GIRLS WEEKEND WITH NO SHOPPING

My fabulous friend MA, mother of two and almost married 20 years (!) came for a little R&R this weekend from Ottawa.

In our university days I remember her borrowing a beige Ralph Lauren skirt from time to time. 

As the rules dictate no shopping we were required to explore the world beyond clothes and what a fabulous world it is!!

Friday there was tea and pedis at the Windsor Arms. Naturally the tea include wine a requirement for any Friday evening activity after a long hectic work week.

Saturday we awoke and almost ended up going out dressed alike- jeans, pink sweaters and white T-shirts.  MA is a true frugalista fashionista! She follows the rules. So we wouldn't overwhelm I changed to a grey cashmere sweater with lovely crotched edges and cuffs in shades of pink and purple (circa 2005 purchased in NYC).

Lovely brunch at Live and then to the AGO for the Maharaja exhibit. Cartier jewelry is on display so some window shopping was had.

Then to Bloor and Sephora. Happily even though makeup is not off limits I resisted.

We decided to eat in.  A fantastic feast of Canadian artisan cheeses, rapini and sausage with pasta followed by a fruit place and salt an red chili flavoured chocolate. Divine.

So you see a great girls weekend can be had without clothes shopping. After all it is about the company and conversation however that gets stimulated.

BLACK TROUSER TRAVAILS..

Black pants... The staple of most wardrobes. I've got at least 3 pairs in different styles and weights so I am covered for all seasons.

I am rather tall so I usually have to have the pants taken down to their full length and a false hem put on the bottom.

This week one of my stand by pairs ( Teenflo, circa 2007) sprouted a rip in the front! These are my favourite pair as they are a classic boot cut that goes with everything.  What am I going to do? I wear these at least once every two weeks.  The only option, is to hope that they can be  repaired well enough that I can still wear them to work.  If not I will have to wear the Hugo Boss (circa 2008, purchased in Amsterdam) straight leg pair.  Straight legs are going to limit the footwear options.  Might have to pull out the Roger Vivier flats to wear with them... We'll see. 

Don't feel bad for me, I've still got two pairs of Cambio pants in reserve that I haven't worn in about 3 years that I can use to fill in the gaps - just need to get them taken in a bit.  A trip to the alterationist is in order ... I will make it through this year with no new clothes.