Reuse and resale
Ask a consignment shop about its process
Every consignment shop sets its own terms, and one shop's policy says nothing about another's. Prepare a short question list by item type, ask the shop directly, and record each answer with the date and who gave it.
A text to start with
I am considering consigning these items at [shop name]: [item types and condition]. List the questions I should ask the shop about what it accepts, its condition requirements, how long items stay, what happens to unsold items and when I can collect items. Group them by item type. Do not state fees, prices or payment timing as facts, because I will get those from the shop.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.Consignment question tracker
Shop name: [ ] Contact method used: [ ] Date asked: [ ] Item type: [ ] Condition rule stated by the shop: [ ] Term to confirm: [ ] Answer: [ ] Source of answer: [written terms / email / phone, name] Date of answer: [ ] Unsold item handling stated by shop: [ ] Collection date or window stated by shop: [ ] Source and date: [ ] Terms still unknown: [ ] Terms from another shop that I must not assume: [ ] Repeat the item block as needed.
Borrowed assumptions
The common mistake is filling a gap with what another shop does, such as assuming a fee split, a markdown schedule or a payout date. Check that every term in your notes is labeled as stated by this shop, with a source and date, or marked unknown. Confirm whether the rules differ by item type, since clothing, furniture and small goods may be handled differently. Make sure you asked what happens to unsold items and how and when you can collect them. If an answer was verbal, note who gave it.
Ask another agent to check the result
Check my notes for any fee, price, split or payment timing that came from another shop or my own assumption. Mark each term as confirmed by this shop or unknown. List questions I forgot to ask about unsold items and collection.
Record and compare
Contact the shop through its published channel and send the questions. Enter each answer in the tracker with its source and date, and leave unanswered terms marked unknown. Ask for written terms if the shop offers them. Decide about your items only after the terms you care about are confirmed, and put the shop's collection date on your calendar.