What's Gordon Gekko got to do with online resale?

Uniquely yours...for less!

This month we delve into the industry statistics and trends surrounding resale. Before you stifle a yawn on the basis that you think this subject is boring, you should read on because in fact, from our research it is actually very interesting. We promise!

So resale or retail? Can you tell the difference? Probably not! Today resale shops look the same as mainstream retailers - except for one big difference - they sell high quality goods at lower prices. The resale industry, as we stated in last month's blog, offers quality at what can be enormous savings and don't forget the element that resale is green!

Resale is a multi-billion dollar a year industry and with this in mind you begin to realize the vast scope and advantage to shopping and getting that "must have" fashion item for less. Resale shopping attracts consumers from all economic levels. There is no typical resale shopper and no-one is immune to the excitement of finding a treasure and saving money at the same time. Shrewd shoppers take advantage of the opportunity resale offers - to save money. These savings can help add to quality of life when used for vacations, entertainment, funding of college, the list goes on.

According to America's Research Group, a consumer research firm, approximately 16-18% of Americans will shop at a thrift store during any given year. For resale shops, it is approximately 12-15%. To put these figures into perspective, consider that during the same timeframe, 11.4% of Americans will shop in factory outlet malls, 19.6% in apparel stores and 21.3% in major department stores. 

Advertise your store with consignista.com

Resale has become destination shopping with the recent industry trend of clustering and this leads us onto the newest piece of consignista.com's business model, The Consignista Network. In simple terms, consignista.com will allow other apparel resale/consignment stores to gain an online presence without the need of them building and managing a website themselves. This in turn allows these stores to list their inventory online at consignista.com and gives, as an example, a shopper in Texas to purchase that "must have" item from a store in Iowa. By creating The Consignista Network at consignista.com, it adds efficiency for the shopper and additional sales for the resale/consignment store who is part of the Consignista Network who would not necessarily have been found by that savvy shopper otherwise. 

Shoppers can visit a variety of resale/consignment stores at one site - consignista.com.

The resale market is blossoming thanks to value-conscious consumers and with the increasing awareness of the importance of reducing pointless waste, we are progressing from a disposable society to a recycling society - a change that has enormous market potential for the resale industry as a whole.

While bricks and mortar stores close their doors at the end of every day, online stores, just like consignista.com operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Online stores are the Gordon Gekko of Wall Street Fame. To coin one of Mr Gekko's phrases, consignista.com "never sleeps".

Luck of the Irish or just pure hard work?

Uniquely yours...for less!

You may all be scratching your head, asking yourselves "what does this latest blog have to do with the consignment business?". Well, you would be right to ask such a question. But here's the thing. We could blabber on about Spring being around the corner, and how it's time to clean out your closet, but in reality, at consignista.com it doesn't matter what time of year you decide to take on such a task, because being online means we are not seasonally restrictive. We have visitors nationally, so someone on the West Coast will actually be looking for that perfect summer dress, while someone on the East Coast is digging themselves out of the latest snow storm (actually Storm Titan is on its way as we speak!). This is where the saying "Life isn't fair" kicks in, right. But back to the subject at hand. Luck or hard work? And what do we mean by that?

Let us explain. It's no secret that the consignment business is a booming one; especially in these economic times. But here's the thing. Anyone who decides to embark on a consignment adventure is most certainly not without strong competition. This then leads to the question, "what sets consignista.com apart from other online consignment businesses?" One of the biggest factors, is that you get to decide what price to list your item at, and it remains at that price. We won't say "hey, you can name your price" but then 30 days later put your item in a sale and reduce it by up to 70%. Nope, unpleasant surprises we most certainly do not do. You price your item, and it stays that way. Why? Because we know how frustrating it can be when you list an item for let's say $100 and you expect a certain amount when its sold, to find out that, actually your item was put in a sale, flash or otherwise, and in fact the item you listed for $100 was reduced to $30 and, yep, the percentage of what you will earn out of that has also been reduced. Irritating! So we are different. When you list an item for a certain price, it stays at that price. The only time your item will be reduced is when you tell us to reduce it. Plain and simple. What's more this method ensures everyone gets their fair share of gold out of the pot at the end of the rainbow. The consignor makes a coin or two, the consignee saves a coin or two, and we make a coin or two.

The hard work for consignista.com is getting you folk out there to know about us and our fabulous offerings, but we're always on it. The lucky part for us (or is it due to hard work) is that our customers have been more than thrilled with their experience using consignista.com.

Our mission is to offer satisfaction to both the consignor and consignee. There is no point in having a happy consignor, but a rather upset consignee or vice versa. The deal has to be right for both sides. That way everyone wins and it breeds repeat business.

So let's hope consignista.com continues to have the luck of the Irish and, if it doesn't, then we will continue with the hard work.

All that is left to say is "don't forget to clean out that....", no we're kidding (although feel free do clean out your closet anytime you feel the urge to and consign it with us). What we really mean to say is, "Have a 'faboo' St Patrick's Day", drink lots (although drink sensibly)  and raise a Guinness (or whatever your tipple is) to continued prosperity for all (including consignista.com).

And as the Irish say, "top of the morning" and if you like this blog don't forget to subscribe to it. And of course there is always our Fantabulous Facebook Page to "Like".

See you next month!

L'Amour

Uniquely yours...for less!

There are no prizes for knowing that Valentine's Day is looming. But that is not what our latest blog is about. Apologies to all you romantics out there, but this blog is aimed at delving into the love of shopping and shopping smart.

Us girls make no secret about our pure love for shopping. The rush we feel when we put on our recently purchased "something". How good we feel when, headed out for a night on the town, we take stock of ourselves in the mirror and feel like a million dollars. Like any new love this feeling isn't long-lived. Once something has been worn a few times, the love fades. Time for a new shopping experience to maintain the thrill. Unless you have the shopping budget of the rich and famous, shopping can be tough on the bank balance. And sometimes we just have to window shop, as if we don't do so, we may be eating soup for a while!

True love shopping bags...mwaaa!

But we have good news. We can ease the pain. At consignista.com we have designer items available for purchase on the site at prices discounted by a minimum of 50%. And that discount is all year round. Yes, you read right, designer items, new with tags, at a minimum discount of 50% all year round. Items like brand new Selma Coach Suede Open Toe pumps for $94.00 or a BCBG Maxaria Dress priced at just $50.00. Did we mention free shipping and the fact that you also earn rewards points every time you shop with us that goes towards future purchases? An added bonus is a full returns policy. That means you can return the item to us in the condition it arrived in and voilà you get your money back. No re-stocking fee, no store credit just a good old-fashioned refund. Now that's shopping smart.

Let us not forget that if you have an item or two that you no longer love, but is too good to give away, then consign it with us without leaving your home and earn 70% when the item sells. Consign with us without leaving the home. Nice!

Our Rewards Program can also add to your piggy bank, as for every friend you refer and who shops with us, we give you $10.00*. Not $10.00 credit to spend on our site (although we feel sure that's where you will want to spend your money) but $10.00 to spend where-ever you want. Now if that's not love, we don't know what is!

Spread the love (and the word) because despite common belief, it's not money that makes the world goes round, it's love.

See you next month!

*Please see website for full details.

Do you relish the New Year?

Uniquely yours...for less!

OK so we're not sure about you guys, but we have found it super difficult to "get into gear" for 2014. The holidays were so fun-filled that getting back to reality sucks - yes even 24/7 businesses have some down time. And on top of that, being based out of North East America has meant we have "bundled up" to protect ourselves from the snow storm, Hercules, and the polar vortex we are currently experiencing. Apparently any moisture will "flash freeze". We remember, flash dance, but "flash freeze" is new on us lol! Any hoo, we digress.

So no-one wins star prize for knowing the typical new year's resolutions following the holidays.... join a gym, lose weight, drink less alcohol, stop smoking, be nicer to our better halves blah de blah de blah. But there are other new beginnings that are just as important that may get overlooked. What, pray tell may they be? Well, one is de-cluttering. It's not just reserved for spring cleaning. Oh no. At consignista.com our rule is, if you haven't worn something for at least 12 months then try it on, look in the mirror and ask yourself these honest questions: does it fit? does it still suit me? will I wear it? If your answer to any of these questions is "no", you don't need us to tell you want to do, consign it with us. Here are some good reasons why you should. We are not seasonally restricted on the items we accept (we're national don't you know!), you set the price you want to sell an item at and once an item is listed with us it will stay available for sale on the site unless you ask us to remove it. Most importantly, we will NEVER reduce your item - unlike other sites - and you earn the biggest slice of the pie. In a nutshell, it's your stuff, so you're in charge of it.

And with a revamped Rewards Program where, in addition to earning rewards points, when you refer a friend you earn $10 when they make their first purchase from us*, we fail to see the downside. All the blurb about our revamped Rewards Program can be found on our website www.consignista.com. Spread the word for us and you get paid!

Keep your eye on the prize.

There is just one final thing to add to this message, whether 2013 has been an awesome year, or an "I'd rather not talk about how bad 2013 was" year, this image couldn't say it better. All that is left to say is, "Let's Rock 2014"!

Happy New Year to All!



*See Terms

A personal note from the Founder since consignista's one year launch!

Uniquely yours… for less!

Wow, where has the year gone? Why do the years fly by the older you become? I mean, I don't know about you, but it feels like I went to sleep Christmas evening 2012, woke up, and before I knew it, Christmas 2013 has sneaked up on me!

That's how I feel about consignista.com. I mean a one year anniversary... really? I seriously don't know where the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday we were getting ready to go live to the world wide web!

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that online retail is tough and anyone who thinks otherwise should think again. There is no signage over a bricks and mortar store to say "hello we're here". In fact it takes a lot of hard work to get found on the internet. That said, I wouldn't change it for the world. Being national is super cool, and getting sales when fast alseep is awesome, but it isn't always peaches and cream. Any business owner knows that.

My vision for consignista.com is to become a one stop site for families. I mean, why not allow someone to list something for consignment for their husband/boyfriend and/or children at the same time they are listing something for themselves? OK, so at the moment some of our categories may be thin of inventory, but that won't last forever. My attitude is that you need to know the category is there to list something! Besides, if you don't see something when you visit the site, you can always fill out our Personal Shopping Service form to tell us what you are looking for and when it hits the database, you get an email alert.

At consignista.com we are very particular about what items are listed for sale on the site, because it is important to us to ensure you will have a satisfied smile on your face when you get a package from us, confident that it's a great item and at an affordable price. God knows, in these economic times that's a bonus. We've had some fabulous customer reviews - always important.

Giving back is an important piece to the site. We have attended many charity functions and are always scouting to help causes and communities. Watch this space for 2014!

I want to thank my amazing family and friends, who have supported me in the vision for consignista.com (and you know who you are). To you, I am forever grateful. I am blessed. Truly. As they say you can move mountains with tremendous support and love. And of course to our customers who, without, we wouldn't exist.

Penelope baked by my wonderful sister

In closing, I have to share a cake that my sister made to celebrate consignista.com's one year anniversary. She is so talented it humbles me (I have trouble frosting a cupcake). She is not a professional... yet. I need to make enough money to buy her a bakery. No pressure! The cake has been named "Penelope" and it is, of course, a Fashionista cake which is way too pretty to eat!

All that is left to say is Happy Holidays and here's to a wonderful 2014!

Penny
Founder of consignista.com