It seems every year that kids grow faster, styles change, and the cost of clothing keeps going up. Even more so this year. Here’s a site to cut the cost of your Back-to-School Bill, plus sell those items that the children have outgrown.

Just Between Friends® is a site for consignors of gently used maternity, children and baby clothes, furniture and equipment. You can pack up your items for sale, locate a sale in your area, and drop them off plus get a chance to shop the presale. These sales are usually located in a metropolitan area. If your area currently does not offer this service, consider becoming a franchisee yourself.

In Minnesota, event days include Maple Grove on August 21-23rd, Edina-September 11-13th, and Egan-October 3rd-4th. Plus, each sale supports non-profit charities.

Have you noticed a change in the look at your favorite thrift store? The fact that thrift stores have a new middle class clientele has dispensed the belief that these stores catered only to the economically challenged or for junkers and dealers. And with many items being recycled department store markdowns, the apparel selection is not out of fashion, but up-to-date styles. Subsequently, thrift stores is expanding out of the inner city and into suburban neighborhoods, and even the physical layout of the stores has been updated and now are taking on the look of popular consignment shops.

Recently Markdown Mom visited one of her favorite thrift stores that has recently annexed two neighboring stores. This has provided not only needed space, but storefront display. Inventory has increased to include a larger selection of furniture, modern and antique, and to organize the merchandise more effectively, oftentimes creating theme display areas. These stores now are competitors not only for the consignment shops, but closeout stores. Although prices have gone up, they are still extremely reasonable. However, for the collector or antique hunter pricing is more savvy, and, therefore, it is more difficult to uncover a “find.” Plus mattresses and box springs banned before, now are being sold; however, this is new merchandise in their original wrappings. Additionally, thrift stores are now offering promos such as Senior Day each week when 55+ individuals can receive 25% off their purchases.

The main tip in finding a great bargain is to shop early, and shop often. Merchandise can change daily and timing is everything. Remember, you have more competition nowadays!

Thrift stores, consignment stores, organic food stores are all part of the ‘think green’ movement.  By reusing what we have and food that is grown with the environment in mind, consumers and bargain hunters cannot only be savvy shoppers, but contributors to this overall effort. 

Hennepin County has declared the month of October as the "Choose To Reuse" month and has put together a special coupon book that saves even more $$$ at your favorite Twin Cities bargain sites.  With coupons for an additional 10%-50% off at local thrift stores, consignment stores, Whole Foods Stores, costume rental shops, record stores, vintage stores and other stores with dollar discount and freebies with purchases–this is a ‘must have’ book for this month for all bargain hunters.  Imagine the low prices are even lower with this offer–what a great idea!  Hurry and pick-up your coupon book good through October 31st.

Click Here→Choose to Reuse Coupon Book

Don’t live in the Twin Cities area?  Encourage your local county government to implement this great idea to promote recycling and reuse.

This Is a Two Green Thumbs Up Idea!

Thrift stores are like chain stores and like other forms of business can be tied into location, location, location!  The major distribution centers for thrift stores offer a variety of merchandise and since many are centrally located in urban areas or near colleges and universities, items can run the gamut from expensive furniture and art selections to an abundant apparel selection.  Increase customer traffic in these densely populated areas can spell more frequent visits and on-the-spot decision-making to secure a "find" for the bargain hunter.  Additionally, in urban areas you will find thrift store "outlets" where the customer can buy merchandise by the pound or the bag.  These outlets will have a greater apparel selection than other merchandise, and in some cases you will have to literally dig for your bargains.

Suburban thrift stores can offer more decorative designer items especially in furniture, rugs, and home accessories.  These stores tend to be smaller  and newer as thrift stores expand their suburban markets,   Among bargain hunters, thrift stores are known for the finds that can be found in each which varies according to the clientele.  You will find competitors such as antique dealers and flea market vendors checking out the merchandise on a regular basis during the week, especially on certain days of the week such as Thursdays when new merchandise is put on the floor for the weekend crowd. 

There is a new genre emerging in thrift stores and that is the upscale thrift store carrying only designer apparel, jewelry and accessories, and original art work.  Catering to a clientele that loves designer goods at bargain prices–not necessarily rock bottom prices–who love the idea of being green by buying recycle goods that are fashionable and sport designer labels.  These stores rival consignment stores and. in fact, the one that MDM found in Minneapolis is located in an area of boutiques and designer consignment stores.

Second Début-Goodwill Boutique
4300 West 36 1/2 Street
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
(952) 922-9640
(google map)

Store Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10am to 8pm
Saturday: 10am to 6pm
Sunday: 12pm to 5pm

Second Début-Goodwill Boutique located in St. Louis Park, Minnesota is certainly a treasure hunter’s dream!  The store offers a variety of brand name apparel, shoes, and accessories as well as artwork.  Women’s apparel is somewhat limited in sizes (2 to 16/18), but offers a good variety of blouses, t-shirts, sweaters, pants, jeans, and fall and winter coats.  Prices generally range from $10 to $50, depending on the item.  Customers are welcomed with cookies and a beverage to help re-energize them after a  hard day’s shopping. 

Attached to the clothing section is a room entirely devoted to paintings, photographs, and other prints (pictured left).  Among the many artwork styles you may find here include: Contemporary, Classic, Asian, African, and New-Age.

There is also a collection which sells at the store or for auction on E-bay (featured right). 

MDM found an Interesting contemporary, art-deco piece by John P. Martineau called "Bird N’ Hand," which sold for $45 (left) and a lithograph signed and numbered of an old wooden barn. 

If you are fortunate to have specialty or theme thrift stores in your city, please visit them often to check out new merchandise and any special sales like the upcoming art sale in Minneapolis.  As MDM overheard one customer state that shopping thrift stores is fun since "you never know what you may find." 

Save the Date: October 16, 2007 (10am to 4pm)
Second Début of Minneapolis 2nd Art Sale

John P. Martineau, "Bird N’ Hand" (12 of 40 prints)

Having the look of a consignment shop, but the selection of a designer outlet is a genre of bargain stores that are in a class by themselves.  MDM has come across a number of these entreprenueral  enterprises, and when that occurs her initial reaction is to savor the moment and buy, buy, buy!   These shops are the back wall clearance racks where all those great bargains are found. 

Markdown Mom found one of these gems in South Minneapolis.  Located at  4320 Excelsior Boulevard (952-922-2435), Opitz Outlet carries upscale overstocks that even the celebs would salivate over. Originally one of the first Twin Cities consignment stores, Opitz carries upscale consignments, but also designer overstocks.  With discounts of 70% to 80% off msrp, bargain hunting fashionistas have a large inventory to choose from.  Apparel, shoes, and accessories from top designers and now a fledgling housewares department make this a “must.” 

If designers Charles David Anne Klein, Lauren, DKNY, Steve Madden, Prada, Kathy Vreeland, Minx at 70% off doesn’t get your bargain heart pumping, then you will have to step next door at the Opitz Annex where you will find blowout flat prices like dresses and name brand handbags for $5, and next week $15 women’s boots. 

MDM recommends to take the time and  look over these items for any small flaws, however, at 90%off+you can afford to take a chance at less than perfect.

Consignment stores are expanding their inventory to include furniture, oftentimes designer and antique furniture, housewares, and home decor items.  

A favorite consignment chain that MDM found on her  Tour of the Twin Cities was Turnstyle.  This is a local chain of consignment shops in the Twin Cities.  The particular one MDM visited is housed in a mini-mall in the area known as Highland Park.  This store is bright, organized, with a friendly and accommodating staff.  Not only can you find  designer apparel, shoes and accessories, kitchen and electronics, but signed pieces of original artwork at bargain prices! Consignment merchandise is received on a daily basis, so it is worth the effort to check often to see what’s new. 

On this visit, several lithographs had just been received and had not been priced.  Remember, don’t hesistate to ask the manager about an item.  MDM did and is now the proud owner of this signed and numbered lithograph. 

Consignment stores like any retail outlet periodically have sale and seasonal events such as 50% off clearance and more.  One local consignment store holds a $10 bag sale on clearance merchandise.  Be sure to mark your calendar for these events for super savings!

Auction sites have become a wonderful source of bargains and hard-to-find items.  Not only do they provide a source of trash to treasure objects, but they have given rise to a new business entrepreneur–the online auction store.

MDM first saw the rise of such stores many years ago when access to the internet was limited and online auctions were just catching on.  Individuals with an expertise, a digital camera, and word-of-mouth advertising hooked-up with sellers to take items on consignment and for a percentage of the sale price would promote and sell the individual seller’s item on these online auction sites. 

With the success of online auctions, these individual enterprises grew and expanded to include entrepreneurs buying overstocks, out-of-season, and lots from other merchants and manufacturers and selling the items for a predetermined profit online.  For a few this meant expanding their consignment stores to include this new medium.  Many of MDM’s friends from the thrift stores established their antique stores and developed an online site simultaneously.  One local purveyor of online goods has been in business for years selling automobiles.  It stands to reason that car auctions on the internet would be a natural evolutionary step.  Now, storefronts are springing up locally to sell other local and regional items globally.  This is a plus for both the seller and the consignor since in sellers can enter an arena where greater competition usually means a higher price for their items. 

Recently, MDM visited a local online consignment store to gain an idea of what a seller can expect when determining how to merchandise an item. 

• Layout.  The store inside had a counter, a register, and an employee for intake.  The most noticeable feature in the room is a large staging area for photographing the item for sale. The main room housed a staging area with a backdrop, lighting, and cameras on tripods facilitate an accurate and professional portrayal of the item for sale.  Anterooms housed other merchandise including paintings and antiques. 
• Pricing.  The range of commission percentage decreases with the increase value of the item.  For example:   

            Final Auction Price is $0.01-$199.99, Commission and Fees is 35% of selling price. 

            If  the Final Auction Price is $3,000 or more, Commission and Fees is 15% of selling price. At this store, consignments include motor vehicles and motorcycles or power sports that have a set deposit the seller pays even if unsold. To keep this in perspective, local live auctions usually have commissions range from 20%-40% regardless of the final auction price. 

• Items.  The largest portion of sales at this store were antiques.  However, while MDM was there a seller came in with a electronic item that was "hot" for holiday gift-giving.  It was apparent that this potential sale was taking advantage of a limited supply and the popularity of the item to inflate the price over its’ cost. 

When deciding to sell an item, the online auction store is a good resource especially if you have limited time, expertise, or simply do not want to bother with the entire process.  Selling online can be advantageous over selling locally because of the increased pool of buyers and potential of realizing a price closer to the market value, or in the case of limited items and popularity, can exceed the market or retail value. 

A new phenomena in consignment stores is the consignment store chain.  These consignment chains offer new advantages such as 1) an increase in buying power of discounted designer lots and 2)  locations are more convenient not only for , but for sellers as well.

On a recent consignment store run, MDM found the Turn Style Consignment Chain, which has stores throughout Minnesota and select locations in Arizona. 

The Turn Style Consignment Shop in the Higland Park area in Minnesota has a boutique like setting and features housewares, men’s styles, childern styles, women’s styles in misses and plus sizes, and accessories.  The Turn Style store offers designer name brands such as Ralph Lauren, Prada, Karen Kane, and much more with savings up to 60-70% off the retail value.   

MarkDown Mom found this wonderful Valentina mandarin top for a steal at $7.  With a gold necklace and tailored pants, you will have one elegant look with money to spare. 

Investigate whether or not your state has any consignment chain stores.  It is well worth the effort! 

Consignment shops are a wonderful source for stylish clothing at bargain prices.  They are resources for both buyers and sellers since they serve both clientele equally well.  Here is a thumbnail sketch of one local consignment shop which represents the opportunities for bargain hunters to obtain real savings.

Background.  My Sister’s Closet is locally owned by two sisters. One of the owners, Rosemary, stated that they have been in business for 6 years at this location. There are other consignment stores called My Sister’s Closet located in Winona, Minnesota, Phoenix, Arizona, and Atlanta, Georgia, but they are not associated with these or any chain consignment shops. The two sisters operate out of a home near Macalaster College surrounded by Georgetown style brick homes, ethnic restaurants, coffee, and bread shops.

Bargains on Brand Name Clothing.  My Sister’s Closet sells vintage leather, wool, and fur jackets, and retro shirts. They also sell brand name clothing including Polo, Ralph Lauren, and Jones of New York.

Prices.  Prices range from $16 to $400, depending on the item. Most wool, leather, or trench coats, however, are reasonably priced at $40-$60.

Sizes and Merchandise.  Sizes are mostly limited to small and medium, although I found some plus sizes from 12-18. This consignment shop is exclusive for women’s clothes, jackets, shoes, hats, and jewelry. You can often find women shopping here on their lunch break or bringing their young daughters on the hunt.

Sales.  Consignment shops typically have annual sales in order to turn over the stock.  Be sure to look for these sales which are usually toward the end of a season.  Additional savings can run between 50% to 75% off  the ticketed price.

My Sister’s Closet
Vintage Consignment Shop
1136 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
Map

Article researched and written by Genelle for Markdown Mom in conjunction with My Sister’s Closet.