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Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.
 | HOW CONSIGNMENT WORKS |  |
- you sign a contract with a retailer
- you leave your merchandise with the retailer
- retailer displays them for sale for a set period of time
- if an item sells, you are paid a percentage
| PICKING A STORE | |
- visit the shop for its layout, feel, and appearance
- find out how and where your products will be displayed
- see what kind of customers frequent this store
- find out what kind of shopping traffic the store gets
- check out the condition of other merchandise
- choose a shop that specializes in your particular merchandise
- i.e. furniture, clothes, children's items, collectibles, etc.
- decide if your products fit in with the feel of the store
- look at the prices of other similar items
- ask how your valuable items will be insured
- look for fire protection, locked cases, burglar alarms, etc.
| PREPARING YOUR MERCHANDISE | |
- thoroughly clean all items before submitting
- repair any damage or wear if possible
- take photos to show the quality and condition of each item
- time your consignments right when submitting seasonal items
- get a rough idea of what an item is worth ahead of time
- prepare any paperwork (appraisals, insurance, etc.)
| PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS | |
- get all the terms and agreements in writing
- make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities in writing
- ask for the right to "pull" your items early if they aren't selling
- know what kind of "discounting" schedule will be applied
- know up front what the consignment percentage fee will be
- ask about any other charges
- check with other consigners for their experiences
- receive an itemized receipt for the items you've submitted
- get a regular statement for items that have sold
Copyright 2000-2009 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box and a link to www.RamonaCreel.com.
Ramona Creel is Professional Organizer, NAPO Golden Circle Member, and the original founder of OnlineOrganizing. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" -- bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a "Virtual Organizer", she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a "Simplicity and Accountability Coach ", Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her Facebook profile, and subscribe to her blog feeds.
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