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	Consignment Tips
	By Ramona Creel

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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.)

• 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 Ramona Creel, all rights reserved-- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.

Ramona Creel is a modern Renaissance woman and guru of simplicity -- traveling the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of radically downsizing, and inspiring others to regain control of their own lives. As a Professional Organizer and Accountability Coach, Ramona will help you create the time and space to focus on your true priorities -- clearing away the clutter other obstacles and standing in the way of that life you've always wanted to be living. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a travel writer, social commentator, and blogger, she shares her experiences and insights about the world as we know it. 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. And be sure to follow her on Twitter and on Facebook.

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