The thought of leaving your old stuff for a whole shop to sell to someone else may sound like a very interesting and lucrative deal. However, consignment shopping and selling isn’t as simple as it looks.

There are many factors and trends that come into play when you want to buy or sell something to a consignment shop. We’ve come up with our own guide to consignment shopping, in an effort to debunk some myths and establish some basic facts about this type of business.

No fast bucks

Most consignment stores don’t pay for your items outright; so such a place isn’t the place to get your fast $100 or so. Some of these stores issue payments (usually, checks) quarterly and not monthly. If you need money badly in a few days, scratch the consignment store idea.

Now, you might be wondering how a consignment store keeps is stocks fresh, and why a shop has probably denied your old dresser. Don’t be frustrated; owners of these stores hunt for boutiques that are near bankruptcy and invest in those stocks. They get new stuff to sell for a lower price.

Recession shopping

Let’s face it; not everyone can buy from shopping malls. But people still have to fill their new houses with chairs, tables and comfortable poufs. In recent years, trends of consumption in consignment stores have changed rapidly. People are no longer interested in buying formal dresses and suits. However, young and old families alike are always interested in a new cabinet, dresser or sofa.

Do consignment stores check periodically if their stuff for sale is actually safe, like toys, for example? The answer is no. Consignment stores or resellers are not obliged by law to test plastic toys for high lead content. This applies to paints, clothes and other produce that have been manufactured abroad.

How to get the best bargains

Are you interested in buying stuff for your own home? Don’t go to a consignment store near a depressed area. Chances are, the stuff there are flammable and people won’t be interested in using them unless another world war erupts. You don’t have to be rich; instead, know where the rich live. Find consignment stores located near neighborhoods that are more or less stable or have more disposable cash and nice merchandise. You’ll find better deals there.

No donations, please

Now, if you’re trying to sell, it’s not that difficult either. Here’s what you have to remember: you can’t sell broken stuff. Damaged antiques are one thing, but leaving a couch with springs poking out of the back and front is another. In addition, don’t make donations to consignment stores either. Are you feeling charitable with your old, grey couch? Donate it directly to a charitable organization.

Don’t leave it out on a consignment shop’s doorstep, because your stuff would probably rot before it can be sold. Consignment shops usually don’t allot large space for donations. It’s never a personal; it’s all business. Owners of consignment shops are often veterans of their trade and know what a good deal is from a bad one. If you’ve been turned down, it’s for your own stuff’s good and theirs.