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Economic bust has business booming at area consignment shops.
While many Bluffton and Hilton Head Island shops are putting up shutters and closed for business signs, consignment shops in our local area are proliferating like dandelions after a spring rain.
Visitors and locals have discovered more than 10 shops in which to either sell their household furnishings or stock up on household goods, personal items, toys and gifts, all at amazing discounts.
Dave Spahr, one of the three owners, (the other two are his wife, Elaine and son, Eric) of Bargains & Treasures Inc., calls himself “the granddaddy of the consignment business,” since his Hilton Head furniture consignment store has been in business for 19 years and his Bluffton store for over fve.
He offers several tips to both buyers and sellers at consignment locations.
“For the buyer at a consignment location, I would say don’t be in a rush,” Spahr advised. “Take your time when you visit a consignment shop. You’re going to miss a great bargain if you hurry. Look at everything. and then look again.”
For the seller, he advised reading the contract carefully.
“Some consignment shops have a 90-day contract; we have a four-month contract,” he said. “It takes time to sell some merchandise and patience is a big asset.”
Spahr ofered the additional tip of questioning where the merchandise comes from.
“Some merchandise may be overstocks from a distributor,” he said. “Be aware of that fact. Some may come from estates and personal collections. Examine each item carefully before you buy because, generally, there is a no-return policy.”
What about health risks if you are planning to buy toys from a consignment shop? Items made in China may have high levels of lead in them. Currently, one shop,
Simply Kids Consignment on Hilton Head, has purchased a lead inspector test Kit to determine the safety of toys consigned to the shop.
“We will not sell any toys that pose a safety hazard to children,” said owner Carrie Mason.
It’s important to know the specialty items stocked by the consignment shop you’re browsing.
Bob Faulkner says his shop, Encore Consignments & More, at 32 Palmetto Bay Road, Hilton Head Island, has great values in golf clothing.
“I was a golf professional before I got into the consignment business and many of the representatives of golf companies come by my store to sell me items they couldn’t sell on their trips around the country,” he said.
Faulkner and his partner Weston Miller have a wide range of ladies’ merchandise, including handbags, shoes, scarves, jewelry and clothing.
“I have some items for men, mainly casual clothing, but my biggest sales come from selling items for women,” he said.
Can you make money selling your used items through a consignment shop? Let’s suppose you purchased a dining room set for $2,000 three years ago.
The owner of the consignment shop will probably now list it for $700 to $800, depending on the condition of the table and chairs. You will receive 50 percent of the sale price; let’s say $400. But were you charged for the pick-up of your items? Probably $35 would be an average pick-up fee. So your net in this transaction comes down to $365.
Could you have sold your dining room set at a garage sale, by advertising in a local paper, or by word of mouth? You would need to consider the time, effort and cost to you by selling through alternate means.
Evidently the consignment contract and the consignment store work for many local residents and tourists, be they seller or buyer. The business model certainly works for the owners of local consignment shops. They say business is better than ever!
Bluffton Shops
Anything Kids Resale Consignment
50 Burnt Church Road, Ste. 100H
(843) 815-5342
The House of Bargains
10D Johnston Way
(843) 304-4556
Clothing, shoes, bedding, luggage
Vintage Market
4375 Bluffton Pkwy.
(843) 757-9010
home furnishings
Bargains & Treasures Inc. (two locations)
S.C. 46
(843) 815-7924
furniture
Hilton Head Island
Bargains & Treasures Inc.
88 Arrow Road
(843) 785-7929
Sacks
24-B Palmetto Bay Road
(843) 842-4222
Encore Consignments & More
32 Palmetto Bay Road
(843) 686-2668
Casual clothing for men and women, golf items, home accents
Along Arrow Road:
No. 115, Suite B, Simply Kids
(843) 686-6774
Children’s clothing, toys, strollers, cradles
No. 119 New Enuf Consignments
(843) 295-1028
Bedroom, Living room, kitchen furniture
No. 122 Classic Consignment Furniture
(843) 842-4041
Tables, lamps, furniture
No. 142 Annie’s Attic
(843) 686-6970
Home furnishings
No. 151 My Sister’s Closet Consignments
(843) 785-4988
Clothing for the entire family, silverware
