If you missed the first three parts of my Consignment Shopping 101 series, here they are:
Now that we’ve covered what consignment shopping is all about and how to sell your stuff, let’s talk about how to shop for great items at consignment shops. Here are a bunch of my favorite tips:
- Look for the brands that you know and like: I love Banana Republic and J.Crew, so I always keep my eyes peeled for these brands. I know how they fit and they’ll usually go with what I already have in my closet. It makes shopping so much easier!
- Shop early in the week: Most cosigners clean out their closet over the weekend, so you’ll typically find the best selection of clothing early in the week on Monday or Tuesday.
- Inspect carefully: Consignment stores make every effort to buy top quality pieces, but people do make mistakes. Be sure to carefully inspect each piece before you purchase it.
- If you love it, buy it! If you find an item that is really great, don’t wait to buy it! Chances are there’s only one, so if you don’t act fast, someone else will likely snap it up.
- Don’t be afraid to bargain: Much of the time, prices are negotiable at consignment stores. Stores won’t usually lower a price on a new arrival, but if an item has been in the store for awhile, don’t hesitate to ask for a further discount.
My recent Deal of the Week post about shopping for dishes at thrift stores also has some great ideas. It definitely worth a look before heading to the consignment store! 
P.S. Be sure to check out the cookware giveaway on A Better Bag of Groceries today!!
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I love “if you love it, buy it!” I don’t usually use that policy but with consignment stores it might be a little different. Thanks for these tips!
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