Consignment Boutique Owner Shares Secrets to Consignment Shopping

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- (MS) -- Consignment shopping is booming. Marci Kessler, owner of the DoubleTake consignment boutiques, shares her secrets to getting a great deal when shopping consignment boutiques in your area.

"Having owned a luxury consignment shop for nearly 20 years, I have seen everything and have interacted with thousands of the most savvy consignment shoppers in the world. Based on my personal experience and interaction with these customers I can offer several important consignment shopping tips."

1. Shop in affluent areas: Women seeking high-end designer merchandise such as Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, etc., are more likely to find these items in shops that are located in affluent neighborhoods.

2. Get celebrity fashions: Some consignment shops do business with movie studios, TV shows, actresses, and stylists. People interested in outfits that have been down the red carpet or in a recent movie, simply need to ask our stores to put them on a "wish list" when these items arrive.

3. Find runway fashions first: There are some women who shop with stylists and buy right off the runways and then turn around and consign these items when they are done with them. Interested shoppers need to find consignment shops that work with such stylists and let them know that they would like to be notified when these items arrive.

4. Shop fine jewelry: Consignment shops often receive fine jewelry and watches and even large quantities of estate jewelry. For those people interested and willing to buy gold and diamonds from a consignment shop, find shops that provide appraisals for these exclusive items.

5. Buy the most desirable merchandise: Because most consignment shops receive new merchandise daily, it is important to either visit or call your favorite shops frequently to see if the items desired have arrived. At DoubleTake we have had a "Wish List" in place ever since we opened, which enables us to notify the interested people as soon as an item arrives.

6. Get the inside scoop on sales and special events: Make it a point to become friendly with sales staff, since they will let you know about upcoming sales and special events. Some consignment shops even have special private sales.

7. Ask about extra discounts: Many consignment shops mark down their merchandise at the end of a season, so it is smart to ask the salespeople about markdowns on interested items. Smart shoppers can save an additional 25% it their timing is good.

8. Shop new merchandise: Some boutiques prefer to consign their end-of-season merchandise as opposed to running deep sales, since they are concerned with the image of running such sales. Some manufacturers prefer to work with consignment shops versus discounters for the same reason. Higher-end consignment shops tend to get this type of merchandise. If you are interested in new items, call or visit shops and specifically ask about this type of merchandise.

Contact Marci at [email protected] to have items considered or visit www.edoubletake.com to learn more.

For high-res photos, visit http://www.skytalon.com/doubletake

SOURCE DoubleTake