What Is Consignment? Everything You Need to Know

Consignment is a way to sell clothes you no longer wear without doing the selling yourself. You bring your items to a shop, the shop sells them, and you receive a share of the sale price once they sell. You keep ownership of your items until they’re sold, which is what makes it different from simply selling clothes to a store for cash on the spot.

If you’ve never consigned before, it can sound more complicated than it is. Here’s everything you need to know, in plain language, from how it works to how it compares with thrift stores and resale apps, and what to expect at Rire&Co in Acworth.

How consignment works, step by step

1. You bring in your clothes. The shop reviews them and accepts the pieces it believes will sell.
2. The shop prepares and prices them. Items are checked, presented and priced based on brand, condition and demand.
3. Your items are listed for a set period. They’re displayed in the store, online, or both.
4. When something sells, you get paid. You receive an agreed percentage of the sale price.
5. Unsold items are returned or donated, depending on the shop’s policy and your choice.

Why people choose consignment

• It saves time. No photographing, listing, answering messages or shipping.
• It pays more than donating and usually more than selling outright to a buy-on-the-spot store.
• It reaches real local buyers who can see and try on your pieces.
• It keeps good clothes in use rather than sitting in a closet or ending up in a landfill. Read more in keeping good clothes out of landfills.

Consignment vs. thrift stores vs. resale apps

• Thrift stores usually take donations. You don’t get paid.
• Buy-outright resale shops pay you on the spot, but usually much less than the item will sell for.
• Resale apps let you keep more of the sale, but you do all the photographing, listing, messaging and shipping yourself.
• Consignment sits in the middle: a meaningful share of the sale without the work.

Common consignment terms

• Consignor: you, the person selling the items.
• Split: how the sale price is divided between you and the shop.
• Consignment period: how long items stay listed.
• Markdown: a price reduction over time to help an item sell.
• Payout: when and how you receive your earnings.

What sells on consignment

Shops accept what their customers buy. At Rire&Co, that means coats, suits, blazers, dresses, occasion wear, designer and quality brands, denim, knitwear and leather in good condition or better. We don’t accept undergarments, swimwear, heavily worn fast fashion or items damaged beyond repair. Here’s more on what sells best and when to bring it in.

How consignment works at Rire&Co

Rire&Co is the resale shop of The Elementals Laundry in Acworth, so there’s one big difference from most consignment shops: every accepted piece is professionally cleaned and pressed before it’s listed. Here’s how our program works:

• Your split: 50% of the sale price with Full Service.
• Drop-off: up to 15 items at a time, no appointment needed.
• Consignment period: 75 days, online and in store.
• Payout: monthly, as cash or store credit toward dry cleaning, once each sale’s 7-day return window closes.
• Unsold items: pick them up within 10 days, or we donate them.
• Prefer to sell it yourself? Resale Prep Only gets your items cleaned, pressed and photographed for $15 each, and you keep 100% of the sale.

Want the details? Read how consignment pricing works, compare Full Service and Resale Prep Only, and use our prep checklist before you drop off.

Common questions

Do I need to wash my clothes before consigning? Not at Rire&Co. Every accepted piece is professionally cleaned and pressed by The Elementals Laundry.

Do I still own my items while they’re listed? Yes. You own them until they sell.

Can I use my earnings for dry cleaning? Yes. Choose store credit and use it at The Elementals Laundry or on the Rack.

When can I drop off? During store hours, Monday to Friday 8 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM, at 3330 Cobb Pkwy NW, Suite 344, Acworth.