How Does Consignment Work

So you want to clear your closets of the clothes and related accessories you no longer wear, and you are wondering if you should hold a yard sale or take them to a consignment store, right? Isn't it time for your clothes to do some work for you? With just a little effort, you can make the most of selling your clothing by making an appointment and bringing the best of them to AROUND AGAIN CONSIGNMENTS.

Our shoppers expect everything we offer to be in Ready-to-Wear, Nice-As-New condition. This means that all items you bring to us MUST BE: Recently cleaned (and pressed, if applicable), Wrinkle-free, Spot-free, Damage-Free, and Odor-Free especially odors from things like mothballs, mildew, pets, cooking aromas, and tobacco smoke. ARound Again's shoppers look for the same seasonal items they'd find in any major clothing store. Our shoppers also want current styles, that is, items which were purchased new, NOT MORE THAN 2 YEARS AGO.

The Items that we select are displayed for two full calendar months (six full calendar months for bridal gowns). Since we are TRUE consignment, you continue to own your items during their consign period, or until they sell. After any item sells, your share of that sale is available any time we are open for business.

For more details about our process, browse our FAQs. If your question isn't answered we'll be happy to provide more information when you visit us or call us to schedule your consignment appointment. If you've previously consigned somewhere else, we encourage you to review our FAQs anyway. Since every consignment store is unique, ARound Again procedures will vary from the others you may have looked into or tried.

Do You Buy

No, we are a true consignment store. You retain item ownership during its consignment period. You'll find consigning is a mutually beneficial arrangement. 'Cash Outright' stores buy items for as little as they can, then sell them for as much as they can. Consigning will usually yield two or more times what you would receive than if we had simply purchased your items outright.

Is There A Fee

We don't ask you for a penny when you bring your first group of items. Our one time, $10, Account Setup Fee is deducted from your first sales proceeds. So if, for some reason, we don't sell any of your items, we haven't done our job and don't feel it's fair to take your money. As you continue to consign using your account, though, once that Account Setup Fee is deducted, it is not charged again.

Who Sets The Price

Our staff sets the price, based in part on their knowledge of the local markets. Sometimes they will use the Internet to determine a current and fair price.

At AROUND AGAIN, each item stands on its own merits. Characteristics such as brand, style, age, condition, color, demand, and past selling history are factored into each pricing decision - all can affect the price we will ask. Since each one is individually priced, until we see an item we have no way of knowing how much we could ask for it.

Since one manufacturer can generate many different brand names for targeted markets, it isn't possible for our Receiving personnel to know EVERY label. Therefore, we encourage you to point out expensive items, and unique items not normally found in Triangle area stores.

How Much Can I Bring

If this is your first time consigning to AROUND AGAIN, we ask that you bring at least 15 items, but not more than 25 items. Sets and suits are considered to be one item; accessories such as jewelry and purses count as items as well. Twenty-five is not an indication of how many items we may accept; it is the maximum number of your items that we can review in the half hour we've reserved just for you. We understand if you go over the limit by one or two, but if you have more than 25 items, we ask that you make a second appointment at a later date. Please, do not bring extra pieces to "replace" any that we may not accept. The extra time required to inspect them would cause your allocated time to overflow into the next consignor's appointment time, which would be unfair to that next consignor.

Once you've established an account with us, subsequent appointments can be for as little as one item, or as many as 50 or so items. For each (subsequent) appointment you make, if you'll tell us how many items you will be bringing we'll be sure to reserve the correct amount of time so we can properly serve you.

Do I Need An Appointment

Yes- so that when you arrive, our Receiving Department will be ready to devote time just to you; you won't have to stand in a line waiting to be served. Our appointment calendar is normally booked two to six weeks in advance; sometimes more and sometimes less. Please note that as the year-end holidays approach, our appointment calendar (for consigning winter items) fills very fast. DON'T wait until the last hour to make an appointment. Always make your appointment first, and THEN prepare your items for consignment.

When Are Appointments

Our consignment acceptance days are Monday thru Thursday, by appointment. Our consignment acceptance times are mornings from 11:00 AM thru 12:30, and afternoons from 2:30 PM thru 6:00 at half hour intervals. (I.e., 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 2:30, 3:00, etc.). Sorry to say, we are not able to accept consignments on Friday or Saturday. Our Receiving Dept. is staffed to review incoming items Monday thru Thursday only.

How Long Are Appointments

Your appointment will take not more than half an hour for the (15 to) 25 items you bring in. We'll inspect each item for style and condition. We'll quickly make our selections, returning those items that don't meet our shoppers' criteria. Items that are no longer in style, or that have spots, stains, odors, wear, damage, or wrinkles will be returned to you at the end of your appointment. Out of season items that are otherwise acceptable will also be returned to you with the hope that you'll choose to consign them to us for the appropriate season, when they'll earn the best money for you. We will also return the hangers from your accepted items, if you wish. Just a reminder: For your first appointment, bring us at least 15, but not more than 25 items.

Is There A Special Entrance

You should bring your consignment items to our Receiving Room, located at 6350-101 Plantation Center Drive (two doors down from our store). Please use the left door to enter #101. While we check in your items you are free to browse around our store. We will be happy to let you know when we have finished looking over your items.

What To Expect At Your Appointment

1. Park in the parking lot, closest to room #101 (the left door).
2. If you are early, you may request if you can bring your items in early.
3. Bring your items in to be inspected. All clothing items will be hung on the bar in front of the inspection table; bagged items (accessories like shoes, purses, etc.) can be put on the floor below your hung clothing, or on the table itself. If you would like your hangers returned to you, please inform the inspector of this preference, to speed up your appointment.
4. Sign in at the inspector’s desk. We please ask you to write your name, and your account number. If this is your first time, just your name is needed. (The third column is filled in after the inspection process.)
5. Relax, or enjoy shopping for some great fashions as you wait for your inspection to be completed. If you have a longer appointment, and need to run an errand, we ask you be back by the end of your appointment time slot, to complete the process.
6. Complete your appointment. If you are opening your consignor account today, you will need to read and fill out our consignor agreement. We will answer any questions you may have. You will take home with you: a copy of your agreement, our business card with your account number on the back, and a reminder slip for when to pick up any unsold items, if you choose to do so. If you are an established consignor, you will be given a reminder slip for when to pick up any unsold items, if you choose to do so.
7. Take back with you any items we were unable to accept, and your hangers if you would like them back, and you are done!

The entire process, including sneaking in some retail therapy, is about 25 minutes (per 25 items) on most days.

What Items Do You Accept

EVERYTHING must be name brand, current styles, in Nice-as-New™, ready-to-wear condition.
NOTE: Yard sale leftovers will not be accepted. (See our Yard Sales FAQ page.)

We feature Nice-As-New, In-Style, In-Season, Clean, clothing and related accessories for the entire family, including:

• A full range of children's clothes for Newborn thru Teen boys and girls
• Women's casual, business, and evening wear in Petite, Juniors, Ladies, and Plus sizes
• Men's casual, business, tuxedos, ties, shoes, etc.
• In-Season outerwear such as coats, jackets, windbreakers, etc.
• Accessories such as shoes, purses, belts, scarves, hats, ties, etc.
• Sterling Silver, Gold and better costume jewelry
• Bridal gowns and certain bridal-related accessories

What Items Don't You Accept

We base out criteria for what not to accept on over 18 years of experience. According to what does and does not sell well, items we don’t accept include:

• Items without the brand name label attached
• Items with the brand name label cut or blacked out
• Items from Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Target – honestly, they really don’t sell well (we've tried)
  Event-specific items - commemorative tees from events with dates (ex. running races, golfing, etc)
• Vintage items – we don’t get enough requests to carry vintage clothing
• Underwear, bras or adult swimsuits unless they are new and have store tags attached

Should I Have A Yard Sale First

We are sorry to say that AROUND AGAIN can not accept yard sale leftovers since, typically, the best has already been purchased by yard sale hoppers. If you are thinking of consigning AND having a yard sale, do so in that order. Consign first. Let AROUND AGAIN choose and sell your better items (netting you more money when the items sell) and THEN let the yard sale shoppers buy the remaining items for the lower amount they would normally offer anyway.

Do You Take Gowns

We feature bridal gowns, veils, crinolines, Mother's gowns, prom gowns and selected other bridal accessories. Due to the unique shopping habits of soon-to-be brides, your bridal gown is displayed for up to six full calendar months or until it sells, whichever comes first. Gowns that were purchased new less than 2 years ago sell best. All gowns must be clean and in excellent condition.

We will be happy to review your gown before you spend your money having it cleaned. However, if the dry cleaners can not get the gown clean, then we will not be able accept it.

Please NOTE: dirt left in your gown for any length of time can permanently stain the fabric. Sugar stains from spilled clear drinks such as champagne or 7-Up will appear over time, if they are not removed immediately. If you know that a clear drink was spilled on your gown, point out its location to the dry cleaner so that it can be properly pre-spotted before cleaning. Often times, the spill will not leave a visible mark; the stain will appear later and then nothing can be done to remedy the problem.

Do not have your wedding gown preserved; it will be wasted money. If you bring it to ARound Again in a preservation container, we MUST remove your gown from its packaging to inspect it, to display it and to sell it. If it does not sell (and there are a few that don't), we would return it to you without that preservation container; we have no room to store those boxes.

Some words of advice, if we may: If you are thinking "Maybe my (future) daughter will want to wear it when she grows up," trust us; in all probability it won't happen. Most brides don't wear their mother's gown for their wedding, with good reason. Besides being out of style, the gowns of today are not made "bullet-proof" like they were in your (grand)mother's day. Today's fabrics will fade and the decorations will discolor. We've seen it happen too often to tell you otherwise.

Too, when your friends come over and the conversation turns to your wedding day, do you run to the closet and put on your gown? We're willing to bet - NOT! Instead, you'll bring out your picture album and/or your wedding videos and once again relive your special day.

What we're trying to say is: be sure your photographer / videographer takes more than enough pictures, because "the pictures are where it's at." Don't cut corners here. And for your best memories, be sure to get (a copy of) all negatives or digital storage, and all raw video footage. Sometimes a gem will be buried in there that didn't 'bridge' to the finished product. Pay the extra price to not have your master pictures "branded" by the photographer/videographer, or select another service provider willing to work with you.

Back to your gown: Instead of having it take up valuable space in your (or your parents') closet or attic, let ARound Again sell your gown while it is still in style. Have it cleaned and bring it to ARound Again as soon as you return from your honeymoon. Sure, you won't receive what you spent for it, but you'll recover some of that money, and another future bride will wear that gown with joy in her heart. That way your gown will make two brides happy.

Do You Take Bridesmaids

In all honesty, previously owned bridesmaids gowns do not sell very well in our store. We will consider displaying them IF you can bring us 6 (but preferably 8) or more of the same brand, same style, same color, but in different sizes. Like any other garments in our store, the bridesmaid gowns must have been purchased new less than 2 years ago. They must have been cleaned shortly after wearing, and meet the other conditional criteria specified under 'What do you accept?'

We will be happy to review your gowns before you spend your money having them cleaned. However, if the drycleaners can not get a gown clean, then we will not be able accept it.

Please NOTE: Dirt left in a gown for any length of time can permanently stain the fabric. Sugar stains from spilled clear drinks such as champagne or 7-Up will appear over time, if they are not removed immediately. If you know that a clear drink was spilled on your gown, point out its location to the drycleaner so that it can be properly pre-spotted before cleaning. Often times, the spill will not leave a visible mark; the stain will appear later and then nothing can be done to remedy the problem.

Do You Take Classic Styles

We tried selling 'classic' styles for several years, with virtually zero success. It may be something simple like the buttons that are used, or the way the collar is cut or finished. It may be something more complex like the type or finish of the fabric, or the cut of the garment. But there's always SOMEthing about an older style that says, "I am dated!" And when that happens, our shoppers have refused to buy it.

If you have a classic style item that is in excellent condition, give us a call during our business hours.
We may be able to suggest an alternate outlet or resource that would work for you.

What Is "Nice-As-New"

Nice-As-New™ refers to clothing and other items that are in such good condition that they could easily be mistaken for brand new items. We check each item for style and condition. Our shoppers refuse to buy items that have spots, stains, odors, wear, wrinkles or damage.

"Damage" is displayed in many forms:

• For fabrics, it could be something such as a hole, pilling, a shiny fabric area when the rest of the garment fabric isn't, snags, missing buttons, ring around the collar or cuff, etc.
• For something like shoes it could be worn heels or soles, or a footprint embossed in the shoe's bottom liner.
• For something like a belt it could be one hole that was excessively stressed due to repeated use.

The above are just some examples. If you are not sure whether an item would pass our shoppers' criteria, bring it with and let our Receiving Department personnel make the decision. Please remember that their decisions are based not on personal feelings but on what they know our shoppers are willing to buy. More than 17 years of experience in this business guide their decisions. If you don't agree with them, you can always request a second opinion from "the boss;" the store's manager.

What Does "In Style" Mean

Our shoppers are looking for name brand, current styles of clothing and clothing-related accessories. They want items that were purchased new within the last 2 years. We tried to sell older and "classic" or "vintage" styles in the past. Since our shoppers refused to buy them, we decided to just stop accepting and offering them.

What is "In Season" Now

We accept seasonal clothing items on a schedule that allows us to display them in sync with the "big box" major-brand stores. This means that by mid-summer, summer items are already falling out of vogue in many shoppers' minds. The same is true for winter items brought to us in mid-winter, etc. The vast majority of those 'recently brought to us' seasonal items just wouldn't sell if they are brought to us too far into a season. To maximize our return to you, we must start accepting seasonal items on a schedule that gets them on display at or shortly after 'season changeover time,' the time when the big box stores are advertising the next season's items. (Their ads drive the mindset of the shopping public.)

JANUARY - SPRING ONLY
Bring Spring Items such as short sleeve tops and dresses, lighter colors, rayon and unlined suits, unlined jackets and windbreakers, lighter materials, prom gowns, jeans, capris, and other transitional items.

FEBRUARY thru MAY - SUMMER
Bring Summer Items such as sleeveless tops and dresses, crop tops & wrap skirts, new swimsuits and capris, straw hats and purses, shorts and short sets, sandals, Easter attire, and jeans.

JUNE - FALL ONLY
Bring Fall Items such as longer sleeve tops and dresses, darker colors, cotton sweaters, Back-to-School attire, corduroy/suede/wool shorts, holiday gowns, and jeans.

JULY thru DECEMBER - WINTER
Bring Winter Items such as heavy outerwear, thick sweaters, wool suits, velvets, suedes, corduroys, brushed denims, boots, suede & velvet shoes, homecoming, prom and holiday gowns, and jeans. The best time to bring heavy outerwear starts in September.

Please NOTE that the above schedule can change as we continue to refine our seasonal periods. Check this page as you begin to select and prepare your items for your consignment appointment.
Also NOTE that certain items such as denim jeans are year-round. They don't have a preferred selling season, unless they are brushed denim (they have a velvety feel when you rub them).

What Is Considered "Clean"

All clothing items must be FRESHLY laundered or dry-cleaned, not more than one week before you bring them to us. (Or not more than one day if your household has a fur-bearing pet.) Our shoppers want clean clothes that are wrinkle-free, spot-free, stain-free, wear-free, damage-free, and odor-free, especially odors from pets, mildew, moth balls, cooking aromas, or tobacco smoke. In other words, each item must be in Nice-As-New™, Ready-to-Wear condition. Your responsibility is to do the preparation; our responsibility is to do the selling, without revealing who the consignor (you) is.

NOTE: Dry cleaning is required only for items that have a label stating that laundering is not an advisable cleaning method. The label usually says "Dry Clean Only".

For accessories such as purses, belts and shoes, please make them look their best with a shine (shoes , belts and many purses) or a vacuuming (inside of purses or shoes) or an appropriate cleaning method for the item.

REMEMBER: THE BETTER YOU PREPARE IT (MAKE IT LOOK),
THE EASIER IT IS TO SELL, AT THE BEST PRICE FOR YOU.

Do I Need To Use Hangers

YES! Put your clothes on hangers when you've prepared them, then bring them to us on hangers so all your preparatory work isn't spoiled. Hung items also help us serve you smoothly and quickly.

Small items like baby clothes may be neatly folded, then placed - and brought to us - in a cardboard box or a plastic bin. Shoes, purses and accessories may be brought to us in a shopping bag(s) or a cardboard box(es).

PLEASE don't stuff your clothes into plastic bags. They will arrive wrinkled, spoiling all your efforts. Preparation is key

REMEMBER: THE BETTER YOU PREPARE IT (MAKE IT LOOK),
THE EASIER IT IS TO SELL, AT THE BEST PRICE FOR YOU.

If you wish to reclaim your hangers, we'll be happy to replace yours with ours immediately. If you need some, AROUND AGAIN has a ready supply of full sized wire hangers. You may want to stop by to get some, prior to your appointment.

Should I Dry Clean

Only if the garment's care instructions require it. If you have garments that are labeled Dry Clean Only, we can review them before you spend your money. We'd hate to see you spend money cleaning items that we could not accept. However, if the drycleaner does not get the item clean, then we would not be able accept it.

Also, if your dry cleaning is still hanging in the plastic dry cleaner's bag, by all means, please bring your items in this way. In the spirit of recycling, we re-use all dry cleaner's bags in good condition for customer's purchases. Please don't tear your bags off - the environment, and ARound Again, will thank you!

How Long Are Items Displayed

We display your Nice-As-New items in our store until they sell or for two full calendar months, whichever occurs first.

Because they serve a shopper's special need, an exception to the above schedule is wedding gowns which are displayed until they sell or for up to six full calendar months, whichever occurs first.

Are Prices Ever Reduced

AROUND AGAIN's staff do their best to price items to sell quickly. Items are initially offered at full asking price. We may selectively reduce prices for a variety of reasons such as length of time on display, or overabundance of that TYPE of item (EXAMPLE: too many sweaters or too many pants), etc. Our price reduction schedule varies; it is not fixed. We do try to maintain full asking price for as long as possible.

AROUND AGAIN also occasionally has a special sale for reasons such as the day after Thanksgiving, holiday events, or because holiday-oriented items (Halloween costumes, for example) remain in stock after that holiday has passed,.

How Will I know If Something Sells

You can stop in any time during store hours to ask about funds in your account, and to collect those funds currently due you if you so desire.

You can also call any time we are open for business to ask about your funds, but we do ask - PLEASE - don't call us every few days just to check your account's status. Each "just checking" call reduces the time we can spend selling items. However, if you are planning to be in our neighborhood, you may call ahead to see if it's worth your time to stop in to collect your funds. Our staff can easily pull up your account information and tell you the current balance in your account.

We would love to call every time an item sells, but the number of items sold in any one day makes doing so impossible. We would need dedicated just to making those calls (very cost inefficient). Also, we don't know ANYone who would appreciate being awakened from a deep sleep just to hear the words, "We sold one of your items today.

When Am I Paid

You may collect any balance in your account any time we are open for business. We offer several payment choices:

• Some consignors come in for their money when they are in our neighborhood.
• Some consignors ask us to mail a monthly check.
• Some consignors ask us to mail one check, at the end of a consignment period.
• Some consignors leave their funds in their account and use it solely for purchases in our store.

Or you may choose any combination of the above.

What If An Item Doesn't Sell

At the end of its consignment period, you may retrieve any unsold item or you may choose to let us dispose of it. If you choose to retrieve unsold items, ask AROUND AGAIN for a reminder when you bring us your items.. When your consign period is over, you need only to call us to ask if there are any unsold items. If there are, let us know of your intentions to retrieve some or all of them, and when you can come to do so. Give us at least 2 days advance notice of your arrival so that we can prepare your items for you to pick up.

Where Do You Send Donated Item

If you choose to not reclaim your unsold items, they are usually donated to one or more "Direct Use" charities. Examples of Direct Use charity recipients are:

• The Oxford Orphanage
• The Masonic Home for Children
• The Army Community Service's Airborne Attic at Fort Bragg, NC.

The benefactors of the two orphanages are children ranging in age from 6 months to adults in college.
The ACS Airborne Attic offers a free service to support Soldiers ranked E-4 and below, and their immediate family members. Soldiers ranked E-5 and above are allowed to use the Airborne Attic on an emergency basis. Airborne Attic also gives soldiers furniture, household items and baby items free of charge, in a controlled distribution manner.
We can supply additional details and contact numbers on request.

Unfortunately, the recipient charities do not provide us with tax receipts for individual donors (you), but they are all deserving causes.
Please note that ARound Again is not allowed to - and does not - take a tax write-off for those donations.

end faq

The Drop & Donate Program