Consignment shops in Denver?

[Former_Member]

Hi guys,

I recently got approached to put some of my items in a consignment shop in Longmont and that got me thinking are there any in Denver? I have had a quick look online but can't see anything of interest. I'm not sure consignment is the right word here in the US as I'm from the UK I may be looking for the wrong thing! I'm selling clothes and headbands and would love to put some pieces in an actual shop in Denver, so any ideas anyone?

Cheers,

Sarah

[herie7]

I know that the I Heart Denver store is big on consignment of local artists not sure about fees but you could check out their site for more information.

[EllieGraceCrafts]

Many of the boutiques will consign even if they aren't strictly consignment shops. You just have to ask. ... I have yet to do this, but it's in my sights.

Any advice as to how to solicit to have your items consigned? What kind of fees should you expect?

[Former_Member]

I sold consignment out of a salon in the highlands for about a year before they closed up shop. Their fee was reasonable: 60% to the artist, and 40% commission for the sale. I would just keep your eyes open when you shop around town, there are quite a few boutiques/local shops that I am sure would love to have local artists work.

[Former_Member]

I've submitted my work to I Heart Denver and I think one other place, can't remember the name...didn't hear back :) I would google it and then check out their websites, most places that do this will have instructions on how to submit your request. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the replies. I will definitely be checking out I Heart Denver and taking a trip to Denver to ask in the local boutiques. For the Longmont shop (Vamp) they took a 30% commission fee and 70% to the designer. I would be happy to go up to 40% on commission though.

[Former_Member]

There are a ton of small consignment shops all around Denver. The biggest one might be Buffalo Exchange on Broadway. There is also a boutique right near my house named Talulah Jones. They feature a lot of handmade and artsy items and also ask for a 60%/40% cut. I would mainly look on Broadway or the LoDo area for boutiques, since many are small and locally owned in those areas.

[Former_Member]

This is a great post because I am currently looking into this too. I figured I would just walk in with some of my products in hand and ask the manager how they choose their stores products and go from there. Obviously making sure your products style fits with the stores is important too. you don't want your products collecting dust. I'll keep you posted on my adventures as well and let you know how I fared! Good Luck.

[Former_Member]

I do consignment in Denver with I Heart Denver, Show of Hands and Caboodle ~ and am always looking for more locally. Consignment agreements vary from store to store. I Heart Denver is great with a 70/30 split (70 going to the artist); the other two are 50/50. I also do consignment with two shops in California (60/40 split); Chicago (60/40) and New York City (60/40).

I typically visit a shop first (either in person or online) to get a feel for their products and if mine would be a good fit or not. Then I email them with an inquiry and a couple of photos of my products as well as a link to my Etsy shop and ask to set up an appointment.

Occasionally I will do cold calls and walk into a shop with one - just one - of my products and a brochure and chat with the folks behind the counter. This has worked, but it really is best to try and set up an appointment first as a courtesy to them. A friend who previously owned a boutique said she was irritated when people would just walk in and spread all their things on her counter and try to make a deal. She felt is was disrespectful to her, her time and her customers.

There are tons of little shops in the Denver Metro Area; it just takes some research and pounding the pavement (or surfing online). I love doing consignment - it allows me to work out of my home and has increased my sales like crazy. Etsy has been great for getting the word out but if I depended on it for all my sales, I wouldn't be doing as well as I am. (And I say that with gratitude.)

So that's my two cents. :)

[Former_Member]

Hi....I have been working with consignment to several shops in Santa Fe and it has worked out great most of the time...both are on a 50/50 split. I would advise having some kind of written agreement (simple contract) that states who does what for who --- if you do an internet search for consignment contract you will find some examples you can adapt for your own use.
My best advice is to carefully analyze what you need to make before you quote a price....I learned this one the hard way!!!
Take care and good luck....Judith Daley, Dancing Fox Studios

[Former_Member]

Cindi,

When you give the consignment shops your prices do you change the price depending on the percentage they take?

Do you give them the same prices as those listed in your Etsy shop or do you give them a "whole sale" price?

[Former_Member]

Hi-I am also in Caboodle...I have to say I find the 50/50 split tough, which is why I didn't mention earlier, but all feedback is helpful, so that is silly!
Simplicity-the price that I provide is a wholesale price for what I want the shop to pay me for my item-then they mark it up 100% (50/50), so you really have to think about that and what the final price is going to be. I could never imagine my items selling for twice as much as what they sell for on Etsy, so I definitely lower mine, but as I said, I find it tough-you have to be fair to yourself for your time, etc, but you have to think about if the item will sell at that final price in the shop. I really think 40 should be the highest any shop takes, but that is just me and I don't know the costs of owning a shop, although I hope to one day! :) Hope this helps!

[Former_Member]

I like craft fairs, but it's tough with two little ones. Consignment shops might be the way to go for me. At least for now.

Now I just need to find a shop that will sell my products. :)

[Former_Member]

Pricing...the toughest part of selling I think....I have priced my etsy products and the items I sell at art fairs at about wholesale plus 30%.....that way I am not so much in direct competition with the retailers who are carrying my items either thru wholesale purchase or consignment...I have found that all the shops I've talked to have seen 50/50 as the going rate when they purchase wholesale....so, if I charge $75 on an item, they need to be able to sell it for at least twice that. On consignment, since the risk is split (they are giving you store space in exchange for you putting some of your inventory out of circulation) I ask for 60/40 -- don't always get it though and then have to weigh whether the shop in question will help me further reputation, buys from other retailers, etc.

[greenrockcreations]

This discussion was very helpful! I am just starting out and wanted to see if some of the baby boutiques in Denver would take my items. For those of you that are set up in the stores, do you find that they are generally eager to see your products and sell them (assuming they are a good fit and good quality) or do you find them turning you down for reasons beyond your control? If so, what are some of those reasons? I'm guessing shop space and already having similar items..

Also - I don't have a company or anything set up yet for my items. Do you know if this is necessary or do they provide any tax documents you might need for things they've sold?

[Former_Member]

Katie ~ I've not been turned down by any shops, but it is a good idea to visit a shop first to see exactly what their inventory is and if your product would be a good fit. Although I have been surprised by shops wanting to take a chance on my things as they want to test the baby/kid's market.

Starting out I don't think it is necessary to have a business per say, but as I have grown I have had to do things like acquire a tax exempt status (for buying supplies for resale); trademarking my name and product names; I'm looking into liability insurance... This is the first year I've received 1099's from a few shops ~ because I've sold enough to reach the limit requiring that. But that is up to the shop to provide that.

Hope that helps. :)

[Former_Member]

Cindi,

You brought up a good point I haven't thought about before. Taxes! How do they work when you consign or sell items to shops?

Also, I'm finding a few shops that don't consign, but buy wholesale. What do you like more?

I've tried a few shops in the last week or so. I tried the Artisan Center in Cherry Creek. They don't consign, buy buy your items at a wholesale price. They turned me down, but were very nice about it. I'm still waiting to hear back from Haley's Heart in Lowry and I Heart Denver.

[herie7]

Most of my items fit in the supply category (fiber, yarns) so I have been fortunate to find local craft places to carry the fiber (wholesale) and handspun yarn (consignment). I work full time so my ability to create accessories is limited as I prefer lace scarves and intricate designs.

I am in my 2nd year of business and consider myself so fortunate to have found local shops to carry my items. I even got to participate in the Renaissance Fair with a group of very cool artists last summer. Looking forward to being there again this summer. It would probably be easier for me if I had more finished goods but my passion is making yarn. Still trying to find venues online and locally to grow into. Good luck with your searches.

[greenrockcreations]

Cherie - odd question - do you make yarn out of animal fur? I ask because I have a very furry malamute and I always joke that I want a winter hat made out of his fur... I know it can be done, but I need a local person who can spin it for me so that I don't have to mail huge packages of hair! :)

[Former_Member]

I just got my photo pendants into Caboodle. So excited! I'm working on getting my nursing necklaces into a Mama Yoga studio around Denver. Wish me luck!

[EllieGraceCrafts]

Just started consigning with Thread Handmade in LoDo. She does a 60/40 split and lets you set the price.

[ItseeBitsee]

I have a shop! My shop is located in a thrift store called Parker Country Market. It is in the burbs..not Denver (PARKER,COLORADO!). We have over 40 dealers under one roof! You rent the space..fix it ..supply it and they do the rest...easy way to sell and run a small business. Rent plus 10%...1/2 booth $150.00 Full booth $300.00! And you can do a 30 day rental..with notice. It is an option that gives you more control...and so much less than having a store on your own!!! There are plenty of these outlets through out the Denver area...check that out!!!

[Former_Member]

Katie- I just got my first wholesale account in Boulder and previously hadn't done anything to formally set myself up as a business. That was until I got my first check made out to my company name and not my name. I then went onto the Security of State and filed a Trade Name under a Sole Proprietorship. This cost $20 and is good for one year. With that I was able to open a business checking with both my name and company name.

In terms on taxes, I was reading on the Colorado tax website that you can get just a wholesale license if you are selling wholesale or if you get a sales tax license that covers you for sales tax and if you sell wholesale.

[Ravenglass]

I recently found two one in Parker and one in Littleton - (sadly, I no longer run a brick store, because it was almost all consignment). The ones I found are "Stamping to See You" on Bowles and Kipling - small consignment area,. must make an appointment to do so, 30/70 split in your favor.

The other I go see this next week - found them through Craigslist - Wrought N' Apples in Parker.

[Former_Member]

Laura - good point! I haven't thought about that yet. I guess I'll have to see who they make the check out to. Me or my shop? Hmm... I might have to go down the same road you just went down. Good to know. Thanks!