Having owned a consignment shop for many years, and now working in the nonprofit sector of this industry, I was and still am looking for ways we can help one another.

As a consignment shop owner, I was thrilled with the prospect of having my "expired" unsold items picked up to give me relief in my small back room. I made arrangements with a local NFP to pick up the items every other week (even though they did not "do" pick ups). I was delighted to find out they frequently told their customers my shop was donating many of the items found in their thrift shop. I was happy to know a cause near to my heart was able to use my "expired" goods. It was an extra bonus to find out they were giving me free advertising by telling everyone about it!

Now that I am working for that very NFP, I have personally courted every consignment shop in town (5 of them) for their "expired" items and offer a pick up service at their convenience. This service is not offered to individuals, only to merchants (we are very small and do not have a truck). I do not want my volunteers to go to someone’s home, for safety reasons, but places of business are another matter! I always say in a loud voice when picking up items "Thank you so much for donating to Driscoll Children’s Hospital!" More than once I have heard consigners go up to the shop owner and thank them as well, and tell them "if there’s anything that doesn’t sell, please donate it too!"

We have a sign in our NFP thrift shop that says: OUR MERCHANT OF THE MONTH: (name of your store) We thank this merchant for their contributions which help us reach our goal... helping sick kids & their families.