Press Kit
|
Frequently Asked Questions:
Consumer Concerns |
Q. Why is resale gaining such popularity?
There are numerous reasons for the growing popularity of resale. One is the public's increased awareness of recycling. People would rather consign, sell or donate their unwanted or unneeded items than add to the waste stream. Consignors and sellers make money by selling under loved items at our shops, without the expense, work, and bother of a tag or garage sale. By having a resale expert price, display and market their goods, sellers realize more income than if they attempted to do this themselves. Consumers that donate their goods to a Not For Profit thrift store benefit from the tax deduction.Eco-aware consumers would also rather purchase recycled articles in order to minimize their impact on our limited resources. Of course, one of the foremost reasons for the ever increasing popularity of resale is very simple... People LOVE a BARGAIN! Today's consumer is more economical and would rather buy clothing, accessories and furniture for a third to fourth of the original price―leaving money for other things in life; such as, vacations, education, investments and hobbies. The public is also keenly aware that resale shopping means higher quality for less money.
If you think of resale stores and conjure up an image of dark, dingy, musty stores filled with racks of rumpled old clothes or rows of broken, dirty furniture... boy, are you behind the times!!! Thanks in large part to education by NARTS, consumers today find clean, attractive, well displayed stores that offer value and selection without the new-price markup. It's exciting to find something great... and inexpensive!
Q. What is the difference between resale, thrift and consignment shops?
While all shops that sell gently-used consumer goods are "resale" shops, NARTS makes the distinctions as follows.A resale shop is the phrase most often used for stores that buy their merchandise outright from individual owners. A consignment or thrift shop can also be called a resale shop, but ONLY a store that actually consigns their inventory can be called a consignment store, and ONLY a store run by a Not For Profit organization is considered a thrift.
A thrift shop is run by a Not For Profit organization to raise money to fund their charitable causes. These range from the large Salvation Army / Goodwill chains to individual school, church or hospital thrift shops. Not For Profits can obtain goods through donations or they could operate on a consignment basis—some do both.
A consignment shop accepts merchandise on a consignment basis, paying the owners of the merchandise a percentage when and if the items are sold. The majority of such shops pay the owners from 40 to 60% of the selling price, and have a policy of displaying goods for anywhere from 30 to 90 days, although there is a wide range of policies across the country. Some consignment shops also purchase a variety of items outright from individual owners and/or wholesalers.
Q. What should a consumer look for when shopping resale?
Look for quality of workmanship and materials. A resale item of high quality might cost more than an lesser quality new item. The workmanship, style and value of any well made item from a sofa to a designer outfit provides more value at resale.
Q. How can a person who wants to consign or sell items choose a shop?
Explore the store beforehand. Do they sell the type of merchandise you want to bring in? Talk with the staff about becoming a supplier. Are you comfortable with their procedures? Most resale shops have information on supplying available as a handout, a phone recording or posted on their Web site. Be sure to find out what days and hours they purchase or accept consignments. Ask if you need an appointment. Finally, understand the shop's terms before you consign or sell. Will you receive an accounting of items accepted for sale? What happens if your items do not sell? When and how much will you get paid? Most importantly... look for the NARTS decal, it is "Your Assurance of Professionalism."Q. Why should I take my items to a consignment or resale shop instead of selling them on eBay, having a garage sale or taking them to a home swap party (where friends trade their treasures or clothes)?
Resale and consignment shops have an established clientele looking for the kind of items they accept on consignment or purchase outright for sale.
You don't have to pack and ship each item you sell. One quick trip to your favorite resale/consignment shop is a real timesaver.
Selling furniture and other large items on eBay can be problematic due to the shipping. Selling them directly means you have to let strangers into your home and worry about scheduling appointments. Working with your local consignment or resale shop is safer and more convenient.
No need to deal with returns or bounced checks. Once your items sell at a resale/consignment shop you are paid.
Listing items on eBay or organizing a garage sale requires a great deal of time and effort. Resale/consignment shops do the work for you—they display your items attractively, advertise for customers and handle the entire sale process.
The percentage of clothing listed on eBay that actually sells is low. It is much easier to sell clothing at a resale/consignment shop where people can "touch and feel" and try things on to make sure they fit and look well.
You can make more money in the long run by consigning than with a garage sale, swap party or eBay. Consignment/resale stores will get the full value because store owners know the real value.
Q. Does it matter which charity I donate items to?
Most people donate items to one of their favorite charities. We usually like to see the money or items we donate go to a cause which is dear to our hearts.Q. How do I determine the value of donated items for tax purposes?
The "fair market value" of goods donated to a thrift store is deductible as long as the store is operated by a charity. One cannot take a deduction if the goods are sold on a consignment basis whereby the original owner gets a percentage of the final sales price. Most Not For Profit thrift shops give donors a blank receipt at the time a donation is dropped off. They do not itemize the receipt because they generally can not process the items until a later date. It is up to you to itemize your donation and determine a value for the goods.Get a copy of IRS Publication 561, "Determining the Value of Donated Property," this information will help you determine the value of your donations and also outlines how to support the deduction on your tax return. The publication states, "If you give used clothing to the Salvation Army, the FMV (Fair Market Value) would be the price that typical buyers actually pay for the clothing of this age, condition, style and use. Usually, such items are worth far less than what you paid for them." You can check the thrift and consignment shops in your area for prices on items similar to those you are donating.
Another option to calculate the value of donations is offered by TurboTax ItsDeductible, the Blue Book for Donated Items. This software program can be used to accurately value your donations, in compliance with IRS guidelines, and maximize your tax savings. The company visits resale and thrift shops all over the country to keep up on current valuations.
The Salvation Army has a Donation Guide you may find helpful. Jackson Hewitt's Web site includes a handy Donation Organizer that lets donors rate thousands of items according to condition.
The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance
(www.give.org) offers this advice for taxpayers looking to deduct charitable donations of non-cash items:• Give items to a qualified charity that has tax-exempt status from the IRS. check charities out through the alliance's We site or through IRS Publication 78, "Cumulative List of Organizations."
• Claim the fair-market value of donated items. Keep a detailed record that includes the number of items and their condition.
• Keep photos of items to substantiate larger donations.
• Get a signed, dated receipt from the charity. Federal law requires it for deductions of $250 or more, but tax experts suggest receipts for smaller donations as well.
• If you claim non-cash donations of $500 or more, you must files Form 8283, "Non-Cash Charitable Contributions," with your tax return. If you claim a deduction of more than $5,000 in goods, you need an appraisal to include on form 8283.
• There are special rules for the donation of cars and other vehicles.
• Gifts of appreciated property are subject to special rules.
Always remember
to consult a financial advisor or the IRS for additional
Q. How do I find out about resale shops in my
city or in an area I'll be visiting? Asking a friend, of course, is a wonderful way to find out about shops in your area. In a vacation locale, look in the Yellow Pages under several categories: Consignment, Resale
and Thrift.
In addition, many resalers have joined together to produce brochures of resale shops in their areas. Finally, ask the staff of the shop you are in for recommendations of other shops. NARTS members are happy to steer you in the direction of more savings within the community.
information or
when in doubt about the deductibility of contributions.
NARTS provides consumers with listings of member shops in their area. Send $4 to NARTS, PO Box 80707, St. Clair Shores MI 48080. Or search for shops in the
Shopping Guide
on the NARTS Web site. Search by state,
zip or area code and/or type of merchandise.
for the highest-caliber shops with ethical practices and policies.