For Resale, Consignment, and Thrift Store Owners

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Owning and operating a resale business comes with opportunities, challenges, and plenty of questions along the way. Whether you've been in business for a few months or several decades, NARTS connects you with fellow resale professionals, educational resources, and a community that understands what it takes to run a successful store.

Primary Membership is designed for qualifying resale, consignment, and thrift businesses that are actively operating and meet the membership requirements established in the NARTS Bylaws.

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Before applying, please review the information below to make sure your business qualifies.

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Who Qualifies for Primary Membership?

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Primary Membership is available to individuals representing qualifying retail businesses that sell predominantly used or recycled personal or household merchandise.

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Eligible businesses may include:

• Consignment stores selling previously owned merchandise on behalf of consignors.

• Resale stores purchasing merchandise outright for resale.

• Nonprofit thrift stores operated by qualifying 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.

• Dedicated online resale businesses that meet NARTS operating requirements.

Businesses must conduct retail operations on a continuing basis rather than operating only during occasional sales or events.

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What Are the Business Location Requirements?

NARTS Bylaws recognize two types of retail operations:

Physical Retail Stores  Businesses operating from nonresidential retail premises, such as a storefront or other qualifying commercial retail location.

Dedicated Online Retail Stores  Businesses operating through a dedicated online Internet presence, provided they meet the other membership requirements established in the bylaws.
 

Important: NARTS Bylaws also exclude businesses operating in or from a residence.
 

If your business operates exclusively online, including through platforms such as eBay, Poshmark, or similar marketplaces, please contact NARTS before applying so we can review your business model and determine whether it meets membership requirements.
 

Selling merchandise online does not automatically qualify a business for Primary Membership.
 

What Types of Businesses Do Not Qualify?
 

Under Article IX, Section 1 of the NARTS Bylaws, the following businesses are not eligible for retail membership:

• Businesses operating in or from a residence.

• Businesses conducting only seasonal, occasional, or event sales.

• Businesses operating in or from a multidealer mall or market.

• Businesses that lease or license space to third parties to conduct their own businesses.

• Businesses receiving or purchasing inventory originally solicited as charitable donations when the business operates, in whole or in part, for the benefit of a for profit individual or entity.

These restrictions apply regardless of how long a business has been operating or whether it has an established customer base.
 

What About Nonprofit Thrift Stores?
 

NARTS welcomes qualifying nonprofit thrift stores.  To qualify for Primary Membership, a nonprofit thrift store must be operated by and on behalf of a charitable organization that has been granted 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code.  The store must also meet the other retail membership requirements, including the restrictions on business operations and locations.
 

What If I Own More Than One Store?
 

NARTS Bylaws allow only one Primary Member from a group of businesses related through direct or indirect ownership, financing, or licensing arrangements.
 

This means a business owner operating several related locations cannot establish a separate Primary Membership for each location.
 

The bylaws also provide a Secondary Membership category for qualifying additional locations. Contact NARTS to determine the appropriate membership arrangement for your business.
 

Who Represents the Business as the Primary Member?
 

• Primary Membership is held by an individual representing the qualifying retail business.

• The bylaws provide one Primary Membership for each qualifying business or related group of businesses.

• A Primary Member in good standing is entitled to one vote in NARTS Board elections and on other matters properly submitted to the voting membership, subject to the eligibility dates and voting requirements established in the bylaws.

• Primary Membership may also provide a path toward serving on the NARTS Board of Directors, provided the individual meets the additional qualifications outlined in Article IV.

What Do the NARTS Bylaws Say?
 

The following provisions are taken from Article IX, Membership and Dues, of the NARTS Association Bylaws.

Article IX, Section 1: Member Approval

 
Any person applying for membership to this corporation is subject to the approval of the board of directors. Retail membership in this corporation is limited to individuals representing retail stores and shops that continuously conduct the business described in Section 2 of this Article from non-residential physical retail premises or through a dedicated online Internet presence and falling within the following categories of retail stores and shops:
 
(1) For-profit retail stores and shops, which solicit inventory on a consignment basis, or on a "buy outright" basis; or
 
(2) Not-for-Profit retail stores or shops operated by and on behalf of charities they represent, providing that those charities have been granted Section 501 (C)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code.

What this means: Your business must be an established retail operation that meets NARTS requirements for the type of merchandise sold, how inventory is obtained, and where or how the business operates. All applications are subject to approval.

Article IX, Section 1: Businesses That Are Excluded

 
Retail stores and shops which (a) receive or purchase inventory originally solicited as a charitable donation, but operate in whole or in part for the benefit of a for-profit person or entity; (b) operate in or from a residence; (c) engage only in seasonal or event sales; (d) operate in or from a multi-dealer mall or market; and/or (e) lease or license third parties to conduct business on premises they own, lease or control shall NOT be eligible for membership.
 

What this means: Not every business selling secondhand merchandise qualifies for NARTS membership. Certain operating arrangements are specifically excluded, including residential businesses, temporary selling operations, and multidealer markets.
 

Article IX, Section 2: Primary Membership

PRIMARY: Any person representing a firm, partnership, corporation or other business entity selling at retail goods that consist predominantly of used or recycled personal or household merchandise shall be eligible for Primary Membership. There shall be one and only one Primary Member from any group of persons or business entities that are related to each other through direct or indirect ownership, financing or licensing arrangements.

What this means: Your business must primarily sell used or recycled personal or household merchandise. Only one individual may hold Primary Membership for a business or related group of businesses.
 

Membership Dues and Renewal
 

Membership dues and application fees are established by the NARTS Board of Directors.
 

Under Article IX, Section 3, new members pay one full year of dues, along with any applicable application fee, when applying.
 

Membership renewals are due on the first day of the month of the anniversary of joining. Membership is automatically terminated when dues become 60 days overdue.
 

All NARTS members are also expected to follow the Association's Code of Ethics and maintain professional business practices.
 

All membership applications are subject to approval by the NARTS Board of Directors.
 

When applying for Primary Membership, you'll be asked to provide information about your business, including:

• Business name and contact information.

• Type of resale, consignment, or thrift business.

• Physical retail address or dedicated online retail presence.

• How your business obtains its inventory.

• Whether your business is for profit or nonprofit.

• Whether you operate additional related locations.

This information allows NARTS to verify that your business meets the membership requirements.

Ready to Join NARTS?
 

If you operate a qualifying resale, consignment, or thrift store, we'd love to welcome you to NARTS.
 

Membership connects you with fellow store owners and resale professionals who understand your business, share their experiences, and believe in strengthening the resale industry together.
 

Not sure if your business qualifies? Please contact NARTS before submitting your application. We'll be happy to review your business information and explain the membership requirements.
 

By applying for Primary Membership, you acknowledge that you have reviewed the eligibility requirements and understand that membership is subject to approval under the NARTS Association Bylaws.