Tired of High Retail Apparel Costs and Rude Salespeople? Go Consignment!

In a world of high priced ladies apparel and, "I'm too good to assist you," salespeople, consignment boutiques bring an alternative for great deals and personal service! Consignment shops can also dress women for success, glitz, and even your special wedding day, without depleting your bank account.

As a thrifty woman at heart, I have shopped for deals my entire adult life. I love fashion, as well as the next woman, but I just can't rationalize or afford an outfit that is more than my mortgage. When I walk into a mall or department store, I feel my heart racing, not from excitement, but from anxiety. It seems like each clothing store, no matter if it's Sears or Nordstrom, the lack of unique apparel; shoes and accessories are found everywhere. Whatever happened to originality!

I find that the mannequins are sometimes more personable than the life-size Bratz dolls pretending not to notice customers. What has happened to personal service and a genuine smile? Just once, I would like a salesperson to stand close to the dressing room and offer an honest opinion about if my butt looks big in those pants. It seems that a sale is just a sale at department stores. Let's face it most of us pay for the label or the fact we bought it from an overpriced snooty store.

The first time I visited a consignment/resale boutique, I was amazed by the all around choices. It's so true that someone else's hand-me-downs are someone else's fashion find. How many of us have bought something only to find it really wasn't the right color, size or fit? If you are like me, I sometimes don't make it back to return the item in time or I lose the receipt, thus adding one more item to take up space in my closet.

Consigning your own clothes and taking advantage of the plethora of blouses, skirts, pants, etc. is like the Yellow Brick Road! You are more apt to receive great compliments on apparel that are unique because many items come from boutiques and may be from a season or two before. Nothing wrong with being unique!

As far as customer service, these shops can't be beat. I can guarantee this because I was lucky to work at a consignment shop last summer, and became a personal shopper for many women, and friends. I don't have a problem with being honest. If I have back flap, I would want to know!

I was amazed daily by the clothing, shoes and accessories that came in every day. It was great to find other women's apparel is such fine and impeccable condition. I have never received so many compliments on my new treasures, and from the customers on their finds! We also held private times for groups and offered wine, cheese and other delectable treats.

Now, I know I sound a bit obsessed with the consignment industry, and it's for good reason. I am opening my own consignment boutique soon called, The Secret Closet. I have high standards for the clothing I will be selling, and the women who are consigning with me are ready to purge their designer closets for the new fashions of the season. No matter how much money a person has, everyone loves extra cash!

My new business endeavor is a great concept; the inventory is free, my business spreads by word of mouth, I can offer one-on-one service, and I have a purpose for living again for this unemployed English teacher!

My words of advice, next time you want something fantastic, pass up the redundant visit to the mall, and head for a quaint consignment/resale boutique. You will be amazed at what you can discover as far as being in vogue, and you may even find a new personal shopper, who will make you feel like a FASHION QUEEN!