Toronto Consignment Store Review

I love consignment stores.  If you really want a luxury wardrobe on a working girl budget, consignment stores are key.  Also, they’re great for unloading items you longer want to keep (why not sell the bag you never use and get money for a bag you would?).

I’ll be doing a review of 4 consignment stores that I have bought and/or consigned through.  I generally stick with stores that have a physical storefront and tend to stay away from online/instagram only stores.  I just prefer to meet people face to face and to have a chance to touch and feel the items before I purchase them.  It makes me feel more comfortable that I’m getting an authentic item.  Or if I’m selling an item, I won’t have to worry as much that the people will disappear with all of my items and I have no idea who or where they are.

Haute Classics

1961 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON

Selling:

Terms:

·      90% consignor/10% store for Chanel and Hermes (This is the highest I’ve seen.  This is an amazing rate, because it would hurt if someone took a 50% cut of your Chanel!  If you’re thinking of selling one of these items you’ll get the highest commission here).

·      80%/20% for other bags

·      70%/30% for other items 

• They ask if you want to do up to -20% wiggle room on price. You have the option to do a “flash sale” if you really want to sell the item.
•  90 day consignment period. 
• You have to make an appointment to drop off your items for initial inspection. It takes up to 10 business days for them to email you the prices.  If you do not agree, they will work with you to set an acceptable price.  However, if you change your mind, you’re still charged a $50 admin fee per item.
• They take authenticity very seriously and apparently send all items to a 3^rd party authenticator.  Un-authentic items incur a charge of $250 each. 
• You cannot take items back early, otherwise there is a charge of $50 per item. They also don’t let you know when your items expire, so make sure you put it in your calendar to pick them up.  Otherwise, after 30 days, they donate your items. 
• They don’t have a consignor portal for you to log into so you can’t track what items are on sale, at what price and if items have sold. They will notify you by email on the 15^th of the month after your item has sold. 
• They are more selective than other consignment stores, focusing mainly on the higher end luxury items and items that are more recent in style. 
• Mainly focus on bags, especially Chanel. They recently stopped accepting clothing. 
• If you’re selling, there isn’t a lot of foot traffic to the store (visits are by appointment only).  So your item will have a better chance if it can grab social media attention.
• I tried to sell a few items through this store before and was not successful (my items were not Chanel).  However, the team there is super nice.  If I were to sell one of my more expensive bags, especially Chanel, I would go here.

Buying

• Focus is on online business (via Instagram and website).  No walk-ins.  Visits are by appointment only, so if you’re buying, you’ll have a more one-on-one experience, but generally should be looking at something specific, not really to “browse”.
• They have a concierge service, so if you’re looking for a specific item, you can message them, and they will try to hunt it down for you. 
• On their postings, they provide a rating system (out of 10) for the condition of the item, which I have found to be consistent.  There’s also a table explaining what they mean when they say an item is 8/10 or 10/10, so you have a better idea about the condition of the item before selling.
• They also give you the option of doing lay-away (so you can pay for your items in increments)
• Free shipping in Canada, US is a flat rate

Garb

 1046 Queen St W, Toronto, ON

Selling

Terms: 

• 50%/50% split
• There will be mark downs after the first 30, 45 or 60 days with discounts depending on the type of item.  Expensive bags and jewelry will have a smaller discount applied than to clothing and shoes. The pricing including potential discounts is determined up front


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• The owner Dan is super nice and easy going with consignors.  Once or twice, I have changed my mind about selling an item and he’s allowed me to take back my item before the consignment period is over without a fee.
• They have a consignor portal, which allows you to see what items are on sale, the prices, what items have sold and items to be returned to you. 
• Lighter foot traffic at the store.  Every time I have gone, it’s either been just me and maybe 1 other person in the store.  They don’t sell online through their website.
• Out of all 4 I am reviewing, I have consigned the most with this store.

Buying

•  They have a rating system but it’s not as easy to understand as Haute. Like, what’s the difference between “mint” vs. “pristine”.  They also use a grading system A++, A, A-, B+, etc.  but don’t think these are defined.
• Great prices on clothing, especially when they are discounted

Consign Toronto

884 Queen St W, Toronto, ON

Selling

• Terms: 50/50 split, set at full price for 60 days, discounted by 50% after 60 days for up to 90 days.

• They have a good social media following, so highly desirable items will be featured.

• Good food traffic due to location

• No tracking system that you can log into to see if any of your items have sold or have expired.  They will not email you if items have sold or when they expired.  It’s your responsibility to follow up.

• One week from expiry to pick up items before they are donated (so make sure to put it in your calendar!!)

• Cheques are cut on the 1^st and 15^th of each month (by request)

• $5 handling fee per item to remove an item before the first 60 days are over

• The contract says they are not responsible for lost/theft/damage of your items (not sure how this will hold up.  I would be pretty pissed if they just told me my item was stolen and I don’t get any compensation)

Buying

•  They have a good selection of items here and prices are reasonable.
•  Free shipping to Canada and US over $150
•  They don’t use a rating system to indicate the condition of the item.  Most of their online posts are vague with respect to condition.  Make sure you ask detailed questions about the item and ask for additional photos.
• They’re very quick to respond to questions on social media.

Fashionably Yours

709 Queen St W, Toronto

Selling:

•  Terms: 50/50 split
• Tracking system to let you know what items have sold, what is on sale and amounts payable to you.
• Payable after the 15^th of the month after the month the item is sold.
•  Because the prices for buying are so low, you’re not going to realize a high selling price for your items. Their philosophy is that they want consignors to make money faster and not waste people’s time – fair enough.  The items I have consigned with them have sold within days.
• They have a good social media following, so highly desirable items will be featured and tend to sell fast

Buying:

• You’ll find the lowest prices here.  Like $2000 for a brand new Prada Galleria bag, $700 for a Balenciaga Classic City Bag.
• They will ship items for free to Canada and US.
• Bigger selection of clothing and shoes than other stores.
• They don’t use a rating system to indicate the condition of the item.  Most of their online posts don’t include any description as to the condition.  Make sure you ask detailed questions about the item and ask for additional photos.

What are your views on these stores?  Let me know in the comments below!