This post doesn’t fit in with the general theme of my blog but it’s been a while since I’ve written anything and I need to rant. My boyfriend is moving in and to make room I decided to go through my closet and clean out clothes that I never wear or no longer fit me. All of these clothes are well known brands: Express, Theory, Ann Taylor, Talbots, Old Navy, and more!
I stuffed all of the clothes in a trash bag because my first instinct was to throw it away so I didn’t have to deal with it. Instead wanted to recycle and give to others in need.
My first stop at a consignment shop which was fairly painless, it was a trendy place only looking for very specific things so they told me within seconds that they would give me $3 for a shirt. Without hesitation I said yes because I want to get rid of these clothes. I only wished that they would’ve taken more.
My second stop consignment shop which was more invasive. It was a humiliating experience to watch her size up my clothes and put them into different piles: Yes, No, Maybe. I watched her put every bit of my clothing in the No or Maybe pile. My feelings were hurt, these are the clothes that I wore, they are almost a part of me in a way and she tore me apart by driving a hard bargain. She rejected a few clothes because they had some cat hair. I understand the argument that the owner wants to be able to sell it without having to do the work of cleaning it, but honestly these clothes would’ve been in the trash and I am helping your business out by donating clothes to you at a fraction of their actual cost, JUST TAKE IT. She suggested I clean one of the jackets and bring it back tomorrow. After I received $7 for 5 items of good quality clothes, that might’ve covered the gas of driving there, I was not planning to come back tomorrow or ever.
After 2 hours and 20 miles I received a combined total of $11 for 6 items of like new name brand clothing. I drove to Goodwill to donate the rest which I guessed about a $65 contribution that I could deduct on my taxes. Definitely a better deal.
I’m not writing this rant to tear down local businesses, recommending that people do not recycle or use consignment shops. This was a limited experience I had, but I will never sell to a consignment shop again. Don’t let greed run your business, because YOU will lose in the long run (because some weirdo will blog about it).
