At Work with Encore Quality Consignments
Name: Encore Quality Consignments
Type of business: Consignment shop for clothing and home furnishings
Address:
Telephone: (908) 766-7760
Web address:
www.encoreconsignments.com
Number of employees: 7 part-time
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Founded: 20 years ago
Top officer: Carol MacArthur, owner
How would you describe your business?
"This is a consignment shop within two separate but adjoining buildings. The original 1,200-square-foot building contains women's, men's, and children's clothing and accessories, jewelry, and furs. The second building is a 2,000-square-foot, two-story carriage house filled with excellent quality second-hand furniture, art, rugs, sculpture, lighting, and more," said owner Carol MacArthur.
"There is a $10 yearly fee for maintaining an account. Up to 20 items of up to date seasonal clothing in excellent condition and on hangers can be accepted at a single appointment to be held for up to two months. Photos of larger furniture items are requested before bringing items in and are held for up to four months. The commission on the first $300 of the sale is shared 50 percent and 60 percent over the $300 balance.
"I'm strict about appointments when it comes to clothing, but when people come in with something you can't say no to, I usually take it.
"I do all the pricing. I do the research. I have the knowledge and feel comfortable in pricing things that come in."
What makes your business special?
"I get exceptionally high-quality furnishings, more so than in another area.
"We are also one of the few consignment shops that do clothing, furniture, and furnishings. It's pretty rare to find anyone in
What goals do you have for you business?
"I would love to be larger, but I'm happy with what there is now. There is a lot of detail behind the scenes. I have 1,600 consigners and I don't plan to expand. Our goal is to get items in and move them out."
How has your business changed?
"When I started, consignment wasn't even a household word, now there seems to be a consignment shop in every possible location. I started by selling clothing but within three years I expanded and picked up the carriage house on the same property. There was so much demand from people to sell furnishings. The clothing is strictly contemporary with a three-year max. The furnishings are functional things that have like bookcases, bedroom furniture, rugs, art, and lots of lighting — lamps, chandeliers, sconces. Since the advent of the Internet, collectibles we sold are now found on the Internet. Figurines, depression glass, or cut glass aren't as popular now and customers aren't willing to pay as much now that they are on the Internet. The market is swamped. When I started, I drew from all over the state. It was unusual to have a consignment shop 20 years ago. Within 10 years of my opening, consignment shops were springing up; by then I was really established."
What was your most important deal?
"A piece of art that came in before the Internet. It was a lost painting by artist Grace Carpenter Hudson, whose work is seen in museums. Someone had brought it in on the back of a truck and told me to sell it, or if it doesn't sell, get rid of it. It was fascinating to do the research. It took me to a woman whose husband had written a book about the artist. The husband had passed away and she sent me the book. The book had all the work she had created from 1937, which were either in private collections or in museums. There was a picture of this picture with the statement that the whereabouts were unknown. The picture ultimately was sold for $35,000.
What changes do you expect in your business in the next 10 years?
"I can't predict, but I feel I'm a little bit recession-proof compared to others right now. It works two ways — people need the money (from selling their possessions) or they are moving because they can't afford to live in the area anymore, and of course everyone wants a bargain because times are tough. Why go to a furniture store to get a dining room set when you can come here and get it for half the price? A lot of time people will want to upgrade with what is on our floor. I tell people to check here first before you go out."
What is the most important thing you've learned in your business?
"I've learned to never presume what the value of an item is worth. You have got to look into it and research it if necessary. I've had people bring me garbage bags full of costume jewelry, tell me ‘put my number on it' or if it isn't suitable for sale, get rid of it. In those garbage bags I found a strand of $3,000 pearls that they thought was costume. You are constantly seeing things you have never seen before and you need to find out what it is before you can price it. This is happening every day."
What advice would you give to someone considering your line of work?
"Be aware that there is a lot to do behind the scenes. People walk into the store and see the fun part, everyone is happy because the consigners are making money and the customer is making money and customers are getting a bargain. But there is a lot of detail involved, and you must pay attention to detail. The work demands that if you are doing this you must be people-oriented and ready to work with people who will be trying to haggle to get the best price on an item being sold. People like to haggle in these situations and you have to be firm and say, ‘I have a policy and this is the way it works'. Or people will believe their item should be displayed or is worth more than it is because of their attachment to it. Your job is to explain why it isn't in demand and try to turn the situation around so everyone is happy again."
Is there anything else you would rather be doing?
"No, as far as work. It's just such a pleasure to see different stuff everyday and new people everyday. Everyone is happy. It's a nice place to be."