The Grooming Supplies at LOW Prices Bows Brushes Clippers Combs Dryers Scissors Shampoo Shedding Tools Tables Wholesale Dog Supplies YOU Can Retail in YOUR Salon Openning a Crafts on Consignment  Store

Need to fill-up empty retail space but don't have the money? I do not know a single wholesaler that is willing to hand over valuable merchandise without cash up front, and those who do allow some credit require a substantial down payment and the balance due in fifteen to thirty days.  You could try securing a loan from a bank or other lender but your profits would be eaten away by interest applied to the time payments.  

Sales on Consignment      

 
There is one way to fill those shelves you should consider. It's called sales on consignment, an easy, effective and inexpensive approach to retail sales.

Local craftsmen, looking for a means to market their handiwork, would be eager to supply you with items to sell in your shop in return for a percentage of the sales price. You make no initial investment and the artist or craftsman receives needed exposure and sales.        

The first step to starting a consignment business is to get organized. You must set up rules concerning liability, price, commission, time the product remains for sale, arid payment schedule. These rules need not be absolutely rigid and unbendable but are needed as guidelines incase problems or questions should arise in the future.

Next you must write up a contract spelling out your rules and relieving you from liability should any merchandise be damaged, lost or stolen.               

Your next step is to set up a system for cataloging each product you have for sale and recording products received, returned and sold for each consignee. If this is not done properly in the beginning, great confusion can result later    on.  Don't rely on your memory or plan to build a system as your business increases. Careful -and accurate planning in the beginning will eliminate mistakes in the future. 

There are several methods of recording consignment sales.  If you only handle a few sales you can get away with keeping everything in a composition or spiral notebook or excel spreadsheet. If you will be handling a lot of merchandise from several consignees you had better keep a separate book or file on each consignee.        

When taking on a new consignee, give him a permanently assigned reference number. Each product he supplies then receives a second catalog or code number. Place a ticket on each item carrying the consignee's number and the code.  Putting a "C" in front of these digits will keep the items from getting confused with your regular stock.

Now everything should be recorded on a sheet indicating each of the following:    Consignee, Product code number, product description, date received, date returned, date sold, asking price, and amount of sale.        

Now that all your preparations are complete you are ready to begin locating products. Call or write local hobby clubs, senior citizen sewing groups and artist organizations and tell them you are interested in selling local craft items on consignment. These organizations can refer you to people they believe would be interested and will usually post your invitation on bulletin boards or will make an announcement at their next meeting.

Call small craft shops in your area who might be interested in supplying a few pieces to further their business. If you like, you can take out a classified advertisement in local newspapers such as those shown below.

THE POODLE SHOP is now accepting products for sale on consignment. All items must be pet-related. For information or appointment call 555-5555

ARTISTS and CRAFTSMEN "THE POODLE SHOP is interested in your pet related products for sale on consignment. Excellent exposure and commission. 1-555-5555

Once you start receiving phone calls, interview each consignee and look at what he has to offer. If you like his  products and feel they are suitable for your shop find out  how much he plans to supply you and how often. Ask if he'd be open to special order requests in his specialty and just get to know each other. Discuss your rules and contract and make any modifications needed right away. Close the interview by getting a commitment and each of you sigh the contract.  Remember, you can reject any product you feel is not suitable for sale in your shop or you feel just won't sell.        

We've carried a variety of interesting pieces on consignment. Ceramics, paintings, sketches and decoupage plaques are favorite art work. Leather collars, sweaters, latch hook rugs and wall hangings, wood carvings and silhouettes of animals, needlepoint, refrigerator magnets and bamboo bird cages are other popular items. Home-made dog biscuits are hot sellers. We've even carried posters for the SPCA.  Although we do not accept any commission on the posters, the public relations is priceless.