cashing in on your stuff

If you’re ready to part with some of the treasures (and lesser items) that abound in closets, attics and other recesses of your home, perhaps it’s time to think about cashing in. Consignment shops will take suitable merchandise and try to sell it for you. But be forewarned. Even if you believe your possessions hold great value, they may not be taken on for sale… one person’s treasure truly is another’s junk. Check in with some of these local spots to see if they can find new homes for your valuables and other stuff.

1. SUBURBAN RENEWAL
This eclectic shop on the main drag in Hastings specializes in vintage and antiques and doesn’t accept anything new. In fact, they only want items prior to the 1970s. They stress they are not a high-end shop like many other consignments. They do request items be in good condition and will accept furniture, housewares, collectibles, and jewelry. This is the place for those of us who have plenty of goods that might not make the cut at some of the more upscale consignment shops. (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY; suburbanrenewal@aol.com; 914.478.9421)

2. TRILOGY
Tucked away on the lower part of Main Street in Tarrytown, Trilogy specializes in modern, vintage and unique women’s clothing and accessories. Consignment appointments can be made by phone or in person on the first day of each month for the following month. Trilogy is very discerning about what they take and will accept only what they think they can sell. Go to the ‘consign’ tab on their website for a specific list of what they may or may not be interested in consigning… no Michael Kors logo printed handbags or big shoulder pads, thank you. (Tarrytown, NY; www.consigntrilogy.com; 914.631.3426)

3. HANDBAGS & MORE
If you have a closet full of designer items, head on over to Handbags and More Designer Resale. While they specialize in designer bags, as the name suggests, they deal with the resale of all things designer. Be warned, they are very particular, and will only take in bags and clothing that are new or in like-new condition. While they accept only current season items for consignment, if you have Chanel, Hermès or Louis Vuitton they will consign these designers at any time of year. So, if you’re looking to cash in your Birkin bag, this is the place for you! (Scarsdale, NY; 914.713.3468)

 

4. DESIGNS BY DEBBIE
Cashing in your valued jewelry, especially when you don’t have a personal connection to the buyer, may leave you wondering if you’re really getting the most for your item. Debbie Wolleman of the Deval Corporation has built her business based on personal referrals and a reputation of trust. As a third generation jeweler who buys/resells diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds (at least one carat in size), she knows the individuals most willing to pay a premium for these stones. She also understands that there are many life circumstances, such as divorce or death, that may warrant the monetizing of your jewelry and wants to help clients do just that.
But if you simply don’t wear a piece of your fine jewelry because it no longer reflects your taste or style, Debbie will re-create the piece, turning a string of pearls into a bracelet for a grandchild or refashioning stones from a ring into a pair of earrings – bringing new life to a treasured item. (www.jewelrydesignsbydebbie.com; debbierocksu@gmail.com)

 

ROAD SHOW
Working with clients to develop full-blown written appraisals for estates, charitable donations and insurance, the professionals at Astor Galleries also take their expertise on the road, providing their valuations during Antique Appraisal Days throughout the NY metro area. You can bring in items (or photographs of large pieces) to be appraised; they charge $10 for one appraisal and $25 for three. Should you consign with them, there’s a 35% fee. Astor handles everything from jewelry, watches and clocks, fine art and coins to military memorabilia, antiques and silverware. Their current list of “hot” antiques and collectibles includes costume jewelry (big colored stones), vintage purses and scarves, 1950s furniture and space memorabilia. (Kingston, NY; www.astorgalleries.com; 800.784.7876)

5. SEVERED TIES
Severed Ties is an antique store, a furniture store and a consignment shop all rolled in to one. They are always on the lookout for antiques and vintage items but are also interested in high-quality furniture from any period. Severed Ties only accepts what they think will command a high resale and does not accept mass-produced pieces. This is a full-service operation, as Severed Ties offers in-home consults, pick-up, delivery and will even help arrange estate sales. Plus, they will help you downsize by coming to your home to evaluate the contents. (New Canaan, CT; 203.972.0788)

 

6. PENNY PINCHER
The Penny Pincher Boutique is on the hunt for women’s luxury goods that are in excellent condition. They are not, however, interested in your “vintage” items, wedding gowns or menswear. But if you’re ready to part with your Christian Louboutin pumps or Dolce & Gabbana clutch, this may be the place to cash in. Penny Pincher is not just about designer finds – they also handle estate sales. And if they don’t think they can sell all that you’ve got, they’ll point you in the right direction for what to do with the rest. Consignments are by appointment only; you can call or drop by to arrange a meeting with one of the sales team members. (Bedford Hills, NY; www.pennypincherboutique.com; 914.241.2134)

7. CONSIGN ENVY
Maura Sullivan’s shop Consign Envy specializes in women’s and children’s clothing, footwear and accessories. She points out that consigning is definitely worth your while – sharing that one client of 12 years has collected $14,765 from her. Designers she’s looking for run the gamut, from Louis Vuitton to Trina Turk and Tory Burch. You can get paid in cash or take store credit for a higher percentage. Maura gets plenty of new items into the store – with tags still on them – so Consign Envy may even be worth a shopping trip. (Ridgefield, CT; www.consignenvy.com; 203.438.3933)

 

 

8. TRI-STATE ESTATE SALES
Andrea Kolstein Meth will hold a traditional estate sale to sell your furniture, piano, high-end glassware, sterling silver, ornaments, clothing, shoes and more. But she also auctions off a lot of the better stuff on her online ebay store, shipping goods around the world. Tri-State takes a 45% cut but assumes all the advertising, shipping, packing and other fees. If an item doesn’t sell, you can take it back or donate it. (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Fairfield Counties; www.tristateestatesales.com; ajmeth@yahoo.com; 914.325.1356)

 

 

9. CHATSWORTH ANTIQUES AND CONSIGNMENTS
A Westchester County fixture since 1924, when it began as a moving and storage company by the Lightbody family, Chatsworth Antiques and Consignments is still a family business – now owned by a cousin, John De Giacomo. John’s business partner, Joan Meehan, tells us that Chatsworth will buy your quality furniture outright or, for the more expensive and rare/unusual items that take longer to sell, they will consign. Roughly half of their items are sold through the Ogden Avenue, Mamaroneck store, while the remaining half are sold online via ebay, Etsy and Chairish. Email John with photos of your items (no “brown” furniture please). If he’s interested, he’ll set up an appointment for an in-person look. And after that, he may just make you an offer. (Mamaroneck, NY; www.chatsworthfurniture.com; chatsworthantiques@gmail.com; 914.698.1001)

 

DONATE!
Consigning not for you? There’s no shortage of places looking for your kindly cared for items. Habitat for Humanity ReStores will take furniture and appliances (New Rochelle, NY; 914.699.2791). Furniture Sharehouse also helps those in need, reminding us to donate only what we might offer to friends or family (www.furnituresharehouse.org). For clothing and household accessories, consider The Golden Shoestring, run by the Junior League of Westchester on the Sound (Larchmont, NY; 914.834.8383) and the Rye Presbyterian Thrift Shop (Rye, NY; www.ryepc.com/ministries/thrift-shop), to name a couple.

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