Q&A
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{ March 2010} Peonies is accepting warm-weather consignments. Come in anytime during normal business hours, no appointment necessary. We ask that you bring no more than 10 items per drop off to enable us to process our inventory quickly. All items should be clean, on hangers, and ready for the floor.
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HOW DO I KNOW IF AN ITEM IS RIGHT FOR CONSIGNMENT?
Take a look at each item you’re considering for consignment and ask yourself, “Why am I interested in consigning this item?” If the answer is, “It’s a beautiful garment, I love it, but it’s not right for me anymore,” you’re thinking like Peonies.
Maybe it doesn’t fit you properly. Maybe it never fit your fabulous personality! Maybe the color was wrong. Or maybe you love the color—just not on you. Maybe it doesn’t fit your new lifestyle. Maybe everyone in the world has already seen you in it. Long story short: If the item is in perfect condition—designer or higher-end—chances are it’s a perfect fit for Peonies—because it’s a perfect fit for one of our customers.
In addition to clothing, Peonies consigns jewelry and accessories: handbags, sunglasses, scarves, wraps, hats, belts, etc.
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WHAT ABOUT SHOES?
We loooooove shoes! We are very, very particular about the shoes we consign into Peonies. We accept designer label shoes that have never been worn—or have been worn a couple of times and are in mint condition. That includes dress shoes, casual shoes—you name it. No sneakers. Please clean your shoes inside and out before you bring them in. Original, undamaged boxes are helpful.
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WHAT ABOUT JEWELRY?
We loooooove jewelry—costume, vintage (in perfect condition), sterling, gold and designer pieces. For instance, we’ve consigned beautiful pieces from One Pearl, Saundra Messinger and Movado. It helps if you tell us if have a price in mind for the piece. Consigned jewelry is generally priced at 45% of present retail value. For items that are to be priced over $500, Peonies requires an appraisal or an original receipt; this is in your best interests and is for the protection of our customers. If you do not have an appraisal, we will happily obtain one for you at your expense. We do our utmost to protect everything in the store, but ultimately all items are left with us at your own risk.
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WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS DURING A CONSIGNMENT APPOINTMENT?
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WHY DON’T YOU ACCEPT EVERY ITEM I BRING IN?
Here’s a good way to think about it: Peonies may be resale, but we think of ourselves as retail—the difference is we “buy” our quality merchandise from you and your friends rather than designers or clothing reps. Peonies carefully selects items that fit the boutique’s style and persona, as well as meet the expectations of its customers.
If Peonies doesn’t accept a particular item, it does not mean we don’t like the item, or we don’t like you, or that you have poor taste. It simply means are not sure we can sell the item for a profit and don’t want to disappoint you or our customers.
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IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF ITEMS I CAN CONSIGN?
We ask that you bring a maximum of 10 items per drop-off. There are two reasons: it ensures the sizes and styles in our inventory are more diverse for buyers. And it enables us process and place items on the floor faster.
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WHAT IF MY ITEM DOES NOT SELL?
Good question. At the end of the contract period, Peonies automatically donates your unsold item to a charity of our choice. Or, we may put it on sale if we think we can sell it at a lower price point. We decide. Alternately, you may pick up the article within seven days of the intake date noted on your consignor update. We find most consignors to Peonies prefer to donate their item to someone less fortunate than them.
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WHAT CHARITIES DOES PEONIES SUPPORT?
It depends on the item and the need of the non-profits at any given time. We are strong supporters of Child and Family, and fans of Dress for Success. This fantastic organization promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Other items are donated to a variety of organizations. For instance, Hartspring donations benefit mentoring programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters. We support local non-profits including the Salvation Army and Goodwill.
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IF PEONIES DONATES MY UNSOLD ITEM TO CHARITY, WHO EARNS THE TAX DEDUCTION?
You do. Before tax season, simply request a consignor inventory update. This is a complete list of everything in your account and notates all donated items, accountant-ready. We’ll email it to you or pick it up. How great is that?
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MAY I GET AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE ITEMS I HAVE CONSIGNED?
Of course, anytime. Our operation is transparent. We will send an account to you via email. Or if you are in the shop, ask us to look up your account. You may also telephone for an update during store hours—please understand if we are busy working with customers.
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WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO GIVE YOU MY EMAIL ADDRESS?
Email is the primary way we communicate with consignors about the status of their accounts. This includes providing detailed inventory updates each time you bring in new items. If you elect not to provide an email address, it’s your responsibility to stop into the shop or call us if you have questions or need information.
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MAY I CHECK THE STATUS OF MY ITEMS ONLINE?
Not yet—we hope to make that possible.
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GULP! WHAT IF I SUDDENLY DECIDE I WANT TO KEEP SOMETHING I ALREADY CONSIGNED?
No problem—as long as your item hasn’t sold and your contract hasn’t expired. Simply come in, let us know, find the item and pick it up. You will be charged a modest handling fee to compensate Peonies for the time we’ve spent including setting up your sales account, entering your item into inventory, tagging it, labeling it, preparing it for sale and presenting it on the floor. That’s outlined in your consignment agreement.
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HOW MUCH DO I MAKE?
The consignor earns 40% of the selling price.
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MAY I CONSIGN STORE BRANDS LIKE COACH AND TALBOT’S?
Peonies accepts couture and designer labels. We accept pieces from higher-end store brands {Banana Republic, Coach, Martin & Osa, Talbot’s, White House Black Market and others—lots of women around here love Chico’s.} We generally do not accept store brands or private labels from big-box retailers, but there are a few exceptions. There are hundreds and hundreds of designer labels so if you have any questions about a particular label or brand, call us or email us. Most important: your garment is 1) in close to perfect condition; 2) clean; 3) on a hanger.
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ARE THERE A MINIMUM NUMBER OF ITEMS I NEED TO CONSIGN?
Yes, five items are required to open a consignor account.
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WHAT ABOUT LARGER SIZES FOR WOMEN?
Presently, we accept 0-18, up to XL, and petite. We also accept select “junior” items. We do our best to consign a complete range of sizes.
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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WINE?
Ah, thanks for asking!
We love most wines. These days we are loving the white burgundies from the chic Brasserie Pip, right up the road at the Copper Beech Inn. And we are crazy for champagne. Add your name to our contact list here and we’ll invite you to our Pinot & Peonies parties.
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Oooh, you’re going to love Peonies.
