Make money, buy or sell to a Dress Agency?

jrimmer

I am interested in setting up a Designer Dress Agency (Boutique Style - Retail Outlet) selling second hand Designer and top-end, high street clothes, accessories and jewellery. All items for sale would be clean and in nearly new and excellent condition. Customers could purchase goods for sale at approximately half their original price. Clients can earn money when their item sells, the selling price would be spilt 50:50.

Would you buy or sell from this type of a retail outlet? - in Kirklees, West Yorkshire.???

I know lots of people sell their clothing on line (ebay etc) but isn't it worth someone else taking the hassle away from you and selling it on your behalf..Would you enjoy browsing, trying on and seeing before you buy in a boutique style shop?

Thanks, I would really appreciate your comments.

Joanne

Enterprise_1701C

I would and I have done in the past - not in Yorkshire though! I think this is more in demand these days, get a little money back for the clothes you no longer wear and the chance for some nice clothes for a good price.

The one I used before (closed down many years ago) used to keep them on display for about a month I think, then you collected any unsold clothes.

babiebeany

Hi - I opened my dress agency last August as part of my original business and it is going very well. Once people know of you they will begin to visit on a regular basis to see what bargains you have.

Good luck with it.

jrimmer

Thanks, would you tell me how long it took you to build up enough suitable stock for your shop?

jessilu1

We used to have one near us in Herts, called ''change of address'', I took quite a few of my dresses and jackets there. They did a 60-40 split !

It was for any good quality clothes and shoes not just designer, but it closed down without any notice , I miss it!

Good luck hope you succeed!

babiebeany

To build up my stock, I advertised that the dress agency was opening about 3 months before and started to take in and store suitable items. I did buy some items from car boot sales etc to ensure the shop was fully stocked, but only needed to do that a couple of times, as once people get to know about you, you get regulars who bring in clothing etc.

*manda*

I used to use 2 that were fairly local to me with mixed success rates,some stuff sold, others didn't. They did a 50/50 split. Both however have now gone- and I can only assume it was due to the popularity of ebay as that was why I stopped both buying and selling there.

If we had one locally now I possibly would use it as ebay is now siding with the buyer in nearly all instances and it makes it far more stressful to sell than it used to be, plus it is inceasingly more time consuming. I have literally 2 wardrobes worth of items to get rid off but cannot summons the motivation to ebay it right now.

jrimmer

babiebeany wrote: »

To build up my stock, I advertised that the dress agency was opening about 3 months before and started to take in and store suitable items. I did buy some items from car boot sales etc to ensure the shop was fully stocked, but only needed to do that a couple of times, as once people get to know about you, you get regulars who bring in clothing etc.

Thanks for letting me know, I had thought about buying in some stock to stock the shop if necessary to get going, but interesting to know you did this too. Timesscale info useful too. Thanks.

jrimmer

*manda* wrote: »

I used to use 2 that were fairly local to me with mixed success rates,some stuff sold, others didn't. They did a 50/50 split. Both however have now gone- and I can only assume it was due to the popularity of ebay as that was why I stopped both buying and selling there.

If we had one locally now I possibly would use it as ebay is now siding with the buyer in nearly all instances and it makes it far more stressful to sell than it used to be, plus it is inceasingly more time consuming. I have literally 2 wardrobes worth of items to get rid off but cannot summons the motivation to ebay it right now.

Thanks, I am aware ebay is a competitor, so interesting and encouraging to know your views on selling there. Thanks

FelinePrincess

I would be interested in buying bags and accessories at this type of business, I'd be willing to travel up to 30 miles to visit.

It would be very important for me to know that all products are genuine so I would make sure that the shop had a excellent reputation before visiting and I would want to know that the staff had excellent knowledge on authenticating designer items.

Caryl

I used to have a dress agency which I sold some years back. I found that the likes of EBay and the designer outlet villages meant that I couldn't compete on price (particularly the outlet villages). However, an online dress agency was recommended to me and I have been using them for quite a while now. They get a great return on my items and they take less commission as they don't have the same overheads as the high street. In addition, they agree the price up front so you don't have to worry about your item selling for a ridiculous price, as it may on EBay. I'm not sure if I can mention the name on here. If you'd like more info, then please get back to me. Thanks. Caryl.