Ten Consignment Shops Every Sample Sale Junkie Should Know

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One of the four commandments of sample sale shopping is "Know thy consignment shops." If you spend enough time at free-for-all grabfests in the Garment District, you'll inevitably wind up buying something that you just can't wear. Luckily, this city is full of places where you can make sure your purchases wind up in good hands, and recoup some of your losses while you're at it.

Below, we've rounded up ten of New York's best consignment shops in one handy guide. No matter where you go, remember to bring a valid, government-issued photo I.D. just in case. Also, most of these stores operate by appointment only, so be sure to call ahead.—Additional research by Tanya Loss

SECOND TIME AROUND
Address: Various locations
High end or mainstream: High end
What you get for your clothes: Consignment
What you'll find inside: Items are separated by category, including "new arrivals" and "staff picks." Though the merchandise is high-end designer, the prices can be (relatively) moderate.
What you can sell: They'll accept high-end designer merchandise that's in saleable condition, but not if it's more than three seasons old—so no vintage. They'll also buy out of season if the item is right.
How much you'll get for it: If your item comes with an original tag, they'll offer you half the price. Otherwise, you'll get up to 40% of the ultimate selling price. Your item has three months to sell. After the first month, it gets reduced to 20%; after the second, 30%; and after the third, 50%. Sometimes, they'll skip you altogether and work directly with buyers from brands and stores.

Image via Flickr

CADILLAC'S CASTLE
Address: 333 East 9th Street
High end or mainstream: High end
What you'll get for your clothes: Consignment
What you'll find inside: The merchandise in this small shop is presented in a boutique-like environment, with items separated into categories of dresses, pants, bathing suits, etc. Though they tend to carry what's in season, they began stocking more out-of-season wares when they noticed that the tourists passing through were shopping for whatever season they're having back home.
What you can sell: The buyers mostly accept contemporary, high-end items.
How much you'll get for it: The buyer will suggest a price, though they say it's "not set in stone." From there, they'll pay you 50% of what they sell it for. After one month, it gets marked down 20% off; after two months, it goes to 50% off.

Image via Upper East Side Fashioniste

MICHAEL'S
Address: 1041 Madison Avenue
High end or mainstream: High end
What you get for your clothes: Consignment
What you'll find inside: This Madison Avenue shop carries a mostly seasonal selection of uptown-appropriate labels across two floors. When we stopped in recently, the first floor was organized nicely by brands (all the Chanel was in one place), while the second floor required more digging.
What you can sell: Their best sellers are classic luxury labels like Louboutin, Prada, Oscar De La Renta, and Chanel. All merchandise must be current except for Chanel, Hermès, and Gucci, which they'll consider as vintage.
How much you'll get for it: They price pieces at one-third to 50% off retail. Items stay in-store for three months, getting marked down another 20% every 30 days.

Image via Bright Lights My City

BUFFALO EXCHANGE
Address: Various locations
High end or mainstream: Mixed, but mainly mainstream
What you get for your clothes: They're occasionally open to consignment, but they prefer cash or store credit.
What you'll find inside: Stores are usually crowded, and though merchandise is arranged by category, you'll need to dig. At the East Village location, shoes and bags were scattered everywhere when we stopped by, and several categories were spread out throughout the store. Expect to find lots of H&M and Topshop, along with a few better finds—we spotted some vintage Prada.
What you can sell: Buyers focus less on brand names and more on trends. For example, they'd prefer a new and trendy Forever21 shirt to something old and outdated from Versace. They tend to buy mostly in-season items, but if something's out of season but in very good condition, like a North Face jacket, they would consider it.
How much you'll get for it: It depends on condition, style, trendiness, and brand. If you choose to receive cash, they'll give you 30% of what they plan to sell your item for; if you choose store credit, you'll get 50%.

Image via VNY

TOKIO 7
Address: 83 East 7th Street
High end or mainstream: High end
What you get for your clothes: Consignment
What you'll find inside: The medium-size boutique solely carries high-end brands, with each designer marked clearly on the price tag. Clothing is organized by category and color, so you'll find entire racks of things like black dresses or cream jackets.
What you can sell: They'll only accept merchandise that's in season, and they prefer fashion-forward pieces from current designers.
How much you'll get for it: After an item sells, you'll get 50% of the price. Your item can remain in the store for three months, max. After one month, it gets discounted 20% off; after two, it's 50% off.

Image via Fashionista Barista

INA
Address: Various locations
High end or mainstream: High end
What you get for your clothes: Consignment
What you'll find inside: All of the merchandise is arranged into categories and then sub-categories. For example, short dresses are separate from long dresses, and colorful tops are displayed apart from neutral-colored tops. The store stocks high-end designer brands like Marni, Prada, and Balenciaga.
What you can sell: They accept designer merchandise that's in good condition and in season.
How much you'll get for it: For "filler" brands like Phillip Lim, you'll get 40% of their asking price, but if it's a sought-after brand like Chanel or Hermès, they might offer you more. If your item doesn't sell after the first month, it gets marked down 20%; after the second month, it'll go to 50% off. Certain brands don't get marked down, however. If your item sells, you'll receive the money within a week.

Photo by Brian Harkin

BEACON'S CLOSET
Address: various locations
High end or mainstream: Both
What you get for your clothes: Cash or store credit
What you'll find inside: Stores are usually on the crowded side. They sell all seasons, and most of the merchandise is separated by category and color. Expect lots of tops. At the East Village location, dresses, bottoms, and menswear are separate from the majority. You'll have to dig.
What you can sell: They accept what's trendy based on resaleability. That depends on what's been selling well at the time, and whether or not your item is in good condition. Each season, they see what's selling at stores like Urban Outfitters, Bergdorf, and Oak to get a better idea on what to accept.
How much you'll get for it: You'll get 35% of what they plan to sell it for if you take cash, and 55% if you're taking store credit. Price tends to be determined by quality, construction, and the material of an item. (They prefer natural fibers, so skip the polyester from Forever21.)

Image via ShopIkon

EVA GENTRY CONSIGNMENT
Address: 371 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn
High end or mainstream: High end
What you get for your clothes: Consignment
What you'll find inside: The shop might be in Brooklyn, but it feels like an edgy Manhattan boutique, with merchandise to match. On a recent trip, we found pieces from Prada, Dior, DVF, Alexander Wang, and Marni. In general, the labels tend to skew arty (think Margiela, not Jimmy Choo.) Everything is organized by color.
What you can sell: They're looking for in-season merchandise, so right now they'd like fall/winter. Pricing depends on the item.
How much you'll get for it: 40% of the selling price. At the end of the season, if your piece doesn't sell, they'll call you and give you two options: Either you can pick it up, or they'll donate it to CAMBA's women's rehabilitation and homeless shelters.

Image via Sammy Davis Vintage

ENCORE CONSIGNMENT
Address: 1132 Madison Avenue
High end or mainstream: High end
What you get for your clothes: Consignment
What you'll find inside: Encore was the first designer consignment shop to open in the U.S.A., so there's a lot of history there. (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a customer.) The store occupies two floors, but it's still crowded, with labels like Fendi, Manolo Blahnik, and Carolina Herrera are jammed together on the racks.
What you can sell: Staffers are looking for seasonal merch from designers like Chanel, Gucci, and Prada. They'll ask the consignor to sign a contract, then negotiate the price, keeping in mind the condition of the item, the style, and the budget of their own customers.
How much you'll get for it: 50% of the asking price, assuming it sells within a month. If the piece costs under $400, they mark it down 20% after 30 days of not selling. If it's over $400, they mark it down 20% after 60 days. After three months, you'll have the option to pick it up if it hasn't sold.

Image via Harlem +Bespoke

TRUNK SHOW CONSIGNMENT
Address: 275-277 West 113th Street
High end or mainstream: Mixed, but mainly high-end
What you get for your clothes: Consignment
What you'll find inside: Everything from Givenchy and Chanel to Alexander Wang and Rick Owens. The store also carries merchandise from local emerging designers as part of its "Designer Spotlight" program.
What you can sell: It has to be seasonal, but otherwise, the options are wide open. They're not looking for any particular labels????just pieces that fit current trends and make sense with the young, luxe vibe of the store.
How much you'll get for it: They usually price pieces at 50% off retail, but if the item is recent, in great condition, and highly desirable, it could be closer to 25% or 30% off. You have the option to consign for 30, 60, or 90 days, and the staff will work with you to make sure your merchandise sells.

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Ina

15 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012 Visit Website

Beacon's Closet - Williamsburg

88 North 11th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 Visit Website

Tokio 7

83 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10003 Visit Website