What's the diff? Resale/Consignment vs. Thrift

It's true that you can find smokin' deals among the crowded racks in a thrift store. And there's really nothing like the thrill of the successful hunt when you emerge from searching through dozens of racks with a pair of designer jeans for just $2. Thrift store bargains are certainly out there to be found from time to time. More often, though, die-hard thrift store shoppers either leave empty handed or having settled for a couple of so-so items for incredible prices. As any hard core thrifter will tell you, you must be willing to troll your favorite stores weekly (or even more often) to find those truly great pieces.

Don't have the time? (Who does these days?!) Resale and Consignment shopping might be the solution for you. While it's still a good idea to visit your favorite resale store often. Because inventory is arriving daily, no matter when or how often you visit you're still likely to find some things that work for you while maintaining both your budget and your standards.

What makes the difference? Here are a few thoughts...

First, resale/consignment stores screen every single piece that goes on to the racks. They don't allow damaged, stained, holey, mislabeled, or otherwise unfit items to make it onto the sales floor. Thrift stores get their inventory for free and there is little or no screening of items; they are simply tagged (or not) and put out for sale. Thrift stores have nothing to lose by putting out a pair of jeans with a ripped seam or a shirt with missing buttons which, unfortunately, you might not notice until you've gotten the item home. On the other hand, resale/consignment stores actually have to pay for their inventory so it is in their best interests to only accept for sale those items that are in excellent condition.

Second, resale/consignment stores are usually organized well. Thrifts stores typically have some very basic organization, like "all the shirts are together on these seventeen racks," but you will still spend a significant amount of time pawing through the racks to find the right sizes, colors, and styles that you want. Even if you visit weekly, this type of system means you have to go through all seventeen racks again, piece by piece, to see what might have arrived since your last visit. Resale/consignment stores will be organized much more like a retail store with easily discernible categories. Born Again, for example, has separate racks for Juniors tops, Misses tops, designer jeans, other jeans, pants and capris, shorts, swimsuits, formals, wedding gowns, casual dresses and skirts, and more. Further, each of these racks is then organized first by size and then by color. That means you can find exactly what you're looking for quickly.

Next, resale/consignment store employees know how to help you. Looking for a pair of Silver Suki boot-cut jeans in a size 28x32? Odds are the resale/consignment shop helper will be able to tell you whether they have some and take you to the exact spot on the racks where they are located. In a thrift store...ummmmm, probably not. You might get a vague wave in the direction of the miles-long jeans racks and an amused smile along with a "Good Luck" from the person behind the counter.

Fourth, Dressing Rooms. This might seem like an odd one, but it's personally important to me and I imagine that it matters to others, too. I'm the type of person who washes their hands in a public place and grabs paper towels to dry my hands and then use them to shut off the faucet and open the bathroom door without having to touch them with my clean hands. If I don't want to touch a doorknob with my bare hands, I sure as heck do not want to get naked in a filthy thrift store fitting room. Resale/consignment stores generally have well-maintained, clean dressing rooms that will not give you the heeby-jeebies (or some other disgusting bug) and will not require a head-to-toe sanitizing rinse upon exit.

Are thrift stores wonderful places to find the occasional designer piece at an unbelievable price? Yes. Do they serve their communities through various charitable endeavors? Of course. Are they the right choice for you? Maybe, but I hope I've given you some information that will be helpful to you in choosing where and when you shop and for what purposes. Perhaps the local thrift store is the ideal place to put together that drag queen Halloween costume you've been planning, or to find some scrappy men's tshirts for your kids to wear as aprons while finger painting.

To find those truly great pieces that you would love to buy new if you could, though, visit a resale/consignment store. Born Again Resale & Consignment is happy to serve you, to help you find what you love at a price that makes you smile. We specialize is bringing fabulous pieces together with fabulous people...psssst, that's YOU!

Stuff-A-Bag Sale Event

The Winter Stuff-A-Bag Sale Event is happening Saturday, February 4th... I love this time of year!

If you've never participated in one of our Stuff-A-Bag Sale Events this is your chance! You get to stuff a bag full of winter items for just $20/bag. There will be something for every Born Again customer:

Infant

Toddler

Teen/Junior

Misses

Shoes & Accessories

...and maybe some other surprises, too!

Come early as there is always a line. Watch for our traffic directors when you pull into the lot to help you find a safe parking spot. Heck, make it a Ladies' Day Out; carpool and then go have lunch afterwards and gloat about the fabulous bargains you scored!

We open at 10am. You'll start in the Stuffing Room, which is located in our Dress Shop (two doors down in the same building). We will have the sale items neatly organized and ready for you. A Stuffing Assistant will hand you a bag when you walk in the door. Stuff that baby FULL of all the good stuff you find. Ask for another bag if you need it; there's no limit to the number of bags you can stuff!

Our Stuffing Assistants are experts at fitting huge amounts of stuff in your bag, so ask for help to fit that extra piece you just HAVE to have. In fact, we do training to learn how to stuff the bags fuller. We have to be able to tie the handles of the bags but we WANT these items to find new homes so we will help you fit more in!

When you're done stuffing, hand your bag to a Stuffing Assistant. She will stash it for you so you can finish shopping hands-free, and hand you a voucher. Hold tight to that voucher because it serves TWO purposes in helping you;

First, it allows you to retrieve your stuffed bag(s) and...

Second...this is the best one...It's also a same-day coupon for $5 off in the main store where all the newly arrived clothing and accessories are making their debut!!!

Can you see why this is such a fun day?! You can score some serious swag and outfit the little ones, the teenagers AND yourself for, literally, pennies on the dollar!

Shop. Stuff. Save.

Oh yeah, baby.

Dress For Your Figure - the Pants Edition

There are so many choices out there! How's a girl to know what style will work for her, downplaying imperfections and accentuating the best features? Here's the skinny (excuse the pun):

For a straight figure of any size...

Lucky you! You can pull off just about any waist rise and style of leg. Avoid contoured waists. Look for pants that have a belt or pockets that will appear to add curviness.

If your bum needs filling out, try jeans or pants with pockets that have lots going on.

If you have a tummy...

Look for a wide waistband with at least a mid-rise. Straight-cut pants and jeans will lessen any contrast between a thicker middle and a slimmer bottom half. Avoid low-rise, pleats, belts and wide-leg pants.

(All of this fabulous info comes from the March 2011 issue of Real Simple)

The Story of the Jeans

The most common question we are asked: What does "consignment" mean and how does it work?


The dictionary definition of consignment, according to dictionary.com, is "goods sent to an agent for sale, with title being held by the consignor until a sale is made." Well, that was...informative.


I think what our potential new consignors really want to know is what will happen to their items and how will they get paid, right?! Instead of a dry and wordy explanation, we've put together a little slide show for your amusement and information...

The Story of the Jeans...A Consignment Love Story

Don't Bust Your Back-To-School Budget

So...your parental units have given you $300 to spend on back-to-school clothes. You want the hot brands but you also want to get lots of different pieces to mix and match. What do you do?

Here are some options:
-Drive to Spokane and buy the brands you love at Abercrombie, Hollister & American Eagle:

• Abercrombie jeans $40 (cuz they're on sale)


• American Eagle jeans $30 (cuz they're on sale)


• Hollister jeans $30 (cuz they're on sale)


• 2 American Eagle tshirts $40


• Hollister hoodie $70 (definitely NOT on sale)


• Abercrombie tshirts $24


• 2 Abercrombie long-sleeve shirts $76

...the last $30 you'll spend on gas and lunch. You got 9 fabulous pieces and will look trendy in hot labels for the first day of school!

-Or...you could stay right here in town and find "step down" labels at JC Penney's & Macy's:

• Arizona boot-cut jeans $28 (on sale)


• Levis superlow skinny jeans $35 (on sale)


• American Rag sweater $49


• Hoodie Buddie hoodie $27


• Olsenboye skirt $25 (on sale)


• Jolt khaki flare pants $48


• Sugar & Spice ruffled tank $15 (on sale)


• Olsenboye peasant top $25 (on sale)


• Self Esteem short-sleeve top $18 (on sale)


• Junk Food v-neck tshirt $22 (on sale)

...the last $8 could buy you a fast food lunch here in town! This nets you 10 pieces that are cute and you didn't have to drive two hours and waste precious clothes money on gas!

-OR...you can shop at Born Again Resale & Consignment and skip the long drive and the high prices:

• Abercrombie hoodie $15


• Extra Abercrombie hoodie $8 (on sale)


• Hollister jeans $20


• Abercrombie jeans $20


• American Eagle jeans $10 (on sale)


• Silvers jeans $25


• 3 Hollister tshirts $24


• 2 Abercrombie tshirts $16


• 3 American Eagle tshirts $20 (one on sale)


• American Eagle long-sleeve top $12


• Arizona khakis $11


• Hollister long-sleeve sweater $15


• 2 Abercrombie long-sleeve sweaters $23 (one on sale)


• American Rag short-sleeve sweater $8


• Aeropostale denim skirt $8


• Abercrombie denim jacket $20


• American Eagle windbreaker $12


• Hollister lined zip-up vest $12

...the last $21 will buy a sit-down lunch! At Born Again you get 24 items AND they are those brands you LOVE!!!

Smart teens & their moms shop at Born Again because it's...well, smart!!!

And all those clothes from last year that you DID buy at Hollister, Abercrombie, and American Eagle (and even JC Penneys & Macys) that are too small this year? CONSIGN THEM NOW to turn them into back-to-school shopping cash!

"Made in America"

It pleases me to hear so many people talking about only buying items that are proudly "Made in America." It's a good thing to support our national economy, American workers, and "Joe Six-Pack" from "Main Street, America."

Now there's the new push to "Shop Local" which is an even more directed campaign to not only keep American dollars in the United States but to keep your dollars in your own community.

What does "Made in America" really mean these days? What qualifies a product to wear that banner? Some items are "made" by American companies but assembled in a foreign manufacturing plant. Others are made partially from foreign parts but assembled in an American plant. Still others may be made wholly from American-made parts and processed into a final product in a U.S. plant but still be made by a foreign-owned company.

The Federal Trade Commission has laws that govern what can be officially (or implied to be) "Made in America" but one wonders how many slide by under the radar or squeak through unsubstantiated claims.

*For a more detailed (i.e. verbose and tedious) explanation you can read the question-answer-example format put forth on the Bureau of Consumer Protection's website.

I submit to you that one of the few transactions you can participate in that satisfies all these qualifiers is shopping resale and consignment. Though the original manufacturing of an item may be foreign, that original transaction is long over. Now the item is transformed! It is 100% American-owned, has been used and cared for by that citizen, and now has been put up for sale in an American-owned small business (probably on Main Street).

Who benefits? The consignor/owner of the item (your neighbor), the American small-business owner (your neighbor), employees of the business (yep, you guessed it; your neighbors), local economy, national economy, and YOU, the new owner of this freshly transformed new-to-you-and-now-fully-Americanized item. Is there anything more American than that?

Financial Focus

This article was provided by Stephanie Johnson, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. (Read through to the end for your chance to WIN!)

Here's Your Tax Season "Checklist"

Tax season is here. You've got until April 18, 2011, to file your taxes, so it is a good time to think about some moves to help improve your situation. With these thoughts in mind, here are some "tax-smart" moves to consider:

• Boost your 401(k) contributions.

By making pre-tax contributions to your 401(k), you can lower your adjusted gross income. And if your employer offers a "Roth" 401(k), you may want to take advantage of it. Your Roth 401(k) contributions are made with after-tax dollars, so you won't lower your adjusted gross income, but your account has the opportunity to grow tax-free, and any withdrawals you make during retirement won't be subject to income tax, provided you're at least 59-1/2 and you've held the account for at least five years.

• "Max out" on your IRA.

If you have a traditional IRA, your contributions may be tax deductible, and your earnings are always tax deferred, which means your money has the opportunity to grow faster than if it were placed in an investment on which you paid taxes every year. Taxes are due upon withdrawal and withdrawals prior to age 59-1/2 may be subject to a 10 percent IRA penalty. If you have a Roth IRA, the rules are similar to those governing a Roth 401(k): Your contributions aren't deductible, but your money has the opportunity to grow tax free, provided you've had your account at least five years and don't start taking withdrawals until you're 59-1/2. (You'll have to meet certain income guidelines to qualify for a Roth IRA.) You've got until the tax-filing deadline to contribute to your IRA for the 2010 tax year, for which the maximum contribution amount is $5,000, or $6,000 if you're 50 or older. And once you've "maxed out" on your IRA for 2010, you can start contributing for the 2011 tax year.

• Increase your 529 contributions.

By putting money into a 529 plan, you can help your children, or grandchildren, save for college. Earnings on a 529 plan have the opporunity to grow free of federal income tax, and withdrawals, if used for qualified higher education expenses, are also federally tax-free. Contributions may be eligible for a state income tax deduction or credit in certain states for residents who participate. Plus, by using the 529 plan to provide financial resources for your child, grandchild or other beneficiary, all or a portion of the gift may be removed from your taxable estate.

• Be charitable.

By contributing to a qualified charity, you can claim a deduction on your taxes, assuming, of course, that you itemize. And if you donate stocks or other assets, you can avoid paying capital gaines taxes, because it will be the charity, not you, that eventually sells the asset.

• Take advantage of favorable rates on capital gains and dividiends.

Recent tax legislation included a two-year extension on the maximum 15 percent tax rate on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends. As a result, you still have incentives to be a "buy-and-hold" investor and to seek out quality companies that can potentially pay dividends.

Although tax season may end in April, you can make tax-smart moves throughout the year. So keep your eyes open for these opportunities, and take full advantage of them.

(Edward Jones disclaimer: Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your qualified legal professional or tax advisor regarding your particular situation.)

Now for the good stuff: How to win & what you win!

Post a blog comment below telling us about some aspect of your "Tax Season Checklist": how you organize for tax time, whether you file yourself or have it done by someone else and why, what things you itemize, or simply what you got back and how you plan to spend it!

All comments received by midnight on March 31st will be entered into a random drawing to receive a FREE personal consultation with Stephanie Johnson of Edward Jones for your choice of a "Portfolio Review" OR "Planning for Your Child's Future." (She really is a fantastic, down-to-earth, common sense kind of gal, with real-world suggestions for all household income levels!)

Some things to remember:

• All comments are moderated. Your comment will not appear immediatly after you send it. Check back the next day to be sure. If your comment does not appear within 24 hours then it was NOT submitted properly. Please try again.
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Let the commenting begin! I'm interested in hearing from YOU! Tax time can be a stressful event and we can all use tips and advice to make it easier.