HOW ONE TOWN SELLS USED GOODS

A Study of Six Thrift/Consignment Stores

Six Stores: Eco Fash-thrift store Round Robin- consignment Encore-Consignment Discovery Shop-Non Profit supports

American Cancer Society Repete-consignment Estatements-”Luxury” consignment

From Scrappy to Snappy

Store Front- Attractive sign-Name- Eco I guess it means recycled, but deceptive as items are not made of environmentally sustainable materials.

Nice big windows that let in light Smells-YuckLighting- entry has fluorescents, inside is soft track lighting with

tacky overhead

ECO-FASH of Los Altos, First Impressions

Help-leaves you aloneQuality of items- cheap but in good conditionPictures on wall-unnattractive in bad framesColor of interior, pale peachGeneral impression of well organized, well worn, really second hand

clothes, furniture and items. Loads of shoes on rackClientele- adults. all ages, mostly female.

ECO-FASH of Los Altos/Inside

Sign hidden by ordinary clothes/Designer merchandise- huh?

Storefront is very very ugly, in an ugly building Clerks, very friendly and ask if you want help Dark inside. Merchandise crowded. Dingy Lighting, ugly lacy curtains

ENCORE- First Impression

Sections are interesting- back room with hats- almost vintage. Great handbags, actually designersCentral display is great old jewelry. Also commissioned

contemporary handmade jewelry.Whole section of fur stoles/50’s -Dresses, skirts, blouses, very

mundane, nothing contemporary.Very, very dark inside, little natural or artificial lightEverything stuffed in.

ENCORE- Inside

In ugly building, with uninteresting sign and font Big picture window storefront with sometimes dressy clothes on

mannequin Entrance in a hallway with vintage looking outfit on mannequin Vintage and handmade jewelry in cases at entrance Straight ahead, green tiled walls, the kind that have holes for

hangin things on.

Round Robin- First Impressions

Very strange looking sales clerk. Overly made up middle aged, not very friendly.

Slightly better selection of clothes, especially dressy clothes way overpricedBack room for sale items- stuff is really cheap and looks it. Dressing room unappealing.Some natural lighting, but ugly overhead fixturesWall, peach colored tiles with pegboard holes

Round Robin/ Inside

Immediate draw as it is for a charity, has charity’s logo Storefront has interesting older pieces of furniture, which causes

one to look in. Inside first thing is furniture and china. China is very high quality, second hand Limoge, etc. Nice art work for sale on walls.

Discovery Shop-American Cancer Society, first impressions

Has a pleasant open and bright feelingSmall selection of clothing for men and women. Very good quality. Sales people are volunteers, usually seniors. Nicely dressed and very

friendly.Clientele tends to be seniors. High quality not contempory furniture

Discovery Shop, Inside

Attractive store front- dark stained wood exteriorFront Window has pretty clothes on display and window treatmentsSmall, but cozy.Walk in to a sitting area, with upholstered furniture, with chandelier

above. Never seen anyone sit there though.Great shoe rack and shoes on display

REPETER, First Impressions

Contemporary women’s clothing items. Very good quality but not designer level.

Shoes, dresses, very stylish, contemporary. One sale clerk, probably owner, always scurrying around fixing

things up, doesn’t seem to pay attention to client as they walk in. Nice dressing room, with pretty velvet curtain Clientele, fairly hip. 30’s and up.

Repeter/Inside

The sign is in script to reflect eleganceHigh end jewelry, covered when store is closed.Nice clothing on mannequin in the window.Never have seen a customer in the store.Salesperson immediately comes out from back to say hello and

approaches you Salesperson nicely dressed.

Estatements- First Impressions

Big, nicely framed mirrors and other decorative touchesLots of natural light Beautiful expensive current clothingStore gets darker further back you go as it ism long and narrow Attractive lighting fixtures thoughStore all in white an black color

Estatements- Inside