What is consignment?

By the looks on peoples' face when the come into our shop, they aren't seeing what they expected to see. I guess this is a good thing. I keep hearing, "I thought this was a consignment ship?" To which I reply, "it is." Then they go on to say that the stuff looks new. Well some of it is new and some of it isn't. I think the word "consignment" conjures up images of used, sometimes smelly furniture and George Foreman grills! In actuality, consignment just means that you are selling something for someone and you get a percentage of the proceeds. I guess the word "commission" would work just as well, but it would look funny on my sign! So if anyone asks, just tell them we aren't your usual consignment shop!