Learning the ABCs of Consignment

Trying to sell that Ashley sofa that's been slowly collecting dust in the guest room? Or wanting to replace your headboard in the master bedroom? 

may be the answer for that loveseat, framed painting or one-of-a-kind lamp. Having opened their doors in February, owners Andrea Cerrillo and Gabriela Da Silva (friends both from Uruguay) sell clients' home items that are often times extraordinary, unique and custom-made.

Since opening, Cerrillo and Da Silva have expanded the store by adding a second room and clothing to the consignment model. Patch sits down with them on one of their exquisite sofas to talk about their shop.

Patch: How did you get into the consignment business?

Gabriela Da Silva: My husband was working with a consignment store before, and he does furniture, furnishings and upholstery.

Andrea Cerrillo: The idea began with him, and we're moms, so we had to have good hours to work. We can manage our time [with the store].

Patch: Explain the process of consignment. Do I just come in and say that I want to sell, say, my couch?

Cerrillo: Yes, you can come with the couch, but you can also email us a picture and we tell you how much it's worth. If it's good for the store and you're OK with the sale price, we say it's OK to bring it here. 

Da Silva: Also, when the items are 30 days in the store, they are 25 percent off. And when they are 60 days in the store, they are half price. Not all the furniture is, though, because we respect the owner and the [value of the product]. Sometimes the owner doesn't want the 50 percent off, so we stop with 25 percent off.

Cerrillo: But we're trying to sell fast. That's why we offer the discount policy. We try to make it more economic to always have different stuff.

Da Silva: We have customers that come every week or three days because new stuff is coming in all the time.

Cerrillo: Every week, you will come and see something that is new that you didn't see the week before. We thought that in tough economic times, it's a good idea to try to help people sell their stuff and offer them good furniture for good prices.

Patch: Totally. So you guys have furniture, rugs, lamps...

Cerrillo: Decor, vases... We are looking for antiques, vintage, modern designs, unique designs and handcrafted items. We started clothing and shoes, too.

Da Silva: We have a wedding dress, also.

Patch: Do you have a favorite piece of furniture?

Cerillo: There's always something that you really like and when you sell it, you feel a little guilty because you want it for you, but because the inventory is always changing, you're always falling in love with something else. This is a business, and whatever comes here, we have to sell it.

Patch: Do you want to add anything?

Cerrillo: We try to make a good connection with the client. We always try to find something that goes with what they have in mind, and we're always trying to help them buy what they’re looking for.

Da Silva: It's good for clients to come and see what we have. We have unusual things that you won't see in Rooms to Go.