I just returned from a consignment shop where I dropped off 5 items. One, a Coach bag, was purchased by the lady doing my intake!
I had a habit of buying things then never using them or gifting them, as I intended. Now, I can clear those things out of my closets and make a little money from them, hopefully. I would love to find a good kids' shop to consign toys and kids' clothes.
Does anyone here consign? This shop charges an annual fee of $15, plus they keep 60% off the sale price but it benefits a local health organization, so I'm okay with those fees.
You say you "had a habit", so I'm guessing you've already realized this, but still it's something that some people overlook: If you're buying things new . . . then reselling them at a lower price, you'd be better off buying less in the first place. For example, if you buy the Coach bag for $400 (guessing that's a reasonable price) and resell it for $200, you're still losing $200. If it's not something you're going to use, you'd be better off not buying it in the first place.
Consigning, ebay, yard sales are a great way to recoup a portion of your costs in some situations (i.e., outgrown kids clothes), but don't ever buy things saying, "I'll just resell it if I don't use it".
As for the logistics of consigning, I have only one suggestion: Start small.
When my youngest no longer needed the crib, high chair, etc., I looked into consigning to get rid of the BUNCH of things that had accumulated in our house. All of the things were still in good condition, and it looked like a way to make more money than a yard sale (which means you're hoping that the right person comes by on the one day you're selling). I put a number of items into a store from which I'd been buying . . . but although I knew my stuff had "moved quickly", I had the devil of a time getting the owner to pay me. Now, years later, I can't remember the details, but it was always some excuse or another. I finally did get paid a portion of what she owed me, and I quit buying from her -- I didn't want to fuel her dishonesty. The second shop with which I consigned was much better: She offered a higher percentage of "payback" if it was issued as store credit rather than cash money, but her records were always up-to-date and immaculate. She was fair in her payments. Although that store wasn't at all convenient for me to visit, I stayed with them 'til my kids reached the point that their stuff was worn out rather than outgrown.
In retrospect, I should've put only a few items of clothing into the first store -- that way I wouldn't have had the crib, etc. all tied up with her, and I wouldn't have been so upset about her dishonesty when it came time to pay. So start small. Put in a few items, see how it goes. THEN clean out your closet and put in a larger amount of goods.
I thought I was the only one who said "duh"... 
