Consignment works like this: you bring your item to a shop, they inspect it for quality and condition, then display it for sale. You keep ownership until a buyer pays.
When the item sells, the shop takes their cut, typically 40% to 50%. You receive the remainder, usually within 2 to 4 weeks. Payment methods vary by store, from check to digital transfer.
I've walked through this process with sellers across the US. The ones who do best bring items that are clean, on-trend, and from recognizable brands. Shops in high-traffic markets like LA move quality pieces fast.
If nothing sells within the hold period, usually 60 to 90 days, you pick your items back up. The contract spells out every detail: the split, the timeline, and what happens to anything left unclaimed.