First of all, I want to say that the fist time I went, I got some great deals (http://mydefinitionofabargain.blogspot.com/2011/08/most-recent-bargains.html) but, I was attended poorly by a poor mannered teenager at the check out and was not pleased.
I just want to say that since then, that is the only time I have had an experience like that. Each time I have gone in lately, I am greeted by, what seems like, the owner. She is friendly, asks if I need help and lets me know the deals/sales going on. She even helped me find a dress for my brother's wedding when I was desperately searching. I was looking and looking and asked if she had anything red and semi formal and she said "We just got some new dresses in that would be perfect." and headed to the back to grab them. I reserved one and she held 2 others for my sisters to try on. Very helpful and accommodating, which is how a business should be run in my opinion.
Now for my review on the store and concept itself:
I love this store! For those of you who don't know how it works, here goes:
My Sister's Closet is a consignment store. Similar to the idea of a Plato's closet but slightly different. They sell New and Used items and right now, they only carry clothing for Women and girls.
They way it works, as I understand it, is you bring your gently used or new items in and they write down your info, you sign a consent type form to allow them to sell your things and then you let them know if you want the items returned back to you if they don't want them (which they call "no thank you's) or if you want them donated.
After they take your things they tell you to call back withing a week or so to check if you need to pick up no thank you's, if you wanted items back. Then the items they keep are placed out on the floor for 90 days (May be less if I remember right) and when an item of yours gets sold, you are credited half of the profit. Which is actually pretty good for a used item that you really didn't wear anyway, right?
If your items don't sell in that 90 day period, they donate them. And, with the money you earn, you can choose to apply it to a future purchase or take the cash instead. The money you earn is yours and you don't have to use it up in a certain amount of time. They keep track of it, and have it waiting for you whenever you need/want it.
The visual P.O.V. and set up of the store:
When you walk in, it doesn't look like a consignment store right away. It is clean, well kept and the front room is full of mostly new items and boutique style displays of jewelry and other things. They have their selection of new shoes up front as well. The dressing rooms are off to the side next to the register and are very nice, big and practical. Then the back of the store is where they have their used items. They have rows and rows of jeans. Their shirt racks are categorized by S M L etc. They have a section for little girls, skirts, dresses and they even have a movie area for the kids (awesome idea for those of us with kids) where they can hang out while you shop. They have a newer rack of formal dresses that you can rent or buy and I have even seen some wedding dresses on display before.
They have a clean bathroom in the back which is very appreciated by pregnant women, like myself ;)
Amongst all of this, there are shoes and purses placed all over the place through out the back.
And my favorite part of the store, is the 50% off wall located on the south wall in the back of the store. It is a great sized store for the inventory they have, not too small, not too big and empty looking.
Pricing and deals:
This store is great for those on a budget. You can find name brand, high quality items for 10% of the cost. Not only that, you can save money by bringing your things in and using the money you earn, to get different things. I look at it like trading the clothes you are tired of for clothes that is new and exciting BUT, you pay practically nothing! They do have the section up front where you can buy new and it isn't outrageously priced, it's about the same as any shop at the mall I would say.
Another great thing about the store, is that they have coupons! Crazy right? Yes, coupons that come in the mail every month (in the Home town values packet, I believe) to every household. I have seen anything from 20% off any purchase to 20% off any NEW item in the store. That means you get a discount off of already discounted items! Seriously, next time you need a shopping fix/therapy, this is the place to go. You won't feel bad afterward and you'll come out with some sweet deals.
Like I said before, there is a half off wall in the back and that, is where you get your crazy deals.
You can find nice dresses, skirts, pants, and shirts, for under 5 dollars!
If you are on a mega budget crunch, just take some of your cute and in season items in, wait for them to sell a few things and use your credit to get some new things. It's a total win win situation!
Why shop used???
Some people assume that if it's used, it must be dirty or old looking. That is probably the biggest misconception about consignment items. Yes, some clothing my look more worn than you'd like but, you don't have to buy that particular item. Keep looking until you see something that looks to your standards. I have seen things many many times in these types of stores that STILL have the original tags on. Which means, they haven't been used at all! It's THE BEST way to get genuine quality for a tiny percentage of the cost. On top of that, they sell items that may not be sold at the department stores anymore but, are still in style. It's also nice to buy things that aren't worn by everyone. You have more of a chance of an original wardrobe if you don't shop where the whole world is shopping. It's definitely a good way to build an unique wardrobe.
The catch:
I'm sure you are wondering what the catch is or if this is too good to be true right?
Wrong. I would say the only catch is the catch that comes with any store that sells used items, you HAVE to be willing to look through everything. You never know what you will miss or what you'll find if you don't. If you grew up shopping that way, it will come easily. If not, I suggest you train yourself to do so. It won't be easy at first but, if you really want to save your money and spend it more wisely, you've got to stop buying the first thing you see on display at the mall or settling for full priced items instead of shopping sales and clearance. You will be happier in the end and soon, it will become second nature. IF, you are serious about saving money. GOOD LUCK! Let me know if posting pics of the store would help and I'll get some on here.
These are my latest purchases from My Sister's Closet:
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| Motherhood Maternity Shirt/Dress Originally 8.00 Got it on the 50% off wall for 4 bucks! |
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| Leather, ankle strap wedges (wedges are my favorite) 8.00 |
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| Cute modest dress (modest dresses use more fabric which in turn, usually cost you more) only 10.00! |
My Verdict:
Give it a shot!
Next time you are in Spanish Fork and have the shopping bug, stop by My Sister's Closet and I doubt you will be disappointed :)
