Jacquie Bennett

In today’s economic “crunch” it is every woman’s dream to be stylish for pennies less. Consignment and thrift store shopping is having a heyday. You can save up to 95 percent off retail prices if you shop smart. Here are 10 tips for the ins and outs of how to buy and sell gently used clothing: 1. Consignment stores will typically price your item at one third of the retail value. Once it sells, they’ll pay you 35 to 50 percent of that price, or a little more in store credit. 2. Each consignment store has a unique personality. Since a store’s inventory usually comes from the surrounding community, scout out neighborhoods. If you are after high end, classic pieces, head to a fancy neighborhood. If you are looking for funkier, more trendy items, check out a college area. 3. Buy brands you know and like. That way you’ll buy pieces that work with what you have and will fit as you expect them to. Always try on garments. Remember that the previous owner may have had them altered.