I have been a shopper and also consignor at Karen's for probably about 10 years now. I'd give a…read morefull 5 stars if only reviewing for the consigning experience, so I'll start there:
Consignment Experience:
I generally do pretty well selling items here. While the payoff is not immediate, you get a lot more money than selling things at places like Platos Closet, which offer comically low amounts for gently worn clothes, then turn around and sell them for nearly full price. However, it takes a bit of work, so I think it's really only worth it to bring in 30 items at a time (this is the max you can bring in without an appointment). I now live in Chicago but still have family in the area and continue to bring my clothes here because I trust the business. They have never screwed me over payment and I feel they are honest with what is sold versus not sold and then donated. Here are my tips for bringing in items:
-First and foremost, items must be on hangers when you bring them in! They won't go through your stuff if it's not hung up.
-Like I mentioned, you need an appointment if you have over 30 items (shoes, accessories, etc included!). Don't be a jerk - it takes them a while to go through and many people bring things in on weekends, so stick to the rules.
-Make sure items are CLEAN and WRINKLE FREE. I usually inspect and steam anything I'm bringing in. This takes time, so it's another reason I wait to go until I have a lot of stuff piled up. They will NOT take wrinkled clothes.
-If you bring shoes, make sure they are clean on the outside AND the inside. I have had shoes turned away for dark marks on the insoles. If you clean them out they will still take gently used shoes.
-Only bring in items that are in season. They start to take winter stuff in like October, and spring stuff maybe in March. Call before to be sure before you lug anything in.
-They will take some older styled things, but usually only if they are designer. I wouldn't really bother with vintage or something more than 2-3 years old unless designer.
-They usually take career wear (blazers, skirts, pants, oxfords, etc) any time of year, but I have had some trouble selling career dresses in the winter (even though they go with tights).
-In the past couple of years my experience has been they do not take destroyed denim or anything other than skinny fit jeans. Double check before you take denim in.
-Sometimes, if one associate does not take your items, you can bring it in when another is working and they may take it. My mom swears by this but I don't care to waste my time! Chances are, if they pass the first time, no one will buy it anyway.
-If you want your items back at the end of the consigning period, make sure to let them know, otherwise they will get donated.
For the shopping experience, I'd give Karen's 3 stars (hence the 4 star average). While I do think you can find some good deals, especially when they have sidewalk sales, a lot of the items I find here are marked too high for a second hand shop. If I can go to a 'mall store' and get the item brand new for only $5-10 more, chances are I'm going to do that. Also, while they have gotten better about organization in the past couple of years with the expansion, it really is hard to find the good stuff with the way the store is laid out. You have to sort through a lot of 'why would they even take this' to find anything worth trying on. I've found a couple of good deals here items, but normally I just shop around to busy myself while they look at the clothes I bring in.
