Your Handy Guide to Boston's Consignment Shops

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Welcome to Selling Stuff 101, a primer on the best local consignment and buy/sell/trade spots in Boston.

Between Black Friday, holiday presents, and end-of-December sales, we're all about to end up with stuff we might not want. So we thought we'd take this opportunity to shed light on some of the secondhand options around town, giving you a primer on how to unload your own pre-loved threads and pick up others at a discount.

There are certainly pros and cons to selling consignment versus buy/sell/trade (let's call it BST for short). For quick moolah, but possibly a smaller return, we recommend BST—and if you want to increase the paid value, you can opt for store credit rather than cold hard cash. Rescue, The Garment District, and Buffalo Exchange are the major players here, with Rescue at the top of the designer food chain.

Consignment is a bit trickier, as you aren't paid until a customer purchases. But patience can result in real rewards with a higher earned percentage landing in your wallet. The Closet, Second Time Around, and Poor Little Rich Girl are all award winners in this category.

Throughout this next week, we'll be digging into each of these noteworthy retailers, starting off with The Garment District in Kendall Square.

Dubbed "An Alternative Department Store," this Cambridge spot is loaded to the brim with contemporary clothing, vintage from the '50s through the '90s, a costume floor, and "by the pound" shopping for men, women, and children. With the exception of a neon pink stripe hugging its perimeter, the 200 Broadway building is otherwise rather unassuming—a stark contrast from the colorful clothes inside.

The Garment District is open for purchasing on a walk-in basis from Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 7pm. Get 30% of the suggested retail price in cash or 60% in store credit. They are currently accepting men's and women's clothing and handbags from the last three years, '60s and '70s originated items, and band tees.
· The Garment District [Official Site]
· All Selling Stuff 101 posts [Racked Boston]