Navigating Designer Wedding Dress Consignment: What Brides Need to Know

The consignment process for used designer wedding dresses involves several steps a buyer and seller should consider. 

For Sellers:

• Pricing: Consignment stores will typically evaluate the dress and suggest a price based on its original cost, condition, and current market demand. Sellers should be prepared to provide purchase receipts or proof of authenticity to help establish a fair price.
• Effective Online Listing: If you choose online wedding dress consignment, high-quality pictures are crucial to showcase the dress's details and condition to potential buyers.
• Ensure you take photos in good lighting to highlight the fabric and intricate designs.
• Capture multiple angles, including close-ups of any unique features or embellishments.
• Include photos of the dress being worn to give potential buyers a sense of fit and flow.
• Authenticity Checks: Reputable consignment stores will perform authenticity checks to ensure the dress is a genuine designer piece. This may include examining labels, stitching, materials, and any accompanying documentation. Kleinfeld Again completes a thorough, video-recorded inspection of all sold gowns before they are sent to the buyer.  
• Preparation and Delivery: The dress should be professionally cleaned and in excellent condition before it is consigned. Sellers will either deliver the dress to the store or ship it, following the store's guidelines.

For Buyers:

• Pricing: Buyers can expect to pay a fraction of the original price for a designer wedding dress. Prices are set based on the dress's condition, age, and demand. Consignment stores and websites like Kleinfeld Again provide detailed descriptions and photographs to help buyers make informed decisions. 
• Authenticity Checks: Buyers benefit from the authenticity checks performed by the consignment store, ensuring that they are purchasing a genuine designer dress. Kleinfeld Again hand inspects all sold dresses before they are delivered to the seller to ensure listing accuracy and dress quality. 
• Consignment Store Policies: Buyers should familiarize themselves with the store's return policies, layaway options, and any guarantees offered. For online wedding consignment, the seller often has the option to accept returns. Be sure you review each listing carefully so you know the seller’s terms.  

Insights:

• Pricing: Both parties should be aware that consignment stores take a commission, which can affect the final sale price for sellers and the purchase price for buyers.  For online consignment websites, this can vary.  Kleinfeld Again is a commission-free marketplace where sellers pay a monthly listing fee with multiple upgrade options.  
• Authenticity Checks: Ensuring the authenticity of the dress protects both buyers and sellers from fraud and maintains the integrity of the consignment process.
• Consignment Store Policies: Understanding the store's policies helps manage expectations and ensures a smooth transaction for both parties.

Using consignment for designer wedding dresses offers a sustainable and cost-effective option for brides-to-be, while also providing a venue for previous owners to recoup some of their investment.

Lisa Fuhrman