You Can Be Fashionable While Still Being Frugal
Consignment Stores Can Add Uumph! To Your Home Without Arghh! To Your Pocketbook
TORONTO, Oct. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Christmas is coming and with it, the annual shopping frenzy. But one can avoid all the rushing and the congested parking lots and still get great gifts for their loved ones without a huge hit to their pocket book. So, how does one mix elegance, sophistication, functional and fun without spending a lot of money? Everyone loves to have the finer things in life but they typically come with a hefty price tag when buying new. However, buying quality household items that have been previously used but well taken care of can add a great deal of character and pizzazz to the home at a fraction of the cost.
Take furniture for example. When comparing prices, good quality used wood furniture can last a lifetime, even for a second owner. However, it can be purchased for much less than what comparable new furniture made of particle board can be today. Wood furniture can also be refinished to the exact taste of the buyer to match perfectly with their existing décor.
"You can't go wrong investing in good quality used furniture" says Viraf Baliwalla, owner of Transition Squad's Consignment Outlet. "These kind of items don't continuously depreciate like cars do. Buyers can get good use out of such items for several years and then can probably still sell them for most, if not all, of what they paid, all the while enjoying their beauty and functionality".
Good quality furniture and other gently used items can best be found at consignment stores. You may also be lucky enough to find them on online classifieds sites like Kijiji and Craigslist but often, the quality pieces are snapped up by dealers as soon as they are posted and then resold at their own retail locations for much more money.
Shopping at a consignment store is an experience like no other. First, there is the thrill and gratification of finding that one unique piece that will complement your style. Second, you will most likely never have to worry about a guest who has bought the same item. Consignment items are typically one of a kind. Third, there is the beauty, quality, pride and craftsmanship that went into making vintage items - they just don't make them like they used to. And of course, there is thrill of victory when keeping the difference and doing other fun things with the money. People can even use their imagination to turn one type of item into something completely different.
"One lady bought a beautiful old dresser. She intends to gut the insides and convert it into a gorgeous pedestal sink" adds Baliwalla. "The sky is the limit on ideas and possibilities".
Every consignment store is unique and carries different stock. While some consignment stores are focused only on clothes, others offer a much more diverse set of household items for every room in the home. On the low end, there are the thrift shops. Conversely, some stores offer only things that would be considered antique or very high end. In every case, there are consignment stores that cater to every type of item and budget.
Toronto based Transition Squad Consignment Outlet specializes in mid to high end furniture, antiques, collectables, china, crystal, and more. They obtain their inventory by helping seniors downsize and working with families going through a parent transition. Buyers can purchase items at the store or order online through their website, www.TransitionSquad.com, and have it shipped throughout North America. All inventory is online.
Here are examples of items sold from Transition Squad's Consignment Store:
- Server - Can be used for a variety of items and storage. This client uses it as a bar
- Wrought Iron Coner Table and Chair Set - Can be used in multiple ways, breakfast nook to main dining set where space is an issue
- Teak Dining Set - This too can be used in multiple ways, as well as a sunroom environment
- Barrister Bookcases - These antique bookcases are stackable, made with leaded glass
SOURCE: Transition Squad
For media inquiries, Viraf Baliwalla can be reached at (416) 249-4049 x303 or [email protected]
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