FRATZ’ Consignment Newsletter
Editor: Yvonne Gay
Issue Number 5
December, 2004
Letter From The Editor:
We have tried to be very good this year! First I will tell you just
how good we have tried to be and then I will tell you what we
wish for the upcoming year.
Our little store has been bustling (
). We have been getting things in, putting things out, selling
things and generally trying to spread good cheer! Our number
one priority has been making everyone as happy as possible.
We have found that when you do your best people make you
cookies (
We too, have had some very busy elves! If you stop by the store
(
) you will see that we have quite a few
very clever “helpers”. They work so hard and keep that holiday
cheer all year around. We never underestimate their value in the
FRATZ’ experience (
).
Oh sure, we have made some mistakes, but we always try to
make it right. We have added a communication book to improve
our ability to serve our customers and consignors more
effectively. We have added more staff to keep the place spickand-span. And we added another computer so Linda can get the
book work done a little more easily (
).
With the holiday season upon us we reflect back on the friends
that we continue to enjoy and the new friends that are ahead of
us. We have shared their joys and their sorrows and we have
prayed that they have the strength to face their challenges.
FRATZ’ is special because our employees, consignors and
customers have made it that way! We promise to never forget
that we depend on them to make this business a success (
:
•Pounds of candy
provided in 2004:
240.
•Total Number of
items consigned in
2004: 58,000.
•Number of
Consignors:
1450.
•Most unusual manner of bringing in a piece of furniture: In a
fishing boat on a trailer (
).
•Funniest thing heard in the store: “I fell asleep on the couch
and now someone has bought what I was thinking about buying”.
•Longest nap taken in the store: About one hour (
).
•Farthest distance news travels: Florida. A customer reports
being at a hurricane party in Florida when a party-goer was
overheard talking about her favorite (
) consignment store in
Michigan. Turns out that store was FRATZ’. Judged the favorite
among party-goers in the windy state of Florida! (
).
).
Now for that wish list! FRATZ’ has some wishes for next year:
Our most important wish is that FRATZ’ continues to be a place
where friends can gather. A place where consignors and
customers will be treated with friendliness, fairness, courtesy and
respect. A place where people can always come to get a cup of
coffee and some friendly conversation. We also wish for MORE
cookies! For our friends we wish the best of health and
happiness for the upcoming year.
Happiest of holidays to you and your families! We raise our
gently used (
) glass in a toast to all of you!
Mama FRATZ’ (Connie), Linda and Yvonne
•Number of families working at FRATZ’: 5. We now have 5
Mom’s working at the store (
”). Roll-call: Mama FRATZ’ and her 2 daughters
Linda and Yvonne, Linda and her daughter Whitney, Ann and her
son Andrew, Pam and her daughter Sarah (A.K.A. Wish Goddess)
and Ruth with her daughter Haley and her son Yuri. Now if we
could just get Terri’s daughter to join the team!
•Number of donuts and cider consumed at our First Annual
Hunter’s Widow Weekend Event: 19 dozen and 7 gallons of
apple cider
).
•Newest Annual Event: Hunter’s Widow Weekend. (
).
FRATZ’ Consignment Newsletter
December, 2004
Page 3
FRATZ’ is a great place to express your creativity in gift
giving.
Gift baskets: You can assemble your own gift baskets.
Some that were created last season include a candle
basket, a picnic wine basket, vintage linen basket,
wine and cheese serving basket (
!), vintage Christmas tree ornaments
and a tea party in a basket. If you would like some
help locating unique items for your gift basket we will
be happy to help.
If you have your eye on a little something for
yourself FRATZ’ is now offering a Gift Registry.
You may leave your name and Item Number
Wishes at the front desk. Then all you have to do is
direct your spouse or that special friend to the store
and we will direct them to your gift. (
).
FRATZ’ sells Gift Certificates which
remain valid for 1 year after the
date of issue.
Don’t forget about those White
Elephant gift exchanges. We have
a unique selection of gifts that will
bring a smile to the Grinch himself.
Antique furniture makes a very nice gift.
Give a Poinsettia in a vintage planter or antique crock.
Books always make nice gifts. FRATZ’ has some
great gardening, and cookbooks in like-new
condition.
If you are looking for a gift in its original box, items that
have their original boxes are noted on the price tag.
Boxes are kept behind the counter.
Income Tax Updates
FRATZ’ Wanted List
•Electric and hand-crank meat grinders
•Large covered roasters
•Dressers and night stands
•Military items
•Old tools
•McCoy pottery
•Collector’s price guide books
•Children’s videos
•Tupperware
•Footstools/Ottomans
•Recliners
•Use peanut butter to remove sticker residue. (
).
•Use Vaseline to bring dry wood back to life. Apply a
thin layer of Vaseline then rub clean and buff to a
shine.
•Do not store vintage linens in plastic. Wrap them in
acid free tissue paper and store them in a box or
drawer. Roll them or lay them flat to avoid creases.
•To estimate the cost of having a chair re caned count
the holes around the area to be caned and multiple by
.75 cents.
•Pewter should never be placed directly on wood - it
can darken the wood. Use a coaster!
).
•Furniture sliders found in the store belong to FRATZ’ please don’t take them.
FRATZ’ Consignment Newsletter
December, 2004
Page 2
•If you are consigning an item that you will be picking up
before the 20% or 50% discount please let us know. We
will pass the information on to any customers who might
be waiting for the item to be discounted.
•Have your eye on a special piece? There is no
guarantee that the consignor will leave it through the
whole discount period. If we know that the consignor will
be picking it up early we will let you know.
•Garage sale season is over (
). Time to de clutter
the basement, crawl into the attic and make room for the
car in the garage. One or two boxes a week and by spring
you’ll be clutter free!
•FRATZ’ now offers a Gift Registry service. You may ask
for a Gift Registry form to include your name and a list
of items that you would like (
).
•FRATZ’ Drop-n-Go service is an OPTIONAL service. If
you would prefer to wait while we enter your items we will
be happy to assist you. If you are using our DNG service
and are concerned about pricing then please provide an
itemized list with your
(not the amount you
would like after our consignment fee). An itemized list
does not assure that all your items will be accepted. Items
not accepted by FRATZ’ will be donated or discarded.
•Contrary to popular belief, winter is not a slow time at
FRATZ’. The heat is on and the coffee is ready. We see an
increase in sales of kitchen items, videos, bedding and
furniture.
•Reminder: New Policy Effective November
1, 2004. FRATZ’ Consignment will no longer
itemize items $3.00 or less. This means that
you will get a count of the number of items
$3.00 or less (and be paid for them when
they sell) but there will not be a description
and therefore you will not be able to retrieve
these items at the end of the consignment
period. If you have an item priced 3.00 or
less that you do not want to donate at the end
of the consignment period then we recommend that you do
not consign the item.
•FRATZ’ has updated the Consignor Agreement. The new
contract includes our Drop-n-Go policy and consignment
of low-cost items. You will be asked to sign a new contract
for our records.
•FRATZ’ maximizes the space available. If you want a
piece that is hard to reach or being used to display items
we will be happy to help. Don’t be shy - we have a lot
of experience clearing off and carrying out to cars. We
are here to help!
•Clearance items are items that have become the
property of FRATZ’ Consignment. Customers frequently
ask when an item will be reduced to the clearance price.
The answer is: We don’t know. It might be sold or
picked by by the consignor at the end of the consignment
period, never making it to clearance.
•If you purchase linen that has a stain - you can take it
home and wash it. If the stain doesn’t come out you can
return the linen. Remember you have
3 days to return it and you
have
your receipt.
•FRATZ’ is always getting new items.
Feel free to peek in the back to see
what’s new. Items are for sale only
when they have a price tag.
•If you are picking up items that are
on layaway or sold items being held for you, please
bring your receipt with you.
•If the coffee pot is empty, let us know and we will brew
some more!
•Recovering a dining chair seat? Use the original fabric
as the pattern and you will have a perfect fit!
•When buying at auctions don’t overlook the Box Lots”.
You get a lot of bang for your buck.
The newsletter is now available on our website www.fratzconsignment.com
December, 2004
Page 4
By PEGGY MIDDENDORF
Parenting New Hampshire, August 2004
(
The love-to-buy set lives to brag about finding a bargain. At consignment shops bargains abound! There are consignment stores for everything
from clothes, toys and baby equipment to books, computers and sporting equipment. And shoppers can save money, because the prices are deeply
discounted from the original retail price tag.
But how can you get the best deal when shopping consignment? Here are some tips:
1. Before you go shopping for clothes, evaluate your wardrobe. A beautiful purple silk blouse for $3 is a great bargain only if you have
something to wear with it.
2. When buying clothes for your children, jot down sizes, their needs and tastes in color and style. Most consignment shops have a limited returns
or no-return policy. Be sure you have the right size - especially if your child isn't with you to try it on - before you buy. (
)
3. Know the retail prices for merchandise. Just because it's on sale at a consignment store doesn't mean that it's a good price.
4. Carefully inspect the clothes, furniture and other items. Expect some wear, but check for spots, stains and other problems. Most stores are
particular about the quality of merchandise they consign, but a stain can slip by the most diligent store owner.
5. Visit your favorite shops often and get to know the owners. Since the inventory changes daily, most shop owners are willing to call you if you're
looking for a particular color, style or item. (
)
6. Shop a variety of stores. Many stores specialize in different items or styles of clothing such as children's only, women's only or formal clothing.
Plus, you'll find a different selection at every store.
7. Sell your own clothing and goods at a consignment store. Encourage your teens to clean out their closets and bedrooms and earn some extra
cash by selling clothes and items they no longer need or want.
8. Shop the discounted rack at the consignment store for the best buys. These items are usually out-of-season clothing or items that have been on
consignment for more than 90 days. (
!)
9. Shop in advance of a popular holiday. For instance, don't wait until late October to look for a Halloween costume.
10. Ask if there is any room to negotiate on a price. Some stores will haggle on a price, but don't expect it at half price. (
.)
When selling your clothes at a consignment shop:
1. Most shops only accept clothing by appointment. (
)
2. Items are usually left on a 90 day contract with the shop and the consignees each receiving 50 percent of the selling price, after it is sold.
(FRATZ’
)
3. Some shops also charge a yearly service charge. (
)
4. Some stores are cropping up that will buy your gently-worn clothing and other items outright -- no need to wait until it sells. The price might be
slightly lower than a typical consignment store, but the store assumes all the risk of selling the items.
4. Policies vary from shop to shop, check with your local shop for their guidelines. (
).
Next FRATZ’ Newsletter March 2004. Suggestions and comments are always welcome! The newsletter is now available on our website!