What Hertel Home Consignment is and why it matters to resellers
Hertel Home Consignment is a brick-and-mortar consignment shop that focuses on furniture and home goods. Think sofas, dining sets, rugs, lighting, wall art, mirrors, and the kind of decor that makes a room feel finished. It’s curated, it’s staged, and it draws steady local traffic because people can see pieces in person and take them home fast.
For professional resellers, it can be useful two ways. First, as a sourcing spot: you can find underpriced solid-wood pieces, mid-century lighting, or quality rugs that need better photos, better copy, or a new market. Second, as a sales channel for bulky items you don’t want to ship. The store handles floor space, buyers, and pickup. You handle the find and the prep. If you’re moving estates, storage units, or house cleanouts, consigning selected pieces here can turn inventory faster than parking it in a warehouse.
Bottom line: it’s a local engine for turning big, stylish items into cash without packing peanuts and freight quotes.
First-time checklist: how to buy or consign at Hertel
Call ahead and ask what they’re accepting now. Many shops cycle categories (e.g., “no sofas this week, yes to lighting and dining chairs”). Save the trip.
Get their approval process. Some stores want photos and dimensions by email/text first. Snap pics in daylight and include measurements and any flaws.
Ask about pricing and markdowns. Do they price, do you, or is it collaborative? How often do prices drop, and by how much? This affects your profit math.
Prep your items. Clean thoroughly, tighten hardware, touch up nicks. Bring missing parts (shelf pins, bolts, finials). Tape a bag of hardware under a table.
Plan transport and access. Measure doorways, hallways, and your vehicle. Bring blankets, straps, and a dolly. If they offer pickup/delivery, ask the fee and schedule.
Track your consignment. Get a receipt listing each item, initial price, term length, and payout timing. Put the review dates on your calendar so you’re not surprised.
Pricing, payouts, and timing: what to expect and what to ask
Every consignment store has its own rules, but the questions are the same. Ask them directly so you can forecast profit and cash flow:
Commission split: What’s the store’s share on furniture vs smalls? Are there cleaning or staging fees?
Term length: How many days on the floor before you must pick up or allow donation? Are extensions allowed?
Markdown cadence: Do prices drop at set intervals (e.g., day 30/60/90) or by manager discretion? Can you set a minimum?
Payout schedule: When do they cut checks or issue ACH? Monthly, biweekly, after sell-through?
Damage/loss policy: Who eats the cost if something is damaged on the floor? What about theft?
Logistics: Do they have delivery partners? Will they hold sold items for buyers? Can they accept floor-model test periods?
On pricing: don’t swing for the fences on big pieces unless the brand, style, and condition justify it. A solid-wood six-drawer dresser with dovetail joints and smooth glides? Price with confidence. A veneer side table with edge peel? Price to move. Rugs sell on size and condition first; style second. Art sells on subject, size, and frame quality—skip cheap frames with wavy plexi unless the art is strong.
Mistakes to avoid at Hertel Home Consignment
Bringing “project” pieces that still need love. If the store has to stage, clean, or repair, your margin shrinks or they won’t take it.
Forgetting dimensions. Buyers care about height, width, depth, and seat height. If you can’t answer fast, you lose the sale window.
Ignoring seasonality. Patio sets in late fall and heavy wool rugs mid-summer will sit. Time your drop-offs to when buyers are shopping that category.
Missing hardware. A dresser without pulls or a table without leaves or levelers tanks value. Bag, label, and attach every part.
Not clarifying markdowns in writing. “We mark down sometimes” is not a plan. Get the cadence and floor price on your intake sheet.
Buying to flip without checking transport costs. A $120 profit can vanish with one paid delivery or a second truck run.
Skipping odor checks. Smoke, mildew, or strong perfume are deal breakers for upholstery and rugs. Don’t consign what you wouldn’t put in your own living room.
