Best Consignment Shops in New Orleans
If you've got quality clothing, furniture, or vintage items sitting around your New Orleans home, consignment shops are a legitimate way to turn them into cash. Unlike selling online where you handle shipping and deal with no-shows, consignment shops take the work out of the equation. You drop off your stuff, they sell it, and you split the proceeds. Most shops in New Orleans pay out between 30-50% of the selling price, which isn't bad considering you're not doing any of the selling yourself. The catch is timing: you're waiting for someone to actually buy your items, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months. But if you're not in a huge rush, consignment is a solid way to clear space and make money simultaneously.
Clothing and Fashion Consignment
New Orleans has a strong secondhand fashion scene, especially in neighborhoods like the Marigny and Lower Garden District. Vintage and designer clothing moves faster here than in most cities, so you can expect to see payouts within 4-8 weeks if your items fit current trends.
- What sells best: Designer brands, vintage pieces from the 70s-90s, quality denim, leather jackets, and anything with local New Orleans flair
- What doesn't sell: Stained items, outdated fast fashion, anything with missing buttons or broken zippers
- Realistic payouts: You'll typically get $5-25 per regular item, $30-80 for designer pieces, and $15-50 for vintage finds. Bring 10-15 items and expect $100-300 if the shop accepts everything
- Time frame: Items usually sell within 4-8 weeks. If nothing sells in 90 days, most shops donate or return items
Before you go, wash everything and make sure it's in good condition. Consignment shops in New Orleans will reject items that look worn or dingy, even if they're designer. One shop might reject an item while another accepts it, so don't get discouraged if your first stop turns things down.
Furniture and Home Goods
The secondhand furniture market in New Orleans is surprisingly active because locals are always renovating shotgun houses and rental properties. Mid-century modern pieces, solid wood furniture, and vintage decor do especially well here.
- What sells: Vintage dressers, wooden tables, mid-century chairs, mirrors, lamps, and anything with character or good bones
- What doesn't sell: Particle board furniture, torn upholstery, stained cushions, and obviously broken pieces
- Realistic payouts: You'll receive $30-150 per item depending on size and condition. A decent dresser might net you $60-100; a solid dining table could bring $150-250
- Logistics: Many furniture consignment shops offer pickup for larger items, but some require you to drop off. Call ahead to ask
The key with furniture is that it needs to be clean and functional. Even small damage like a wobbly leg or a scratch matters more with furniture than with clothing. If it's worth fixing, consider spending $20-40 to tighten up the piece before consigning it.
Vintage and Specialty Items
New Orleans is a city full of collectors, which makes it a great place to sell vintage goods, music, books, and collectibles. Shops specializing in vintage items often have customers specifically hunting for quality pieces.
- What moves: Vinyl records (especially jazz and funk), vintage band t-shirts, collectible action figures, antique jewelry, old cameras, and New Orleans-themed memorabilia
- Payout expectations: Vinyl ranges from $1-15 per record depending on condition and rarity. Vintage tees bring $10-40. Collectibles vary wildly but expect 40% of the asking price
- Competition factor: Your items are competing against every other consignment inventory, so condition and rarity matter more
Getting Started
Check with the consignment shop about their specific requirements before you go. Some shops are picky about brands, condition standards, and item categories. A few places require you to get items appraised beforehand. Most will tell you within a day or two whether they'll accept your items.
Ready to find consignment shops in your New Orleans neighborhood? Search the WhoPaysMe Now directory at whopaysmenow.com/consignment to see current locations, hours, and what types of items each shop accepts.