How to consign luxury items: a step-by-step guide
Luxury consignment is selling pre-owned designer goods through a trusted intermediary who authenticates, prices, photographs, and lists the item on your behalf. You keep ownership until it sells. The consignment partner takes a commission (typically 30-50%) and handles everything else. It's the lowest-effort way to sell a $3,000 handbag without dealing with scammers on marketplace apps.
At Retyche, we've processed over 34,000 authenticated items since 2019. The average consigned item sells within 30 days. Here's exactly how the process works, whether you're consigning your first Chanel Classic Flap or clearing out a closet of designer pieces.
Why consign instead of selling directly?
You could list that Hermès Birkin on Facebook Marketplace yourself. But here's what you'd be signing up for: fielding lowball offers, proving authenticity to skeptical strangers, handling shipping insurance for a $10,000 item, and absorbing the risk if a buyer files a false PayPal claim.
Consignment removes all of that. A consignment partner like Retyche brings an existing audience of luxury buyers (we have over 34,800 active customers), handles authentication so the buyer trusts the listing, manages professional photography, and takes on the risk of returns and disputes.
The trade-off is the commission. But for most people, the time savings and higher sale price (items sell for more on a trusted platform than on Kijiji) more than offset the fee.
How to consign luxury items in 7 steps
- Gather your item and any original packaging. Dust bags, boxes, receipts, and authenticity cards all increase resale value. A Chanel bag with the original box and card can sell for 10-15% more than one without. Don't worry if you've lost them. We accept items without packaging.
- Submit photos for a quote. Take clear photos of the front, back, base, interior, hardware, date code or serial number, and any flaws. At Retyche, you can submit through our online consignment form or walk into our Montreal showroom at Rockland Mall for an in-person evaluation.
- Wait for authentication and pricing. Our team inspects every item using brand-specific authentication protocols: stitching patterns, hardware weight, serial number verification, and leather grain analysis. We check over 30 data points per bag. You'll receive a price quote within 48 hours of submission.
- Review and accept the consignment terms. You'll see the listing price we recommend (based on current market data, condition, and demand), the commission rate, and your estimated payout. At Retyche, consignors receive up to 70% of the sale price depending on the item's value tier.
- Ship your item or drop it off. For online consignors across Canada, we provide prepaid insured shipping labels. In Montreal, you can drop items at our Rockland Mall location. Every item is insured from the moment it's in our hands.
- Your item goes live. We photograph the item professionally, write the listing, and publish it on retyche.com. Most items are listed within 5-7 business days of receipt. Your item is also visible to our 63,000 Instagram followers and email subscribers.
- Get paid when it sells. Once a buyer purchases your item and the return window closes, you receive your payout via e-transfer or cheque. The average consigned item at Retyche sells within 30 days.
What sells fastest (and what doesn't)
Not all luxury items are equal on the resale market. Here's what we see move quickly based on our sales data:
| Category | Avg. time to sell | Best brands | Value retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handbags | 14-30 days | Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior | 60-95% |
| Shoes | 21-45 days | Chanel, Christian Louboutin, The Row | 40-65% |
| Accessories (belts, scarves) | 30-60 days | Hermès, Gucci, Louis Vuitton | 35-55% |
| Jewelry | 30-60 days | Cartier, Van Cleef, Tiffany | 50-80% |
| Clothing | 45-90 days | The Row, Chanel, Max Mara | 20-40% |
Hermès Birkins and Kellys are outliers. They regularly sell above retail. According to the Rebag Clair Report (2025), Hermès handbags retain an average of 138% of their retail value on the secondary market. Chanel Classic Flaps retain around 80-92%, making them the second-strongest investment in luxury resale.
Items that are harder to consign: heavily worn fast-fashion-adjacent designer pieces (think Zara-level Michael Kors or Coach), items with significant damage, and anything without clear brand identifiers for authentication.
How to get the highest payout for your item
- Condition matters more than age. A 2015 Chanel Boy Bag in excellent condition will outsell a 2023 one with scratched hardware. Store bags stuffed with tissue paper, keep hardware wrapped, and avoid overfilling.
- Timing affects demand. Boots sell better in September than March. Consign seasonal items 4-6 weeks before the season starts.
- Original packaging increases sale price by 10-20%. Keep dust bags, boxes, receipts, and authenticity cards. Even the shopping bag helps.
- Clean your item before submitting. A leather wipe-down and dust removal go a long way. Don't attempt deep cleaning or repairs. Let the consignment partner handle that.
- Price flexibility speeds up sales. Agreeing to a 10% price reduction after 30 days significantly increases sell-through rates.
Consignment vs. buyout vs. selling yourself
| Factor | Consignment | Buyout (instant sale) | Selling yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payout | 50-70% of sale price | 30-50% of market value | 85-100% minus fees |
| Effort | Low (submit and wait) | Lowest (instant cash) | High (photos, listing, shipping, disputes) |
| Speed | 14-60 days | Immediate | Unpredictable |
| Authentication | Handled by partner | Handled by buyer | Your responsibility |
| Scam risk | None | None | Moderate to high |
| Best for | High-value items ($500+) | Quick cash, lower-value items | Experienced sellers, rare items |
"Most of our consignors come to us after a bad experience selling privately," says Rim Elias, co-founder of Retyche. "They dealt with lowball offers, no-shows, or worse, a chargeback after shipping a $5,000 bag. Consignment protects you from fraud, and it saves you time."
What to look for in a consignment partner
If you're comparing consignment stores, ask these questions:
- Do they authenticate in-house or outsource? In-house is faster and more accountable.
- What's the commission structure, and does it scale with item value?
- How long before an unsold item is returned to you?
- Do they provide insurance while the item is in their possession?
- Can you track your item's status online?
- Do they have a physical location you can visit? A showroom signals legitimacy.
At Retyche, we offer in-house authentication with a certificate of authenticity, a physical showroom in Montreal's Rockland Mall, bilingual service in English and French, and free insured shipping across Canada. Browse our full collection to see how consigned items are presented.
Frequently asked questions
How much do luxury consignment stores charge?
Commission rates typically range from 30-50% of the sale price. Higher-value items often qualify for lower commission rates. At Retyche, consignors receive up to 70% of the sale price depending on the item's value and brand.
How long does it take to sell a consigned luxury item?
Most handbags from in-demand brands (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton) sell within 14-30 days. Shoes and accessories may take 30-60 days. Clothing can take longer. Seasonal timing and pricing flexibility both affect speed.
Can I consign luxury items from anywhere in Canada?
Yes. Retyche accepts consignments from across Canada with prepaid insured shipping labels. You can also drop items off at our Montreal showroom. We ship sold items to buyers across Canada and the United States.
What luxury brands have the best resale value?
Hermès leads the market with an average of 138% value retention, followed by Chanel at 80-92% and Louis Vuitton at 60-75%, according to Rebag's 2025 Clair Report. Goyard (132%) and The Row (97%) are newer entrants holding strong value.
Do I need the original receipt to consign a luxury item?
No. While original receipts, dust bags, and boxes can increase the resale value by 10-20%, they aren't required. Our authentication team verifies items based on physical inspection, not paperwork.
Ready to consign? Submit your item through our online form or visit us at Rockland Mall in Montreal for a same-day evaluation.