 |
|
|
|
Photograph by Linda Ozaki
Go-Between: Doug Ginter, the new owner of By Design Consignment on Lincoln Avenue and a jeweler by trade, shows off some jewelry he made.
By Design opens with bash
By Kate Carter
There's an alternative to selling your stuff on your driveway, and it isn't eBay. Doug Ginter and his staff at the newest Willow Glen furniture consignment shop will come to your home, pick up what you'd like to unload and sell it for you in their Lincoln Avenue store.
Ginter says he bought By Design Consignment in July because what he really wanted to do was sell the opal jewelry that he makes. The furniture that came with the already operating business was merely a fringe benefit. But he says he's enjoying selling both the furniture and the jewelry that made its appearance in September.
He wishes he could get more customers, though, which is why he hosted a party and art gallery on Nov. 18 and 19--to generate a little more exposure for his custom-made jewelry and unique furnishings, and for the seven local artists he invited.
Customers were free to wander around the two-level store and check out the mix of eclectic furniture, accessories, art and jewelry, some of which is also consigned.
Ginter says that he serves as a go-between for a person who wants to sell something and anyone who wants to buy it. He sets a price with the seller and charges them a percentage of the sale for the service of displaying the piece in his store or on his Internet site and processing the transaction.
His store specializes in interesting pieces, he says. "I try to find unique things, something you're not going to find in your traditional furniture store," he says.
He also maintains a database of items customers have asked him to look for and items he's seen. Using keywords he programmed himself, the program automatically identifies matches and sends the potential buyer and email with a photo of the item and the contact information for the seller.
Furniture consignment is still a new industry, Ginter says. Most of the calls he receives are from people who want to sell clothing, which he doesn't do. But it's big enough that he says he doesn't really compete with the other furniture consigners, especially since they carry very different types of inventory.
"Our commitment is just to always find something affordable and unique for people," Ginter says. "We're doing a great service for people, and they're doing a great service for us."
By Design Consignment is located at 2053 Lincoln Ave. For more information, call 408.264.7879, or visit www.bydesignconsign.com.
|
|
|
|
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
