A Business Closes, Opening Questions for Consignors

One customer had trouble getting back purses she had consigned

When the economy is bad, business booms for consignment shops across the country. Another term for “re-sale shop,” a consignment store sells used goods for owners, typically at a lower cost than new. 

This spring, the doors of a high-end consignment shop in Naperville were closed with no apparent warning to customers whose merchandise was for sale inside. The owner of Ritzy Rack says his business closed due to a conflict with his landlord, but customer Diana Serbick questions that. 

Starting in April, Serbick says, the store was closed with little information given to consignors—and since then, it has been a struggle to get back the expensive purses she left on consignment.   

After NBC inquired about the merchandise still inside the now-shuttered business, Serbick did get back most of her items. Ryan Wrobel, the owner of Ritzy Rack says he is a victim, too- of a landlord who unfairly locked him out of the store. Wrobel says he is suing the landlord, who would not comment for this report. 

The consignment industry is a booming one—since the recession hit, growing at an estimated 7% every year. So what are the protections for consumers who consign? The Association of Resale Professionals says business failures in their industry are rare, but offers this advice for consigners

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