With today's economic challenges, some people are turning to consignment shops to make money selling clothing and other possessions, along with picking up things they need at deeply discounted prices. For others, like Feather Williams, the store greeter at Double Take, consignment shops are simply "a different way of recycling." Either way, browsing through one of these places is certainly a lot of fun — and an easy way to make a few extra bucks.

We asked local re-sellers what they look for, the items they carry and how the process works.

Barkin Boutique
1107 Pen Road
986-0699

Profits generated at the Barkin Boutique support the Española Valley Animal Shelter. The nonprofit shelter houses and cares for nearly 4,000 animals each year. Of course, people can donate clothing, pet food and supplies at any time, yet they also consign art, jewelry and furniture. The payout is 50-50, and the Barkin Boutique buys silver jewelry outright.

"We simply issue a check," said manager Barbara Nass. Nass says that what people do not realize is the high-end quality of the merchandise they receive. "It's a wonderful little shop," she said. "It's off the beaten path, but once people come in they are always surprised and impressed." She is thankful Santa Fe is an animal-oriented community and the store is fortunate to have very generous donors. "We make quite a bit of money for the shelter," Nass said. A second store in Española is called St. Francis de Paws. The Santa Fe store is off Cordova Road behind Wild Oats.

The Beat Goes On Very Cool Consignment
333 Montezuma Ave.
982-7877

Greeted with the $5 rack, The Beat Goes On Very Cool Consignment shop is filled with stylish and what 16-year Santa Fean and owner Suzi Kriger considers "artsy creative" modern and vintage clothing and accessories. After two years in Eldorado, Kriger moved the shop to Santa Fe in 2002. The store accepts selected pieces for two months on a 60-40 basis (the store gets the 60 percent). Kriger says they "try to make the process as easy as possible" and prospective consignors can bring in up to five items anytime between 11 a.m.-3p.m., Monday-Saturday. Up to 20 pieces will be considered if an appointment is scheduled. Kriger prefers items to be cleaned, pressed and on hangers. "We give the hangers back," she said. Unsold things can be either picked up or the store will donate to a hospice.

As for business today, Kriger has heard that because of the economy "consignment shops are the way to go," yet she revealed that Santa Fe consignment shops have always been unique and popular because the community is so diverse, artistic and well-traveled that they have really cool things.

Women in Santa Fe have always been more apt to share and shop in second-hand shops, she said. "It's like this community shares a big communal closet," she says, where in another city this is not always the case. "In this town, women rather shop this way," she said. "It's a green thing. It's all recycling."

Boomerang Baby
1845 Cerrillos Road
984-BABY

For about half the cost you would pay at regular retail prices, you can find most things you may need for maternity and for kids up to ages 10-12, including car seats, carriers and cribs.

"Our prices are as competitive as you can get," said J.C. Linson, the store's founder.

J.C., along with his wife, Miranda, opened Boomerang Baby in August. From the start, the place has been filled with people looking for new and gently used items. "We are always packed," J.C.Linson said.

The store carries a wide range of clothing and things, many high-end, that kids grow out of quickly. "A lot of the clothes we have for newborns are used once, if at all," said Linson. "Some things still have the tags on and we only take in items that we would allow our own kids to use. We are very picky."

Another appeal is the bargains. One lucky customer recently scored a Stokke changing table and oval crib that with mattress can cost around $1,800 retail. The Boomerang Baby selling price: $600.

Besides selling, they also purchase items for cash or store credit. Prices are determined by condition and necessity. According to Linson, toddler car seats, Pack N' Play toy sets and cribs are always in demand.

The store is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Clothing and other items are accepted the first through 15th of each month, yet equipment may be brought to the store at anytime.

Double Take
320 Aztec St.
989-8886

Suzanne Wissman-Moore says the thing she enjoys most about her 24-year-old consignment shop is dealing with Santa Feans. "It's kind of a gathering place," she says.

With the number of Santa Feans who travel to exotic places, others who settle here from all parts of the globe and of course the born-and-bred locals, Wissman-Moore gets to interact with some interesting people as well as sell their unusually cool things.

Although the store carries items typically found in a consignment store, namely gently used clothing and footwear, Double Take goes far beyond what one would normally expect. The store carries pretty much anything under the sun, excluding electronics — and at a third of the retail price. Collectibles sell at fair-market value.

Divided into different sections, the main part of the store houses jeans, boots, jewelry and other everyday items; the "Western" section holds a rich selection of cowboy boots in a variety of colors and styles, antique knives, guns, pawn jewelry, Hopalong Cassidy paraphernalia and other "ranch-style" stuff; upstairs is a smorgasbord of things for the home while other areas sell vintage collectibles, like salt and pepper shakers, floor lamps from the '60s, hats, Bakelite jewelry, shoes and dresses from the 1940s. There is also an art gallery.

"I love to get fabulous old art work," says Wissman-Moore. She also likes things from the area because "Northern New Mexico has so many cool treasures." She loves to acquire old pawn pieces and gets excited over copper pots that come in every so often.

In order to be considered, clothing should be pressed and on hangers. Everything must be clean. She will either buy the item outright, place it on consignment or trade. Consignors receive 40 percent of the sale price for cash or store credit. After sellers accrue at least $40 in their accounts, they can request a check which is distributed monthly. The price is determined by what the consignor wants for the piece and what the market dictates. In general, Wissman-Moore tries to make the consignor as happy as possible. Items are considered Tuesday-Thursday between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and will be held for 90 days.

Kowboyz
345 W. Manhattan Ave.
984-1256

For all things Western, Kowboyz on West Manhattan Avenue off Guadalupe Street is a good bet. If looking for a "new" pair of used boots or perhaps a belt, hat or other cowboy wear, you will probably find it here. This "first-class second-hand Western store" relocated from Los Angeles nearly two years ago. Owners Suzanne Grais and Brad Hammond always loved Santa Fe, so they decided to set up shop here. For more than 20 years in L.A., the store catered to movie stars, and Bruce Springsteen was a regular. "He came in all the time," said manager Sharon Jewel.

The store also provided most of the clothing for Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain. So you never know whose boots you may be walking in. The best time to come in to sell or trade your goods is on Wednesday, when Brad is usually in the store. The store asks the price you would like to get and then negotiations begin. Kowboyz is open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Stephen's Consignment
2701 Cerrillos Road
471-0802
www.stephensconsignment.com

Stephen's Consignment has the honorable distinction of the oldest and largest consignment gallery in Santa Fe. It is also one of the first consignment shops in the nation to bar-code and record items via a computerized database. That helps owner Stephen Etre accomplish what he loves best: match items people are selling with the buyers who want them. Each day, he gets a printout of things people are looking for and the pieces that meet the criteria.

In its 28 years of business, the store has helped more than 7,000 consignors sell an unbelievable amount of things.

"What makes us successful is that we have such a diversity of items," says Etre. While he prefers to carry high-end designer furniture and nearly anything antique, including glassware, mirrors, furniture, gold, silver and other historic stuff, he will consider pretty much anything that is saleable and noteworthy.

"Santa Fe is such a cool town," he says that Etre is constantly fascinated by the items people bring in. He thinks that in some way people relocate to the city to "unload" and "let go."

He often gets people who come in and simply want to pass on their goods to its next appreciative owner, which translates to a win-win for everyone.

The staff is knowledgeable about the value of things and Etre says they "really have a pulse of what things bring in (the Santa Fe) marketplace" so sellers generally get a nice price. If an item is special or rare, the store will place it on Ebay in order to reach a larger pool of buyers and try to fetch a higher price. Ideally, the goal is for both buyers and sellers to walk away feeling satisfied. For consignors, they have a "guaranteed net price" policy, which means sellers will never get less than an established price, no matter what the item sells for.

Sellers can expect to receive 30-50 percent of the sale price depending on the value of the item. Selling contracts usually last for 60-90 days.

Buyers get good value, too. As a secondary market, Etre estimates that the artwork in his store sells anywhere between 25 percent and 40 percent less than you would find in a gallery. Though, above all else, Etre strongly feels "a good value is getting what you love" regardless of price.

Interested sellers should e-mail photos of items for consideration along with contact information to stephensconsignments@zianet.com. If unable to access e-mail, you can call the store to set up an appointment.

The Pink House
905 Cerrillos Road
989-3344

After a variety of careers, including working as a teacher and an attorney, Pamela P. England made the decision to open The Pink House in June 2007. England always loved clothes and accessories. The store consigns a mix of women's apparel.

Yet England prefers to take in gently used. high-end designer pieces. She says designer handbags sell particularly well. She requires people interested in selling to call for an appointment and allows up to 10 pieces at a time. All items should be cleaned, ironed and hung. If ironing is required, a $2 fee will be deducted and consignors are responsible for any dry-cleaning charges.

The Pink House offerx a 60-day consignment period with a 50 percent trade-in value or 40 percent cash from the sale. It is the responsibility of the consignor to contact the store and pick up any unsold items at the end of the term. If the store is not contacted within a week after that date, the left items are considered property of The Pink House. For more information, call the store during regular business hours.