Ready to refresh your style or find a new home for that amazing designer piece? Selling high-end furniture and fashion isn't just about making a sale—it's about getting the true value you deserve, without the headache. Whether it's a designer handbag or a classic armchair, the secret is knowing where to find buyers who appreciate quality.
If you're in Roswell, Alpharetta, or anywhere in North Atlanta, you don't have to deal with the chaos of online marketplaces. There’s a smarter way.
Avalon Style, Consignment Value.
Before you list that designer sofa or antique armoire, let's figure out what it’s worth today. The price you paid five years ago, or what a similar new piece costs, is just a reference point. The pre-owned market in places like Roswell and Alpharetta plays by its own rules, driven by current trends, condition, and designer cachet.
The first thing to do is play detective. Your goal is to uncover the story behind your furniture, because that’s where the real value is hiding. Is it from a well-known designer? Does it have a maker's mark? Knowing the answers can be the difference between a few hundred dollars and a few thousand.
Uncovering Your Furniture’s Story
Start by looking for any identifying marks. Flip it over, check inside drawers, and scan the back for labels, stamps, or signatures. Brands like Baker, Century, or Henredon almost always have clear markings that instantly signal quality to savvy buyers from Marietta to Milton.
Once you have a name, head online. A quick search for the piece on sites like Chairish or 1stDibs will show you original retail prices and, more importantly, what similar items have sold for recently. This gives you a solid ballpark figure. The process is a lot like learning how to accurately price high-value items in other fields; it all comes down to the "comps."
Provenance—the history of ownership—can also add serious value. Was it a custom order? Did it come from a notable home in East Cobb or Forsyth County? Any paperwork or history you have adds to its story and appeal.
The Honest Condition Assessment
Now for the hard part: you need to assess the piece with brutally honest eyes. A potential buyer certainly will, so you might as well beat them to it. Minor surface scratches on a solid wood table can often be polished out, but deep gouges, water rings, or noticeable fabric stains will definitely impact the price.
Be meticulous. Run through this checklist:
- Structural Integrity: Is it wobbly? Are all the joints tight and secure?
- Surface Wear: Note every scratch, dent, or chip. Are there signs of sun fading on the wood or upholstery?
- Upholstery & Fabric: Look for tears, stains, pilling, or cushions that have lost their shape.
- Functionality: Do the drawers glide smoothly? Do cabinet doors hang and close properly?
The truth is, "gently used" means something different to everyone. Documenting the condition with clear photos and notes prevents any surprises down the road and helps you set a realistic price from the get-go.
Your Best First Move? A Local Expert.
When you're dealing with designer goods, guesswork is your worst enemy. After you've done your homework, the smartest next step is to get a professional opinion.
Bringing your piece to a trusted, curated consignment store like Board of Trade here in Roswell takes all the pressure off. We see what sells every single day to shoppers from Marietta, Alpharetta, and all over Forsyth County. Our team knows the North Atlanta market inside and out—we know which pre-owned designer fashion brands are hot and which furniture styles are sitting.
We can give you a data-backed price estimate based on real-time local demand. It's also a great chance to understand the commission structure by learning what percentage consignment shops typically take, so you can calculate your potential return right away. Drop by our Roswell store for a chat—it’s the easiest way to get started.
Prep Your Pieces For A Top-Dollar Sale.
In the high-end market, presentation is everything. When a potential buyer from Roswell or Alpharetta scrolls through a listing or walks into our showroom, they need to instantly picture your piece in their home.
You're not just selling a table or a handbag; you're selling a feeling, a lifestyle. Getting your furniture and fashion ready for its close-up is how you tell a story of quality and care, making it an absolute must-have.
To Restore or Just Refresh?
This is always the first question: do you invest in a full restoration, or is a simple polish enough? The right answer really depends on the piece itself.
A vintage Baker sideboard with a few minor surface scratches? It probably just needs a high-quality wood polish and a bit of elbow grease to look stunning again. But if that same piece has a deep water ring or a wobbly leg, a small investment in professional repair could easily boost its final sale value by hundreds.
The goal isn't to erase its history—patina is part of the charm—but to show it's been cared for and is structurally sound.
To get your high-end pieces looking their absolute best, it helps to borrow from the world of real estate. The same core ideas in a good home preparation checklist apply here. Principles of smart cleaning, repairing, and staging that sell a house also sell the fine furniture and decor inside it.
DIY Cleaning: Best Practices
If you're handling the cleanup yourself, remember that less is usually more. Harsh chemicals can easily damage delicate finishes and aged wood, so a gentle approach is always best.
- Wood Furniture: Start by dusting with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, use a cloth that's just barely damp, then immediately follow up with a dry one. Finish with a quality furniture polish or wax made for that specific type of wood.
- Upholstery: Always vacuum first. Use a brush attachment to lift away dust and debris from the fibers. For small spots, check the cleaning code (usually on a tag under a cushion) and use a recommended fabric cleaner. Don't forget to test it on a hidden spot first!
- Leather: Dust with a dry cloth. For a proper clean, use saddle soap or a cleaner formulated specifically for leather. Apply it sparingly and make sure to buff it off completely.
It's amazing what a simple, thorough cleaning can do. It sends a powerful signal to a buyer in East Cobb that the item has been well-maintained, which is a huge factor in their decision.
Staging for a Stunning First Impression
Whether you're taking photos for a private sale or getting an item ready for our consignment showroom floor, staging is non-negotiable. Your goal is to create images that are both beautiful and informative—photos that make people stop scrolling.
Think like a magazine editor. You want to showcase the piece in a setting that highlights its best features and helps buyers understand its scale and style.
How to Create the Perfect Scene
- Declutter the Background: Your furniture has to be the star. Move any distracting items out of the shot—remote controls, stacks of mail, you name it. A simple, neutral background is your best friend.
- Use Natural Light: This is a game-changer. Position the piece near a window where it can be bathed in soft, natural light. Avoid harsh overhead lighting that creates ugly shadows and throws off the color. That golden hour light in the morning or late afternoon is perfect.
- Show Every Angle: Take shots from the front, back, sides, and a classic three-quarter view. Get close-ups of any beautiful details like the hardware, the wood grain, or a maker's mark. It's also crucial to be transparent—honestly photograph any significant flaws.
Ultimately, taking the time for this prep work makes the entire selling process smoother and much more profitable. When you present a piece that’s clean, well-staged, and in great shape, you’re not just selling furniture. You’re selling a story of timeless quality that local buyers are eager to bring into their own homes.
Forget Facebook. Go Pro.
Alright, you’ve done the hard work of restoring and staging your furniture and fashion. It looks incredible. Now for the million-dollar question: where do you actually sell it?
This is where so many people get stuck. You have a beautiful, valuable piece, and you need to connect with a buyer who truly appreciates its quality and is willing to pay what it's worth. Your entire return on investment hinges on this next step.
The Private Sale Gamble: Is It Worth the Headache?
Sure, you could list your pieces on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or other online platforms. They boast huge audiences, which sounds great in theory. But in reality? You’re signing up for a second job you never wanted.
Get ready to field an endless stream of "Is this still available?" messages, followed by ridiculously low offers. You'll spend your time arranging viewings with strangers, coordinating schedules, and hoping they actually show up—all with no guarantee of finding a serious, qualified buyer.
Selling high-end furniture or designer fashion yourself means you're suddenly the marketer, photographer, salesperson, negotiator, and logistics coordinator. For anyone in busy areas like Roswell, Marietta, or Milton, it's a fast track to burnout.
Just think about the common hurdles:
- Security Risks: Do you really want to invite strangers from the internet into your home? It’s an uncomfortable reality that carries inherent risks.
- Negotiation Nightmares: You’ll have to haggle with people who are hardwired to lowball. They don't see a designer piece; they see a "used couch" and will try to chip away at your price.
- Logistical Headaches: Coordinating pickup for a massive armoire or a delicate dining set is a beast. The buyer might show up in a Prius with no help, leaving you to figure out the rest.
This simple flow shows the basic steps to prep your furniture for sale, no matter which route you take.
While cleaning and staging are non-negotiable, that final "sell" step is where your choice of channel makes all the difference in your effort and, ultimately, your final payout.
The Consignment Advantage: A Smarter Path
For sellers in North Atlanta, there’s a much smarter, safer, and more effective way to go: a local, trusted consignment store.
When you partner with a curated shop like Board of Trade in Roswell, you sidestep all the biggest problems of private selling. You're not just listing an item; you're plugging into a pre-built community of discerning local buyers who are actively searching for pre-owned designer brands just like yours. Whether it’s men’s designer consignment, women’s fashion, or fine furniture, we have the audience.
And that market is booming. The global luxury furniture market is projected to grow from USD 25.2 billion in 2025 to a staggering USD 43.4 billion by 2035. This isn't just a trend; it's a fundamental shift toward appreciating real craftsmanship, sustainable choices, and unique design.
You gain immediate access to a showroom full of shoppers from East Cobb, Forsyth County, and Alpharetta who came specifically to find designer brands. They trust our curation and are prepared to pay for quality.
Selling Privately vs. High-End Consignment
The difference between going it alone and consigning is night and day. One path demands you become an expert in everything, while the other lets you hand the keys to seasoned professionals who specialize in connecting luxury items with the right homes.
Here's a breakdown of what to expect from each option.
| Factor | Selling Privately (e.g., Online Marketplace) | High-End Consignment (e.g., Board of Trade) |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Broad, but full of lowballers and casual browsers. | Targeted, pre-qualified buyers actively seeking luxury goods. |
| Your Effort | Extremely high: photography, writing listings, messaging, negotiating, logistics. | Minimal: Initial consultation and drop-off. We handle the rest. |
| Pricing | Guesswork. Often results in undervaluing your piece to make a quick sale. | Expert valuation based on market data, brand, condition, and demand. |
| Marketing | Limited to the platform you post on. | Professional photography, in-store merchandising, email marketing, and social media. |
| Security | You invite strangers to your home and handle all transactions. | Safe and professional. All viewings happen in a secure showroom. |
| Final Payout | 100% of a potentially much lower sale price, after significant time and stress. | A high percentage of a professionally negotiated, market-value price. |
Ultimately, choosing a high-end consignment store isn't just about convenience; it's about maximizing your return while minimizing your stress.
Instead of navigating the chaos of online marketplaces, you get a trusted partner who manages the entire process. If you want to learn more about the local scene, check out our guide on the top Atlanta consignment furniture stores.
Find your next designer piece today. Visit us in Roswell!
Price & Market Like A Pro.
Pricing luxury goods is a delicate dance. If you aim too high, your beautiful piece might just become a permanent resident of the showroom floor. But price it too low, and you're leaving serious money on the table. Finding that sweet spot is where the real art of selling high-end furniture and fashion lies.
This isn’t about plucking a number out of thin air. Professional pricing is a strategy built on hard data, intimate market knowledge, and a deep understanding of what local buyers are willing to pay right now.
Setting the Right Price From Day One
When you're selling on your own, pricing can feel like pure guesswork. Sure, you can look up what a similar piece is listed for online, but that doesn't tell you what it actually sold for. A consignment expert, on the other hand, doesn’t guess—they analyze.
So, what goes into that final number?
- Recent Comparable Sales: We look at what similar pieces from the same designer or era have recently sold for, specifically here in the North Atlanta market.
- Current Brand Demand: Is the designer hot right now? Trends shift, and a brand that was coveted five years ago might not command the same price today.
- Condition and Rarity: A pristine, rare item will always fetch a higher price than a more common piece with visible wear. It's just that simple.
- Local Market Dynamics: What are buyers in Roswell, Marietta, and Forsyth County actively searching for? This is the kind of local insight you only get from a team on the ground.
This is a market with serious momentum. The U.S. luxury furniture market generated revenues of around USD 5.32 billion in 2024 and is projected to climb to USD 6.72 billion by 2030. Tapping into that growth requires pricing that reflects both a piece's intrinsic value and its current market appeal. For a closer look at these trends, you can explore the full research on the U.S. luxury furniture market.
Marketing That Finds The Right Buyers
Once your piece is priced correctly, the next step is getting it in front of the right people. This is another area where the DIY approach usually falls short. A quick photo on your phone and a generic description on a marketplace platform simply won't cut it for luxury items.
High-end marketing is all about telling a story. It’s about creating desire and showcasing the piece in a way that helps a potential buyer from East Cobb or Milton envision it in their own home.
A top-tier consignment store does the heavy lifting for you, transforming your item from a simple listing into a featured attraction. They know that marketing isn't just a task; it's the engine that drives a successful sale.
A professional shop like Board of Trade has a multi-channel marketing machine already humming. We don't just wait for foot traffic; we have a proactive strategy to find the perfect buyer.
This includes:
- Professional Photography and Staging: Your furniture is beautifully staged in our 10,000 sq ft Roswell showroom and photographed to highlight its best features. We do the same for our women's and men's designer fashion.
- Compelling Listings: We write descriptions that detail the designer, materials, condition, and unique story behind your piece.
- Exclusive Email Lists: Your item is showcased to our curated list of thousands of local shoppers who have signed up specifically to see new arrivals.
- Targeted Social Media: We promote new inventory on platforms where design-savvy buyers are actively looking for inspiration.
This level of exposure is nearly impossible to replicate on your own. Instead of just selling furniture, you're tapping into a trusted brand to sell it for you. This approach is a core part of the consignment model, and if you're new to the concept, our guide explaining what is consignment shopping is a great place to start.
Let our team handle the pricing and marketing—all you have to do is watch your beautiful piece find its next loving home.
Close The Deal. Get Paid.
You’ve done the hard work, an interested buyer is ready, and now you’re in the home stretch. But if you're selling privately, this final lap can feel more like a marathon of frustration.
Private sales often get bogged down in a messy cycle of negotiations, payment snafus, and awkward pickup logistics. This is precisely where a great consignment shop turns a major headache into a seamless, hands-off finale.
Handling Negotiations Like a Pro (By Letting Us Do It)
When you’re flying solo, you’re the one fielding every lowball offer and late-night text. Buyers might haggle over the price even after you've already agreed, putting you in an incredibly uncomfortable position. It's draining.
Compare that to the consignment experience. At Board of Trade, our team takes over all buyer communication. We field the questions, we negotiate based on our agreed-upon strategy, and we work to get the best possible price for your piece. No haggling. No stress. Just a professional team closing the sale for you.
Honestly, this is why so many of our clients in Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton choose us. They get to skip the drama and let us do what we do best.
What to Look for in a Consignment Agreement
Before anything moves, you'll sign a consignment agreement. Think of this as the playbook for our partnership—it’s vital that you read it and ask questions.
A professional, transparent agreement should clearly spell out:
- The Consignment Period: This is how long the shop will feature your item. It’s typically 90-120 days.
- The Commission Split: This shows the percentage breakdown of the final sale. We’re proud to offer a competitive split where our consignors can earn up to 60% of the sale price.
- Pricing & Markdown Plan: The contract should list the initial price and any planned reductions if an item doesn't move within a set time (e.g., a small discount after 60 days).
- Payment Terms: This part clarifies exactly how and when you’ll get paid once your item sells. We typically issue checks during a set period in the following month.
The consignment agreement isn’t just a piece of paper; it's our commitment to you. It ensures total transparency and sets clear expectations from day one—the true mark of a reputable consignment partner.
The Logistics: Pickup and Delivery Without the Pain
This is where the private sale nightmare really peaks: getting that beautiful, heavy piece of furniture out of your house. Trying to coordinate with a stranger to pick up a large armoire or a delicate sideboard is a recipe for disaster. You have to find a time that works, hope they bring a big enough truck, and pray they don’t gouge your walls on the way out.
Here’s the beauty of consigning with a top-tier local shop. We already have a network of trusted, insured, professional movers. Board of Trade manages the entire pickup and delivery process, period.
This isn't just about convenience; it's smart business. The global luxury furniture market was valued at USD 27.65 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit nearly USD 41.95 billion by 2030. Serving this growing market means having professional logistics nailed down. You can read more on the luxury furniture market trends at MarkNtel Advisors.
By letting us handle the heavy lifting, you can rest easy knowing your furniture will be transported carefully from your home in East Cobb or Forsyth County to our showroom floor, and eventually, to its new owner. You get paid without lifting a finger. It’s the final, stress-free step in a successful sale.
Your Consignment Questions, Answered.
Even with a clear plan, a few questions always pop up when you're ready to sell a significant piece. It's a process with a lot of moving parts, and it’s smart to get total clarity before you jump in.
We get it. Here in our Roswell showroom, we talk with first-time consignors from all over the Northern Atlanta suburbs every single day. Here are the most common questions we hear—and the straight-up answers you're looking for.
What Kind of Designer Brands Sell Best?
Around Roswell and Alpharetta, some names just have a magnetic pull. For furniture, pieces from iconic designer brands like Baker, Henredon, or Century are always in high demand. When it comes to fashion, we see huge interest in pre-owned designer handbags, women's designer consignment brands, and classic men's pieces.
Beyond the big names, unique vintage and mid-century modern pieces do incredibly well. Our local clients are on the hunt for timeless style, excellent condition, and items with character—the kind of thing you just can't find in a big-box store.
The absolute easiest way to know if your piece is a good fit? Just text or email us a few quick photos. It’s the fastest way for us to gauge interest before you ever think about moving it.
How Long Will It Take to Sell?
This is the million-dollar question, and the honest-to-goodness answer is: it really varies. A highly sought-after item, like a classic designer handbag or a piece of iconic furniture, might sell within days of hitting our showroom floor. We’ve seen it happen more than once.
Other high-quality items might take a few weeks or even a couple of months to connect with the right buyer. A good consignment shop prices items strategically to move. We use a scheduled price reduction policy—for example, a modest discount after 60 days—to keep our inventory fresh and catch the eye of savvy shoppers from Milton and East Cobb.
Our goal is the same as yours: get your pieces sold for the best possible price in a reasonable amount of time. We don't want items gathering dust any more than you do.
What’s a Typical Consignment Commission?
For high-end furniture and fashion here in the Atlanta area, consignment commissions usually land between 40% and 60% of the final sale price. That number might seem high at first glance, but it's crucial to understand everything it covers.
Think of it this way: that commission is your investment in a full-service selling machine.
It’s not just a fee; it covers all the heavy lifting:
- A Prime Retail Showroom: Your item is beautifully staged in our 10,000 sq ft Roswell space, getting in front of serious, qualified buyers.
- A Professional Sales Team: Our experienced staff knows how to highlight the value of your piece and close the sale.
- Targeted Marketing: We handle the professional photography, online listings, email blasts, and social media promotion.
- All the Overheads: This includes credit card processing fees, insurance, and all the behind-the-scenes operational costs.
- Our Buyer Network: You get immediate access to our established list of discerning local clients who are actively looking for pieces like yours.
When you weigh it against the stress, security risks, and hassle of a private sale, the value is incredible. Most sellers find they get a higher final price with far less work.
What Happens If My Items Don’t Sell?
Every professional consignment shop has a clear policy for unsold items, and it will be spelled out in your agreement from day one. When the consignment period ends (usually 90-120 days), you'll typically have a few straightforward options.
First, you can always come and pick up your item—no hard feelings. If you'd rather give it one last shot, you can agree to a final markdown to encourage a quick sale. And finally, if you just want it gone, many stores (including ours) can donate the piece to a local charity on your behalf. We’ll even get you the tax receipt, making it a simple, positive end to the process.
Ready to turn your beautiful furniture and fashion into cash without all the hassle? The expert team at Board of Trade Fine Consignments is here to make the process easy, profitable, and professional. Browse our racks, drop by our Roswell store, and let us find the perfect new home for your treasured pieces.