Consignment Options

At this time, a pre-dropoff consultation is required either by phone, email or text. Because there are current stipulations to approval, our staff must confirm that this is a size and style we can currently accommodate into our inventory. Please SEND A PICTURE of the dress to our email or via text. ***Note that we are overwhelmed with requests currently and there will likely be a delay in response.***

Once we confirm that yours is an item we can take, a dropoff appointment will be scheduled from the phone conversation, text or email thread. You will bring your item to our store location and meet with Genevieve to go over the items, make note of damage if any, and confirm the pricing you are requesting. A typical drop-off appointment for a single item will take about 15 minutes. 

Typically no, we cannot directly purchase all items that are brought to us. If you are trying to make a quick sale, please request that an offer be made but note that this will be less than what you would expect to make on a consignment basis. A cash offer will need to offset the assumption of the risk of a lengthy wait on actually selling the garment.

There are a lot of factors here. The consignment rate at Arabella is a 35/65 percent split, meaning that you will keep 65% of the total sale price. I allow sellers to set their own price so that they receive back what they want to make on the sale. On average - formal dresses retain about 50% of their original retail value (example: you bought a dress for $100 new in the store, you can try to sell it used for $50 and then you would receive a check for $32.50). This depends greatly on the condition of the item. There are questions we will ask and conditions we will look for when a dress is brought in:

• Has it been cleaned 
• Has it been altered
• Are there rips/stains/loose beads/broken zippers/worn hemline
• Is it an unusual size/fit (example: altered for very petite or altered down multiple sizes to accommodate differences in bust/hip ratio)

While we understand that not every dress will come to us in perfect condition, it does become a factor in determining whether we are able to take the dress at this time or how it will reduce the overall expected price point. 

Use the calculator below to test out pricing.

Yes, all items need to be in a clean state when dropped off. If there is evidence found during the intake inspection that an item has not been cleaned, it will either not be accepted or we will perform the necessary cleaning and backcharge this cost to you when a payment check is sent. A cleaning fee will range anywhere from $20-$30 (for bridesmaid/mothers/prom) to $75-$125 for a wedding gown. Please be advised that cleaning or other repairs performed by Arabella Bridal may delay the presentation of your item on the sales floor. If an item is requested returned, then this fee will be charged upon the pickup of your item.

This is hard question to answer and it varies dramatically. Based on our experience, the style and condition are more of a contributing factor to the speed it’s sold than the price. While the staff at Arabella Bridal firmly believes that every dress has value and beauty, it can take quite a bit of time to find JUST the right person who:

1. Is looking for that particular unique style
2. Just happens to be the exact same size as you!

This is a process that does not have a timeline - and so we don't have a timeline either. As long as we still have room on our racks, these dresses will have a safe haven to wait until the perfect someone comes along. SEE TIMELINE BELOW

We run sales reports once a month, roughly around the 1stFriday of each month and send out confirmation emails to anyone who made a sale asking to confirm the mailing address. A check is cut that day and mailed to the address confirmed on file. Venmo is available as a payment option if preferred. 

We are extremely cognizant that this item may represent a significant investment of money in addition to having an emotional tie to your life. Our store is based on the philosophy of care, appreciation, and protection of these beautifully important things and we want to reassure you that we are taking care of your items and working hard to bring them into view for other brides who might love them as much as you! 

Our question to you: 

1. Are you looking for a quick turnaround to sell the dress as soon as possible?

2. Do you want to get the item out of your closet and into the hands of another bride?

If you are primarily a #1 seller, then unfortunately Arabella Bridal might not be the right resource for you. Our boutique style/appointment only sales floor allows for only one party at a time and is a much slower inventory turnover rate than some other bridal stores who are focused only on the sale. If you are a #2 seller and are willing to let the perfect bride find your dress on whatever timeline is needed – then we will be the perfect fit for you! Our one-on-one selling style is meaningful and deliberate. No pushy tactics means a fully happy customer willing to pay the premium price for a used garment because it was a beautiful dress that was just “meant to be”.  

While we understand that it might be difficult to feel removed from the selling process of your item, it can also be difficult for us to manage the communication expectations of our 300+ consignment partners. Because we are so busy trying to sell these items, it doesn’t leave a lot of room in the day to check in with sellers on the status of the dress! Yes, even if it’s been a year since you dropped it off.  :-)

If you believe that a change in price is needed, then please contact us via email or text with your name and the changes you would like to request. We will confirm when the change has occurred! 

NO. Never. Not in a Million Years. 

The entire philosophy of this store is based on the preservation of these beautiful items. These dresses and accessories represent a significant cost – both to you as the original consumer and to all of us as we bear the cost of manufacturing these “one time use” garments. If a dress cannot be sold in it’s existing condition due to damage or style problems (let’s face it, no one wants the 80’s beaded dresses), this is usually discussed at intake and then we will find a way to integrate them either as a remade garment or as pieces added to another garment. Everything will be utilized in one way or another with nothing wasted. Please don’t ever feel that if you don’t hear from us, that after a certain amount of time it will get thrown away. That’s not how we roll here……

 No. The pricing is 100% specified by you. It’s your dress, you own it. If you choose to discount it after a certain amount of time, just contact us to reduce. During the intake process you can give us a “pre-approved” discount amount. This can help sometimes clinch a sale if a customer is close to saying YES and that extra little percentage off right then and there gives her the confidence to buy.  

At this time, we do not have a specific timeline requirement and all accepted consignment dresses can stay until they are sold. Arabella Bridal understands that it can take a long time to find the RIGHT person who will love your garment enough to take home. 

YES! We absolutely love donations! Just contact us to set up a time to drop off

YES! At Arabella Bridal, we laugh at the idea that a dress only has value if it is a current, “trendy” style. Since this changes literally every few months anyway, why should we care what everyone else is wearing? We specialize in the unique, the classic, the unusual, the hard to find dresses. You’ll find unique treasures hanging right next to the trendy fit and flare styles. It’s a fun experience to shop our racks and see what hidden gem you find! 

The only stipulation that we discuss during the intake process and after the review of the submitted pictures is whether we already have a similar style in stock or if it is in unsellable condition. While we do try to accommodate as many dresses as we can, there is a limit to what we can take at any given time. Please review our list above on the styles/sizes that we are currently accepting.