WANT TO CONSIGN AT BONESHAKER?
PLEASE READ BEFORE EMAILING OR STOPPING BY!
Consignment is a way for local and independent creators to sell items in Boneshaker’s space. In exchange for using the space, Boneshaker takes a cut of each sale. The current split is 66% to the client, 33% to Boneshaker with rounding going in the consignor’s favor. Clients receive their payout after items are sold, not in advance. Payouts are calculated every quarter, and consignors will be notified only if they are owed money.
If items don’t sell after at least twelve months, Boneshaker may ask the client to pick up their unsold inventory. Any items that clients fail to retrieve within 30 days from the date of notification may be given away or recycled. If consignors do not reply to emails about payment after more than a year, all profits will become donations to the store. If a consignor does not reply to email questions about inventory, Boneshaker has the right to pull items from the shelf. If pulled items are not collected within 30 days from the date of notification they may be given away or recycled. If items are lost or stolen, we can offer up to 75% of the price of the lost goods (e.g., we can compensate $7.50 for a missing $10 item.) Boneshaker requires the client to initiate this process.
Anyone can consign items at Boneshaker. Volunteers can use their discretion to determine if the items are a good fit for Boneshaker and its customers. If the items seem ill-suited for our store, volunteers reserve the right to reject them for consignment and ask the client to try a different location. We will not stock any zines, art or items that have been created with generative AI or are by creators who use generative AI in other media. We also cannot accept scented items (scented candles, perfume, lotion, etc.) in order to keep the store a low-fragrance/sensory-friendly space. If currently in-stock items are discovered to be ill-suited for Boneshaker, volunteers can raise concerns with the collective and discuss how to proceed. Items may be pulled from the store’s shelves and inventory and returned to the client, along with any owed payout, as a result of these discussions.
We only accept books on consignment after they have been reviewed by the Consignment Committee. If you’re an author and have a book you would like to consign, please email consignment@boneshakerbooks.com with a digital copy or a webpage link with an explanation of the book’s content.
Boneshaker volunteers do not, as a rule, provide additional publicity or marketing services on behalf of consignment clients. Individual volunteers may recommend consigned items to customers based on personal opinion, or post about consigned items on our social media channels, but they are not expected to try to sell consignment items as a priority as these services are outside the scope of regular volunteer duties. Consignment clients, however, should feel free to advertise that their items are for sale at Boneshaker and do any other publicity they want.
Boneshaker does not require items to be in any specific packaging (though philosophically, we encourage minimal or sustainable options.) However, understand that items will be picked up, handled, and will experience some wear. Consignors should consider whether their items are hardy enough to stand up to regular bookstore traffic or if they need to be protected; this is especially true for prints. Boneshaker will not compensate consignors for items that have been damaged during everyday browsing or storage in the bookstore. Additionally, to prevent items becoming lost or misplaced, all individual items (including individual stickers, patches, and the like) should be labeled with a price and the consignor’s name.
Every item must be individually priced and labeled with the name you consign under. We have some pricing supplies on hand, but to make things go smoothly, we highly recommend bringing items that are completely ready to go. You may be asked to stay until items are fully checked into our inventory — plan on sticking around for a while, not just dropping things off and leaving.
How to get started:
We only take consignment in person, not through the mail. We take consignment anytime the store is open, except for the last hour of operations. We may not be able to take consignment during an event if it is not related to the event. Make sure each item is clearly labeled with your name/business name and the price. At the store, a volunteer will look over your items and determine if they’re a good fit for the space. If they are, your information (name, email/phone number, and preferred payout method) will be recorded and your items will be added to the system. Payouts will be made quarterly via PayPal or cash (if you request cash as your payout method, please note that you must email us in advance of pickup).
If you have any questions about consignment, shoot us a message at consignment@boneshakerbooks.com!
QUICK CONSIGNMENT FAQ
Q. Can I consign my item at Boneshaker?
A. Probably! If you have small items like zines, stickers, jewelry, or prints, bring them into the store labelled and ready to put on the shelf. The volunteers on shift will review your items to make sure they’re a good fit for the store. Books, however, must be reviewed in advance. Email the info about your book to consignment@boneshakerbooks.com and wait for a response before bringing them in.
Q. How should I prepare my items for consignment?
A. Items need to be individually labeled with your name/business name and priced. Yes, this includes individual stickers and magnets! We have some pricing supplies on hand in the store, but plan on staying around for a little longer for checking in and pricing your pieces if they aren’t ready to go. If items are easily damaged (e.g. prints on thin paper, delicate pieces, etc.) you may want to sleeve them in plastic or glassine bags with a backing so they don’t get damaged in the store—we do not have the capacity to package items for consignors and cannot pay out for items damaged during everyday wear and tear from existing in a bookstore.
Q. When can I bring my items to start consignment or restock?
A. Bring your items in during our open hours, except for our last hour of operations each day. During events, we may not have capacity to accept consignment items, so check our Instagram or calendar before stopping by.
Q. Why might my item not be a good fit for Boneshaker?
A. We can’t accept items made with generative AI or that are scented. We also are somewhat limited by the size of the store, so large or bulky items are not always physically possible to display. Items that are politically at odds with Boneshaker’s mission will also not be stocked (i.e. don’t bring your pro-cop zine).
Q. How do payouts work?
A. Payouts are made quarterly via PayPal or cash. If picking up a large cash payout (over $50 or so), you must confirm your pickup in advance.
Q. Do I need to email in advance to get my items on consignment?
A. Not unless you’re trying to consign a book! Just bring your items in ready to stock.