Released: October 11, 2008

Consignment sales rise as economy falters

Source: Jura Koncius, Washington Post (Free Registration)

Patricia Ohlemiller packed up her Edmund Scientific Astroscan telescope last week and headed to the Gaithersburg iSold It eBay drop-off center. She hoped to recoup $150, minus commission, of its original $350 value.

Planning to retire next year and worried about putting her house on the market, Ohlemiller said, “I’d rather sell stuff I don’t need and get the cash.”

Colleen Magro dragged a heavy box to the Bethesda offices of Sloans & Kenyon Auctioneers and Appraisers a couple of weeks ago for appraisal day. Inside were carefully wrapped Chinese ceramics and Brazilian sculptures set with semi-precious stones that she hoped to consign.

“I was laid off in December,” Magro said. “I need money. I thought I’d have a job by now.”

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