No? Unsure if your shop should be listed on HTC.com?

That's okay, we realize the Internet can be intimidating. Here's some thoughts:

I don't have a web site so why do I need to be on HowToConsign.com?

If you're not "on the web", new customers/ consignors/ donors will assume you're not a "real business." Silly, I know, but it's true. Your business needs to show up when they search for you, and a simple e-business card on HowToConsign.com will get you seen. It's exactly like handing someone your business card (see an example of an e-card here)... or not handing them your card. Which would you rather do? An e-business card is free with your Sponsorship, and can easily be replaced with your new site, once you have one.

Facebook really works for me, why do I need anything else?

Facebook is great for communicating with current, enthusiastic, regular customers, and I wish you many of them! But as you know, you always need new faces, and Facebook for all its virtues, isn't the best place to get discovered. Find new friends and fans with your HowToConsign.com listing...even if they're visitors or tourists. And remember, if you have both a web site and you're an active Facebooker, you can use both as listings if you are a Treasured Sponsor. (Valued Sponsors can choose which of their web presences they wish to list.)

Everyone finds me because they were "just driving by." I don't need to spend a dollar or two a week in your Directory. 

Well, no, they didn't "just" find you. Something about your shop rang a bell for them...they saw you on the web, a friend told them about you, or they've been reading about how great resale is, and oh look there's one! The PRE-education featured on HowToConsign.com is carefully designed to reach the 9 out of 10 consumers who don't shop resale...yet! Don't you want your shop to be the first they see, after getting excited about what consignment, resale, and thrift shops have to offer?

Why do you charge $1 or $2 a week? Why isn't HowToConsign.com free, like other sites?

Many directories are on the web for reasons that have nothing to do with building the potential market for your future customers. They sell ads, your contact information, or are cluttered with self-promotion, distracting the visitors from your and my primary mission: To show consumers and suppliers there is a better, friendlier, eco-conscious and economical way to shop. Would you distract your shoppers by letting guys selling candy bars and miracle eyeglass wipes wander through your shop? That's what those free sites are doing, funneling your future customers away from you and towards them.

That's okay, we realize that advertising dollars are scary to spend. After all, who knows why your customers walk in the door?

Ask them how they found out about you, and you know what they'll say. They'll say, "Oh, someone told me." Good old word-of-mouth, wouldn't be the same without it!

...but guess what. In order to get folks TALKING about your shop, you have to give them something to talk ABOUT. Like this site.

When it's time to take a straight look at your advertising and publicity budget, put HowToConsign.com in your budget so you tempt PRE-educated potential shoppers and suppliers to find you. And may I invite you personally to visit our sister site, Too Good to be Threw, for all sorts of wonderful information and Products for the Professional Resaler to make your shop be all you KNOW it can be!