12/14/08

Avoid avoid avoid...

by StarvingForStyle

The first time I heard the rules for consignors I knew this place wasn't for me (I was told to drop my things off at the back door. Anything they didn't want they'd donate. Huh??). After reading other consignor's reviews I'm so glad I didn't take my beautiful designer clothes here. I recently popped in as a shopper out of mere curiosity. This place looks cute from the outside but holds no appeal once you pass through the front door. It's either poorly lit or bare light bulbs blind the view of the crowded, subpar merchandise. It's a place crammed full of dated, saggy, worn inventory. What qualifies as "designer" clothing here completely misses the mark.

• Pros: Cute building
• Cons: Everything else

04/21/08

Shady Place If You Want To Consign and Make $$$

by lovethedo

This review applies to both McShanes stores. I agree with the person who had a bad experience consigning. I brought in some very nice items, many that I am sure she sold for more than the money that was given to me, even minus her commission. As for the items that should have been returned to me I was told to walk around the store and find them myself. I only found two of the items that belonged to me and there should have been at least 20. I agree that the owner is rude and she would do her store a favor if she stayed home. The other girls are very nice. I feel sorry for them because I have seen her act rudely towards her own employees. She appears to be a micro manger. I will never consign here again. For over 79 items I only made around $200 and I had some very high end items. Many of my unsold items disappeared and I don't know what happened to them. Sketchy.

• Pros: You can find a few gems
• Cons: Don't consign here

02/19/08

greatest store in lincoln park!

by bea74

Love the store love the clothes love the staff and most of all love the owner!!!! i have been shopping as well as consigning for many years and i have never had a problem with anyone/anything. my clothes sold therefore i made money... if they dont sell guess what??? you wont make money! go ahead give it a try you wont find any prada or fendi in chicago for 20 dollars!

• Pros: all pros no cons!

01/12/08

Extremely rude to sellers, Owner is awful, good stuff to buy but HORRIBLE if you want to make some $$

by see2keroppi

(original post, 1/18/08) They said to me, "Check back later to see if any more money comes in for you. Went back to the store today. I believe Denise McShane's exact words were, "You're the one who left that horrible review about me. There's no more money coming in for you. We'll call it even."

(bea74: how much did Denise pay you to post that?)

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I brought in over 200 items to consign. The staff was very nice when I dropped off but extremely rude & unhelpful when I wanted to pick up my items. Their consignment system is extremely archaic. The owner has NO sense of integrity or professionality in her operations.

NOTE IF YOU WANT TO SELL: This is practically the only consignment store in town that doesn't use an electronic system of inventorying their items. What I mean is that when you drop of your items to consign, they do not write down what you brought in, how much it sold for, or if it sold at all!! When I went in to pick up my check and what was left of my items, I spent over four hours going through their racks. All they could tell me was that 42 items sold and that I had made $305. That's a measely average of $7 per item. I had no clue what items were sold and which ones were left.

The worst part is that I came home with only about 80 leftover items as opposed to the actual 150 that I should have come home with. The staff offered no help in finding what was left--they simply said "that's our policy."

For all I know, they could have kept some of my good items and said they "sold" them. Overall, it was a horrible experience and I will never consign there again.

If you want to consign clothing, I would recommend taking them to ANY of the other stores in town. They might be smaller and have less exposure, but at least they run on computerized systems. That way, you know exactly what sold, exactly how much it sold for, exactly what is left, and exactly how much money you made.

If you want to sell, beware!!!

• Pros: Cheap designer clothing
• Cons: Horrible service, even worse if you want to sell your items there

11/05/05

You Can't Beat The Designer Deals!

by wauconda

The moment you walk into both McShane's Exchange you know you have found a gold-mine, and it's all mine! All at a price that you can still afford to pay your rent! All impeciable, all designer, all affordable!

02/08/05

Casual clothing and bargain prices at a colorful Lincoln Park consignment boutique.

by Elisa Kronish

The Scene
McShane's Exchange packs a lot into its small space, but manages to keep it neat and inviting. By specializing in only women's clothing and accessories, McShane's makes room for all sizes, from petite to full-figured. Selling mostly casual and business-casual, McShane's has chosen a tasteful selection on consignment of everything from shoes to scarves, jeans to blazers, T-shirts to formal dresses. Whenever possible, clothing is grouped by color, making a pretty rainbow of colors on the racks.

The Goods
Great deals are par for the course, as sales continue throughout the year, with color-coded tags indicating a percentage off the marked price (between 10 and 70 percent off). Although designer labels predominate, there are also labels from retailers like Banana Republic and the Gap. The new non-sale items are housed in a smaller back room.

09/23/02

Spend less...look finesse!

by mariel68

I had to check this place out for myself...and was I ever glad that I did! These pieces are very gently used, and I found some beautiful unique pieces to add to my already bursting wardrobe! I was fortunate too to visit the shop when I did because all the pieces that I bought were an additional 75% off the consignment price. I will definitely come back here!

07/25/02

Diva on a budget

by sarahlou

Is there any other place that you can spice up your wardrobe with delectable designer clothes, and spend so little money? My favorite place to therapy shop.

• Pros: top-notch designers, variety, value