We are open 362 days a year and are only closed for July 4th, Thanksgiving, & Christmas. Hours may vary based on weather. Check this space or our social media profiles for updates.
Sell or Consign
RIAM's impressive retail facility & reputation will help you sell your items quickly and at a great price.
Start Selling Now
Contact us today to inquire about selling your items through consignment in our store or directly to us!
Best Rates and Results
RIAM's market dominance and stellar reputation enables us to consistently deliver high returns for our consigners.
Best Rates and Results
RIAM's market dominance and stellar reputation enables us to consistently deliver high returns for our consigners.
Start Selling Now
Contact us today to inquire about selling your items through consignment in our store or directly to us!
RIAM Consignment
With our incredible location, first-class facility and stellar reputation, you can trust RIAM to sell your most valuable items quickly, professionally and at a great price… and because we sell so efficiently, we can afford to provide our services for less cost to you than most other shops or internet consignment services.
General Merchandise Guidelines
With our incredible location, first-class facility and stellar reputation, you can trust RIAM to sell your most valuable items quickly, professionally and at a great price… and because we sell so efficiently, we can afford to provide our services for less cost to you than most other shops or internet consignment services.
We will consign almost any fine antique, vintage, collectible or valuable item – large or small. This includes jewelry and watches, currency, glassware, pottery, artwork, silver, furs, furniture, lighting, rugs, advertising, toys, militaria, political items and almost anything else that is old, interesting or desirable.
Limitations
- We do not accept new or nearly new items in most cases, damaged, overly worn, or soiled merchandise, most reproductions, or other items we determine to be inappropriate for our shop.
- Clothing, linens, and other textiles must be freshly laundered and free of stains, odor, or damage to be considered.
- On occasion we will accept certain high-value newer items if they are suited to sell online. This includes vehicles and automotive accessories, campers and boats, newer luxury items, electronics, equipment and machinery, coins and bullion, and any number of other desirable items that are not necessarily old. Please inquire about these items first.
How It Works
Consignments are processed daily however for fastest service it is best to bring them in on Thursday evenings from 5–7 pm or on the weekends if possible (we have more appraisal staff available then). You may bring your items in for assessment, or in the case of large items you may choose to email photos first (use the form on our “Sell or Consign” page (tab above) or bring photos into the shop.
In any case, please make sure that your items are in “Put Right in Your House” condition – complete, clean, working (where applicable) and damage-free. Pick-up service is available for a reasonable fee – please refer to the “Pick-up and Delivery” section of our website for details.
- We will help you to properly identify your item and to determine the right selling price for it.
- RIAM reserves the right to reject any item for any reason.
- The consignor agrees to allow the store to extend the industry standard 10% discount to any dealer/customer possessing a valid resale certificate or to anyone during marketed storewide sale events.
- Store policy allows for customer offers on any item over $150. In the event of an offer, the store will contact the consignor via phone first for acceptance, rejection or counter-offer.
- We have a $100 consignment minimum, with a $150 minimum for items that are listed for sale online.
- Items removed before the consignment term concludes may be subject to a fee. See individual plans below.
Standard Small-item Consignment Terms
Our standard small item (defined as being smaller than a breadbox) consignment term is 6 months and our fee is 40% of the selling price plus any applicable credit card fees. Every month, the selling price of each unsold item will be reduced by 10%. If after 6 months the item has still not sold, the consignor must either retrieve it, or contact us to make other arrangements. Items not reclaimed within 30 days after the expiration of the consignment term shall be considered permanently abandoned and store property. It is the sole responsibility of the consignor to reclaim their unsold items in the proper timeframe, so make a point to mark your calendar so you don’t forget.
Consigners who wish to take back items before the 6-month term concludes will be charged a fee totaling 25% of the item’s current selling price.
Special Terms for Consignment of Furniture, Large Wall Hung Items, & Other Large Items
Rent +25 Plan
BEST FOR ESTATE LIQUIDATIONS AND DOWNSIZING
This is our most economical plan for folks selling multiple large pieces or sets of furniture.
The consignor pays a monthly booth rental – typically $335/month or fraction thereof – plus a 25% commission on each item sold (along with any applicable credit card fees). Our standard space for this program is approximately 50′ sq., in a prime location on the main level of our showroom. The consignor may put as many items as they choose into the space including appropriate smalls.
As pieces sell and space is made, the consignor is welcome to refill the space. Inventory that will not fit the booth initially may be stored in our nearby warehouse at no charge, but must be removed concurrently when the space is vacated to avoid additional charges.
As the consignor runs out of merchandise, smaller rental spaces will be offered – subject to availability. Alternatively, remaining items may be switched to any other appropriate consignment plan. The consignor retains total control of pricing throughout, however RIAM management will gladly help with setting prices5
35/35 Plan
BEST FOR FURNITURE AND OTHER LARGE ITEMS
Most single large items are consigned using this plan which requires a monthly rental fee of (most often $35/month) or $4/sq.ft. for items that cover over 10 sq.ft. of floor or wall space.
There is no prorating of monthly fees if items sell mid-month. When each item sells, the consignor is charged a 35% commission plus any applicable credit card fees.
The consignor retains total control of pricing throughout, however RIAM management will gladly help with setting prices.
See below for more information on this plan.
50/50 Plan
BEST FOR SMALLER ITEMS – NO OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE
At RIAM’s sole discretion, we may offer you this plan which requires no monthly rental fee, however, the commission rate is 50% of the selling price. Using this plan, consignors are required to accept RIAM’s selling price recommendations.
Furthermore, the selling price will automatically drop by 10% each month until the item sells or is deemed abandoned. Any applicable credit card fees will be charged to the consignor. After 6 months, the consignor is required to remove the item.
After a 30-day grace period, uncollected items shall be considered abandoned and store property.
A fee representing 25% of the current selling price will be applied to any item removed from consignment before the 6-month term concludes.
RIAM 35/35 Plan Consignment Rates
Wall Art & Mirrors
Furniture
Vehicles, Machinery, etc.
Wall Art & Mirrors
Pieces up to 16″ x 20″
- Commission Rate: 40% when item sells.
- No space rental fee
- Standard early termination fee applies for items taken back before the 6-month consignment term concludes.
Pieces over 16″ x 20″ with no dimension more than 36″
- Space Rental Fee: $35 per month
- Commission Rate: 35% when item sells
Pieces with any dimension greater than 36″
- Space Rental Fee: $35 per month or $4 a square foot per month, or fraction thereof (whichever is higher)
- Commission Rate: 35% when item sells
You may remove the item at any time provided your monthly rent is paid in full. Using this plan allows you to set the percentage and timing of any discounts.
Furniture
Small Furniture up to 4 square feet of floor space
- Examples: Side chair, plant stand, end table
- Space Rental Fee: $15 per month
- Commission Rate: 35% when item sells
- Overage on square footage is charged at $3.50/month/sq. foot
Large Furniture up to 10 square feet of floor space
- Examples: Coffee table, china cabinet, settee
- Space Rental Fee: $35 per month
- Commission Rate: 35% when item sells
- Overage on square footage is charged at $3.50/month/sq. foot
Oversized Furniture
- Size: Larger than 10 square feet such as a dining table or a large couch (over 10 square feet).
- Space Rental Fee: $3.50 a square foot per month
- Commission Rate: 35%
You may remove the item at any time provided your monthly rent is paid in full. Using this plan allows you to set the percentage and timing of any discounts.
Vehicles, Machinery, etc.
Vehicles, Machinery, etc.
We have had significant success selling cars, boats, campers and industrial equipment online. Most items in this category are subject to a 20%* sales commission provided the items sell for $5000 or over, however all such items may be subject to additional fees and/or discounts depending on particulars like selling price, storage, final value fees, etc. Please contact us for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Important details about selling or consigning.
RIAM may be willing to purchase certain items outright at a wholesale rate if you prefer not to wait for them to get sold at a retail price over time. Ask us about this option. We also make house calls for large collections and may be willing to purchase your entire estate or any fraction of it outright. Full estate clean-out service is also available. Please inquire for details.
No matter what day your consignment is initiated or what day your item sells, all sales are tallied on the last day of each month. Payments are then processed and mailed out by the 10th of the following month. Rush mid-month payouts can usually be accommodated for a $15 service fee.
While every reasonable effort is made to protect your items, acts-of-God, occasional shop-wear, accidental breakage, and theft are unavoidable in all retail establishments. All consigned items are taken in at the risk of the consignor. In many cases your homeowner’s policy will cover such losses (subject to your deductible).
RIAM offers an insurance option for those who are especially concerned about such potential loss. The fee is calculated at 6% of the item’s initial retail value (for example, insurance for a $200 item is $12) and must be purchased at the time of consignment. Similar to a car insurance policy, the insurer may choose to repair damaged items when practical. In the event of theft or total destruction of the insured item, the policy will pay the consignor the net value of the item (after the store’s commission) and where practical the damaged item is forfeited to the insurer. For example, an insured stolen item currently priced at the time of loss at $500 with a 40% commission would pay the consignor $300.
Minor “shop-wear” is not covered by this policy.
RIAM management might determine that certain items may sell better on-line than in our shop. We will offer this alternative to you if appropriate.
Our fees are the same as in-store consignment, except that a $60 non-refundable listing fee will be charged for items listed with a reserve (should you require one). This listing fee will be fully applied to the sales commission if the item sells. No listing fee is charged for items listed using an absolute auction format starting at $9.99 (Recommended).
If an eBay listed item is taken back by the consignor before it’s sold, the consignor is required to pay the minimum $60 listing fee as most of the work has already been done.
Contact Us and Start Selling Your Valuable Items Today
Please be sure to include high quality images of your item(s) as they are required for us to adequately research and assess your item(s).
Here are a few tips that can help you take images of your item(s):
- Place the item in a well lit space without clutter.
- Use a white-colored or natural light source if possible.
- Make sure to photograph any details such as damage or a signature.
- For objects such as art, mirrors or furniture, provide images of the back and/or bottom.
- Provide a mix of images that show the entire item as well as details.
- If possible, name your image files with descriptive titles. For example: Cane Side Chair_Front View.jpg.
- Keep image files under 1MB in size.
The Rhode Island Antiques Mall combines a beautiful retail space, a stellar reputation and years of experience to help you get the most out of your antiques and collectibles.
High Value Items Get Special Discounted Rates
Items other than vehicles and equipment that sell for over $2500 get a 5% commission reduction and items that sell for over $5000 get a 10% commission reduction.
Consult management for items valued at over $10,000.
You don’t have to pay the rent monthly. We will take it out of the selling price unless you take the item back, in which case you need to pay any rent due before removing the item.
* A 3.5% additional fee will be charged if the buyer uses a credit card to make their purchase
