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
RIAM promises our customers the finest in quality, authenticity and condition. As such we only accept items for consignment that meet our high standards. We generally do not accept items valued at less than $100 each and the items must truly be antique, desirable vintage, or high value luxury or specialty items to be considered.
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 your items in on Thursday evenings from 5pm to 7pm or on the weekends if possible (we have more appraisal staff available then). You may simply bring your items in for assessment (no appointment necessary), or in the case of large items you may choose to email photos first (use the form below) 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 $100. In the event of an offer, the store will contact the consignor via phone first for acceptance, rejection, or counter-offer.
Periodic Mark-Downs:
Our standard initial consignment term is 60 days. If your item doesn’t sell within that timeframe, the selling price is automatically reduced (usually by 30%) for the next 30 days. If it still doesn’t sell, the price is automatically reduced again (usually by another 20%). If after 120 days the item has still not sold then the consignor must either take it back or contact us to make other arrangements. Items not reclaimed within 15 days after the expiration of the consignment term shall be considered abandoned and the store will dispose of them at its sole discretion. As a courtesy, RIAM may send you a reminder postcard if your item does not sell after the first 60 days, however we accept no responsibility for missed, undelivered, lost or forgotten notices.
Fees:
Standard fee for small items such as vases, figurines, and anything else that can easily fit into a showcase is 40% of the selling price. The consignor shall also be responsible for any applicable credit card fees at the rate of 3.7%. Larger table-top items such as lamps, sculptures, audio equipment, etc. are subject to a 50% commission plus applicable credit card fees at 3.7%.
Special Terms for Consignment of Furniture, Large Wall Hung Items, & Other Large Items
35/35 Plan:
Most large items are consigned using this plan which requires a monthly rental fee (see rates below). There is no prorating of monthly fees if items sell mid-month. Then when the 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 of prices. If the item isn’t selling fast enough, the consignor may change the price at any time.
50/50 Plan:
At RIAM’s sole discretion, we may offer you this plan which requires no monthly rental fee, but 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 30% after 60 days and then by 50% after 90 days if the item remains unsold. Any applicable credit card fees will be charged to the consignor. After 120 days, the consignor is required to remove the item. After a 2 week grace period, unremoved items shall be considered permanently abandoned and the store will dispose of them at its sole discretion with no payout due to the consignment abandoner.
RIAM Consignment Rates
Most Objects & Valuables
Small Objects
- Size: Able to fit inside a showcase: 40% commission
- Size: Able to sit on a table: 50% commission
- No space rental fee.
Large Objects
- Size: Inquire about objects larger than 4 square feet of floor, table-top, wall, or showcase space.
- Commission Rate: 50%
- No space rental fee.
Wall Art & Mirrors
Small Wall Art & Mirrors
- Size: Up to 320 square inches (16″ x 20″)
- Commission Rate: 40%
- No space rental fee.
Medium Wall Art & Mirrors
- Size: Up to 600 square inches (20″ x 30″)
- Space Rental Fee: $15 per month*
- Commission Rate: 35%
Large Wall Art & Mirrors
- Size: Over 600 square inches (larger than 20″ x 30″)
- Space Rental Fee: $4 a square foot per month*
- Commission Rate: 35%
*Certain items may be eligible for a 50% commission rate with no monthly space rental fee. Inquire for eligibility.
Furniture
Small Furniture
- Size: Items such as a side chair or a fern stand.
- Space Rental Fee: $15 per month*
- Commission Rate: 35%
Large Furniture
- Size: Items such as a coffee table, china cabinet, or settee (up to 10 square feet).
- Space Rental Fee: $35 per month*
- Commission Rate: 35%
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%
*Certain items may be eligible for a 50% commission rate with no monthly space rental fee. Inquire for eligibility.
Vehicles, Machinery, etc.
Vehicles, Machinery, etc.
- Commission Rate: 20% to 50%. Contact us for details and a firm quote.
- Additional Fees: Seller covers any auction fees and/or expenses.
- Items in this category do not need to be antique or vintage.
High Value Items Get Special Discounted Rates
Items with a selling price over $2,500 may be eligible for discounted commission rates. Inquire for details.
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.
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.
Additional Info
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 is also available. Please inquire for details.
Our standard consignment term is 60 days. If your item doesn’t sell within that timeframe, the selling price is automatically reduced (usually by 30%) for the next 30 days. If it still doesn’t sell, the price is automatically reduced again (usually by another 20%). If after 90 days the item has still not sold then the consignor must either take it back or contact us to make other arrangements. Items not reclaimed within 15 days after the expiration of the consignment term shall be considered abandoned and the store will dispose of them at its sole discretion. As a courtesy RIAM will send you a reminder postcard if your item does not sell after the first 60 days, however we accept no responsibility for undelivered, lost, or forgotten notices.
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. Mid-month payouts can usually be arranged for a $10 service fee.
While every reasonable effort is made to protect your items, occasional 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 concerned about such potential losses. The fee is calculated at 6% of the item’s retail value (for example, insurance for a $200 item is $12) and must be purchased at the time of consignment. In the event of theft or 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. Thus 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 any item reclaimed by the consigner before it is sold. This listing fee will be fully waived if the item sells. No listing fee is charged for items listed using an absolute auction format starting at $9.99.