What is intake?
Intake is the process by which a resale store accepts, evaluates, and records incoming inventory from consignors or sellers. It marks the beginning of an item’s life in the store — from the moment it arrives to the point where it’s priced, tagged, and ready for the floor.
How intake works
The intake process typically involves several steps, though the specifics vary by store type and model:
Item review — staff inspect incoming items for condition, brand, and suitability for the store’s inventory
Acceptance or rejection — not all items are accepted; stores with quality standards will decline items that do not meet them
Consignor agreement — for consignment stores, the consignor signs a consignor agreement at or before intake
Item entry — accepted items are logged in the store’s inventory system, with a description, price, and the consignor’s account linked
Pricing — items are priced, sometimes with the help of a pricing guide
Label Printing — items receive a price label and are prepared for the floor
In a buy outright store, intake also includes payment to the seller at the time of drop-off.
Why intake matters
Intake is where inventory quality is controlled. Accepting items that do not sell clogs the floor, creates consignor disputes, and drags down your sell-through rate. A well-run intake process keeps standards consistent and sets clear expectations with consignors from the start.