What is a resale POS?
A resale POS is a point of sale system built specifically for the operational needs of resale and consignment stores. It handles standard retail transactions like scanning items, processing payments, and issuing receipts, and also manages aspects of the consignor relationship, inventory tracking, and split calculations specific to resale.
How is a resale POS different from a general POS?
A general retail POS is built around a relatively simple model: the store owns the inventory, a customer buys it, and the store keeps the proceeds. Resale, particularly consignment, is often more complex with more operational requirements.
In resale, items may have different ownership, various categories could require different split agreements, and inventory is often one-of-a-kind, with varying criteria for pricing and discounts. Resale POS systems are built specifically to handle the variety around all those facets of resale.
Key Features of a Resale POS
In addition to features found in standard POS systems a resale-specific POS typically has the following features:
Consignor Account Management
Each consignor has their own account that tracks their items, what has sold, and what they're owed. This is the core capability that separates a resale POS or consignment software from a general one.
Intake and Item Logging
Items are logged at intake and tied to a consignor account. The system tracks each item from the moment it comes in the door to the moment it sells or expires.
Automated Split Calculations
When an item sells, the system calculates the consignor's or vendor's share automatically based on the agreed consignor split and adds it to their account balance.
Automated Discount Schedules
A resale POS can apply markdowns automatically based on how long an item has been on the floor according to the store's discount schedule. Many systems can print upcoming discount dates directly on price tags.
Consignor Payouts
The system tracks what each consignor is owed and generates payout records when payment is issued by check, store credit, or another method.
Reporting by Consignor and Category
Helpful resale data is broken down by consignor, category, and intake date. A resale POS makes that data accessible without manual extraction.
Label and Tag Printing
Item labels that include price, intake date, consignor code, and upcoming discount dates are standard in well-run consignment stores. A resale POS generates these automatically at intake.
FAQs
Can I run a consignment store on a general POS?
Technically yes, but it usually requires significant manual workarounds to track consignor accounts and splits, calculate payouts, and manage discount schedules. Most resale stores that start with a general POS will quickly outgrow it.
Is a resale POS the same as consignment software?
They overlap significantly and may sometimes be the same thing. A resale POS handles the transaction layer; consignment software covers broader operational features. Many platforms combine both into one system.