SimpleConsign

What is SimpleConsign

SimpleConsign is a cloud-based point of sale (POS) and inventory management software designed specifically for the resale industry. This includes consignment stores, thrift shops, vendor malls, and other resale businesses. The platform is built on the secure and stable Amazon Web Services (AWS) framework, ensuring reliability and accessibility. The core purpose of SimpleConsign is to centralize and simplify the complex operations of a resale business. It combines inventory tracking, sales processing, consignor management, and reporting into a single, easy-to-use system. This allows store owners to save time on administrative tasks, reduce errors in accounting, and gain better insights into their business performance, ultimately helping them to grow and scale their operations effectively.

SimpleConsign Features

SimpleConsign offers a suite of features tailored to the needs of resale businesses.

• Point of Sale (POS) System: A user-friendly interface for processing sales, returns, and gift cards. It is designed to be intuitive for quick employee training and efficient customer checkouts.
• Inventory Management: Track items from the moment they are consigned until they are sold. Manage consignment periods, set up automatic discounts for aging inventory, and handle returns and item dispositions.
• Consignor & Vendor Management: Maintain a detailed database of all consignors and vendors. The system automatically calculates splits and tracks what is owed, making payouts simple and accurate. Consignors can often access their own portal to check on their item status.
• Cloud-Based Access: Since the software is cloud-based, you can access your store's data, run reports, and manage inventory from any device with an internet connection, whether you are in the store or at home.
• Reporting and Analytics: Generate a wide range of reports to monitor sales, track top-performing consignors, analyze inventory turnover, and understand overall business profitability.
• Integrated Payments: Securely process credit and debit card payments directly through the POS system, which simplifies reconciliation and improves checkout speed.
• Shopify Integration: Seamlessly sync your in-store inventory with a Shopify e-commerce site, allowing you to sell your products both online and offline from a single inventory pool.
• Label Printing: Design and print custom price tags and labels with barcodes for all your inventory, ensuring a professional look and efficient checkout process.

SimpleConsign Pricing Plans

SimpleConsign offers flexible and scalable pricing plans designed to fit the needs of different business sizes. While specific prices are not listed, the structure typically includes several tiers.

• Starter Plan: Aimed at new or small stores, this plan usually includes the core POS and inventory management features needed to run daily operations.
• Professional Plan: This is the most popular option, offering all the features of the starter plan plus advanced capabilities like e-commerce integration (e.g., Shopify), more detailed reporting, and enhanced consignor management tools. The company offers a special "Store Launch Program" for new stores, providing this plan at a special rate.
• Enterprise Plan: For larger businesses or stores with multiple locations, this plan provides advanced features, multi-store management, dedicated support, and potentially custom solutions.

SimpleConsign Free Plan

SimpleConsign does not offer a permanent free plan. However, they typically provide a free trial or a personalized demo for prospective customers. This allows store owners to explore the software's features and determine if it is the right fit for their business before committing to a paid subscription.

How to use SimpleConsign

Getting started with SimpleConsign follows a straightforward process for store owners.

1. Sign Up and Onboarding: First, you choose a suitable plan and sign up. The SimpleConsign team assists with the initial setup and provides training to get you and your staff comfortable with the system.
2. Configure Store Settings: You will configure basic store information, such as tax rates, receipt details, and store policies.
3. Add Consignors: Create profiles for each of your consignors in the system. You will define their contact information and the commission split agreement (e.g., 50/50, 60/40).
4. Enter Inventory: When a consignor brings in items, you enter them into the system, assigning them to the correct consignor. You can add details like brand, size, color, set the price, and print a barcoded tag.
5. Process Sales: Use the POS interface to scan items and complete transactions with customers. The system automatically records the sale and updates inventory levels.
6. Manage Payouts: At the end of a payment period (e.g., monthly), run a payout report to see how much each consignor has earned. The system calculates the amounts, and you can then issue payments.
7. Monitor Performance: Regularly use the reporting tools to track sales trends, see which items are selling best, and manage your inventory effectively.

Pros and Cons of SimpleConsign

Here is a balanced look at the advantages and potential drawbacks of using SimpleConsign.

Pros:

• Industry-Specific: The software is built from the ground up for consignment, so its features directly address the unique challenges of the resale business model.
• User-Friendly: Customers frequently praise the software for being intuitive and easy to learn for both owners and employees.
• Cloud-Based: Offers the flexibility to manage your business from anywhere, on any device.
• Excellent Support: The company is known for providing strong customer support and training resources.
• Scalable: The tiered pricing and feature set allow the software to grow with your business.
• E-commerce Integration: The Shopify integration is a major benefit for stores wanting to sell online.

Cons:

• Cost: As a specialized solution, it may be more expensive than generic retail POS systems.
• Limited Integrations: While it integrates well with Shopify, it may have fewer integrations with other third-party apps compared to larger, more general POS systems.
• Internet Dependent: Being cloud-based means a stable internet connection is required for the software to function.

SimpleConsign Integrations

SimpleConsign focuses on key integrations to extend its functionality for resale businesses.

• Shopify: This is the primary e-commerce integration. It allows for the automatic syncing of inventory, product details, and sales data between your physical store and your Shopify online store.
• Integrated Payment Processing: SimpleConsign partners with payment processors to allow for seamless credit and debit card transactions directly within the POS software.
• QuickBooks: The platform typically offers data export options that are compatible with accounting software like QuickBooks, simplifying your bookkeeping process.

SimpleConsign Alternatives

If you are exploring other options, here are some popular alternatives to SimpleConsign.

• ConsignPro: One of the oldest names in the industry, ConsignPro is a powerful, desktop-based software. It is known for its extensive features but may have a steeper learning curve and less modern interface compared to SimpleConsign.
• Ricochet POS: A direct cloud-based competitor that also specializes in consignment. Ricochet is known for its strong inventory management tools and integrated e-commerce platform.
• Liberty Consignment Software: A comprehensive solution from ResaleWorld that offers both cloud and installed versions. It is highly customizable and suitable for larger, high-volume stores.
• Aravenda: A modern, cloud-native consignment software that emphasizes online selling and provides a great consignor access portal. It is a strong choice for businesses with a significant online presence.

SimpleConsign API

SimpleConsign does not publicly advertise a developer API (Application Programming Interface) for general use. Custom integrations or API access may be available for businesses on higher-tier or enterprise plans, but this would require direct consultation with their sales or technical support teams. There is no public documentation or developer portal for self-service API access.

SimpleConsign Affiliate Program

There is no publicly listed affiliate or referral program on the SimpleConsign website. Businesses or influencers interested in partnership opportunities would need to contact the SimpleConsign marketing or sales department directly to inquire about potential collaboration. They may offer custom partnership agreements on a case-by-case basis.