Sutterfield Consignment

Went there to consign some of my parents’ stuff. They didn’t take any but were polite about it and tried to look up locations of alternative buyers for me. They seem to have a lot of Chinese-​influenced items (note: Chinese, not other Asian, as they noted to me). Some of the stuff in my laywoman’s eyes seem a dime a dozen and are sold quite expensively, but given their careful consignment process, I’d give them the benefit of the doubt that the stuff they sell is legit consignment furniture and not the mass-​market replicas I’m so used to seeing. In any case, fun to browse around on Broadway.

RESPONSE TO THE OWNER“s COMMENT:
The last time I checked, «to lie» still means to say or tell an untruth, which is what she did MORE THAN ONCE. First she claimed she never got my DOUBLE messages offering the table to consign when I know that she did, and then she told me she would send me her estimate of value and did not do it, even after I sent her a SECOND message follow up. If she really found her appraisal message in her «draft» folder, as she claims, then she would have at least sent it on.
Give me a break, it is obvious this business owner has been less than honest and downright rude in handling this and my intent is to warn others.
ORIGINAL POST:
This place does not deserve even one star in my recent experience — I contacted the owner by e-​mail regarding a vintage hand made solid oak claw foot table I had built by Amish craftsmen when I lived in the Midwest. I also have antique (over 100 years old) oak leaf design chairs to go with the table. Wanted to know if they would take it in the shop to sell.
After several days with no response, I resent the message and waited several more days with still no reply.
After verifying with my ISP that the messages were indeed delivered to a valid open e-​mail server for the company, I called and in the midst of leaving a message, the owner picked up. She claimed she was having «e-​mail problems», yet mysteriously had my e-​mails RIGHT IN FRONT OF her, as she was looking at the photos I had sent!
I said nothing and proceeded trying to find out if she could take the table and/​or the chairs to sell and what she would value them at. She was very direct and blunt on both telling me «there is NO market for solid oak heavy pieces like this in the Bay Area» and to donate them. I then politely asked her if she would give me a retail value for taxes purposes, which said she would gladly do.
I waited several more days and still no e-​mail — SAY WHAT? At this point I realized my intuitions were correct all along — she had no interest and since there was nothing in it for her, chose to ignore me and go so far as lie and mislead me.
There is no excuse for this kind of treatment of potential customers and any professional would show consideration in their business interactions. After all, I was dealing with the owner!
I have been in the shop several times, and for what it’s worth — it is very high priced for what they are selling. Buyers, take heed — there still are a few people that appreciate consideration and HONESTY in doing business with others!

I bought another gorgeous light fixture from Sutterfield Consignment. Peggy, the founder and CEO, is knowledgeable and very professional. I have bought and sold a number of items at Sutterfield and been very satisfied with the service.

When I first moved to Burlingame I needed a desk. I had envisioned a simple but classy looking writing desk that maybe had one wide but narrow in height drawer. I went to Pier 1, Scandinavian Designs, Macy’s, etc., looked on line (found lots I liked in Google images, but they were just images without location (or price).
One day walking down Broadway Ave, I felt drawn to Sutterfield’s window display. There were some pretty small pieces of furniture, and to be honest, I don’t remember what the rest of the stuff was but they were so interesting I had to walk in.
I was not expecting what was in there. I typically do not like stores full of used stuff, but there were things so unique and gorgeous I was a bit mesmerized. And, there was one writing desk, very close to what I wanted. Not EXACTLY what I wanted but close enough it was almost scary. I had a tug o’ war going on in my brain about whether to get it or not. Peggy, the owner, was super friendly. I think she saw me standing their in deep contemplation because she came over and asked if I liked the desk. I said, «It is almost exactly what I want.» She told me there might be others like it (out there), but not many and kindly suggested that if I really wanted it I should buy it now. Being the perfectionist that I was, I passed on it. I shouldn’t have. The second time I went in I asked about the desk and sure enough, someone else bought it.
I’m not a big consumer, but this place is just so beautiful and unusual, I often step in there to see what they have that I might want. The staff is always very warm (no creepy greeters). Every time I walk in I feel like I’m visit one of the coolest places on our planet, right here in Burlingame. I’m also hoping to find my perfect writing desk, again.

Peggy was very helpful. Even though the crystal I had was not old enough, she explained how age and patterns can make crystal valuable or not-​so-​valuable. I had a couple of Hummels that she was willing to sell for me. I also have a Goebel bird that wasn’t of much value, and she gave me some suggestions on how best to sell them. I’ll be going back to have her look at some paintings, as I have no idea what their value is (if any). I’ll definitely go back to her. Thanks, Peggy!

My Mom passed away in the last year and I was left with all of her belongings/​furniture.
She had some things of value but I had no idea what was worth selling and what was worth giving away. Peggy came in and looked over everything and made a list of what would sell. Soon she had arranged for things to get picked up. Out of all the things she took into her shop, about 85 percent sold. I then had her come over to the house a few months later to look at all the small items. I first sorted through everything so I would not waste to much of her time. Out of all the small items she took, she sold about 80 percent of those. It was easy to work with her and she new what what work and what would not sell. I thought some things had value but so much of it did not.
Thanks Peggy

I visited Sutterfield Consignment last week. To be honest, I was not impressed. Perhaps the shop was recently cleaned out by someone with a great eye (or people haven’t sold anything good lately), but I didn’t think that any of the items were really interesting, spectacular, or unique. I probably would not venture back to this shop unless I was literally walking down the street after having visited another store on the strip and saw something interesting in the window.

Sadly, after now having two bad experiences, I feel like I need to pass on the word.
FYI, if you are shopping in the store, items that do not have price tags are already sold. I’ve had that experience twice now.
Three weeks ago, I asked about an item. I was told it was sold. In fact, I was told, «A dealer bought that sight-​unseen». Just went in again this week, the item is still there… this time I was told by a different staff person, «Oh, that’s going to auction».
I like a consignment store that prices merchandise if they are going to put it on the floor.

I had the owner (I think she was?) come to our home to give us an estimate on some antique furniture we had. She was nice when she came over, told us how great the stuff was, and also took an antique light fixture that told us maybe someone she knew maybe would be interested in it and would let us know.
We heard from her a few days later and told us she wasn’t interested in the furniture she gave us an estimate on and she didn’t have room for it in her store. I thought that was a little weird, It would of been nice if she told us that from the get go. I would think you would know your inventory before you agree to take it. We never heard from her in regards to the fixture so we called her weeks later and she said she junked it since no one was interested in it. My husband and I were a little upset on that front since she just took it upon herself to junk it without calling us first. We never told her to donate it or junk it if she found out that person wasn’t interested. Anyway, didn’t leave that great of an impression on me for my consignment needs.

I like other people’s stuff. Call it stuff envy if you will. Sutterfield, which by the way sounds like I’m going into a British tea room, sells other people’s cool stuff.
I bought two stylin’ deco-​era chairs here and have had my eye on many a piece of vintage jewelry, but just can’t bring myself to bite the bullet.
I’ve been to many a flea market, antique shop and consignment store in my day and I’m a fan of them in general. The main reason for the measly 3 stars is that I just don’t think the selection is super vast and the prices are on the higher end of the spectrum. The staff that works here are nice though and are quick to offer helpful advice if needed.

3.5 stars
This is not a junky consignment store. They have nice stuff and are in good condition. I especially like their jewelry selection — really nice pieces. As Brian said, snap it up if you like something because it’s likely not there when you return.
In case you don’t already know, you can always ask if they can do better on the price. Just be reasonable — never hurt to ask as they want to make a sale as much as you want to buy.
Enjoy!

A pretty cool consignment place. Lot’s of antiques and a good selection of East Asian furniture.
They do a brisk business, so if you see something in the window you like, snap it up! It won’t be there for long.