March 11, 2016 | by Anna Mehrer
A friend recently asked if there is a resale market for fur coats Portland. A client was wondering if she should consign or leave it up to the estate sale. Here’s my answer:
“Furs are super tough sells. Some shops in the area consign fur, but she will have to wait until fall to consign, since it’s now out of season. That also means she’ll get half the selling price IF it sells. She could make a stab on Poshmark or Ebay first. This is all assuming the fur is in perfect condition, which usually entails having been stored in a climate-controlled facility. The way the furrier at Nicholas Ungar explained it to me, the pelt’s hide is akin to skin: If it has been stored in a closet in a house, chances are it’s dried out and beyond repair (as was the case with my Grandmother’s fur.) If it’s stored in an appropriately humid facility, its condition will be better preserved, the fur glossy and the hide supple. So, condition and season are two major selling factors. Then she will need to decide what she is willing to accept, payment-wise. If she finds the condition just isn’t up to par, Buffalo Exchange offers to donate furs to animal shelters, though I haven’t verified which shelters and how employees ensure the donated furs go exactly where they claim.”
I know fur is very controversial, so those who consign and buy second-hand furs can take solace in the fact they are not contributing to the demand of new fur production. Coats with a conscience, mes amis!
updated 2/12/2025