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Many stores on a budget choose to buy a used mannequin. Used mannequins are a good deal for several reasons. Many stores do not see the purpose in buying new mannequins when used ones work just as well. While some used mannequins may have slight damage or need to be repainted, most of them look as good as new. Many places offer used mannequins for rent as well.
Buying a used mannequin can be a perfect solution for a store working with a budget. A used mannequin can cost hundreds of dollars less than a new one. Most used mannequins are in like new condition, with only minor problems.
There are a wide variety of used mannequins available, including males, females, and children. Some used mannequins can even be posed, so they are not stuck in one position. Some people may be concerned that used mannequins will look too dated or have haircuts that are out of style. This is not much of a concern because used mannequins usually do not look much different than newer models. Any differences can be ignored or easily fixed. Used mannequins can be repainted or refurbished if they need to be updated.
Stores that only need a mannequin for a limited amount of time should consider renting a used mannequin. Most websites or stores that sell used mannequins have a wide selection of rental mannequins as well. Rental mannequins are reused over and over again, so the rental companies have a good incentive to constantly update and refurbish the mannequins so customers will continue to rent them.
The price you can pay for a used mannequin can vary widely depending upon who you purchase the mannequin from. Used mannequins can be purchased from mannequin liquidators, store owners who are going out of business, EBay and garage sales. No matter where you purchase your mannequin you should know that used mannequins fall into 4 basic categories which can impact their sales price:
1) Virtually new – a mannequin that is technically not brand new, but its condition is so flawless it might as well be new. This type of mannequin was perhaps seldom used or in some cases never taken out the box because the retailer went out of business or changed their merchandising strategy soon after the mannequin arrived in the store. Or it may be a mannequin that was used only for photo-shoots.
2) Gently Used – a mannequin with some dirt, slight discoloration or minor scratching. A gently used mannequin may have previously been in the store window of a high-end retailer and was well maintained and handled with care.
3) Used – a mannequin with signs of normal wear and tear such as scuff marks and paint chips and cracks. There might also be some minor structural damage, say a broken or missing finger or crack on the arm. This mannequin might be the type that was displayed on the sales floor of a retailer and the continued handling of the mannequin caused it to show signs of “age. This mannequin might also have hair, make-up or a body style that is not contemporary looking because it was manufactured in the 1970’s – a golden era for mannequins.
4) Distressed – a mannequin with one or more missing limbs and/or with structural damage on its body which can occur when a mannequin falls or is dropped on a hard surface. Some distressed mannequins can be repaired and restored to almost new condition by a skilled mannequin re-bushier. Other distressed mannequins are useful for their parts such as for an art project or Halloween display.
In general, the better the condition the mannequin is in, the higher the price you will pay for it. Vintage mannequins, the ones with heads made from carved wood, wax or with glass eyes are in a category all by themselves. They are considered collector’s pieces and typically their fragility makes them impractical for anything other than being in a museum.
Many times second hand mannequins are discounted if they do not have a stand to support them standing upright. Since most female mannequins have their feet in a high heeled position, they cannot stand upright on their own. Even if the mannequin has a flat foot pose and can stand upright on its own, it runs the risk of falling down. If the mannequin has a hole in the bottom of their foot you can have a metal fabricator make a stand with a 6" rod that is affixed to a float metal base. The disadvantage of this type of stand is that you will not be able to display shoes on the mannequin without putting a hole in the shoe.
A used mannequins with some dirt, slight discoloration or minor scratching. A gently used second hand mannequin may have previously been in the store window of a high-end retailer.
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