Windance Boardshop’s Consignment Success Story: From Local Gear Swaps to Online Resale Leader

Windance Boardshop has become a premier hub for wind and water sports gear in the Columbia River Gorge. In addition to new gear, Windance runs a thriving consignment program for used equipment – a niche that not only helps local riders upgrade affordably but also fuels a significant part of the store’s business. Recently, Hood River local Nick Caccavo took the helm and set out to scale Windance’s used gear operation even further. This post explores Windance’s origins and business model, the challenges they faced managing consignment inventory, and how switching to a modern consignment software (ConsignCloud) transformed their workflow. We’ll also dive into broader resale industry trends and share best practices for other consignment store owners looking to ride the wave of secondhand retail growth.

Building a Business on Wind and Water

Founded in 1984, Windance started with windsurf repairs and custom boards, eventually adding used gear. “We started back in 1984 selling windsurf repairs and custom boards,” Nick explained, “and eventually started selling used gear.” Over time, Windance developed into one of the premier wind sports shops in the U.S. and internationally.

In the '90s, kiteboarding took off, and Windance adapted. More recently, they added wing foiling. “Currently we're a pretty big wind sports shop, and we cater to a lot of different sports,” Nick said, noting that both new and used gear are essential. “Used gear especially really allows people to get into the sports that otherwise wouldn't be able to.”

Online Innovation Ahead of Its Time

Windance has always leaned into innovation. “We were the first surf shop to post used gear online,” Nick noted, referring to an era before Amazon and eBay. Being in Hood River gave them a unique edge. “Our location is kind of an epicenter for our sports. We get this very unique wind tunnel effect that attracts people from all over the world.”

Because of the volume of gear passing through the region, they had a surplus of quality used gear and decided to make it available online. “Everybody else in the country doesn't have this. So let's make the stuff available online too, so you don't have to make a 2,000-mile drive from the East Coast to Hood River to buy,” Nick explained.

The Pre-ConsignCloud Challenge

But managing that growing inventory came with pain points. “We found that our systems that we've been using to do that were very difficult to keep track of all of this influx of individual used pieces of gear and the consigner accounts,” Nick said. “The process for getting the gear in the system was very, very slow.”

Before adopting ConsignCloud, Windance relied on a highly fragmented intake system built around Microsoft RMS and various hardware-dependent processes. Nick described the setup as cumbersome and inefficient. “It was all based on on-premise physical machines,” he said, “had to go like three or four different workstations to snap the pictures over here, then go over to the side of the computer and publish things.” This process involved multiple steps across different floors of the building, making the task of listing each consigned item both time-consuming and error-prone. “So it was a mess,” Nick admitted.

Embracing Change with ConsignCloud

To address these growing operational challenges—especially as their consignment volume increased during the COVID-era boom—Windance began searching for more flexible and streamlined tools. Nick shared, “That's when we really started looking at new solutions that could provide us with better insights, more flexibility, and more tools to do a good job managing our used gear and our consigner accounts.” The existing process simply couldn’t keep up with the influx of gear or the pace of customer demand, and staff spent significant time just getting items into the system.

The transition to ConsignCloud brought an immediate shift in how Windance handled intake. Nick explained, “Today when used gear comes in, we go through the logistics of the program with the consigner, do a little paperwork... and then we bring the iPad over and start snapping photos.” This simple change—shifting from a multi-station, desktop-bound workflow to a portable iPad system—meant items could be photographed and entered into inventory on the spot, without running between rooms or machines. The goal, Nick said, is to make the process “quick and easy” so that staff can focus more of their time on inspecting gear and writing helpful product descriptions.

Time Savings and Operational Efficiency

This improvement didn’t just make life easier for staff; it saved Windance significant time. One of the clearest benefits came when receiving larger shipments. “If we get a truckload of gear, ConsignCloud has made it so much more efficient,” Nick said. “We can get a list of that gear in advance. We can preload that using spreadsheets... and then when it shows up, we're kind of checking it off and printing out labels and getting it in there.” According to Nick, what used to take “days and days” can now be accomplished “in an hour or two.” This ability to intake and publish inventory rapidly has helped Windance scale their used gear business without adding extra staff or sacrificing accuracy.

Integrating with Existing Systems

Windance uses ConsignCloud exclusively for used gear, Lightspeed for new retail gear, and Shopify for e-commerce. “What we really like about ConsignCloud and Lightspeed is that they each do their respective jobs very well, and they integrate pretty seamlessly with Shopify,” Nick explained.

Smoother Operations, Stronger Sales

Since switching to ConsignCloud, Windance has seen tangible improvements in both operations and sales performance. The shop’s consignment process, once a source of bottlenecks, now runs like a well-oiled machine. Used gear moves through a clear pipeline: intake -> inspection -> pricing -> listing (in-store and online) -> automatic markdown -> sale -> payout. Any staff member can check the status of an item in seconds, which has improved internal communication and efficiency. The error rate has improved– it's more rare now to find a tag without an entry in the system, or a sold item that wasn’t properly logged. This accuracy has an important side effect: it builds trust with consignors and customers. Consignors see that Windance manages their items diligently (they even get that instant email when something sells), and buyers know that the item they ordered online is truly available and has been thoroughly inspected and rated. Windance proudly guarantees that every used item they sell is “ready to ride” after going through their screening and testing process​, and ConsignCloud helps ensure no step in that process is skipped.

With inventory under control, Windance has been able to expand their selection of used gear. Nick can confidently accept more consignment items, even from out-of-town consignors shipping gear in, because the system can handle the volume and detail. The store’s website currently lists dozens of used windsurf boards, kites, wings, foils, and more, each with photos and condition ratings. The breadth of inventory attracts a wider customer base. In fact, Windance’s online reach means a kitesurfer on the East Coast can buy a used kite that a local Hood River rider consigned – a scenario that likely wouldn’t happen without a strong digital platform. By marrying a community-driven local consignment model with global e-commerce, Windance has turned its once small-town gear swap into a worldwide marketplace for used wind sports equipment. This has translated into higher sales and faster turnover. Nick observed that items are now selling more quickly on average, thanks to the combination of broader exposure and dynamic pricing. Even if some high-end items take a while to find the right buyer, the monthly discounts nudge them along until the price is too good to pass up.

Moreover, the staff’s improved efficiency appears to be boosting the bottom line in indirect ways. With less time required in the back office, the team is free to engage with customers on the floor, answer questions from online shoppers, and organize events. Windance is known for its community events like swap meets and demo days – for example, hosting kiteboarding swap meets to bring the wind sports community together​. These events generate excitement and drive traffic to the store (and often more consignment inventory). Now, with ConsignCloud handling much of the grunt work, Windance’s crew can focus on executing such events and other marketing efforts. The result is a virtuous cycle: better operations enable better customer service and community outreach, which in turn bring in more business and consignors, fueling further growth.

Nick’s experience with Windance underscores a key lesson: embracing technology can amplify the strengths of a consignment-based business. Windance didn’t change what made it special – it still offers expert advice, quality products, great prices, and personal stoke for every customer – but by modernizing the behind-the-scenes processes, it was able to scale those strengths to a new level. And Windance is not alone; the broader consignment and resale industry is booming, and those who innovate are reaping the rewards.

Riding the Resale Wave: Trends in the Consignment Industry

Windance’s success story is happening against the backdrop of a resale retail revolution. The consignment, thrift, and secondhand market has grown dramatically in recent years as consumer attitudes shift toward value and sustainability. Consider these industry trends:

• Explosive Market Growth: The resale market is expanding at a blistering pace. A recent industry report by thredUP found that the secondhand market is projected to reach $77 billion by 2025, growing 9 times faster than traditional retail​. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 25,000 resale and consignment shops and the number of stores has been growing about 7% per year recently​ – a striking figure when many other retailers have struggled. What was once a niche is now a mainstream part of the retail sector, driven by consumers looking for bargains and eco-friendly shopping options.

• Consumer Adoption & Demographics: Buying used is no longer stigmatized; in fact, it’s trendy. Over 70% of consumers globally plan to buy used goods in 2024, and 86% have bought or sold a pre-owned item in the last 12 months​narts.org. Younger generations are especially driving this shift – for instance, more than half of U.S. shoppers (52%) purchased secondhand apparel in 2023. While apparel leads the charge, interest spans categories. Shoppers cite saving money as the top reason (around 85% do it for the savings) but also note reducing waste and finding unique items as key motivators.

• Online Resale and Omnichannel Presence: The internet has supercharged the consignment industry. Online resale is expected to account for half of the secondhand market by 2025, exceeding $40 billion in sales by 2028​. Platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and specialty sites have trained consumers to hunt for secondhand deals online. In response, brick-and-mortar consignment stores are leveraging e-commerce and social media to expand their reach. Many are adopting tools for online storefronts, live video sales, and even integration with local discovery platforms. As noted in a 2024 resale recap, even local shops have started using online channels (like Facebook Live auctions) to reach more buyers, and categories like sporting goods have seen immense growth in the resale space as part of this trend​. Windance’s ability to sell used gear online to customers worldwide is a direct reflection of this omnichannel shift. A consignment store that once might have only served its town can now find buyers across the country – but only if it embraces online listing and inventory synchronization, which Windance did via ConsignCloud.

• Technology & Automation: Alongside consumer trends, technology is transforming how consignment businesses operate. Just as Windance benefited from automating inventory and sales, many shops are adopting modern point-of-sale systems tailored to resale. This lets them handle higher volume, glean insights from data, and improve the consignor/consumer experience. Automation of tasks like inventory updates, pricing, and digital communications is becoming a standard best practice. The result is that shops can scale without proportional increases in labor – crucial in an industry with thin margins. Stores that stick with purely manual methods may find it hard to keep up as competitors streamline their operations.

• Sustainability and Community Focus: A noteworthy trend is that resale isn’t just about thrift; it’s part of a larger movement toward sustainability and community-building. Consignment stores often serve as local hubs where people exchange not just goods but knowledge and camaraderie. Many shoppers prefer to support a local business and enjoy the social aspect of consignment shopping or swapping. Windance’s community events and the loyalty of its customer base exemplify this. Industry-wide, we see that community-driven shopping experiences (like in-store events, swap meets, and workshops) make a big difference in fostering repeat customers​. Consignment businesses are leaning into the idea that they’re providing a service and experience, not just a product. This aligns perfectly with Windance’s approach of being a gathering place for wind enthusiasts, not just a store.

In short, the wind is at the back of resale and consignment retailers. More customers are buying used, more sellers are consigning items, and technology is available to connect the dots. The key takeaway from both Windance’s story and the industry at large is that those who adapt and innovate are thriving. For consignment store owners, there’s a huge opportunity to grow if they leverage these trends strategically.

Takeaways and Best Practices for Consignment Store Owners

Windance’s journey offers valuable lessons for other consignment and resale businesses. Whether you’re running a niche sports gear shop, a fashion consignment boutique, or a general thrift store, the principles of managing consignments effectively are similar. Here are some key takeaways and best practices inspired by Windance’s experience (and broader industry wisdom):

• Embrace Specialized Software: One of the clearest lessons is to leverage technology to streamline operations. Managing consignments by hand can work for a small volume, but as your store grows, a dedicated consignment software (like ConsignCloud or similar) can save you enormous time and prevent errors. These systems track inventory, sales, and consignor payouts all in one place, freeing you from spreadsheets and manual cross-checking. The investment in a good system pays off when you can handle more inventory with confidence and provide a smoother experience to consignors and customers. As seen with Windance, automating things like markdown schedules and inventory sync can turn a once-chaotic process into a competitive advantage.

• Offer an Omnichannel Experience: Today’s consignment shoppers are not just walking in off the street – they’re also browsing online. To maximize your reach, maintain an online presence for your consignment inventory. This could be through your own website or third-party marketplaces, but it should integrate with your in-store inventory to avoid any mix-ups. Windance keeps its website very current (every 30 minutes with used gear stock​, ensuring online buyers have an accurate view of available items. Even if maintaining a near-real-time website update sounds daunting, modern POS systems often have built-in e-commerce integrations to make this easier. By selling online, you tap into a much larger customer base and can often sell items faster. Remember that online resale is expected to be half the market by 2025​ – you don’t want to miss out on that momentum.

• Implement Clear Intake and Quality Control Processes: Successful consignment shops have strict but fair intake criteria. Accepting every item might please consignors initially, but if you end up with junk that doesn’t sell, it helps no one. Windance, for example, only takes gear that is in good working condition and likely to sell for over a minimum amount, and they inspect and test every item thoroughly (even inflating kites to ensure there are no leaks). They also use a condition rating system (A+ to C) to grade each item’s quality for buyers​. Adopting a similar practice in your store can build trust – customers know that anything on your shelf has been vetted and is “ready to use,” and consignors know that presenting items in good condition will yield better prices. Document your intake guidelines and train your staff to enforce them. It might mean turning away some would-be consignments, but it ensures a higher sell-through rate and a reputable inventory. Plus, having an objective grading system for condition can help manage pricing expectations with consignors.

• Use Data-Driven Pricing (and Re-Pricing): Pricing secondhand items can be tricky – too high and it won’t sell, too low and the consignor (and you) lose out. It’s important to price competitively and then adjust prices if items don’t sell after a while. Windance’s approach of automatically marking down prices over time is one effective strategy​. You might implement, for instance, a rule to discount items by X% if they haven’t sold in 30 days, and further at 60 days, etc. This encourages bargain hunters and prevents your store from being a graveyard of stale inventory. Whatever strategy you choose, communicate it clearly to consignors up front (Windance requires items to stay at least 30 days and notes that unsold items after a year may be donated or become store property​). Consignors appreciate knowing you will actively work to sell their goods, even if it means lowering the price over time. Some stores also allow consignors to periodically review and adjust pricing – a software platform often makes this easy via consignor portals or reports. The bottom line: don’t “set and forget” prices. Monitor your sales data, identify slow-movers, and be proactive in marking them down or bundling them with promotions. This data-driven approach can significantly boost your sell-through rate.

• Streamline Consignor Payouts and Incentivize Store Credit: Consignor satisfaction is crucial – if people have a bad experience selling through you, they won’t bring future items. Make sure your payout process is transparent, timely, and fair. Windance credits the consignor’s account as soon as an item sells and offers a generous percentage (70–85% of the sale price as store credit, scaling up for higher-priced items). In fact, many consignment shops incentivize payouts as store credit (sometimes giving a higher percentage for store credit vs. cash) to encourage consignors to become repeat buyers. This can be a smart tactic: it keeps value circulating within your store. If you do this, ensure that converting store credit to cash (if allowed) is also straightforward, even if it carries a small fee (Windance, for example, charges an extra 10% fee to cash out, to encourage folks to spend their credit in-store). From a process standpoint, using software to track all these credits is almost essential – it prevents mistakes and makes it easy to show consignors an account statement upon request. Additionally, communicate with your consignors. Send them notifications when items sell (as Windance does via email​), and periodic summaries of their account. This transparency builds trust and keeps consignors engaged. Happy consignors will not only bring you more items over time but also refer friends to consign with you.

• Engage and Grow Your Community: Consignment retail has a community aspect baked in – you’re partnering with your customers (the consignors) in a way typical retail does not. Nurture that community. Host events (swap meets, “consignor only” preview sales, workshops, or club meetups), start a Facebook group or newsletter for your consignors and loyal shoppers, and position your store as a hub for your niche. Windance’s swap meets and demo days are great examples of using events to strengthen community ties. These not only generate goodwill but can drive more inventory and foot traffic. For instance, a swap meet might encourage people to dig out gear to consign, or an in-store event might attract someone who ends up noticing and buying a used item. Community engagement also sets you apart from large online-only players by offering a personal, local touch.

• Keep Learning and Adapting: Lastly, treat your consignment business as an evolving project. Stay informed on industry trends (e.g., what new resale platforms are emerging, changes in consumer behavior, or even tariffs and regulations that might affect secondhand goods – as Windance’s own blog covers for their industry). Keep an eye on your sales metrics and experiment with improvements. Maybe you find that certain categories of items do exceptionally well while others lag; this could inform what you focus on or how you advertise. Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) like sell-through rate, average days to sell, gross margin, and consignor return rate can pinpoint where to improve​. For instance, if you notice items from a particular brand always sell within a week, you might actively seek out more of those. If another type of item tends to sit for 90+ days, perhaps tighten your acceptance criteria or lower the starting price. Use the data at your disposal (most modern POS systems will have reporting features) to make smart decisions. In short, the best consignment stores continuously refine their strategies, balancing the needs of consignors, customers, and the business itself.

By implementing these best practices, consignment store owners can enhance both their operational efficiency and their reputation among customers. Windance Boardshop’s story shows that when done right, consignment can be a powerful engine of growth. The combination of a passionate niche community, a well-run consignment program, and the right tools allowed Windance to significantly boost its used gear sales and customer satisfaction.

Conclusion: Windance’s journey from struggling with spreadsheets to confidently managing an “used gear empire” is an inspiring example of adaptation in the resale industry. By sticking to what they do best – serving the wind sports community – and augmenting it with modern software and practices, Nick Caccavo and his team created a thriving, scaled-up consignment operation without sacrificing the personal touch. Other consignment store owners can take a page from Windance’s book: focus on your niche, take care of your consignors and customers, and don’t hesitate to invest in tools that make your life easier. ConsignCloud can be the software to help you do this. In an era when resale is booming and more people are looking for sustainable, value-savvy ways to shop, there’s tremendous opportunity out there. With efficient systems and a community-oriented mindset, a consignment store of any specialty can ride the tailwinds of this resale revolution – turning what was once a small side business into a core element of success. Windance Boardshop proves that with the right approach, you really can have the best of both worlds: a profitable business and a happy, loyal community of gear enthusiasts supporting it.​