Thanks to the fashion-forward thinking of ShowChic’s Michele Hundt and Mary Cameron Rollins, equestrians have a new way to buy and sell used tack, apparel and accessories through a new online consignment store, ShopChic EQ.
This innovative, peer-to-peer shopping site comes to equestrians right in the comfort of their own homes or barns through the web site www.ShopChicEQ.com and a free Apple mobile app.
Rollins, a Grand Prix dressage rider and North American Young Rider Championships individual gold medalist, came up with the idea for Shop Chic EQ when she looked through her trailer one day and saw how many rarely used tack items she had accumulated. She considered taking the items to a traditional consignment shop but was hesitant because of the cost to consign items and the fact that potential buyers are limited to a specific area.
“I thought about how great it would be to have an app right on my phone, where all equestrians from every discipline can be connected to buy and sell new and used tack and apparel. How much easier would it be to grab a smart phone, snap a couple of pictures and post it yourself instead of finding a consignment shop?” Rollins explained.
With ShopChic EQ, users can post their items for sale in their own virtual “tack rooms” and reach a nationwide network of potential buyers.
When Rollins approached Michele Hundt, owner of ShowChic in Wellington, about her idea, it didn’t take long for Hundt to agree to the new endeavor. Already a seasoned business professional, Hundt found the perfect partner in Rollins, a seasoned equestrian competitor. Now, after nearly a year in development, the duo is proud to announce the launch of the marketplace.
“It’s an alternative to the eBay Marketplace, and it’s just for equestrians,” Hundt explained. “We put it together very simply, so it’s not very time-consuming to post any item. You can also write comments to the people who are posting items.”
ShopChic EQ is an easy way for riders to connect to other riders of all different disciplines. With just a click, users can browse other users’ virtual tack rooms whenever they like. Likewise, sellers can easily upload their consignment items.
Riders can also enjoy social functions such as “favoriting” the items for sale, which helps to establish a trustworthy equestrian community.
ShopChic EQ is designed by equestrians, for equestrians. “We really want people from all over the country, across every discipline, to be able to use it,” Rollins said.
“As a special gift to you, we’re waiving our service fee until July 30. All you have to pay is a small 3 percent credit card processing fee on any product you list,” Hundt said.
Even after July 30, it will always be free to sign up for ShopChic EQ. For more info., visit www.ShopChicEQ.com or call (561) 319-2121.
ABOVE: Wellington-based ShopChic EQ (www.ShopChicEQ.com), the newest way to buy and sell used equipment, apparel and accessories, is now open for business.
