Posted by I have been going through more of my Etsy inventory pulling things from my inventory bins that have lingered for years and are more low value, which is one of my plans, my direction for 2025. Still it’s a bit of a heart wrench. So many things that I thought had promise like this pretty vintage Stangl candy dish/ashtray in gold and robin’s egg blue. I had it listed for $28 for years. I’ve seen some priced for much more and some for less but’s it had no interest from buyers over the years. This is now in my donate pile.
But as I work through my inventory at a snail’s pace pulling items like this, I realize I am feeling overwhelmed. Much like one of those people on the “Hoarders” TV show where they just don’t know where to start so they don’t do anything and it keeps getting worse! Well, I’m not quite that bad, still it looks like a bomb has gone off in my office/inventory room as I try to make decisions on what goes and stays. It’s a struggle!
I did visit my one of the fave nearby boutique thrift stores the other day and I was in the mood to buy so I did buy something, but I’m peeved at myself because again I didn’t follow my “2025 plans.”I bought these two vintage lucite “forever” candles. Now I have sold a pair of these before at $40, but that is not the price point where I want to be these days and it turns out they had a little wear at the bottom that I missed in the store so I will list them for less. Rats! At best they are a “bread and butter” item so I am frustrated with myself.
I’m realizing now I have to work harder on shifting my sourcing mentality. Stop looking at the low-hanging fruit, the low-value items altogether.
I did pass up these heavy cast iron Punch & Judy doorstops at $48 for the pair. Kinda fun, but were they antique or reproductions? I couldn’t tell. And there are a lot for sale online. Twelve pairs on 1stDibs alone. I don’t think they have a fast sell-through rate. So that was a no.
I also passed up this vintage travel game which I thought was fantastic. I’m not sure what the game is, but at $15 it was way too pricey for a reseller. And realistically even if it had been $5, what could I sell it for? Maybe $30?
Some good news–I’ve had a little flurry of sales the past few days. This prompted my husband to say “See, it will be okay.” But I’m not convinced.
I’m not trying to be a Negative Nelly about my vintage business, but I need to stay realistic. Purchases need to be kept at a bare minimum and downsizing needs to be a focus.
How’s 2025 treating you?
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 
It was a HUGE heart-wrench for me too. Getting rid of stuff I paid for is extremely difficult… but it had to be done. Also, it has taken me almost two months to get my shop down to the number I want. Take your time! No hurry. ♥
But I’m telling you, my mind is happier, and sales are still decent (despite January’s typical slowness, and that I now have 2/3 less inventory than a year ago!) You will get there too.
https://www.simplyminimally.com/2025/01/paring-down-to-love-business-edition.html
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Thanks so much Heather for the encouragement and wise words. I am right where you were a few months ago and your post really motivates me to “get it done.” Like you I always thought the more stuff in my store, the better. But as you are proving that’s not necessarily true! Thank you again. 😘
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I had a booth for years in a large Phoenix antique mall. Around 2008, it was as if someone shut off the sales faucet. I had sales, but high rent always seemed to cut into any good feelings I could muster about them most of the time. Finally, I realized I’d simply been trading my hard-found inventory to continue paying rent, and turned in my notice to vacate the booth. I left things packed for a few years until I retired.
Then, started going through stuff and selling higher dollar items via an I Sold It On Ebay store at an approximate 50% cost for each sale. I really did not want to continue to tie myself to a computer or desk selling on my own. Been there, done that whole thing while working.
Have now moved to having twice yearly, 2-3 day garage ’boutique sales’ for mostly mid to low-end merchandise in the retirement community I live in. (Some retirees do buy, but mainly it’s people who come into this community buying for their online gigs.) It’s been a good outlet.
I have also found two ladies that have Etsy shops and graciously do a 50/50 split with me. It helps both of us! They don’t have to travel all over and tie up their money always for merchandise to list.
Each of them, like you, has seen a bit of a decline these past months in their longtime Etsy sales. I think your plan for 2025 makes total sense in our current economy. No matter, Mr. Biden or Mr. Trump, I don’t believe either could/can fix things. This has been and probably will continue to be long-term. Enough said.
Know that you are not alone. Continue with your plan. It’s well thought out, makes sense and can’t hurt in the long run. All the best to you this coming year! I look forward to sharing your insights relative to the vintage sales biz.
Linnea (Sun City West, AZ)
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Hi Linnea. Thanks so much for sharing your story and for the encouragement. I needed that!
It sounds like you found a few great pipelines for selling your remaining inventory. Well done!
Yes, like you I don’t anticipate the economy (or my sales) improving and downsizing now feels like the right thing to do. I just need to pull on my big girl pants and do it in earnest. My friend Heather did and it’s made a world of difference.
All the best,
Karen
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