Posted by As I continue to refine my 2025 inventory for my online vintage/antique store, I realize how hard it is for me to say no to things that I think are good, even if they are not worth much. Part of me wants to rescue things and that’s not a good business model so I’m trying hard these days to be “tough,” though it doesn’t always work!
Buying
Took a quick jaunt into my neighborhood thrift store. It’s slim pickings these days but I did like this German crystal bowl with a Lausitzer label. Handsome and functional. But with a resale value around $25 to $30 it didn’t fit my store goals. I left this behind. [It was gone two days later.]
And I left behind this creative, but so sad item–someone had framed photos of their child in utero and it ended up in a thrift store. Why? I’m also wondering who would buy this.
It looked like I was going to walk out empty-handed till I noticed this vintage Asian jewelry box with brass and possibly jade inserts Okay, now. This was better! Pretty and functional with no damage. The only downside is that there are a lot for sale online right now–ranging from $50 to over $200. Still this was one to buy (paid $4.49).
Listing
In an online biz you really need to keep listing, even if it’s just a few things a day. So I endeavor to do that at least five days a week. It’s tedious and also includes redoing older listings to give them a boost.
But I did list this John Sollid woodblock print, a flea market find from last weekend. I removed it from its frame to sell on its own. I knew that anyone buying this print would not be happy with this worn frame with dirty linen inset and it didn’t make sense to make them pay the extra postage for it.
And recently my friend Beth gave me some cabinet cards and I combined them with others I had to create a lot of 20. Cabinet cards, despite their age, are not particularly valuable unless you have one of a famous person, odd subject matter or something of historical significance. I listed these for a modest $20 just to move them along. If they don’t sell within six months, I’ll donate them.
For years I tried to sell this 1850 hand-colored map of Switzerland by Thomas Copperthwait with no luck. I put it in my donate pile, but rescued it today to try one more time to see if I can sell it. I know people do buy maps so it seems crazy that this hasn’t sold.
Other 1850s Swiss maps for sale…
Selling
Here are some of the things that have sold so far in August. Sales are average for a summer month, but include a few of my higher value items, which is continuing a theme from July.
Donating
Hanging onto dead inventory is just not smart. It takes up space both physically and mentally. So I am getting rid of things…slowly.
I have sold vintage hankies over the years and still have a few in my store, but for the most part I am divesting myself of them. Yes, I could try to sell these, but I decided to offer them to my local Buy Nothing group instead. (Five people are already interested!)
This Russian porcelain candleholder is rather pretty, but just wouldn’t sell and as it turns out there are quite a few for sale online, some starting as low as $15. I’ve offered this to my Buy Nothing group too.
I try to offer nice stuff in my Buy Nothing group because I have received some really nice things from other members! And it’s so fun to get things for free.
These newish green onyx goblets are going back to Goodwill. They weren’t worth listing in my online store and I tried to sell them locally for $10. Was offered $5 and decided it wasn’t worth the effort to coordinate with the buyer to pick them up. Bye, bye.
This morning I will be dropping off three bags full of stuff to Goodwill and I have two bags to go to the American Cancer Discovery thrift store later this week. It feels good. But I need to keep at it.
Repeat!
And this is essentially my biz life these days. Less of the buying though and more donating.
Wishing you happy hunting,
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 