Posted by Preface–This is not my usual type of post. More of a reaction to an interaction that happened a week or so ago.
I connect with other vintage sellers on various social media platforms and these little communities can be wonderful. We help each other, share our rants and provide support. Or at least most of us do. There are a few folks who are always keen to tell you what they think you’re doing wrong. They are often dogmatic, sometimes rude and act as if only they hold the keys to vintage knowledge and the reselling kingdom.
The truth is we do vary in our stock choices, sourcing routines, listing styles, customer service techniques and more and that’s okay. We can choose to run our businesses as we want and in many situations there is no right or wrong answer.
For example many members in one FB group I follow never allow returns. To me allowing returns is a basic part of doing business. In the nearly 14 years of selling on Etsy, I’ve had very few returns. But if you don’t want to accept returns that’s your choice.
Another guy who sells a lot of clothes (mostly lower end) doesn’t regularly include measurements. But just listing the garment’s size–small, medium, large, etc.–means nothing today. Still it mostly works out okay for him because within a brand folks usually know what size will fit.
Another vintage Etsy seller I follow on YouTube has switched all her lead photos to AI-generated images of the item in situ, but in some cases the item for sale is somewhat nebulous. It may be the platter heaped with fruit or the candlesticks in the background. I feel like this type of photo is not right for the lead, but she likes it and it seems to work for her.
Other vintage sellers focus on the lowest hanging fruit. Buying little tchotchkes cheap and sold cheap. I see the haul videos–carts loaded and to me they represent so much work for little profit. But this model works for them. This is their niche.
Some sellers consider thrift stores a waste of time, while for others it is a main sourcing venue. One vintage seller who lives in my city does not source at our local thrift stores believing that the rich folks here do not donate their better items. I know that’s not true because I have found some stellar items over the years and currently at least 40% of my Etsy store inventory is from my neighborhood thrift store. Still, if she wants to eschew them it’s less competition for me!
The truth is we are all self taught and learn on the job. Few of us are experts. And it’s one thing to ask a group or someone for help on a biz issue, but it’s another when they give you unsolicited advice or feel a compelling need to “correct” you. Honestly I think “mind your own business.” Literally. Stop worrying about how I do things and focus on your own biz. “You, do you. I’ll do me.”
Karen
Hunting for Vintage 