Posted by If you are trying to make a profit selling things, it behooves you to buy the “best things” that will make that happen. It requires knowledge, research and hard decisions. And I rely on those tenets most of the time. I’ve passed up buying things because I knew they were priced too high or the quality wasn’t there or they would be a hard sell, etc.
That said I still buy some items based on emotion rather than logic and profitability.
Here’s why…
Reason #1: For me, it’s not always about making money.
I know those of you in the biz are shaking your heads because of course making money is the point, but maybe not the whole point. As a lover of old stuff I come across items that I just adore and I know I will enjoy displaying them in my home before they sell. So if I make less profit it’s still worth it for me to enjoy the piece for a while.
Reason #2: I like curating my store.
I have been trying to do a better job of curating my Etsy store and acquiring things that I think will bring more traffic. That has included buying “heart items” that I think will attract visitors–things like cool 1970s ceramic ashtrays that don’t sell for much. I’ve paid anywhere from $2 to $6 and they typically sell for under $28. Still I like having them in my store.
Reasons #3: Most of my “heart purchases” turn a profit.
Those things that I buy simply because I like them do sell and do make a profit. I’d like to think it’s because I have good taste or at least taste that appeals to a wide enough buyer base!
Neither of these recent purchases were “scores” but both sold quickly for a profit (approx. $33 each)–the cross-stitch bouquet (paid $20, sold for $60) and the framed saint print (paid $7, sold for $48).
Reason #4: I need to keep this biz fun.
My vintage biz is my retirement side hustle. An opportunity to indulge my passion for old things while making a little money. It doesn’t need to support me. While there are parts of the biz that are a grind, if my sourcing and buying ceases to bring me joy, that I might as well close up shop. I need to have some part of this biz that is fun and exciting.
Reason #5: Some “heart items” become keepers!
Every once in a rare while an item I bought to sell becomes a keeper. This small burnished black vase by potter Jan Schachter was one such piece. I love its simplicity. Its minimalism. And it’s perfect for a few sprigs of salvia and lavender.
And on the opposite end of the spectrum, I’m also keeping this fancy vintage Asian jewelry box I bought in 2025. Initially I listed it in my store and then deactivated the listing.
Typically when I keep an item, I try to find a replacement in my home to sell, basically following a “one in, one out” policy. I do not want to acquire more personal possessions.
That said…
I don’t follow my heart all the time! I sooooo wanted to buy these four Otagiri 1970s ceramic teacups. They still had their silver foil stickers on the bottom! But at $2.60 per cup I decided against them. They were nice items in great condition, but packaging four breakable cups for a small profit tipped my decision. (Part of me still thinks girl, you just should have bought them!)
And I left behind this lovely older silver-plate platter at the counter just last week. It was gone two days later.
Keeping a balance.
Whether you buy anything from the heart or it’s strictly what will make you money, the truth is most of us will have items that turn out to be duds. Especially if, like me, you buy a wide variety of inventory. And that can happen for a variety of reasons including changing trends. Think about all the folks who “invested” in Beanie Babies during that craze and ended up with worthless plushies. Or in the case of my cousin-in-law (a long-time antique dealer) discovering a flaw after purchase. Years ago he was negotiating with a flea market vendor for an antique stoneware crock. He got a price that he knew left him profit. Back at home he discovered it had a hairline crack he’d missed and he essentially paid what it was worth with that damage.
So I allow myself occasional heart purchases–the key word being occasional–knowing that sometimes profit-wise they may be duds just like any other item I buy. And that’s okay. For me it keeps this biz fun.
Hunting for Vintage 