What’s Selling in Vintage & Antiques? [August Income Report]
Hi there! I hope you had an enjoyable weekend. On Friday I brought fresh merchandise up to my booth at the Gristmill Antique Center and stopped at a couple of sales along the way (of course, right?).
Saturday my sweet husband and I attended a local church fair that included a tag sale, and I made a surprising number of purchases. From there we headed to Schenectady’s Little Italy Italian Fest, strolled the closed off Jay street, and enjoyed listening to a crooner sing “Volare” and other Rat Pack tunes. We tasted some wines and picked through some vintage goods for sale (yes, I found a few things to buy).
Church, lunch with friends, and a nap on Sunday 🙂 Today I have August’s income report for you. I made close to my minimum goal at my shop (3 x $130 (my rent)), sold a few things from my blog shop, and did very well on eBay.
Antique Booth ($395.00 gross)
1. An antique cowbell (cost: $1.00, sold: $15.00).
2. A vintage rooster silhouette (cost: $4.00, sold: $25.00).
3. An antique lion head drawer pull (cost: $1.00, sold: $12.00).
1. A vintage Royal typewriter (cost: $2.00 sold: $25.00).
2. A car-shaped candy container (ha ha, not sure how this photo got in here, lol).
3. A vintage cross stitch in shabby chic frame (not shown) (cost: $2.00, sold: $38.00).
1. A crazy coconut bird (cost: $1.00, sold: $15.00).
2. An oak splint flower gathering basket (cost: $5.00, sold: $35.00).
3. A set of wooden salad servers (cost: $1.00, sold: $7.50–1/2 price).
1. A Child’s Book of Garden Verses (cost: $1.00, sold: $6.00–40% off).
2. A pair of flower frogs (cost: $1.00, sold: $12.00).
3. A USA potter vase w/ small flake (cost: 50¢, sold: $5.00).
4. A flower frog in metal bowl (cost: $1.00, sold: $6.00).
1. A tin cookie cutter (cost: $1.00, sold: $10.00).
2. A rolling pin (cost: $1.00, sold: $10.00).
3. An Oven Serve baking dish (cost: 50¢, sold $10.00).
1. A signed copy of Adirondack Album (cost: 50¢, sold: $10.00).
2. A cast iron grate (cost: $5.00, sold: $45.00).
Also sold but no photos available:
A beaten up bottle brush tree I found on the curb (cost: free, sold: $10.00).
Multiple books (cost: 50¢-$1.00, sold: $2.00-6.00).
Multiple smalls (cost: 25¢-$1.00, sold: $1.00-6.00).
Old Wheel Works shipping barrel (cost: free, sold: $32.00).
Vintage Dansk teak tray (cost: $1.00, sold: $15.00).
English earthenware baker (cost: $1.00, sold: $10.00).
Fossil (cost: $1.00, sold: $10.00).
Vintage Jar filled with cinnamon sticks (cost: $1.00, sold: $12.00).
Blog Shop ($40.76 gross)
1. An ironstone mug/shaving mug (cost: $1.50, sold: $12.00).
2. A set of four vintage/antique atlas maps (cost: $1.00, sold: $22.00 minus the 10% lifetime discount for email followers).
3. A set of three needlepoint pieces that I removed from the frames (cost: negligible, sold: $10.00 for all three, minus the 10% lifetime discount for email followers).
eBay ($436.50)
As I explained last month, I gave eBay auctions a try toward the end of July with some good success (you can read about it here), and so I continued listing this month and had a great deal of success.
Where did this merchandise come from? Well, as you know, I have a garage filled with junk great merchandise, but most of what I sold in August was kind of experimental. I’d see something sitting on my desk (the Swiss stopwatch, for example) and think, maybe it will sell on eBay–because it’s not the sort of thing that would typically sell from my antique booth.
I also made two purchases specifically with eBay in mind (I’ll note them below). It’s really been a lot of fun and very eye-opening for me. I always swore I’d never sell on eBay, and here I am, eating my hat.
I think I mentioned last week that I follow the blog, Things I Find in the Garbage, and I noticed that the author, Martin, had made some huge profits selling perfume on eBay. So I raided my dresser and found some perfume I hadn’t used in a while (all purchased at garage sales for cheap), and I bought one to “test the market.”
1. Muguet des Bois cologne by Coty (an experimental buy) (cost: 50¢, sold: $9.00 at auction).
2. Aroma Tonic body fragrance by Lancome .5 oz. (cost: free from my dresser, sold: $9.99 at auction).
3. Chanel No. 5 (cost: free from my dresser, sold: $8.00 at auction)
Conclusions: With a few easily shipped exceptions like ephemera, books, and jewelry, I don’t really want to be bothered selling selling items for less than $15.00. The hassle of double-boxing perfume outweighs the benefits of selling it. Also, keep in mind that it must be ground-shipped.
1. A Monarch price labeler (cost: $1.00–an experimental buy, sold: $19.99, buy-it-now); came with it’s original box, making it super easy to ship.
2. A set of eight, Wheaton mini bottles (cost: 50¢ for all, sold: $7.99 at auction 1 bid). They didn’t sell for as high as I thought they would and were a pain to ship because, of course, they’re glass.
1. A Swiss stopwatch (cost: $1.50, sold: $44.00 at auction).
2. A English Leather jackknife (cost: 50¢, sold: $14.99 fixed price).
1. A “Regency” rhinestone brooch (cost: $1.00, sold: $17.50 at auction).
2. An antique jewelry presentation box (cost: $1.00, sold: $15.50 at auction).
3. A “Monet” bracelet (cost: $1.00, sold: $5.99 1 bid at auction).
1. Set of 6 “Elf Quest” magazines (cost: 50¢, sold: $4.99 at auction 1 bid).
2. Little Black Sambo (cost: 50¢, sold: $11.56 at auction).
3. The Ring” boxing magazine (cost: 50¢, sold: $4.99 at auction 1 bid).
1. Beaded Native American whimsy/pin cushion (cost: $1.25, sold: $31.00 at auction).
2. Mexican silver spurs (cost: $3.00, sold: $19.99 buy-it-now).
3. Beaded Native American whimsy/pin cushion (cost: $1.25, sold: $55.00 at auction).
1. An antique can of Potter’s White Hands soap powder (cost: $3.00, sold: $150 buy-it-now), that sold about an hour after I listed it. Very unexpected.
2. Antique farming photo (cost: 50¢, sold: $7.00).
We’ll see if I can maintain this level of sales through the month of September!
If you made it this far in the post, you are a trooper.
Below, I’ve put all the numbers together for those of you who are interested in what my actual “income” for August looked like. I’m obviously running a small, side business, but we’ll see if I can’t grow it, perhaps in some more creative ways. And though this post took a long time to put together, I’ll try to do one every month.
Find other income reports here.
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Bye for now,
Always adding new merchandise!
Hi Diana, loved this article very informative. My question is does your cost of goods include shipping costs/materials/handling?
Thank you,
Dorothy (micro vintage seller)
Hi Dorothy! My shipping & handling costs are covered by my shipping/handling charges, and I get almost all of my packing materials for free from two friends who collect it for me at their work, plus I’m always on the lookout for free boxes and packing materials when I’m out vintage shopping. I will buy large envelopes and bubble wrap mailers (for cheap) at sales to have on hand. Have a great day!
Thanks for sharing, Diana. It helps with my endeavors……
Your welcome, Linzey–so glad to hear that 🙂
I love to see what sells and to hear about your Ebay sales also. I have some items, mostly pottery. I’m thinking of selling and was considering Ebay. I’ll think about it some more!
I’m thinking about writing a post about how I’m selling on eBay (the easy way, trust me) so others could take advantage of it as selling venue. In your case, I’d start by valuing your pieces (using eBay’s “advanced” search tool to look for “SOLD” items) to make sure you’d be getting the prices you want. My first thought is that pottery might do better on Etsy, but if you don’t want to set up a shop, then eBay may be the way to go.
Way to go on eBay, Diana! I just don’t like selling online – too much hassle – but it certainly is beginning to pay off for you! I love the NA souvenir pincushions and that crazy coconut bird, lol.
People told me for years I should sell on line, but I always resisted for the same reason–the hassle (shipping mostly), but now they’ve made it all so much easier that it doesn’t bother me at all. Weird. I know.
Great month. Congratulations!
Thanks Sharon!
You had a good month! That soap powder…. wow! Proving that eBay can still get good prices. I cut my teeth on eBay, beginning way back in ’97, but got tired of their rules and fees and left several years ago. I’m so tempted to put some things that I don’t know the value of (but know it would be a whole lot more than a few bucks) on auction, but I’m scared the right people wouldn’t see it and it would go for a low starting bid. Quite the quandary. You kinda have to know how much it should bring and if that’s the case, might as well put it on Etsy and avoid eBay’s fees.
I hear you Wanda–it can be difficult to know where to sell what! My experience with eBay has been that their modified listing process is SO much quicker and easier than Etsy. Also, I’m selling things that I don’t believe would do as well (or sell at all) on Etsy. I’ve been planning to reopen my Etsy shop, but I’m not sure how many different selling venues I can handle at one time, LOL. As far as fees go, the first 50 auction listings on eBay are free and they just ran a freebie on fixed price listings–an additional 100. So all of my auctions that don’t sell, I’m listing at a fixed price. Doing auctions is very motivating for me–it adds a little excitement to my life to see what goes and what doesn’t. Overall, selling on eBay costs more than selling on Etsy (usually), but less than selling in a brick and mortar shop, but you have to take into account what items sell best where. Not easy to “figure” out, I know–I’m still working on it 🙂
I always find it interesting what people are selling! It encourages me to get back out there and try selling online again. I do every now and then to blog readers or instagram/facebook followers.
Hey there, Melissa, I agree; I like to hear about how/where people are selling. You had asked me a while back if I was selling on IG. I had set up a second account for selling only (and I was starting to sell after building up a bit of an audience), but then my account got messed up and I could no longer switch easily between accounts. I had to log out of one and log into the other (too much for this old mind and fingers), so I gave it up. I do sell regularly from blog posts and less regularly from my blog shop. I’ve not ventured into selling via facebook, but I have almost zero engagement there, so I don’t think that’s likely…
Very interesting to see what you bought for and sold for. Two different sellers and I have been debating about letting it be known where you buy and how much you pay for things. The thought is that the potential buyer will think they can go and get those deals themselves and not buy from you. OH, we know different right? There’s much more to it than that. But letting people know what you bought it for and then sold it for is very informative here for us other sellers. What happens if one of your buyers sees it?! Just curious 🙂
I guess some may think they can go and buy specific items, some probably can, but others may likely find out quickly that they can’t and maybe they’ll come back, LOL! Early on I decided to list what I paid for informational purposes, knowing that potential buyers might also see the info (when I was selling on Etsy). Now that my sales are via my blog, rather than Etsy–I would say almost all my buyers see what I paid for the items they want to buy. I think I’ve developed a relationship with my readers so they know I’m not trying to rip them off, but rather am trying to make a [partial] living off of selling my goods. They know I work hard and am fair, so knowing that I paid very little (or even nothing) for something doesn’t bother them, as long as they are getting a fair price. Also, when a reader wants to buy something they see in one of my vintage finds posts, in which I usually give a price range for value, I always give them the lower price. In addition, those who follow me via email always get a lifetime 10% discount on any orders 🙂 Great question, AnnMarie! Thanks for asking it–
You sure had a great month! I can’t believe some of the Ebay prices! You are able to get more for your items in NY than we can here in Maine in your booth. I loved the grate; have ABSOLUTELY no use or wall space for it, just liked it!!!! I think tourists helped my sales this month (who really needs a ceramic lobster ashtray that says MAINE, anyway?). Learning history of your pieces and prices is so helpful. Am trying to add some country/rustic/farmhouse stuff to one booth and will see how it goes.
It’s so interesting to hear that I get higher prices her in NY than you do in Maine, because I always think of NH and ME shops as kind of pricey–go figure! Wishing you lots of good luck with your venture into farmhouse–be sure to report back how it goes for you, Kathy 🙂
Hi Diana,
So very interesting, as the little man on Rowan and Martin used to say. I have some vintage stuffed animal characters and have considered selling them online. Don’t know where to go, Etsy or eBay. Any suggestions? I so look forward to your blog entries. Thanks for sharing so much good infor with us.
Send me some photos of your animal characters, Kitsy and I’ll see if I can help 🙂 I’m so glad you like my blog–thanks for letting me know!!
Hey Diane, thanks for offering to give me some help. When my granddaughter gets back in town on Sunday or Monday I will have her take pics on her phone and e-mail them to you.
Thanks for sharing your great scores, Diana. I’ve been enjoying your blog for quite a while as I am in the same geographic area and am always interested hearing about your item choices, where you find them, and seeing how you transform pieces for sale. I’ve been buying and selling on eBay for more than 16 years (mostly selling for the past few years), so I’m happy to see how well you’ve done with that outlet lately. Most of my listings are fixed price and via my store (no listing fee for up to 250 items with a modest monthly store subscription), but am starting to move a few things over to auction to see if I can’t get them sold for more $. I also appreciate that you do share what you pay for the things you re-sell, because that’s an important piece of the business equation and, for me, the most fun part of this process.
So glad you’re enjoying my blog, Leslie and that you’ve found it helpful for your business 🙂 I’d be interested to hear how things go once you start selling a few things via auction. As I mentioned in someone else’s comment, I really enjoy the excitement that auctions create and find it’s [at the moment, at least] a real incentive for me to list things. I’m not prepared at the moment to pay to set up an eBay store, so I’m sticking to my 50 free auction listings/month and have used another promotion (100 free fixed price listings) to move items that don’t sell via auction over to fixed price. As I said, it’s all been very interesting…
I am always interested to see what others are selling because I am constantly surprised by what sells and what doesn’t 😉 Thanks for sharing!
I have the same Chanel bottle from my mom — it was her favorite! Maybe I should consider selling it lol? I’m always amazed at the price you get for your stuff. I think I under price things. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm:)
xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home