Pricing Strategies for Vintage Sellers

I was actually pondering the possiblity of opening a vintage shop. Great info and perfect timing!

Thank you for the good advice on pricing strategies for vintage items. I've started doing tiny paintings on vintage library card catalog cards. While I'm used to pricing my regular paintings on watercolor paper, it's difficult to determine what value the vintage library card brings to the equation. So far, I've been pricing paintings on rare or historic cards — like one for the book “Babe Ruth: Baseball Boy” — a bit higher.

I live for that 'moment'! It is so much fun finding vintage items for the shop. Thank you for this great article.

Thanks for the info. Definitely going to attend that lab. I often struggle knowing that my items are worth so much more than others are charging for them on Etsy. But you still have to be competitive. *Sigh* Its all part of the business I guess. :)

It is so important to consider your time, energy, effort & expertise as well as value & comps when deciding on a price for a vintage item. Great tips!

Great tips!

Great advice! Always go with your gut!

As a vintage dealer I spend a lot of time doing research online. Not only what an item I own may be worth (a consensus of selling prices), but what is popular and the relative values, of items which I should be looking for when I am on the road.

That adrenaline rush when you know you've found a great piece is indeed addictive. For the lover of vintage, it's like a treasure hunt every day you're out pounding the pavement. Those dusty, incredible finds make all the allergies worth it!

...there is a lot of work to become and sustain being a competent, happy, reliable, and knowledgeable vintage seller. So much goes into choosing and cleaning, in addition to knowing, and learning to know. So many folks think all you do is hit the GW on 99cent day, and take a picture and Bam! Ha. Ha. This job engages the brain, the body, the intellect, the writing skills of Dr. Suess and Shakespeare, the homemaking skills, modern technology and a Phd. in diplomacy....

Some great tips thanks for sharing! Similar thoughts come to mind when I'm doing a garage sale.

After I do my research on an item to find out what it tends to go for, I often ask myself "How much would I be willing to pay for this if I really loved it?" That does sometimes mean I price something too low (and find out after the fact!), but it's something I always try to keep in mind.

Interesting!

Great post. I always take in to account the uniqueness of the item as well. If it's not something a buyer can easily find on Etsy or another site, it can fetch a better price.

Pricing, Pricing, pricing! I have found it to be the most challenging aspect of my business.

Great article, Nickey! Hope to see you at Junk Bonanza again this year! Annie www.3wrenstreet.blogspot.com

Great information-thank you!

Guess we all struggle with this when it comes to vintage items. Pricing can be really hard. In the end I usually price what I would be willing to pay myself (or have paid).

Great info here! Thanks

Thanks for the tips

I've been in the vintage business for many years and the hardest thing to learn is pricing. The prices are constantly changing as the economy fluctuates. Sometimes I have to let things go for less than what I paid for them. Also, where you are selling makes a big difference. I often must discount items to sell them in my local B & M shops when the same item might sell for much more on Etsy since I have a world-wide audience.

Thanks for posting for the vintage seller! Very helpful!

I knew there was a reason I haven't jumped into vintage much. It is hard to figure out the price.

Your story about the thrift shop reminds me of the copper item I found in our local flea market with the signature of Rebajes on it. I pretended to be indifferent when I paid the $2.00 for it. But as soon as I got to my car I let my feelings show!

Great advice!

Restoring vintage items and antiques -- such as textiles, furniture, and art -- are specialist skills, and most dealers do not have these skills. A vintage or antique item that has been poorly repaired loses value. Unless you are a craftsperson with specialist knowledge about restoring antiques, dealers buy with the expectation of selling the item "as is". Oh, and treating a vintage or antique item to a coat of paint and faux wear marks is not a repair -- this actually removes all value from the item. Someone interested in learning how to make a decision about buying a pricey vintage piece would do better watching teevee shows like PAWN STARS, where the thought process behind determining a buying price is explained step by step. I've been selling vintage for 17 years now, and there is really no advice here.

Very informative, thanks!

Nice post Nickey. Could you please help ETSY update the categories available to vintage sellers to help us with our listings?

One little piece of advice I try to follow when pricing my vintage items is: "Never price your own pocketbook". That means never go by what YOU would pay for an item (i'm incredibly cheap), but go by what the item is worth. If someone wants or needs the item they will pay.

Thanks for the info. I try to research and see what like items are going for when I price.

After being in this business forever, I've learned a few things. One thing to know: the market changes and what was worth good money one year may not be worth so much the next. It's important to always be objective. What I would pay for it on the retail market has no merit. What the market will pay does. Research everywhere you can if you have found something special. Useful old items that are trendy do well and at the same time trendy items that are collectible may be only hot for a short time. Staying on top of what new young collectors are wanting is key. Take trips to vintage shops before starting your own and ask the owners what sells and what sits. Check the solds on internet sites to see what sells. Go to vintage fairs and swap meets to become familiar with prices and items. Gosh, it's so much fun when you find that super great piece for a cheap price! That's the love of the business and the perk. Just remember that educating yourself is really an important step to success.

nicely put

Nickey, wonderful information for the vintage seller! sometimes I forget all that goes into preparing an item for sale! thank you for the reminders and the link to the Vintage Etsy society team page! you are the Best!

This is such an important topic. I love the research part of what I do. I do a lot of work investigating the history and what ever tidbits of knowledge I can glean about a specific piece. I also have paid a nominal fee to be a member of a couple of auction houses and appraisal sites as well which is so helpful when I get stuck. I take into consideration the rarity of an item and of course the condition but I also look at recent "sold" prices and put my pricing about 1/4th lower than that. I do not want my item to be the most expensive online so try to be competitive. For very special items you may have to sit and wait for the perfect buyer. They are out there if you are patient. Happy pricing everyone.

Great info and I want to repeat Marthas comment..a big thank you for linking to the Vintage Etsy Society thread. Tons of useful information can be found on our discussion pages!

Congrats on your .99¢ Cathrineholm find. I've done that happy dance many a time, it's what keeps me in the hunt!

Thanks for this info. It's a difficult transition from buyer to seller, but when too much "stuff" around the house makes you not enjoy thrifting and such, it's time to pass on some of the things you have to make room for more!

Thanks so much for an article for the vintage sellers! I sometimes feel like vintage is a little forgotten in the blog posts, so this is great!

i just started my vintage etsy shop and this has been one of the most difficult parts. i started out buying a handful of vintage books and, of course, the ones i picked up basically had no value. so it goes! i've had to re-focus what i've been purchasing a few times. what a great post!

Vintage pieces are more than objects. They have history and they can bring an energy to their new homes. One of our great Vintage Etsy Society's team threads mentioned that the seller often considered themselves as a personal shopper, and her price reflected this intent. If you have confidence in a seller's presentation, communication and feedback you are more likely to have a positive experience. Happy hunting and pricing!

Great article!

I have done my happy dance many times as well when I see a find. When I see something out of the corner of my eye at a sale, it is almost as if the clouds part and I can hear the angels sing oh happy day. Love those moments.

This is such a fun business but you're right, it takes a lot of work to figure out the right formula! From cleaning to researching to packaging it all up, there really is a lot that goes into a single item. Everyone makes buying mistakes starting out & ends up with some duds - start small & focus on things you're personally interested in. I started on other online sites then found a permanent home here on Etsy. I also recently expanded into a brick & mortar booth space and enjoy figuring out the different things that work for each venue. Those diamonds in the rough are what makes it all worth it (nice find, Nickey!) - happy hunting!

Thank you for the great article! I live for the hunt and love to find something special. I enjoy the time spent in hot attics and dark basements- in the hope of finding the 'Holy Grail'! And then I bring home my finds and start the research process. Being part of a team has been a great expierence- a place to ask questions and learn from others.

23 years doing this and I still learn something new every day. One of the more important lessons for new sellers is 'no, it's not that easy' it takes knowledge to know the good from the bad and just because it's old doesn't mean it has value. The most important thing any current or aspiring dealer can do is research their own items, learn good-better-best in grading items and be your own price guide. Dealers who rely on others to give them prices rarely learn anything they can use 'in the field' which is when you can make your best finds. Know your customers, and know what they like. And don't be bummed when that 200 mile drive to a hot auction turns up a handful of nothing, it's all part of the business.

Personally, I find that how much time I spent on it and how much money I have into it doesn't make a speck of difference. It only matters how much someone will pay for it. Once you've already put something into your cart at the thrift store or estate sale, it's water over a dam how much you paid for it, and it's best to figure out the likely sale price before you put any additional money or work into it.

I really needed this advice, I was struggling badly to price my vintage clothing, thanks people!

Great post Nickey! I have been enjoying the thread you started on our Vesty team. I've learned so much from reading about everyone's experiences selling vintage. It's also nice to hear that I'm not the only one who gets a thrill from a bif find!

I am a newbie. Have yet to set up shop. Reading everything I can at etsy to get better informed. wonder if I have handmade items and vintage items? May I set up one shop, or will I be required to set up 2? You all sound like you have great advice on a variety of subjects so am looking forward to your feedback. (rkmontg342@aol.com) thanks.

I just opened a Vintage shop this month, and boy oh boy, I thought there would be a lot of work involved, but not as much as what I have had to do. Don´t underestimate what is all involved as its staggering especially for just one person to manage. You have to expect to take the time to research and get yourself knowledgable about your finds, before and after, and to know what to look for after a while! Doing an overview to keep tabs on your accounts is a must, and I would highly recommend this, it really helps me to see the bigger picture and ultimately see if it is worth my while continuing as a business that is working too. I am totally loving the whole experience, I wish I had started this years ago as it encompasses so much of what I love such as design, home decor, colour and history, then I get to put my own spin on things with photography and styling too which is fun for me as well. It really is a buzz finding something special that appeals to me firstly and then deciding on a price I would be prepared to pay for it, sticking to that, and then being realistic also as to what I could reasonably sell it for, and a bargain just makes it even better! I am new to this and I am sure that I have a lot to learn, but this way of working seems to be doing the trick for me so far. Its lovely to hear the same enthusiasm from my customers that they really love something from my shop and they feel the same buzz I did when I first saw it, this makes it all worthwhile to me, I recommend going for it if if you are passionate patient and persistent, I am very glad I did! Thank you for this article!

Great post, Nickey! Pricing seems like a mystery sometimes, even to someone like me who's been selling vintage full time for nearly 15 years. Though it's important to keep an eye on what the competition is doing price-wise, it's also important to trust your instincts and not panic when things don't sell immediately, especially in this economy. It's a crazy--but fun--business, for certain!

Thank you for this post Nicky, it was very needed! I'm a design-lover-turned-collector-turned-seller. I love the treasure hunt as much as I do the research about each piece but having said that - both are a hard work indeed! Not to mention photographing, measuring, describing etc etc. While pricing I try to factor a market value and desirability of the piece and forget it's sentimental value. I wasn't taking into account my labor but after reading this post - I will! Still, advisable or not I like to ask myself a question: what would I pay for it if I trully adore and "need" it? Happy pricing (and selling!) everyone!

I have a vintage cocktail dress that is beaded sparkles very heavy with mickey mouse face on the dress, I think it was handmade I purchased the dress at a high-end consignment store almost 20 years ago, and I cannot find anything similiar. It has a label which says Valerio made in Indonesia, Any ideas.as for pricing,? I also think it was handmade! It is so well made it looks just as good as the day I got it almost 20 years ago thanks girls!

Excellent post, and very useful. A lot of the articles about pricing are geared towards those who create their own products-so this is a great read.

Karen at SmallEarthVintage is so right. One of the most important abilities you have to have in the business of 'vintage' is to know your gut - or instincts. What you paid for an item is immaterial whereas what the market will bear is the key. Thanks for the post Nickey - and best of luck to all of you newbie vintage sellers out there!

I, too, think of myself as a personal shopper for vintage items as I know not everyone has the access to some of the vintage items I do, plus, not everyone is interested in the hunt like I am. The time it takes to clean and clean some more then research then photograph then write up and list the items can be very consuming. I gear towards items I personally love and sometimes what I have seen sold elsewhere. A price comes to mind after researching the value plus or minus depending on current trends. I love that Etsy allows the outlet for my love of vintage!

Great post! I recently opened my shop and find that focusing on one category, in my case scarves, is helping me to find tune my pricing strategy. Especially since scarves are by far my favorite accessory. I hope to ex

Great post! I recently opened my shop and find that focusing on one category, in my case scarves, is helping me to find tune my pricing strategy. Especially since scarves are by far my favorite accessory. I hope to expand into other categories (shops) once I have some practice and business under way, but not until I have mastered the art of pricing in my current shop.

Thanks for the article Nickey! Like others have said here, so much is geared towards handmade and art that it is nice to see an article dedicated to pricing vintage. You have to love vintage due to the trends, the ups and downs of the economy, etc.... We love everything about it. The hunt, the finds, the history, the research... We learn something new everyday! It never gets boring.

I'm so glad to see this article! I think it's relevant to current and future sellers as well as potential customers. It's so easy to underestimate how much work goes into vintage selling, and this helps really spell it out. It's not just picking up a great item for a great price. It's taking it home, cleaning it, photographing it, researching it, writing descriptions, storing the items while they wait for a buyer, packaging them with quality materials to provide a nice presentation and a safe delivery. And then there is the marketing piece...SEO, creating an online presence, business cards and labels, etc. It's also fun, thank goodness, or we wouldn't do it! But the bottom line is that we do hope to turn a profit and it's so easy to underestimate and undersell our work.

My advice would be to buy what you love so when you get stuck with the duds (and you will) at least they arent too bad to look at and you may find a place for them in your own home. Also be constantly aware of your future pricing when buying items. If you can sell a bowl for about $12 and it costs $8 right now is you time and effort really only worth $4 I think not - when the price is more like $4 its a tough line - at $1 its a no brainer. I have learned to be stubborn about profit margin but not about original price. Just because $12 seems like a lot to pay for X it may not be if you can sell it for $70. You have precentage fees with Etsy and Paypal and then you need to pay yourself a little even if its a hobby at leat cover your gas and camera! :)

This is a great post and I'm so glad to see Etsy helping vintage sellers with what seems to be one of the most challenging aspects of having a vintage shop. I started my vintage shop here on Etsy in order to sell many of the things that had belonged to my mother and my great-aunt that I did not care to keep. I do think I must have learned somethings during the visits to a monthly flea market where my mother and I loved to shop when I was growing up. But I have done a lot of research in my pricing, probably some on every item I sell. I do try to keep the prices reasonable without undercutting. I can't tell you how unhappy it makes me when I have done research to come up with the best prices and will see the same thing listed someplace else for much, much less. But, on the whole, it is a fun business to have and I agree with the others here (and a very experienced antiques dealer I know) who say to sell what you love! It's not too hard to convince customers to buy something you love yourself!

Nickey, thanks so much for this post. It's great to see so many vintage sellers chime in on this subject. There is so much to learn everyday in this business. Unlike most regular jobs, there are no schools, classes or training programs. We each learn by doing every day. Along with so many other factors, pricing correctly can make or break your business. Vintage sellers have the added burden of not having industry standard pricing as retailers do.

it is really challenging. I have def learned what sells easily and that makes it easier to price. I do a lot of research too and some times you can't find your item anywhere and have to decide what I should price it at. I started getting into clothes for men and women about 3 months ago, which is a lot of fun but not always so easy to sell or price. I have in my profile that if you see something you like and wish it was more affordable to ask me. I have been able to work with customers so they feel good and I feel good. I guess not everyone reads the profile. Thanks for all the posts and good thoughts.

I think gut instinct is very important. Too many times I have passed an item up and immediately regretted it, while other times I have purchased things that I thought were a sure win only to have them virtually stagnate. Both times I was going against what my gut was telling me. Listen to your inner voice. It's there to help guide you and who knows...it may be taking you straight to the bank. :)

Great article!

This is really very helpful ... another factor in pricing is also the part of the country where you're operating your vintage shop. Pricing is much higher in New York and New England than in South Dakota, for example. Then you have to figure out how to price it so that someone in Wyoming will actually want to buy it! :)

Good post! I love the hunt for interesting old items to collect and try to sell. Pricing is tough to determine at times, and people don't always consider that there is a lot of background work that goes into listings with research, photos, descriptions and keeping track of orders. When selling vintage items under $10, it is also hard to price the shipping as well. I prefer to ship priority mail, but some people are turned off by the shipping cost. I wish that we could offer an alternative economy shipment price option rather than having customers have to convo and ask for cheaper shipping. At least that is the most common request that I get.

Great post! Thanks so much for the tips. Selling vintage is such fun that I sometimes forget how much work goes into it.

Nickey, thanks so much for the Lab and Post. Operating a vintage Shop, not only are you a Picker,Historian, Master of every decorating decor on the planet, on top of what's hot and what's not, living with beautiful pieces looking at them, and then listing them for some one else to enjoy the beauty, thus opening your self up to new vintage discoveries, and the best of all, making a profit, while giving the customer a memorable experience. We all have numerous sweet spots, I now have sellers that ask my advice on pricing and people that follow me around and see what I pick up. Last week had a couple of pickers stop and ask if they could pick for me, I thanked them and responded that is the Best part of vintage, the Hunt and the Quest. Thanks for your knowledge and your presentation, you are the Best! Off on another adventure!

The article is a great reminder that there a lot of little things that add up to costs and that we should be thoughtful making our purchases. I have enjoyed reading all the comments- it is a fabulous learning experience to read what others have to say!

Thanks for the article, I opened my vintage shop last year but just this month did I start adding items for sale. I really was wondering if my prices were too high. But, after reading this article, it made me realize I'm on the right track. Still there's many things I need to learn.

I've been in the vintage business in some way or another for 10 years or so. The thing that always irks me is that some people think that just because they found or inherited something collectible or old that it's worth a lot. Remember, an item is only worth as much as someone is going to give you for it. Even if it's appraised for more doesn't mean someone is going to give you that much for it.

Great post -- I appreciated the reminder to include both the supplies that aren't specific to the items (Oxi-clean & camera) and my labor. These are both things I consistently under-value as a vintage seller. Thanks!

I have booths at two antique malls here in Williamsburg, VA. I've been considering selling on Etsy but haven't yet. I do enjoy finding my vintage items on Etsy to learn more about the items and to help with pricing. BUT what would be a great help would be if Etsy included the price of the items SOLD! We can ask any price we want to but it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Is there anyway to change this so the items sold has the sold price on it? Thanks, Milie

The one thing that I have learned in the vintage business is that if you price things to low, most people do not put a high value on the item. It is a psychological thing. If you price something higher, they put more value into it. There have been many instances when an item has sat, and I had a really reasonable price on it. Then, I decided to raise my price and boom....it sold! Debbie

Theres nothing like the thrill of the hunt and the reward of a great find! :) I just recently opened my vintage shop and I have had so many questions about pricing, thanks for all the helpful tips. Awesome article!

I recently opened my shop with the plan of having 1 tote of items to sell "just for fun" (I have two small kids and not much free time). It's been 3 months and I am now onto my second tote and have no plans to stop! Even though I've only sold 3 items in 3 months, I love the treasure hunt, the research, the writing and the photography (wow, I never knew how hard it would be to photograph a "thing"!). Thanks for the advice and I am open to critique if anyone wants to check out my shop!

I started up my shop in March, with the plan of having "just one tote" of vintage items to sell; I have two small children at home and don't have a lot of "spare time". Since then, I've upped my tote quota to two totes, and have no plans to stop! I love the thrill of the hunt, researching the history of an item, the photography (although that's the biggest challenge!) and seeing who "likes" something. I've only sold 3 items, but I am officially addicted to this endeavor anyway! Thanks for the advice - I try to read it all! If anyone wants to critique my shop, I am happy to receive feedback....

This is so true! I think if you set yourself a dollar amount on how much you want to invest, you will always be able to make a profit. There are so many treasures out there and once you find your nook you'll be set forever! I have learn so much looking at my fellow Etsy vintage shops. Teams are a MUST!

great post!

Just saw this blog and I see many many interesting tips.... I think I need some time to read .... :-)

I find some vintage items are worth more on etsy than ebay such as items for the home, but for vintage toys i find are worth less on etsy than ebay.

Excellent advice! One other thing to know about vintage/collectible items is that often an item is worth more in original, unrestored condition than in restored condition. Check around first before doing any cleaning or restoration work. Before pricing, I like checking around first, for current values, taking into consideration the differences in condition. I will have to remember to go back & revisit those prices from time to time, though. You're so right, the market changes over time, based on rarity & current demand.

Ditto all of the above & always remember the 3 keys to pricing vintage items.....Research, Research, Research! So much is based on current market value that you need to keep looking at what's currently for sale and/or selling. Also, if an item was popular last year but not this year, remember everything goes in cycles & it will always come back. Buying truly vintage stock is like keeping a savings account, it always has value.

Vintage that looks great in a thumbnail shot leads to the click which leads to more good pics and description... or it begins with search results from the good description. Hopefully everything has done it's job before they get to the bottom line!

Product pricing is a whole science

if you plan to sell vintage online-- only buy pieces in great to mint condition. Save the damaged or less perfect pieces for local shows and venues. good luck!

I disagree with one of the factors you state on determining value. What items are listed for does not determine the market value of an item because anyone can put any price they want on anything. Market value is determined by what items have sold for recently and that is what should be looked at when determining a value for you to price your items. Too many people/vendors on the internet price items way too high based on what they are being listed for and all it does is clutter up the internet with a ton of renewed listing that never sell.

Great to see this article and the comments.. I agree that Etsy should revamp the description part of listing an item. I am a new shop and I do lots of research to see if other sellers have listed an item I want to sell. Too much of one thing makes it tougher to sell. I do find some sellers have prices too low. So the key is to sell unique vintage items,in excellent vintage condition. Photography is key .. Best sellers have an eye for styling their wares. I would appreciate more info from Etsy : provide the sold price and stats on best selling items per month.. but there are so many collectors I think the field is wide open. I would be careful trying to restore, clean up etc an item.. I like things in their original condition .. The buyer can decide on restoration /conservation.

I price my vintage wares by doing searches on the internet or basically what I would pay for something. Sometimes it's a guessing game.....

It's been said but worth repeating: buy what you love. Just because it is old does not mean it is worthy of purchase or resell. Know your customers, and know what they like. Watch trends. Pay attention to your market. When buying to resell it's critical be a good negotiator - don't accept the asking price unless you absolutely have to. Be fair to the person you buy from and the people you resell to. Give excellent service in all areas. Don't underestimate the time and energy of research. Create a proper storage space for your inventory. Set up a space in your studio just for photography; doesn't need to be fancy, just keep it clean and simple. Learn to social network and you'll save a ton on advertising. Take a class in basic marketing, another on small business operations and a few on basic to intermediate photography. Read. Learn. Ask questions. Rinse and repeat! :-D

My favorite happy dance is finding sterling and named costume items for less than a dollar. Nothing beats paying a quarter for a sterling brooch at a garage sale! Small profit, quick return is the way to go for me.