Sell Things Online

While thrift-shopping today, I was reminded of the things I’ve bought in the past that I liked, but that just didn’t sell. I wanted to share those with you, and see what you think:

Earrings – unless vintage, and even then, they move slowly

Unsigned costume jewelry unless a really spectacular piece.

Pfaltzgraff china/pottery – great quality, really good looking, and just don’t sell – I wound up selling a lot of them at my yard sale for $1 or so.

Depression Glass – I think they are just gorgeous, the prices can be very low, and they just sit there. I donated some and sold some at the yard sale.

Another surprise, to me anyway, is vintage California Pottery. I love it – but buyers don’t. McCoy pottery moves, though slowly, but the beautiful California Pottery from the 40s and 50s doesn’t move.

Watches – except for Fossil – I’ve had some for months, they’re very nice, and I have them priced competitively, put in new batteries, and slow go or no go.

Creamers – except for Fiesta – or obvious vintage – anything Fiesta eventually sells, but I’ve had some fine china creamers that also went in the yard sale.

Dishes – again except for Fiesta, and Villeroy & Boch Design Naif (which fly) fine china pieces just don’t sell very well. I was surprised that Lenox pieces – picture frames, vases, etc. didn’t sell.

Tea pots – slow, but eventually sell

I’ve been having good luck with men’s shirts – Tommy Bahama Hawaiian silk, Nicole Miller silk, and Wrangler western shirts, also Big Dogs, and silk ties which I pick up for around $2 – novelties, cartoon figures, a couple designed by Carlos Santana, and one from the Grateful Dead. All of my shirts and ties go with free shipping.

My shoes are doing well – I stick to Danskos, Dr Martens and Birkenstocks…one of my thrift shops has caught on to the Danskos – they used to be $7.99, yesterday they had a pair for $29.99. But the other stores still have them priced low. I picked up 4 pairs today, brand new, no wear whatsoever.

I’ve started using the Seller Sourcebook templates, and I really like the way the listings look. Many of my recent sales have been from those listings – I do think they make a difference.

I love chatting about this stuff so email me anytime.

I’m right there with you as far as some things not selling that just don’t make sense. I subscribe to the Kovel’s publications which is a collector’s newsletter you get in the mail with all sorts of fantastic information on auctions (real world auctions) and current prices on things,etc. and even they will have articles sometimes on things explaining they used to be high sellers but now they are not and expect the demand to come back in a few years. It’s so interesting but it’s the reality of antique and vintage items. Oprah could be wearing a great vintage bag and that’s the latest items to sell like crazy on eBay, etc. The items you list I’ve experienced the same thing.

BUT! That being said, I twist things a bit too. A perfect example is this auction of mine that recently sold. I found it at a GW for $7 I think and immediately thought it looked very “Tiki” which is a highly searched for keyword and niche (which I plan to update my book with.) I did a search on eBay when I got home and lo and behold there were 2 others that didn’t sell. Darn it! Well, they had the type and name of the vase in the title and that’s it. I decided to go after the “tiki” crowd. So I used that keyword in my title, used Hammertap to see when “tiki” buyers were online and guess what, it sold! The buyer has the word “tiki” in her id so I know that’s why she bought it.

See what I’m saying? I do that a lot with Shabby Chic items too. Vintage stuff can fit very well into the shabby chic niche. So, I’m not saying that works all the time BUT if you already have the items in your possession then it might help to try that angle out.

Also, trends and demand are always changing like the Kovel’s newsletter says. It does not mean that you didn’t find something good to sell, it just means people aren’t into it right now.