Vintage Rescue Squad

Shaking Up Your Vintage Business (Pssst! It's Scary)

THE BACKSTORY: At my accursed day job, we're shaking up a 60-year-old tradition in an effort to survive—and thrive—in a dying industry. For those who don't know, I've worked as a designer for a newspaper for the last 35(!) years. 

The times they are a-changing, and it's necessary. The old ways don't automatically continue to work in a changing industry.

I'm seeing and experiencing parallels in the vintage world, and it's caused me to re-examine a LOT of my ways. Besides, with my elderly-parent obligations, and hopefully retiring early within 5 years, I need to seek a clear path forward. How can I sustain a viable vintage business nowadays, especially once I don't have a big-grrrrl day job?

THE DILEMMA: At said accursed day job, the company established a task force to answer the intriguing question:

 

WHAT SHOULD WE STOP DOING?

Whoa. Wait, wait, wait.

That question alone opened my eyes. Instead of asking "what are we doing wrong?" or "what should we start doing?" or even the dumb-ass "what's happening here?", we turned it on its head, asking a critical question that many businesses won't even CONSIDER.

I realized that on some level, I was doing that in my own vintage business. What should I stop doing? What isn't working for me? And what can I put the brakes on?

 

THE SOLUTION Part 1: Reconsider my venues.

I faced reality that I should leave secondary venues that aren't attracting my target market. DONE (in March, then again in September). 

In both of those instances, I was actually LOSING money. I could now focus on just my main venue—a monthly barn sale, which has been the best fit (and most profitable) for me in the 12 years I've been selling. Cool beans; I've got a plan I can live with!

But, that venue is now undergoing renovations, and we have our annual 5-sales-within-6-weeks holiday blitz, which I wrenchingly realized I simply cannot keep up with while working a day job and caring for my parents. 

So, I'm taking a brief break. I'll be back at the barn once renovations are complete (yay!). I'm also brainstorming on what I need to do THERE to be more successful, competitive, and creative.

It's terrifying to have NO physical venue right now, but somewhat of a relief. I can breathe, and no longer feel like I'm scrambling—which is no way to run a business.

 

THE SOLUTION, Part 2: Re-dedicate myself to online sales.

I should focus on Etsy for the next 6 months, my only viable solution at this point in my situation. I've decided to turn THAT situation on its head, too, asking myself: could I make Etsy-only (or online-only, possibly my own site) work as a business model, since early retirement will involve a LOT of online selling, right?

For those of you who don't sell on Etsy (or online at all), that means keeping abreast of best practices, but also REALLY paying attention to what WORKS and what is feasible. Looking at my stats, I can see what ALWAYS sells, what sells very quickly, and what search terms buyers are using. Time to use that to my advantage.

 

THE SOLUTION, Part 3: Jettison the crap.

For years, I've been expanding my list of "do-not-buy" albatrosses (armoires, kitchen scales, silver pieces, etc.) that drag me down. I went down into the dreaded basement these past few weeks and created bins full o' crap that I've been holding onto for 10+ YEARS thinking I'll finally sell or list it. No! I've tried to sell it at multiple venues, at increasingly low prices. They are no longer my style—or desirable—so off it all went to Goodwill. I'm also negotiating with a fellow picker to offload some other bad decisions, at greatly reduced prices. Hell, I've even put crap on the curb. Begone!

 

I've got a lot more to spout off on, but wanted to open the question: what should we all STOP doing? What should YOU stop doing?

The Hoard: I've Been Sleeping with a Telescope

First of all, get your minds out of the gutter. 

Let me backtrack. I live in an older home (built in 1939). 8 days ago, we had torrential rainstorms here in DC. I was awoken at about 12:30 a.m. by a noise (unrelated to this story) and jumped out of bed, only to realize that my bedroom ceiling was leaking. YIKES. 

Because I am on nerve-blocking medication for my back (long story), I incoherently stumbled down to the basement to rustle up some tubs to catch the rainwater. Of course, that meant EMPTYING the tubs that I keep the growing hoard organized in. After resolving the drip situation, I slowly turned, only to see ANOTHER new leak that was—no lie—dripping on my pillow! On my brand-new very expensive mattress. 

That meant more tubs, more emptying, more hustling, and a total rearrange of my bedroom at 1:30 a.m. But, I did it. I survived. I could now go back to sleep. I headed to the couch. Yeah, the one I'm trying to sell because it's so uncomfortable. 

So, I moved to the guest bedroom, like any normal person would. ANY NORMAL PERSON THAT DOESN'T STORE THEIR HOARD ON THAT BED. That bed is more of a staging area—more of a queen-sized shelf.

Given the hour, I just shoved everything aside, and snuggled in.

And until the roofer replaces my roof, I'm sleeping with the telescope. And the lampshades, grainsacks, and boxes of loot. 

 

Another Sign that I Buy Too Much

Fun "Photomatic" pictures from the Central Pier in Atlantic City, 1942. My kinda gal.

 

Six weeks ago, Gina and I met up in Kutztown, PA for a junking weekend. She's a great junking partner because we rarely shop for the same kinds of items: she's aiming to dominate the vintage Christmas market, whereas I'm looking for the weird and wonderful.

A few days later, she mentioned that she couldn't find a "small metal object" and asked if it was in my car. I didn't see anything, but sometimes the car is like a black hole: something disappears in it, only to resurface weeks later.

So, on Sunday—six weeks later—I was clearing out the vehicle and found these SUPER-AWESOME metal-framed photo-booth images and nearly gasped. Oh, how I wanted these! Oh, how I wish I'd found them! I remember thinking "that's something I would buy!"

Dilemma: Do I tell Gina I found them? Do I hoard them? Should I offer to buy them from her? I want them BADLY. Must have them.

Well, you can guess: they ARE mine. She reminded me that she was standing right next to me when I bought them. That I had purchased all but 2.

So, now I got my wish—and remained honest. And I have one bonus photo of the mysterious boyfriend. I'm guessing that is an army hat, but I wish it was a fez.

Apparently, I buy things and promptly forget about them. When I later find them, I assume they are someone else's and want to purchase them (again). I definitely have a problem.

 

Back to Blogging!

Gorgeous street signs spotted in Texas

Just because I haven't blogged in a long time, doesn't mean I'm not THINKING about it. I have been, believe me. But every blog post I have scheduled in my head is snarky and cranky, and I didn't think that was the best way to come back.

Those of you who know me in person, however, would expect nothing less, right?

Once again, I made the joyful trek to Texas to traipse the fields of fields of Warrenton/Round Top!!! 4 glorious days of slogging and eyeballing and calculating what might fit in my suitcase or the overhead bin. I never leave disappointed!

 

Creepy dolls galore in Kutztown!

Then, this past weekend I took a few days off of the accursed day job to shop Kutztown's extravaganza with Gina and then shop Adamstown and the surrounding areas. Having a vehicle really paid off and I was able to stretch my hard-won dollars to include some larger industrial pieces.

 

My favorite purchase of late will be hard to part with:

DUTCH FLASHCARDS! Yes, Dutch. So I'm at this weird little pop-up "store" in a tiny town in Texas. I've been there before—lots of Euro treasures, mostly expensive, and hardly anything has prices shown. Fortunately, I got all 3 sets for the in-my-head price I was willing to pay for each!!!

FLOWERS!

ANIMALS!

BOYS SPORTS!

Wait, what? These are AMAZING and HILARIOUS. Waterpolo, wrestling, fencing, basketball, diving … everything. I've got to figure out how to turn them into posters!

The flowers and animals can go on etsy soon, but I'm holding on to these. Clearly, I'm easy to please….

 

 

VRS is Expanding! (Or, more accurately, destashing.)

Our new booth at Cannon Hill in Frederick, MD

 

There comes a time in every junker's life when your junk hits critical mass. A good tip-off is when the house looks like a warehouse, the shed is full, the front porch is embarrassing, and you've caved and rented a small storage unit.

Plus, I strongly suspect my cleaning lady thinks I'm nuts.

 

So, when 2 dealer friends told me about another mall they're in (as well as Chartreuse), visions of a livable home became my end-of-year goal. THEN, my sister (aka Grasshopper) said she wanted back in the game (and had the same goal). As we discussed it, we realized it would be fun to do something TOGETHER, and to have a common interest other than caring for our aging parents and bitching about the election results. 

Don't get me wrong—I LOVE LOVE LOVE being at Chartreuse. I've had more success there than any other location. I love that it's a once-a-month thang. I adore our customers—and the owners and other dealers. I'm still there! But, much of my merch just isn't right for Chartreuse. I've had some items there for months, which sold within days at Cannon Hill. Expanding to a new location solves so many issues for me! I can't sell something if it's in my shed or storage unit….

Plus, it's only right that all my sister's amazing creepy dolls are brought out into the world:

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

I love me some religious items, which is strange because I'm not religious in the least. But, I can't resist buying (and selling) them.

 

Recently, I purchased not one but TWO religious signs for my booth at Chartreuse. I narrowly missed an Episcopal one at Lucketts last weekend, but another buyer snatched it from under my faraway glassy-eyed gaze. Grrrr.

 

One thing I've been looking for FOR YEARS is a church register board. I've got a few of the cards that slide into them, so wanted a great way to display them. At last weekend's Lucketts show, I headed over to my friend Terry's booth (Charm City Farmhouse) to bitch and moan visit.

 

And he had one!!! A BIG ONE. Turns out it's been sitting in his garage for years. The moral of this post? Next time you're looking for some thing, ask the dealer who is a few yards away….

Surviving a Disappointing Antique Show/Flea Market

We've all been there. You have a bad show. Or the show actually IS bad. Or it rains, or the people in the tent next to you bicker the whole time. Or no one groks your wares. 

Normally, I just adopt a zen-like attitude: I'm out in a field on a sunny day, surrounded by people who love vintage, and get to shop a bit myself. So what if I essentially paid a $200 admission fee?

 

David (aka Roy), me, and Justin (aka Junior)

And, I get to yuk it up all day with the boys from RUST!!!

But, as you're packing up, even if you had a great show, there are always items that didn't sell that you now DESPISE. The ones that just won't jenga back into your vehicle. Or got drenched and are now barely sellable. Or you curse yourself for buying them in the first place. Or that you've simply HAD TOO LONG. 

I've come up with a solution; one that works for sellers AND event organizers. They could charge $5 per vendor to participate. Hell, there could be a s'mores food truck. 

 

A BURN PILE. Who's in?

Junking on the DL, or Back From Hiatus

My February booth at Chartreuse

No, I haven't stopped junking, nor have I abandoned my business, though my lack of blogging may have convinced you of it. Since my parents' move up to Virginia 18 months ago, they are my top priority. That means I'm pretty much just doing sustenance junking—just enough to keep the booth fresh, and keeping the etsy shop modest and manageable.

 

My April booth at Chartreuse

That also means that I allow myself one weekend a month to go junking—the pressure! 

BUT THEN. What you do is give yourself some arbitrary point in time, thinking "If I can just get beyond XXX point, everything will revert to normal." You'll pin your hopes on that one point.

 

BUT THEN. It doesn't go well. I know I haven't lost my touch, but I can't help but feel out of kilter. This weekend, I did the annual Old Lucketts Store Spring Market—a show I've done for the past 5-6 years. Each year gets harder and worse for me.

 

This year, I pared down dramatically. I didn't bring all the smalls. Since it was going to rain, I brought mostly metal items and things that could get wet. I knew going in that I would have a low-performing show, but this was an eye-opener. More and more, certain shows are more about home decor, rather than cool vintage finds. I need to recognize that. Buyers don't care whether an item is vintage or not (their choice). I'm holding my tongue, of course, but I need to recognize that the show is not for me. Not to mention, it rains EVERY YEAR. This time, they cancelled the show for Sunday, which was a big blow.

 

Makes me want to sometimes

 

 

But, on the positive side, as I was loading up today, I made a profit:

 

Found $7 in the mud!

Etsy Meet & Greet (all fun and games)

Earlier this month, etsy announced its 2015 "Home for the Holidays" program. In 9+ global cities, as etsy employees went home for the holidays, they arranged meet & greet events (limited attendance). Of the few in the U.S., one was about 2 miles away from my house, if you can believe that! My sister and I were up for an etsy throwdown. We can talk etsy and vintage and—specifically—etsy vintage all day every day, even under the duress of meeting in an Irish bar. Throw in free drinks and food and I'm a goner.

4 etsy admins and 30 etsians were in attendance, which was pretty damned cool. Getting to "talk shop" with other etsians is always fun, and you can bet that shipping, seo, lack of sales (everything sellers constantly bemoan) were the main topics. 

The opportunity to talk with actual etsy employees about concerns, advice, and experiences was fun and enlightening. As the evening wound down, they took a group photo and people began to leave. At the hostess stand, my sister espied the orange etsy flag. We had already exited when she went back in for a game of "capture the flag". And now it's MINE, all mine.

STILL Embracing Etsy (or My Sure-fire Way to Boost Sales)

If you sell on etsy, you know that the most frequent topic in the forums is how to get more sales. Everyone will always tell you "seo!", "great photos!", and "promote via social media!". All are true.

I figured out etsy's seo (actually it's "relevancy", but shorthand is seo) a few years ago, and it hasn't changed much since. I just set it and forget it. I can usually place high in search for most of the keywords I'm hoping for.

 

I also feel my photos are good enough. I'm a lazy grrrl, given my accursed day job, so really don't spend much time on photos. I understand angles and the basics of product photography, so rely on that, even if my backgrounds aren't perfect white. I just need them to be appealing and eye-catching.

But the single-best thing I can do to increase sales is to list more often. I was fortunate to be on "vacation" from my job last week and took the time to photograph (or re-photograph) and list more items than I normally can. Boy-oh-boy did it pay off. Everything listed here sold within 10 days (and the bottle caps have sold multiple times).  

Guess I know what my task for 2016 is, huh? I've got thousands of items to list, so it's all about making the time. I'm going to be expanding my "embracing etsy" series of blogposts as well, as I've begun teaching local classes on selling on etsy. Are there any particular things you'd like to learn? Or any updating you think I need to do from my early posts (since they were so long ago)?