The Cost of Learning As You Go.

Not every item you find for resale will be a successful sale.  Not every quality brand item will sell.  Yes, you will be paying to learn what to buy and not buy.  I try to keep by buy items at a low price, in the hope of selling them for at least 4 times what I paid.  This is not always the case.  I will share some of my lessons learned as I an in my second year of reselling full time.

One good example fresh in my mind, is a Spode Christmas tree coffee mug.  Who hasn't heard of Spode.  Spode the English porcelain, especially the Christmas tree pattern.  This pattern is well known and highly collectible.  I found an unusual Spode green stripped Christmas tree coffee mug from the early 2000's, it was only $1.  I figured I couldn't go wrong with it, right.  Wrong, after I bought it and began researching it I discovered this design is not highly sought after.  There are not a ton listed and zero have sold.  What does consistently sell is the traditional white Christmas Tree pattern with the Santa topper.   I now know that this mug I purchase is a bust, all is not lost on it.  I will be setting aside to hopefully one day add to inventory for a booth in an antique mall.

Another lesson learned, I purchased a Mexican Tonala pottery cup for $4.  The cup has a blue flower design on it, very pretty.  I did not have cell service in the shop I was in, dead zone.  I know Tonala pottery can sell.  However, this cup would do better with a mate.   I found no listings for a single cup, I found listing of pairs or multiple cups.  On its own it will be shelf sitter.

Another lesson is items with to much damage do not usually sell.  A minor chip of flaw most buyers will take it in to consideration.  I take it into consideration when I price it, I price it below the average sold comps.  I for one would not want to pay a higher price for an item that has flaws/damage.  The only caveat for this the age and rarity of the item. 

Lastly, you will come across items that seem to good to be true or items that are not original, they are reproduction.  There are tons of reproduction out there and some are good reproductions.  You really have to educate yourself on what your buying for resale.  For instance, in the years I have been buying vintage glass.  I noticed, depression glass tends to be thin and light weight on the older pieces.  Pieces of depression glass made a bit later, can be a little thicker and a lighter weight glass.  The reproductions tend to be thick and heavier glass weight.  This is my observation and not scientifically proven.  Take it as you will, but using your own observations, studying, learning will help you when buying for resale.   

Happy Tuesday!