Wednesday Work: Research

 One of the hardest aspects of reselling is research.   Figuring out where to being your research can be a struggle.  My first step is using google lens on my phone.  It is a good place to start in identifying the item.  Once I know what it is or who made it, allows for a deeper look into the item.  Google has been my go to source for research.  Sometimes I get lucky and I am able to obtain a general idea on when it was made, where it was made, what material it is made from.  This information is helpful in creating a listing.  When Google does not give me any additional information I look for the item on eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, or Mercari.  When I spot listings I look through each one for details about the item, sometimes other sellers will list the maker, age, etc., you will find listing with no additional information too.  When this happens I move on to Pinterest.  

Pinterest has been somewhat successful for me in research an item, pins will show up in Google lens returns.  Pinterest can also be hit or miss with information about vintage/antique items too.  I have had success in unlocking information about items.  One thing to note is on Pinterest the pins I have looked at are predominately listings from reselling sites like Etsy, eBay, Cherish, Ruby Lane to name a few.  I still look at them, you never know when one listing will give you what your looking for.  You may even find old catalog pages showing the item, for instance Fenton glass or Viking glass, there are old catalog images from the manufacturer and department stores on Pinterest.  The Stretch Glass Society has Fenton catalogs, I linked the catalogs from 1970-1989 on their website.  Which I found on Pinterest.  I found Viking catalog pages being shared by Vintage Glass Identification Library on Pinterest, which has boards for the different glass companies.  Pinterest is great for identifying vintage costume jewelry too.  You can find old advertisements and catalog pages for Coro and others.

You can search Facebook for groups offering identification help with glass, jewelry, pottery, ceramics, and more.  Most of the groups are private and will require you to join.  Most have strict rules about posting and requirements for how to photograph the item, even the age of the item.  These groups will have a limit to the number of post you can share each day.  The post will go through an approval process before it will be added to the group.  Be aware your item may not get any responses, I would say half the post go unanswered.  I have only had two items be identified by a group for vintage and antique glass, pottery, and ceramics.  I posted a photo of my Bauer Pottery strawberry pattern recipe box on a group.  The piece was not marked, google lens return identified it as Bauer, the group confirmed it was Bauer.  The other item was a pair of candle sticks, poured ceramics, with a matte finished.  I could not tell if the design was leaves or shells.  Turns out the candle sticks are Rumrill pottery, sea shell design, made sometime between 1933 and 1940, before Red Wing began making Rumrill pottery.

When your striking out on the internet and you know who made your item, your local library may be an option.  Most library have books on antiques, collectibles, and more.  I have looked through identification books on Roseville art pottery, Hull pottery, even a book on mid century glass identification.  You will find books covering vintage and antique jewelry, porcelains, crystal, and even clothing.  This resource books maybe limited depending upon the size of the library, it can't hurt to look.  

Good luck in your detective work!

What Should I Price My Flips?

 When it comes to reselling pricing can be tricky and time consuming.  What I do first is research the item on eBay, I look at what sellers have the item listed at.  Then I filter the results to completed and sold.  This gives me an idea of what the item had sold for.  Now the sold prices usually are in a range of dollar amounts.  I make note of the range and then look on Poshmark.  On Poshmark I search the item and see what sellers are currently asking for the item.  I then filter to sold listings.  There will also be an range of sold prices, I make a note of the range.  One thing I have noticed is some items sell for a higher amount on one platform verse the other platform.  One example is milk glass, some milk glass sells for a higher amount on Poshmark than it does on eBay.  You may find that to be the case with your items.  I will set my price generally in the middle or towards the highest price.  I can always drop the price as time goes on or consider offers.  

You have to consider all your cost, like packing materials paper, bubble wrap, tape, and boxes.  Sometimes going 4x or 5x what was paid will help is covering the additional cost of supplies.  You could always break down what it costs you for each sheet of packing paper, each sheet of bubble wrap used, each box, etc, this is a lot to remember.  When selling on Poshmark, everything ships USPS Priority mail, which you can get the boxes for free from the post office.  I order mine online and they deliver them for free too.  With Poshmark you can use either regular priority or flat rate priority boxes or envelopes.  With Etsy buyer has the option to ship regular first class if it fits the requirements, priority, or ground.  I keep a small stash of boxes and padded mailers on  hand just for Etsy.  You can pick up packing materials at Dollar Tree, I buy my packing paper sheets there, bubble mailers, and sometimes bubble wrap, $1.25.  Sometimes you can find small boxes too.  For boxes I will buy them at Walmart.  The prices are low on small boxes there.  I will buy bubble wrap there too, it tends to be the lowest price locally.  

Now if your pricing to sell in a local mall or at a market, you can consider the amount x a number, like $1 x4, meaning the price would be $4, you could do 5x the amount paid.  Some resellers will look at what the item is selling for online and price it for less than online.  Pricing is a tricky game, there may be someone else selling the same item for a much different price. Take a look at what items are going for locally in the antique malls.  It helps in figuring out what to price your item.

Monday Market Trends.

 Happy Monday!  Here is a short list of what I am seeing selling on Poshmark.

1.  I am still seeing vintage clothing, dresses from the 1950's through the 1990's.  Denim is still showing up in the sold listings.  I noticed some western themed clothing and jewelry selling as well.  For men I spotted vintage button up shirts, western themed pearl snap shirts, cowboy boots, and sterling sliver rings with a southwest style.

2. I spotted vintage holiday decor, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter to name a few.  Holiday decorations usually sell all year long.

3.  I am still seeing brass home accents, MCM colored art glass, Fenton art glass, and clear glass.

4.  I noticed several sales of country geese/ducks decor items.  This was popular in the late 80's into the 90's.  Usually you will see two white geese wearing a blue ribbons around their necks.  I have seen this mostly in kitchen items and decor.

5.  I am still seeing ceramic and porcelain figurines selling.

6.  I noticed a few decorative collectors plates in the sold listings.  The majority where of wolves, and few floral prints. 

7.  I saw several vintage wall hangings, art prints, wall decor.

This is just a small overview of what I am noticing on Poshmark.  Poshmark's home page has a Today's Trends, which today is noting crotched clothing and bags as trending on the site.  I didn't see those items in the sold listings, I don't know how they come up with the trends noted.  

Be sure to search the different platforms to see what is selling there, most have a filter for sold items to search.  Etsy does not have this feature.  

Friday Finds

I did get manage to stop by two thrift stores on Wednesday.  The first stop had some selves packed, I picked up a bunch of items.  I did find quiet a few items for reselling, I did have to edit my cart down to a manageable amount of pieces.  I narrowed my selection down to the four items.

First is a Shibata Japan Ceramic square serving bowl, pattern is "China Garden", paid $2.99 will list it for $34. In the last photo.

Second, is a Boxing Kangaroo Dresser/Vanity caddy by Fine Ent. Inc, USA, 1956.  When I got it home I discovered a little chip in the glaze on it's one ear. I paid $1 for it, comps range from $30 to $100 depending on the platform.  I plan on listing it for $34.  Google lens said this particular piece was seen in the movie "Pulp Fiction".  I saw in listings Fine Ent. Inc maybe a part of McCoy pottery.

Third is a ceramic/redware folk art cat, with a speckled spongeware finish.  I paid $1 and plan on listing it for $14  No makers mark on it, price sticker did pull away some of the glaze along the bottom edge.  

The fourth piece is a small redware mini pitcher or creamer by Prinknash Pottery England, luster gun metal finish, paid $1.  I found a few comps on Poshmark, different shape at $20.  I will be listing it at $20. 

Fifth item I picked up was a vintage 1950's white Santa with rosy cheeks mug, I paid $1 for it and will list it for $26. I only found one like it that had sold on eBay for $24 and one on Etsy for $28.  Both sold with some flaws to it, this one also has some flaws.

At the second thrift store I found a cute pair of white ceramic kittens with colorful bows by Homeco.  I paid $1 each.  I will list them as a pair for $15.  

I found a new Hydro flask 10 oz Rocks tumbler for $1.  I will be keeping it, its perfect for keeping my cup of tea warm.

I picked up a Disney Hallmark Winnie the Pooh mug for $1.  I am not sure if I will be selling this one or not, my sister asked me to get it.  She collects Winnie the Pooh coffee mugs.  Comps on eBay were from $9 to $23.  

Happy Hunting! 

Learning As I Go

Just completed a full year of reselling online I am still learning the ins and outs.  I am learning how to use social media to grow sales.  I just recently started an Instagram account for Big Woods Vintage.  Learning how to use it to share listings, share recent finds, and growing my business.   I am not comfortable in front of  camera, I do not know how to edit videos, I am still learning how to use my camera and my phone camera is a work in progress.  If you have any recommendations or suggestions for learning these skills leave links in the comments.

Reselling is a constant learning curve.  Not everything you pick will sell nor sell for a profit.  Not everything has a fast sell through rate.  Not everything picked is worth what you paid for it, a constant learning curve.  Also, learning to really exam each item carefully for defects, I still miss a chip or crack.

Learning how to price items effectively based on platform performance and sold comparisons.  I have heard from other resellers, never list an items for less than what your willing to take for it.  Meaning if you have an item you paid $5 for it, don't run an auction starting at $1, especially if it usually sells for $50, start it at $20 or more if that is the lowest amount you are willing to let it go for.  Same is can be said for listing on a non auction selling site.  I am learning to price items to keep them competitive with other listings. 

I am learning to find the right amount of items listed that is manageable for me.  I don't have a ton of room to store lots and lots of items.  I have a storage tote for my Etsy listings and I have 2 18 gallon totes and a smaller tote for my Poshmark listings, so far this has been manageable.  What has become unmanageable is the new inventory I have purchased, I am closing in on 6 totes of items I have sourced, which has slowed my sourcing to only a few items.  

Lastly, learning all about profits and hidden costs.  Hidden costs cut into profits, packing materials/shipping supplies, additional transaction fees i.e. credit card payments.  I am learning to include the cost of packing materials into my pricing.  How may sheets of packing paper do I need, how many sheets of bubble wrap do I need, will I need an additional box for added protection.  Cannot forget about boxes, I sometimes have to buy a box to fit an items. I am learning to keep better track of my expenses, I have designated accordion folder just for receipts.  Receipt's for my finds and receipt's for my shipping materials.  

  

Thrifted Refresh

I few years ago I picked up this wicker shelves at the thrift store, cost $2.  I knew I wanted to eventually add it to one of our bathrooms.  The piece was dusty and dirty.  I put it up in the garage until this past weekend.  The time had come to give it a refresh.

First I vacuumed the piece with a brush attachment, and I used the can of compressed air to loosen the dust in the twist of the wicker.  

Next I took a fine grit sanding block to it, this help remove chipping paint and smoothing out the bumps from a previous paint job. 

Then I used warm water and a squirt of ECOS dish soap unscented and a old soft rag.  I made sure to wring out all the excess water from the rag, you do not want to saturate the wicker.  I proceeded to wipe down the shelves, trying to get into all the twists and folds of the wicker.  After which I repeated the process with just clean water and a clean rag, wringing out all the excess water.  Wiping down the piece to remove any remaining dust and soap residue.  I left it to dry in the sun for several hours.

Lastly, I applied Rust-Oleum American Accents 2x Ultra Coverage Paint + Primer, Flat White spray paint to it, outside using disposable gloves and mask. I allowed the piece to dry between applications of spray paint. It took 2 coats to fully cover it.  I need to apply a little glue to one piece of the lattice piece at the top, it came loose during the cleaning process.

I can't wait to get it hanging up.

I will have to update when it is finally hanging on the wall.

Wednesday Work and What Not

Have you ever been to an estate sale?  I have been a to a few, I had to get past an awkward feeling of walking around some else home and picking up and looking at other people's belongings.   Estate sales are a way for liquidating a loved ones personal belongs whether due to downsizing, nursing care, or death.  

I have been to an estate sale being run by family members trying to sell the contents of the home and I have been to estate sales run by a company who comes in and prices all the items, organizes it, and runs the sale.  Some maybe cash only and some will take cards too.  Be on the lookout for signs with this information on it and any other details, if you don't see anything ask.

In my area, most estate sales run Friday through Sunday.  Sunday everything is usually discounted up to 50% off.  Always check with the people working the sale about how long will it run and if the last day is discounted.  To find estate sales in your area check out estatesales.net.  

Keep in mind the prices will be all over the board and they have done their homework on the value of most items.  I saw once items with eBay listings printed out next to it.  Just be prepared for the pricing you will encounter.

At an estate sale you can find everything from holiday decorations, to kitchenware, to linens, to clothing, shoes, and tools, plus everything in between.  Look around in every space, dig through the piles.  Carefully look over the items you want to get for damage.  Estate sales are usually all sales final.  You may find a hidden treasure.

Lastly, bring a reusable shopping bag with you for your purchases.  There may not be in bags or boxes available at the sale.  Happy Hunting!