One Year Anniversary and Thoughts on Vintage Selling.
It's been a while that I have posted in this blog but it is the one-year anniversary of the website so I believe this warrants a post! :)
For all those considering opening up a vintage shop, here are some tips about vintage selling that I have learned:
1. When you go to an estate sale, DO NOT buy everything you see. Be selective. Just because something is inexpensive, it doesn't mean it's worth it. Find pieces that inspire you and buy pieces you like and don't mind having around if it doesn't sell quickly.
2. Do not think you can fix everything. My to-do pile is literally piling up to the ceiling because I keep thinking I will get to it. My mistake was buying pieces that I thought were fixable, but they ended up being very tedious and time-consuming.
3. Set a budget or limit on how much you will spend for a piece. Remember not all pieces sell and you might end up with it in your inventory for quite a while.
5. Running a vintage store, you are the photographer, seamstress, poster, marketer, launderer, packager, etc. Remember to give yourself a salary. I went a whole year without paying myself to grow my inventory. It was difficult, but luckily, I have a supportive husband.
6. Package your items to reflect your brand. Your customers trusted you enough to buy your pieces online without trying it on so the least you can do is make their package pretty and presentable.
7. Have fun, take it easy, and if you need a few days off, your customers won't mind waiting a few more days if it isn't urgent.
I hope that helps anyone out there thinking about opening a vintage shop. It's one of the hardest job I have had, but also the most rewarding!
Welcome to the Shop!
Hi ALL! I am so excited to show what I have been working on. I'm so happy at how everything turned out and even more thrilled that this website will allow me to better showcase my garments.
For months, I've been vacillating whether or not I should do this (as if I didn't have enough to do already)...but certainly, my own avenue to sell sounds inviting--so I did it!
Don't worry, my etsy shop will still be around. :) But keep in mind that I am a one-person team (I upload, ship, pack, clean, blog, photograph, edit, mend, and take trips to buy) so it is a bit difficult to keep up with everything and I do make mistakes.
At this point, I can't afford to hire any employees and I do feel bad for hiring an intern and not pay them. Just...can't...do...it! :/ I should be able to have enough to hire someone next year though. Unfortunately, I spent a lot $$ buying a car (which didn't work and had to be fixed), buying a house, renovated and furnished it. I swear I didn't even go shopping for myself and I spend literally less than $4 on food on the daily (unless it's a special occasion).
Shipments will be sent out on Monday and Friday. International order (under 4 lbs) will be sent First Class...unless I am late, I will expedite to Priority or Express for no additional charge. Please let me know if you are in a hurry to receive items.
Also, before items make it to my etsy shop, they will first be on this website and select items will be offered on this website and this website only. Rest assured that it's very secure and your info is safe.
Additionally, I will provide snippets of my life, but again, being a one-person show, my blog posts will be a bit sporadic. I will do my best to show previews even before they make it to either store on instagram.
Thanks so much for being my valued customers--past, present, or potential. You all are making my dream of one day owning my own curated shop closer to an actual reality (squeals!) and for that, I am definitely and infinitely grateful. :)
Thanks so much! You guys are the best and I couldn't have done this without your patronage.
Sincerely Grateful,
-M
