Ultimate Guide to Reselling Vintage and Antiques: Etsy, Ebay, and Booths

Ultimate Guide to Reselling Vintage and Antiques: Etsy, Ebay, and Booths

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Selling on Etsy vs. eBay vs. a brick and mortar shop 2.1. Booth in a brick and mortar shop 2.2. Living in a niche market 2.3. Lack of foot traffic
3. Benefits of Selling on Etsy 3.1. Having a YouTube channel 3.2. Ability to promote the Etsy store 3.3. Personalization and social media aspects
4. Importance of Marketing on Etsy 4.1. Active promotion of the store 4.2. Comparing it with eBay's automated system
5. Selling on eBay 5.1. Different demographic compared to Etsy 5.2. Listing items not suitable for Etsy 5.3. Cross-posting items between eBay and Etsy 5.4. Exploring other platforms like Facebook Marketplace
6. Conclusion

Why Selling on Etsy, eBay, or a Brick and Mortar Shop?

I have always had a knack for finding value in things that others might overlook. Whether I'm going picking with my boyfriend, my friend Sue, or even my kids, it's all about having fun and, hopefully, making a profit in the end. However, choosing where to sell my finds has always been a strategic decision. In this article, I will delve into why I prefer selling on Etsy over eBay or a booth in a brick and mortar shop.

Selling on Etsy vs. eBay vs. a Brick and Mortar Shop

When considering where to sell my items, I weighed the pros and cons of each option and found that selling in a booth in a brick and mortar shop was not suitable for my specific circumstances. Living in South-Central Pennsylvania, my local market leans towards a rustic and primitive aesthetic, which is far from the mid-century modern and Art Deco styles I curate. Moreover, the foot traffic in local antique malls is not enough to justify the cost of renting a booth. Thus, the lack of demand and limited customer base led me to explore other alternatives.

Benefits of Selling on Etsy

One of the main reasons I chose to sell on Etsy is my presence on YouTube. By having an Etsy store, I can leverage my YouTube channel and social media platforms to promote my products effectively. The ability to market my Etsy store has proven to be a game-changer, as it drives more sales compared to when I focused solely on eBay. Additionally, I appreciate the personal and social media aspects of Etsy, where users can favorite stores and engage with sellers on a more intimate level.

Importance of Marketing on Etsy

While setting up an Etsy store is relatively straightforward, it is essential to actively promote it for optimal results. This involves various marketing tactics, such as leaving business cards in a booth or sharing updates on Facebook and Instagram. I noticed that when I put effort into marketing my Etsy store, it yields significant sales. Therefore, potential sellers should consider the time commitment required to actively promote their store on Etsy.

Selling on eBay

Although I primarily sell on Etsy, I recognize the value of cross-posting certain items on eBay due to its different demographic. eBay attracts a larger male audience who may be specifically searching for certain items. For example, I listed spray bottles, considered collector's items, on eBay to target male collectors. Additionally, eBay's broader reach complements Etsy, allowing sellers to tap into a wider customer base.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my decision to sell on Etsy over eBay or in a brick and mortar shop was influenced by various factors. Living in a niche market with limited foot traffic made a booth in a local shop impractical for me. Instead, Etsy's connection with my YouTube channel and its personalization features made it the ideal platform to showcase and market my curated items. However, I do acknowledge the benefits of eBay's broader reach and cross-posting items when suitable. Ultimately, the decision on where to sell should consider individual circumstances, goals, and targeted customer demographics.