What Makes A Vintage Shop!

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Permalink Reply by Gilty Girl Vintage on January 20, 2011 at 6:42pm

mmmm.....I mull this about in my mind frequently, Kayleigh.  My thoughts have run the gamut of everything from being very specialized such as accessories only, era only, kitchen kitsch etc.....to having well organized categories.  At the end of day.....photos make a great vintage shop.  No matter what the product...interesting, engaging photos and the use of models whenever possible seem to contribute to the 'great' factor.

 

I think also, a shop that regularly promotes itself via social media and keeps it's 'followers' updated and gives them 'insider information' is also a formula for success.   Pretty pictures, models, props, promotion and great product are all factors, but, at the end of the day a great shop has a great shop owner with exceptionally attentive customer service a generous return policy and of course, a thank you gift or two would certainly grease the wheels of patronage.

 

Great topic!  thanks for starting this interesting thread!

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Permalink Reply by COBAYLEY on January 20, 2011 at 11:36pm

Merchandise....that is what it takes.  And, you cannot sneak in anything "not vintage"...the savvy shopper will spot it right away and click you off in the blink of an eye.  If you're not sure of the age of something, don't even think of putting it in a shop where there is a jury on age of item. 

Gilty Girl is correct on pictures...that is probably the number one thing that keeps people coming back to your shop.  They can see what you are selling.  I had an unfortunate experience about 5 years ago with a monitor that was going bad.  We didn't realize it and were compensating with changing the brightness of the item.  We were viewing the items on a bad monitor.  Thankfully, another on line seller contacted me and told me my pictures were a mess.  We finally figured out why our sales had dropped so low.

Consistency...keep adding new merchandise.  A savvy shopper wants to see new stuff.  If you don't have new stuff to add, move it around.  Remove it and relist it with new pictures and new titles.  Be innovative....It's the same thing as selling in a brick and mortar...tempt the buyer with quality merchandise at a terrific price...you will be successful.

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Permalink Reply by LuAnn Smith on January 21, 2011 at 8:54pm

I agree with both cobayley and gilty girl. You have to have killer merchandise and the more the better. But if you don't have great pictures forget it, especially if you
sell on etsy. Some etsy sellers can take an old Q-tip and make it
look like something you must have {I say this as a compliment}. I
just re-opened my store and my focus is listing, listing, listing.
Thanks for the inspiration!

 

~LuAnn

 

http://backhomeagain.etsy.com

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Permalink Reply by Another Time Antiques on January 22, 2011 at 1:49pm

My first question was:  a real world shop?  or a cyber shop?  :)  Having lived in both worlds I think there is a main ingredient that is key to both (and already mentioned):  Merchandise and it's presentation!

and I'd like to add:  If you don't "really know" what you have, don't offer it to the world until you have something valid and true to say about it.  AKA:  Honesty.   No one can know everything about every thing.  So if you have a mystery piece, work with it.  Internet has made this amazingly easy.  And if you still don't have all the details, just be up front about that.  People appreciate it.  And they also get inspired to stretch their minds.

Beauty!   Doesn't mean perfections, just means:  bringing to light a lovely object for the beauty that it alone holds.

last comment but certainly not the least:  good business practices / customer service.    Who wants to play in a shop that is snobby, stiff and chilling???? 

There surely is more, but these stick in my mind most.

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Permalink Reply by kayleigh Savory on January 25, 2011 at 8:21am

Thankyou for all the wondeful advice and delightful conversation! I actually work with a vintage/retro online shop and vintage/retro street shop. Originally i was thinking for a street shop ( Sorry i didn't make myself to clear on that) however i have just been given the resonsability to help update the womens side to the online shop. So all the advice given is eternally greatful and a real insight on how to take the task in hand!

 

Thankyou, & all your items are beautiful and im really glad i found this little treasure cove of vintage goods on the web!

 

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