Determining the history and value of a vintage piece can sometimes be a little difficult. But buying and selling vintage can be easier if you paid attention in school.

School? If you're still having that recurring nightmare where you went to class and didn't know the test was today, I'm sure the mention of school made you shudder. But honestly, there are some good things you learned from school that can help you be successful on eBay.

First, remember term papers? When you wrote on a topic, you sought to find out the who, what, when, where and why. These are the same things you need to know about your collectible, whether you're buying or selling.

• Who--who was the maker or the designer
• What--a description of the item, including its cost
• When--the time period it was made
• Where--if appropriate, the location of its origin
• Why--why this item is important and/or your sales pitch on why someone needs this particular item in their collection and why they should buy from you.

In trying to answer those questions for a vintage piece, be sure to look beyond the Internet. Any teacher will tell you there are some great sources online, but beware because there are also the same folks on the web who inflate values and stretch the truth at estate sales, flea markets, resale shops, and garage sales.

Fake Chanel Bag Sold as the Real Thing at a (oh, no) Resale Shop

There are some helpful guides on eBay for telling genuine vs. fake.

We Hate Counterfeits - Don't Get Fooled into a Fake Bag

Buying genuine Hermes silk scarves?

How to Tell if Your Vintage Dress is Really Vintage

Whether it is a dress, scarf, handbag, or other accessory, what can you rely on to research and date your piece? The same thing you used in school--primary sources! In case you forgot, a primary source is an original source of information, a direct source. For example, if I wanted to research the history of the Sears Tower, some primary sources would be the building permit or the architects' plans and notes. A secondary source would be an encyclopedia article or a book on the history of skyscrapers.

There are numerous secondary sources in the world of vintage, such as collectible price guides and fashion histories. (That's a guide in itself!) But you can have a lot of fun with primary sources in the world of vintage. Think about these primary sources:

• Family Photos: Suppose you have a relative's estate to dispose of and want to sell some vintage items. How old are they? When did Aunt Tilly buy them? Look at your family photos and check for the actual item or a representative style.

• Old television shows and movies: Look at June Cleaver's apron!  What does she wear when she and Ward go to the club? What does Samantha have on when Darrin comes home from McMann & Tate? What kind of purse is Ginger Rogers carrying in that 1936 movie? How are the handbags different during the war years? The answers to these questions can be found on your nearest television!
• Magazines and Catalogs: Look at your library's next book sale for old magazines and catalogs. You can find these at antique shows, but you'll pay a pretty penny for them. But at the library, an issue might cost 10 or 25 cents and a whole stack just a dollar. The ads in the magazines are real goldmines of information!
• Old Newspapers: Once again, a trip to the library is useful here. Most libraries will have the local newspapers and metropolitan dailies on microfiche. The ads and society columns can give you some insight into the fashions of the day.

So get researching and have fun. The more you know about vintage fashions, the more successful you'll be in your eBay auctions!