What To Expect When Buying Antiques & Vintage Items : eBay Guides

AVOID UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS THAT LEAD TO DISAPPOINTMENT

After selling a couple of hundred items without a single hitch, I received a complaint of sorts from a buyer who was disappointed that their item was not perfect.  That had me thinking about this whole topic of selling antiques and vintage collectibles, which got me reading what others had experienced with buyers. So, a few points to help buyers avoid disappointment.

1.  Sellers are generally honest and will do their best to describe any issues with their items, so to avoid disappointment, read carefully what the seller is describing so that you are aware before you bid if the item has chips, cracks, fleabites, fading etc.

2. Realise that antiques and vintage items are old and have almost always been used by their former owners over the years.  This invariably leads to some signs of use such as minor scratches, fading of paint, wear on metallic trims on pottery.  Look around your home for things you have been using for, say, 20 years.  Do they look new?  Almost certainly not, and these are tomorrow's antiques and collectibles.

3.  Understand that manufacturing methods have changed and that items such as Depression Glass and vintage pottery come with manufacturing flaws, blobs, straw marks, bubbles and glaze pops.  These are not "issues" but are part and parcel of collecting old treasures.

4.  If you think something is definitely not caused by normal wear and tear, communicate with the seller.  Almost always, regular sellers are willing to work with you, either to explain whether what you are concerned about is normal, or to accept a return according to their policies as laid out in their listings.  Unwarranted bad feedback does none of us any good and detracts from those rare times when a seller or buyer have genuinely earned a negative feedback response.

I hope this helps people to understand a little better what to expect from these vintage and antique collectibles.  Personally, I think signs of use are endearing.  They demonstrate that the items were lovingly used as part of a family's life.