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buying vintage items on line, auction or other?

12 years ago

Does anyone have a favorite site for buying vintage items, but not furniture? Do you feel the prices are expensive/fair/cheap? What items have you purchased? TIA

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Comments (10)

Oakley
12 years ago
I use ebay, but do "Buy it Now" instead of bidding. I think they have the best prices plus you get closeup pictures.

I've bought linens, ornaments, planters...a few other things.
lauriedeee
12 years ago
I use Ebay too either with Buy it now, or best offer. I bought a wrought iron shelf, a tea set which didn't survive shipping, and some art prints.
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What other auction agencies than ebay?
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Comments (3)
Depending on what you're selling, there are other on-line possibilities (for instance, http://www.audiogon.com for audio gear). But kittiemom actually provided you with two answers: the auction list and the fact that she (like almost everyone else) hasn't gone anywhere but eBay. Other auction sites exist, but eBay is the 800-pound gorilla in that arena right now. I have "notify-me" searches active at three auction sites. The only place I ever hear from is eBay. The others just don't have that kind of traffic. For the most visibility for a sale and the highest potential price, eBay is the place to go.
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What other auction sites are there besides Ebay?
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Comments (25)
chemocurl - I have never heard of Bid Assistant. I will have to check it out. I just noticed it this weekend. It appeared as a link on my page on the items being watched. It wasn't until after I bought 2 items this weekend, that I went and looked at the form. I assumed it would only allow you to bid one amount for any/all of them...but it wasn't. It allowed you to put in a max amount for each watched item. Like I asked b4...I wonder if it might bid after the snipers. Also say something is going for $1.99 and you want to get it as cheap as possible. But you know it is worth $9.99. If you put that amount in and there is a bidding frenzy it will drive it up to your Max. I swear there are kids out there who do that just for fun to see what your Max Bid is. If you had waited till the last minute to bid, you might have got it cheaper. I really doubt if there are folks who bid them up...just for fun. They 'might' get stuck winning things if they did. I have used Max Bid in the past. The problem with that is unless you are around, someone can beat your Max Bid by 50 cents or a dollar. And you kick yourself because you would have paid that extra 50 cents or a dollar to win it. But who know what the winners max bid might have been. It might have been $5, $10, or $50 dollars above your max bid. One just never knows. I just put in the max I am willing to pay and let it ride...occasionally even upping it another time. 99.9 times out of a 100, it isn't anything I have to have and there will be another one come along b4 too long. I think I'm gonna go and try for a steal deal with bid assistant now. Here is a link that might be useful: I won today at $12 below my max bid-Woohoo!
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Please Critique My Lighting Plan!! (Line Item Quote Included!)
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Comments (10)
Carol - thanks again for the feedback. I have made some changes and I'll note them below. Every time I look at the plan I end up removing cans and subbing out with other items. I will note that every can minus the outdoor lighting are 4" cans rather than dated looking 6" cans. (See below for update comments) David - I never thought about that but that is a good suggestion. The ceiling will be a stained beadboard. -I am not familiar with surface mount disc lighting or how good the technology is (I've spent all my time researching recessed and the best retrofit kits). Could you please give me a quick and dirty of the best surface mount lighting available? (Product links would be helpful as well). -Yep - good call. Wash room is now 2 sconces and no recessed lights. -That's a good idea on the surface mounts for mud room - If you could please either link me to some info on them, etc. I will take them into consideration. -David - noted on the wi-fi issues. I'm thinking of making a central control tower in the basement for all/most media equip (same idea the Control4 guys pitched me). Some Miscellaneous Lighting Updates: #1. 1st Floor Wash room only has 2 sconces now #2. Dining room is only planned to have a rectangular lighting fixture hanging over dining room table for mood lighting #3. Fixture in Foyer now and removed cans over stairs and lining steps with sconces at top/bottom of each stairway. #4. Cans are removed from all 2nd floor bathrooms (minus water closet can) and sconces are going to be used in both master bath & guest bath (2 per vanity in master, 3 for double vanity in guest). #5. Backside of watercloset is a make-up vanity and will use mirror with in-mirror lighting #6. 3rd floor bath removed can, went with 2 sconces and a light in the shower. Thanks again for your help everyone. I think this is really starting to come along well! Andrew
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New baking pans (I love that on-line auction!)
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Comments (19)
Thanks for the picture, Maddielee. It looks like what I actually have is not the correct insert, it's the top of a Tupperware grater (who knew that could happen?). It looks like this one, with a rounded handle, the piece on the top. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tupperware-Jadeite-3-Piece-Shreader-Veggie-Celery-Keeper-Crisper-/112431578967?hash=item1a2d71bf57:g:MhoAAOSw2gxYwDxF Even without the insert, though, an entire stalk of celery won't fit inside and still leave room for the lid to close, so maybe Olychick is right, celery is bigger, maybe. Rusty, I have that GE refrigerator that I mostly like, french doors and a bottom freezer. However, anything in the bottom of the crisper drawers freeze. I've tried putting in blocks of styrofoam, those padded plastic pieces of bubble wrap, even folded towels, but everything in the crisper drawer freezes. Maybe because the crisper drawers sit right on top of the freezer? I don't know. Anyway, I'm going to try that celery keeper and see if that helps. The lettuce always has to go on a shelf to avoid freezing, because Elery doesn't like it frozen and soggy, go figure. (grin) If celery or carrots freeze, I can still toss them into the pan to make my mirepoix or whatever but frozen iceburg lettuce is only fit for chicken food. Shirl, Amanda has a set of four pink Pyrex nesting bowls that were my Grandmother's, so I'm thinking Ashley is probably going to lay claim to this set! I have a cabinet full of pyrex casserole dishes and I use them all the time, love the things. The Princess is always excited to try new kitchen stuff, especially if she gets to eat the results! Annie
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yayagal
12 years ago
Ebay, Craigslist and Etsy
mahatmacat1
12 years ago
I do Ebay either best offer or snipe, if there's no BIN option. IME etsy prices are often higher, if the sellers know what they're selling. But etsy seems to be The Place to go, now, rather than eBay, since eBay seems to be being taken over by volume sellers of low-priced new stuff.

On the other hand, for real, serious studio pottery, for instance (one of my things), eBay all the way.
alexisls
12 years ago
I've found quite a few treasures on the vintage side of Etsy (well, the handmade side too) - from dishes, to vintage linens and quilts, to small pieces of furniture.

I find it easier to browse (I like the vintage housewares section), more carefully curated, and aesthetically pleasing than eBay.

It's rather addictive and fun to stumble across random things I haven't seen since my childhood.

Here is a link that might be useful: Etsy
Oakley
12 years ago
Zoe, I don't like Etsy because they don't show many items to a page. On Ebay, they'll show 200 items per page.

I haven't really noticed a change on Ebay, but that's because I don't buy new products, only vintage, which don't come in volume.
Fun2BHere
12 years ago
I mostly buy from eBay. I probably have one bad experience for every fifty items I buy so that's pretty good odds. Prices run the gamut from a steal to ridiculously dear. If you are patient, you can usually find items at a steeply discounted price if you will look every day.

If I want mid-century modern items, there are two local swap meets that have a decent selection.

Local antique and consignment shops have some things, but are usually more expensive than eBay even with shipping.

I haven't purchased from Etsy yet. Generally, their prices are more expensive than eBay. If you want to pay the highest price going, check out 1stdibs.com. Beautiful things, but always priced at the top of the market, at least in my experience.
alexisls
12 years ago
I completely agree about Etsy's layout - it could use improvement. So could their search function.

When I know exactly what I want, I'll go to eBay. When I want to browse, it's Etsy. Just like anywhere else, there are silly prices for some things, and really good deals for others.

I was looking for a mug that apparently is quite collectible. I had gotten one at a junk store for $1 because it was cute (turns out it's Bauer) and wanted a few more since they are a nice size for a hot toddy. I couldn't find any on eBay for less than $40 but then got a set of three for $10 on Etsy.
patty_cakes
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks everyone! I meant to post this on the antiques/collectibles forum, but somehow ended up posting here. I've ordered from eBay and etsy, but was wondering if there might be any new auctions I might not know about. I also order quite a bit from shopgoodwill, but don't like to spend more than $25, including shipping.

Most of what I order is for my space in a local antique mall~~that's why I was asking. Thanks again. ;o)
Oakley
12 years ago
I'm actually glad you did the topic here because not many members are into vintage. I can talk about vintage all day long. lol

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