Cast Some Magic

Ask yourself, how do you like to find vintage? What setting fills you with anticipation and makes you curious what's around the next corner? I'm guessing it's not the sterile Target store type of environment we're all familiar with.

Antique Brass Fan offered by hurstdesigns

It's the same for our customers. I run into people fairly often that tell me they hate shopping on the web. When I dig deeper, they've told me that they can't hold the item, feel it and really know about it. I hear that the web is cold, unfriendly, untrustworthy and unfeeling. 

WWII USAF Military Hat offered by marybethhale

As sellers, it's up to us to craft an experience for each item we sell. It doesn't have to be complex. It doesn't need to even be specific. We just need to give an over all feeling. A store that is consistent goes a long way toward achieving this. Find a banner & avatar you like and stick with them. Use some of the same text in each ad so customers recognize your personal stamp in each ad. For me, this means starting each ad with "Offering" and ending each ad with "Satisfaction guaranteed". 

Vintage Red Egg Beater offered by moxiethrift

Cast some magic upon the vintage items you're selling. This can be done in the specific ad listing, the banner of our store, the text sprinkled throughout your store, and your photos. When you find an item, take note of the setting. What age is the estate? Is the heir around to ask a quick question of? Gathering those tiny details & providing them can help the customer recreate the thrill of the hunt, online. 

Vintage Embroidered Bird Linen offered by ImSoVintage

My store banner tag line is "straight from the barn". I want my customers to think of a big dusty barn in the country, filled with shadows and antique treasures. Or at least, that's what I like to think of and often what I really encounter. I keep it simple and let their imaginations do the rest. If they want a blue, red or green barn, that's up to them. This simple text invites thought and inspires imagination. 

Vintage Metal Lunchbox offered by Niftic

Descriptions of your items go a long way to helping your customer have a complete shopping experience. What is it made of? What does it smell like? What are the measurements-height, length, depth? What does it weigh? Now these terms won't apply to all your items, but saying your book smells fresh and is from a non smoking environment will help your customer experience it all the more. 

Vintage Owl Couple on Driftwood offered by TheOwlLady

Details help your customer make your item their own. While it may be tempting to list an item and say "in good condition for its age", resist. That doesn't help your customer in the least. Would you want to hear that about yourself? Ack! Provide the information they would gather if they were holding the item in their hands. Give them an experience. Cast some magic.