Babes in Toyland: A Vintage Gift Guide

Click here to see more vintage gift guides from the Etsy Vintage Team.

  

'Babes in Toyland: A Vintage Gift Guide' by calloohcallay

Antique Chalkware Figurines ... ReBopShop $16.00	Shabby chic primitive farmho... wonderdiva $70.20	Antique Dolly Dell Toy Iron TheWhiteMole $14.00
Vintage ScienceCraft Microsc... ThirdShift $60.00	Vintage Ohio Art Tin Spinnin... vintageatchirp $32.00	French Vintage School Poster... LeTrip $50.00
Vintage Little Learners Toy ... RetroVintageBa... $34.00	Wild Thing Hanukkah Christma... SurrenderDorot... $14.89	Vintage Children's Knitt... SeagullIsland $5.00
Vintage viewmaster with reel... reconstitution... $18.50	GOD JUL (Norwegian) Vintage ... TheOldBarnDoor $4.00	Happily Ever After Vintage B... SecondHandNews $15.00
Childrens Clothes Hangers - ... VintagePDX $11.00	1940s KAY-an-EE Sew Master T... tparty $72.90	Vintage 1950s Child's Pl... KitschyVintage $15.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Vintage Gift Guide: Make Her Swoon

by ReBopShop

Heirloom quality antique jewelry from the Etsy Vintage Team. Warning...have her open this gift near the fainting couch!

Rhinestone Wedding Holiday R... OhFaro $125.00	Ali Baba Necklace -Antique C... ForeverInStyle $385.00	Vintage French Victorian Gol... socaljewelbox $62.00
Red BakeLite Green Vintage B... BakeliteBakery $54.00	Vintage 1930s Green Enameled... unionmadebride $68.00	Vintage Mexican Sterling Sil... marybethhale $140.00
Floral Charm Bracelet Loaded... MellowMermaidJ... $55.00	DeLizza & Elster Juliana Cam... GeneralWhimsy2 $75.00	Eisenberg Ice Topaz and Red ... cherrylippedro... $110.00
Vintage Whiting & Davis Vict... CranberryManor $50.00	Gorgeous Vintage Emerald & D... Nachokitty $345.00	Vintage 1950s Holly Wreath P... alexsandras $55.00
Vintage Silver Brooch green ... popgoesmyvinta... $75.00	Vintage Chandelier Rhineston... PersonalPursui... $55.00	Vintage 1950s Enameled Metal... darlingblu $75.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Vintage Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers Under $10

by ReBopShop

Ribbon candy and walnuts, perhaps an orange. And tiny trinkets just for fun. These vintage stocking stuffers are all under $10.00, and actually fit inside a stocking!

Two Tiny Model Railroad Tree... tparty $9.90	coloring books- 2 vintage co... Shoptastic $10.00	20 vintage hair pins nosnowsupplies $4.20
Vintage Miniature Nodder Kok... WheeTreasures $6.00	1931 Calendar VintageInspire... $2.95	Vintage Ceramic Owl Pair Fig... vintagegoodnes... $5.95
Recycled CIRCUIT BOARD Geek ... DebbyAremDesig... $5.25	Mini Pitchers with Flower Ac... sweetrice $6.00	Perfume bottle pendant Vinta... KatsKuriosityS... $9.00
Vintage sunglasses - Retro S... FairyFiligree $6.00	1978 Distressed Vintage Ton... Charie88 $5.00	Vintage Mini Railroad Lanter... DandelionGirl $9.00
Miniature Vintage Souvenir S... suchandsort $7.00	A Fuzzy Little Bunny awfulwaffles $3.00	Miniature Space Needle Souve... TheHeirloomBou... $3.75

Treasury tool by whalesharkwebsites

Set Your Shop Above The Rest

As the Holiday buying season approaches, we need to be sure we're doing all we can to reassure our potential customers. Today we're inundated with stories of fraud, poor packaging that led to broken items, sellers that refuse to offer refunds for wrong items, and more. We can combat this and set our stores apart with a few basic words & practices. Some sellers hide behind their descriptions, leaving out information so the item will sell faster. You are building long term customer relationships-treat your clients as you wish to be treated. 

Vintage Ceramic Rooster offered by VintageInBloom

First of all, congrats! Being a member of the Etsy Vintage Team is a great seal of approval to have. The high standards set by this team mean that buyers can relax, knowing that they're dealing with a reputable seller. 

Antique Treenware Kitchen Set offered by birdie1

But it's going to take more than just a badge to get an insecure buyer to click the Add to Cart button. The first impression of your shop is vital, just as it is with people. Is it well laid out? Are colors & textures balanced-not too much of one color on a side, silver items spread evenly throughout the page, clothing balanced out with jewelry? If you're unsure, try this: back away from your computer screen a little ways and squint your eyes. You'll quickly assess what needs to go where.

Vintage Tole Metal Tray offered by tparty

Are your descriptions thorough? Be sure you're eliminating all guesswork for the potential buyer. Provide what the item is made of, what its measurements are and all elements of condition. Avoid the dreaded: "in good condition for its age"-it's far too subjective. Be specific: There is a 1/4 inch long crack along the side, the binding is tight & the pages all present, the leather is supple, there is consistent crazing, etc. 

Silver Kangaroo Ring offered by evalena

Are you providing extra information that other sellers neglect to provide? One such example is black light testing. It brings out the hidden flaws and repairs your naked eye may have missed, thus providing another level of security for your customer. Do you mention if the item smells fresh and is free from smoke? I consider this a vital piece of information when I'm buying, since I'm seriously allergic to tobacco smoke. 

1970s Maxi Dress offered by JojosRetroandVintage

Being willing to offer fast exact shipping is good idea for last minute shoppers. Providing tracking numbers and insurance is another way to give reassurance to a wary buyer. As I've mentioned before, it's always better to provide a variety of shipping rates so your buyer feels confident. 

Antique Lusterware Open Salts offered by vintageatchirp

Layaway is a popular option now; just 2 or 3 payments can make a world of difference. I've had 3 sales for over $400 lately done this way and they've all paid on time. If you do offer it, advertise it. 

Modernist Sterling Brooch Offered by darlingblu

In these uncertain times this extra level of service reassures the buyer and shows them you're sensitive to their needs. Since most of our shops are going to do the bulk of their business during the holidays, now is the time to be sure we're providing a top level of customer service.