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Nothing’s more addictive than treasure hunting for antiques and collectibles. But what if you could turn that passion for vintage into a side-hustle or even a full-time business? Join our experienced dealer as he shares insider tips and tricks from decades in the trade. Whether you’re the weekend flea market enthusiast or dreaming of opening up your very own shop, discover how to transform your love for the past into a fun and profitable future.
42 Episodes
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For this Q&A, we answer listeners' questions about the most common scams John has faced in his 10+ years as an online dealer (including buyer high-pressure tactics). John also goes into depth about his current photography setup: camera preference, lighting, sizing references, etc. And if you're struggling with mounds of paperwork, John offers advice on recordkeeping: organizing inventory, tracking sales, and managing monthly profit and loss so you know exactly what's selling and where your money is going. This episode offers a ton of advice for streamlining your business. Stay tuned for next week's episode, where we address even more listener questions!
In this episode, we explore the hidden market for antique accessories and vintage replacement parts: Depression glass lids, cookie jar lids, transferware lids, sugar bowl spoons, cruet stands, dust jackets, antique boxes, foam inserts, doll clothes, Star Wars toy parts, game tokens, kerosene lamp parts, appliance cords, and original packaging. Learn where to find antique replacement pieces at estate sales, auctions, and garage sales, and how to research, identify, measure, and price old lids, glassware parts, pottery pieces, and collectible toy accessories accurately. Whether you’re an antique dealer, vintage reseller, booth owner, or collector searching for a missing or broken piece, this episode covers how to buy and sell antique replacement parts the right way.
Did you make a bunch of New Year's resolutions for your biz in '26, and now, it feels like those resolutions are falling apart? It's absolutely not your fault. So much of the antiques and collectibles business is out of your hands. In this episode, we dig into our own January numbers, shifting buyer behavior, and what’s actually selling right now (and at what price points). We talk about pivoting inventory, pricing realistically, thinking beyond collectors, and reframing how you might approach the next six months in your online store. This is all about real talk from a real online seller. No hype, just strategy.
Ah, yes, we're sure you see what we did there in that title. In all seriousness, in this episode, we break down transportation-related antiques and collectibles that actually sell, with a special focus on cross-collectibles like ephemera, toys, advertising, and signage. We also talk about slightly lesser-known railroad items (Fred Harvey), and dish on some long-gone items that we wish we'd hung onto.
Americana collectibles tell the story of American life through the decades, and with America’s 250th birthday approaching, we're anticipating demand rising across the antiques and vintage market. In this episode, we define what counts as Americana and highlight high-interest categories for sellers, including ephemera, military photographs, Norman Rockwell and Saturday Evening Post covers, folk art, vintage cookbooks, sports memorabilia, rock and roll records, automobilia and petroliana, political buttons, Native pottery, early radios, and red, white, and blue nostalgia. This episode will put you in a true “baseball and apple pie” frame of mind as you source antiques and collectibles that connect with buyers.
In this episode, we explain why we’re coming back to buying and listing pottery and ceramics (hint: it's driven by cottagecore, farmhouse, and rustic interior design trends). We cover basic definitions of pottery vs. ceramics, why crazing is normal, and what we're seeing gain renewed interest right now, including transferware, mulberry, wall pockets, planters, teapots, chip-and-dip pieces, and brightly colored kitchen pottery. A practical, dealer-focused look at spotting design-driven demand and rethinking old inventory in the antiques and collectibles market.
If you sell antiques or collectibles online, this episode focuses on business resolutions and goal-setting for antique dealers and collectible sellers that actually work. Instead of vague goals like “sell more” or “find better stuff,” we break down realistic, controllable business goals for online antique sellers and vintage resellers: goals you can plan and execute regardless of the market or the economy.
Not sure how to describe vintage glassware, jewelry, or antiques without guessing? In this episode, we’re breaking down common antiques and collectibles vocabulary sellers and collectors need to know. Everything from glassware and jewelry terms to eras, styles, and condition descriptions. An easy, practical guide to using the right words so your listings are clearer, more accurate, and easier for buyers to find.
In this episode, we focus on kitchenware collectibles that have consistently had a market, long before trends and social media attention. We also share the single resource that helped John get truly versed in kitchenware collecting early on. It's a reference he still relies on today! It’s a practical discussion about learning the market, training your eye, and understanding kitchen collectibles beyond whatever happens to be popular right now.
You don’t have to be in the glassware market long before hearing dealers say, “And it glows!” But what does that actually mean? In this episode of Glassware 101, we talk about why some vintage and antique glass fluoresces, and break down the often-confused terms uranium glass and Vaseline glass. We also dig into solarization: what causes it, how to recognize it, and how it differs from fluorescence. We wrap it all up with practical, real-world tips for identifying Fenton glass. This episode is packed with clear terminology and seller-focused knowledge to help you source smarter, write more accurate listings, and sell glassware with confidence.
Join us for a deep dive into the sports items that have proven, time after time, to be steady sellers. We talk vintage gear, regional fandom items, trading cards, and the quirky finds that surprise us every single season. If you’ve ever wondered what sports merch is worth picking up, this episode is your guide!
Is your “vintage” item actually a reproduction? In this Q&A, we explain how to spot reissues, identify counterfeits, and decide what you can and can’t sell in the antiques and collectibles market. Plus, what to do with items that can’t be sold (yes, there’s still a silver lining).
Join us for our guide to spotting high-value books: first editions, first printings, dust jackets, vintage paperbacks, and more. Discover hidden money makers and the book categories that resell best.
Join us as we explore why advertising collectibles continue to sell, the strongest-performing vintage advertising categories, and the items that have cooled off for us as online sellers. We dig into buyer psychology and what makes certain advertising pieces more valuable than others. At the end, we reveal one surprising twist about why advertising memorabilia remains a top collectible category for dealers, thrifters, and vintage enthusiasts.
Find out how to shop for holiday antiques and collectibles year-round! From Christmas décor to vintage treasures for Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and more, learn how to source, stock, and sell for every celebration so you’re ready when the season hits.
From typewriters and rotary phones to milk bottles and butter churns, some antiques may have lost their original purpose but not their appeal. In this episode, we look at the bygone objects collectors still love, how they're used today, and why these obsolete pieces continue to sell in today’s antiques and collectibles market.
After this episode, you’ll never look at old paper the same way again. We’re diving into the world of ephemera (one of our most profitable categories!) and revealing the surprising pieces that actually sold. From flea market finds to forgotten drawer junk, these paper goods are pure gold.
You sent the questions, and we’re rolling up our sleeves! This You Asked, We Answer episode dives into bookkeeping and inventory for collectors. Learn how to manage your books in a (mostly) receipt-less industry, keep your records straight, prepare for tax time, and protect your treasures...and your sanity.
Every antiques and collectibles seller faces slow spells. But don't rush to assume it's also SPELLING disaster (pun intended). In this episode, we dig into practical ways to make the most of quiet periods in your shop or online store. From refreshing your inventory and reworking listings to creative marketing moves that bring buyers back, you’ll learn how to turn slow days into smart business growth.
Whether you’re running a brick-and-mortar antique booth, an eBay / Etsy store, or all of the above, this is your blueprint for staying steady...and setting yourself up for the next big rush.
You can’t just buy what you like! Every generation has its own sense of nostalgia. What feels like junk to one might feel “vintage cool” to another. In this episode, John breaks down what different generations are buying (and why) so you can snag better inventory and sell to everyone from Boomers to Gen Z.
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