Pick for Profit

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 bri...

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...

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...

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 be...

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 fluorescenc...

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...

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 grow...

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.

Slow antique or collectible listings don’t have to stay that way! Fall is the perfect season to refresh and resell. In this episode, we’ll share online antique shop strategies to reframe older items with a cozy, autumn-ready appeal. From adding fall-inspired keywords to updating photos with seasonal styling, discover how to turn overlooked pieces into top sellers this season. Perfect for anyone lo...

After a decade selling online, John finds social media can absolutely help move items from his Etsy and eBay stores. Here, he shares some insights on how to get started (even if you've never posted on social media in your life), how to easily get tons of content out of every item in your shop, and what he believes it means to go "viral" in the antiques and collectibles world (hint: it takes far fe...

John is definitely seeing signs from his Etsy and eBay shops that the Christmas season is upon us as antiques and collectibles dealers. Here, he shares why he believes the Christmas (or holiday) shopping season is in full swing, how long you can expect it to last, and key steps you can take right now to ensure your online shop's in top shape for maximum holiday profits. Also, he's got some pretty...

It's an eyeballs episode (and no, it's not about Halloween). Here, John shares how his own eBay and Etsy stores have recently seen an uptick in views and sales: why we think this is happening, and how you can capitalize on this in your own online shop. Turn the algorithm from your nemesis to your friend, and get more people looking at your antiques and collectibles. 

We’ve had a ton of interest in opening and maintaining an antique booth, so John and I decided to share some common shenanigans that take place when you have a booth. We cover what to do when items go missing, how to tell if your prospective mall is analog or digital (and why it matters for tracking sales), how to think about stocking inventory, and even why kindness toward the people who work you...

In this latest Q&A session, John hits some best practices for listing online, and we both dive into some techniques we've used for identifying art pieces. John also relates a cool experience he had with one vintage enthusiast, walking him through successfully listing (and selling!) his first item online. 

As antiques and collectibles dealers, we're constantly bombarded with articles and tips on what's hot in the collecting world. Problem is, by the time you see that article, generally everyone else has too. When you go shopping for inventory, those hot items are either nowhere to be found or priced at top dollar. So how do you fill those shelves? John shares his tips here on how to buy items that a...

In this episode, John shares what's selling quickly out of his eBay and Etsy shops right now. He also offers some pretty priceless (pun intended) advice on why those lower-priced items can absolutely be a godsend for your business.

As collectors and dealers, we've all faced the same dilemma: to clean or not to clean those new antique or collectible finds. John shares a few thoughts on why he almost always never does. (It all comes back to his specific selling niche!)

Great customer service doesn’t start at checkout. It starts long before a buyer ever clicks “purchase.” In this episode, John shares his top tips for delivering standout service in a digital storefront, from first impressions to follow-up. Whether you sell antique books or collectible figurines, these practices will build trust, ensure buyer satisfaction (and good reviews!), and, most importantly,...