Pick for Profit

How Long Does It Take to Sell an Antique? Fast Nickels, Slow Dimes

If you've ever wondered why one vintage item sells in minutes while another takes years, this episode is for you. We're talking about the "fast nickels, slow dimes" philosophy of selling antiques and collectibles, with real-world examples from John's own shop: a Nintendo console that disappeared almost instantly, a Coca-Cola cooler, Jeep grille, and vintage patches that sold within hours, and Royal Vienna bouillon cups that patiently waited years for the right buyer. Here, we discuss which categories tend to move quickly (first edition books, manga, affordable glassware, seasonal décor, and DVDs), why high-value antiques often require a long-term mindset, why you should research every item in a lot (yes, every one), and why a successful eBay or Etsy shop needs both quick-turn inventory and premium pieces.

Shop the World #2: Czech Glass, Hummels, German Steins & More

We're heading back to the heart of Europe in this second Shop the World episode as we explore the antiques and collectibles we commonly encounter at estate sales, thrift stores, auctions, and flea markets. Learn how to recognize Czech glass, Bohemian crystal, and Bavarian porcelain, discover the clues that separate Bohemian glass from Murano, and hear practical tips for how we (as newbies) are evaluating Hummel figurines. We also give some practical tips on buying and evaluating German beer steins. We've been amazed by how often these items have been turning up at summertime garage sales, and we want to make sure you know what to look for, too!

Finding Inventory: A Real-World Picking Trip

John keeps hearing from fellow sellers that they're having a tough time finding inventory this summer. In this episode, we share a few simple sourcing tips (including what we mean by always keeping your "antenna up"), and take you along on another real-world picking trip. This time, it's a couple of garage sales just a short walk from our house. During this trip, we bought: automotive items, barware, DVDs (we also explain why we buy physical media), Christmas collectibles, mid-century pottery, fishing items, baskets, and even carnival and Depression glass. We promise the inventory is out there if you're willing to look for it. Sometimes, finding items to sell is as simple as slowing down, getting out of the car, and giving those neighborhood garage sales a chance.

Summer Antique & Collectibles Flips: Vintage Picnic Gear, Lake Finds, Camping Treasures & Christmas Reselling Prep

Summer is one of the best seasons for antique and collectible sellers (hello, garage sales!), and in this episode, we explore what John has been finding—and selling quickly—right now. That includes everything from vintage picnic items (he had especially good luck with a vintage Coca-Cola cooler) to a specific Tupperware piece you should always keep an eye out for. We also discuss the fishing collectibles that consistently sell, some surprising recent winners (roller skates?), and why you might not want to clean those concrete lawn ornaments, even—or especially—the ones covered in moss. Stay tuned for our section on summer entertaining collectibles, including mid-century barware and ice buckets, plus a conversation about audiobooks (yes, you can absolutely sell physical audiobooks), and why summer is the perfect time for savvy antique dealers to start sourcing inventory for Christmas.

Most-Favorited Antiques and Collectibles: Etsy and eBay Trends

What antiques and collectibles are shoppers favoriting right now? In this episode, John breaks down the most-favorited items currently in his Etsy and eBay stores. We also revisit an experiment from a recent pottery episode, where we compared two pottery lots (one higher-priced stoneware group and one lower-priced Nippon lot) to see what's attracting favorites and what's actually beginning to sell. Along the way, we discuss popular categories including deluxe edition books, Fenton glass, cast iron toys, Pokémon cards, antique hand tools, and more. We also talk about why antique dealers and vintage resellers should regularly check their Etsy and eBay analytics to better understand buyer interest and shopping trends. Plus, stay tuned until the end for a real-world shipping story about getting an antique Coca-Cola cooler safely to its new owner. Proof that even large antiques can be shipped successfully!