5 Questions I Am Always Asking Myself as a Reseller

Being a reseller means there is rarely a day when I’m not asking myself these questions over and over again. Is this priced fairly? How am I going to get this fragile piece safely to its new home?

After years of sourcing antiques and vintage pieces for my mother's resell shop and then my own, I’ve learned that running a resale business involves just as much decision-making behind the scenes as it does treasure hunting. Here are five questions I find myself asking again and again.

1. How should I price this?

This is probably the question I wrestle with the most.

I never want to underprice a piece, but I also don’t want to overcharge my customers. My goal is to price pieces as reasonably and competitively as possible while taking into consideration their age, condition, rarity, quality, and overall appeal.

I’d love for everything to sell quickly, but I know that isn’t always how this business works. Some pieces are widely available, while others are truly one-of-a-kind.

When I come across something particularly unusual or special, I price it accordingly. For pieces that are easier to find, I try to be especially competitive.

Ultimately, I want my customers to feel that they found something wonderful at a fair price.

2. Which carrier should I choose for this package?

Shipping antiques is an art form in itself.

I consider how quickly an item needs to arrive, what will be most cost-effective for the customer, and—most importantly—how I can get it there safely.

For extremely fragile or antique pieces, UPS Ground is a non-negotiable. For plates, smalls, and customers in rural areas, USPS can often offer the best combination of price and delivery time.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Every piece goes through a series of troubleshooting before I decide how it will make its journey to you.

3. What should I source for my shop?

Okay, this is the fun part! I’m constantly discovering new categories and falling down new antique rabbit holes. This spring, I was crushing on transferware. These days, I have a serious fixation with lusterware.

But sourcing is also about knowing where to look.

Because I split my time between Maine and Florida, I have the privilege of sourcing in two very different regions. In Maine, I’m drawn to coastal pieces, rustic wares, sporting and lodge-inspired finds, and objects with a distinctly New England character.

Florida offers a completely different treasure hunt, with plenty of vintage finds and opportunities to discover beautiful Chinese export porcelain and pieces with a decidedly coastal or Old Florida sensibility.

I love that my inventory reflects both distinctive regions.

4. Do I do straight claims or bids?

I respect that everyone sells and shops a little differently. For me, I prefer straight claims.

Here's why: I want you to buy something because you genuinely love it, not because you got caught up in the excitement of the moment. I also don’t want anyone to experience buyer’s remorse or resentment because they felt compelled to keep bidding. Antiquimg and collecting should be fun. Finding the right piece should feel exciting, not stressful.

For my weekly collection sales, I like a straightforward claims-based format - you see something you love, you claim it, and it’s yours. Simple as that.

5. How quickly can I get this item shipped?

I know that once you’ve found something you love, you want it in your hands!

Sometimes an order can ship within 48 hours of payment. My goal is to have every order shipped within one week, although my typical turnaround is generally four to ten days, depending on the piece, packaging requirements, and my current schedule.

One of East Coast Finery’s core values is to source, sell, and ship responsibly. That means researching what I sell, packing it with care, and getting your purchase on its way as quickly and safely as reasonably possible.

Because finding the treasure is only half the fun, then, comes the serious business of getting it safely to its new home.