The Do's and Don'ts of Buying Vintage Online

Trends come and go with the seasons, but vintage is back for good.

Technological advancements have made it possible to do shopping from the comfort of your living room, making the vintage shopping process a lot easier. Many people, especially collectors of vintage items like watches, bags and jewellery, have begun to buy from online shopping platforms.

Although this simplifies the process, there are still risks to be aware of. To help you navigate your way, here is a guide to buying vintage online.

Do – Know Your Size

When you’re there in person, you can simply slide the watch onto your wrist. To avoid disappointment and re-sizing when the watch arrives, make sure to know your measurements prior to purchasing. This way, when it comes, you’ll be happy and you won’t have to worry about the hassle of returns and exchanges.

Do – Ask For More Details

If you’re purchasing an antique ring, ask for details about the gems and metal. If you’re buying an antique pocket watch, ask about the gears and age. These will be valuable pieces of information if you ever decide to sell.

This leads us onto our next point…

Do – Ask For More Photos

Vintage online shopping runs the risk of products looking different than they appear on the photo. If there’s only one photo, ask for some more so that you can get a feel for the style and size of the item. The more photos, the surer you can be that it will fit in with your wardrobe.

Don’t – Fall For a Fake

When you’re buying vintage, it’s important to pay close attention to detail. Many people in the online world take advantage of vintage shoppers by selling fakes and counterfeits. To make sure that the product you buy is the real, authentic thing, check for certification and, if relevant, serial numbers.

Do – Check the Reviews

This applies to all online shopping, not simply vintage. If you have followed the other steps, and are sure that the item is genuine and is indeed the item you want, then have a look at what other people have written about the seller. Is the seller trustworthy? Will they accept returns? Do they have a good reputation? It’s important to make sure that both the seller and the item are legitimate.

Don’t – Forget about Return Policies

This one is important. Unlike Harrington & Co, a lot of vintage stores have a policy of no-returns and no-exchanges, so to avoid any surprises, it is crucial to check before you buy. Otherwise, you’ll need our article on how to sell unwanted antique jewellery.

And, last of all...

Do – Have Fun

Vintage shopping can be an extensive and challenging process, but doing it online can make it more peaceful. Sit back, relax, and go buy those vintage pearl earrings that you have on your mind. In a few days, they’ll arrive at your home in a nice parcel, and you didn’t even have to leave the house to get them!

If you have any questions about online vintage shopping, or if you would like to speak with a company representative, feel free to call us on 07 3891 3880 or visit our contact page.