Heather from over at June Vintage here...{Note: its a new bloggy space!}I found the motherload of Pyrex in one booth at an antique mall this past weekend...This particular antique mall happens to be a good source of Pyrex pieces but this one particular booth was mind-blowing. My heart started to race, my mind started to picture the pieces I saw on my shelves at home...But after the fantasy ended, I walked out of that antique mall with a vintage harvest gold set of Tupperware containers but no Pyrex!
Collecting and thrifting is often more, to me, than just merely acquiring possessions or completing an unfinished set. The hunt, the bargain: these are both important parts of why I collect certain vintage items. When buying them in a retail situation such as this, both the hunt and bargain seemed to be removed, taking away some of the satisfaction from the experience for me. 
However, as an Etsy vintage seller, I wanted to talk a bit about how collectibles are priced. Certainly, there are locations and sellers that have items highly overpriced {Goodwill, I am looking at you!} but I find it important to point out why certain items are priced the way they are...
Understanding vintage retail pricing:
I left that antique mall thinking far too deeply about my choice to not purchase any additions for my collection...{someone please tell me that I am not the only one who over thinks silly things!}
Collecting and thrifting is often more, to me, than just merely acquiring possessions or completing an unfinished set. The hunt, the bargain: these are both important parts of why I collect certain vintage items. When buying them in a retail situation such as this, both the hunt and bargain seemed to be removed, taking away some of the satisfaction from the experience for me. 
However, as an Etsy vintage seller, I wanted to talk a bit about how collectibles are priced. Certainly, there are locations and sellers that have items highly overpriced {Goodwill, I am looking at you!} but I find it important to point out why certain items are priced the way they are...
Understanding vintage retail pricing:- supply and demand {Vintage is hot right now! Less supply, more demand= higher prices}
- quality {full set? Casserole/fridgies with lids=higher prices}
- rarity {again, tied to supply and demand...i.e. Pyrex promotional pieces}
- condition
- brand {no name milk glass vs. marked piece}
- retail location : online vs. brick and mortar. This is important and often overlooked... Etsy/Ebay sellers typically sell their pieces for slightly less than brick and mortar stores because they also charge shipping. The sticker shock in B&M stores must be met with a consideration of retail overhead costs, lack of shipping charges and the ability to see/try-on/etc. the vintage piece. And, I can say from experience, online vintage sellers often have trouble selling if they charge more than the bottom line shipping cost, often losing money on the necessary packing supplies {not to mention extensive time} used to package breakables.
- retail location: B&M stores...where my in-laws live, vintage Pyrex is simply what is still lingering in granny's cupboard and they think I am crazy for collecting "old stuff." Pieces at their flea market for Pyrex: cheap, cheap, cheap. In a marketplace where kitschy/vintage is big with younger folk with disposable incomes: prices are much higher...
So-collectors, sellers and everyone in between: what are your thoughts? Do you buy your Pyrex {or other collectibles} full price? Do you only thrift pieces? How do you feel about the retail prices of vintage items? I would love to hear some feedback from other sellers as to how you feel!
{Location of antique mall and the motherload of Pyrex: Whistle Stop Mall, Franklin, NC}
