by Christopher Harris If you have thick skin and the patience of a saint and want to sell something, Facebook Marketplace is an option. Unlike other selling platforms, it is free, but at a cost to your sanity. This is because there is no checkout, you negotiate and go and collect. Simple? No human behaviour … Continue reading Why Nobody Shows Up: The Facebook Marketplace Mystery. Selling Complications.
Category: Vintage Matters
Learning To Become a Part-Time Writer. A Blogging Diary. Intro up to Week 8
by Christopher Harris. The Roghts of Fans Here are the links from my back catalogue of weekly diary musings, which I will be adding to weekly. https://july66.blog/2025/06/17/learning-to-become-a-part-time-writer-a-blogging-diary/ https://july66.blog/2025/06/23/week-1-into-the-wild-my-self-publishing-journey-begins-my-blogging-diary/ https://july66.blog/2025/06/30/week-2-complications-pt-1-my-self-publishing-journey-my-blogging-diary/ https://july66.blog/2025/07/06/week-3-a-very-minor-triumph-my-blogging-diary/ https://july66.blog/2025/07/25/week-4-6-holiday-a-virtual-standstill-my-blogging-diary/ https://july66.blog/2025/08/04/week-7-peaks-troughs-despair-and-the-social-media-trap-my-blogging-diary/ https://july66.blog/2025/11/11/week-8-a-3-month-hiatus-but-my-first-novel-finished-my-blogging-diary/ #Blogging #BloggingForDummies #SelfPublishing #BlogDiary #LearningToBlog
Run for the Hills: A Vintage Seller’s Guide to Avoiding Problem Buyers
If you sell anything online, especially like me, fairly expensive vintage items, there comes a time when you look at an enquiry and think, “Oh no. This is going to be a horror show.” We’ve all been there, how do manage it? You’re trying to earn an honest living, but some buyers are determined to … Continue reading Run for the Hills: A Vintage Seller’s Guide to Avoiding Problem Buyers
Why You Don’t Need Holiday Mode: A 5-Minute-a-Day Strategy to Keep Your Etsy Shop Thriving While You’re Away
If you’ve been selling on Etsy for any length of time, you’ve probably felt the anxiety that comes when you need time away from your shop. Whether it’s a much-needed holiday, a family commitment, or simply a break to recharge, the platform’s default advice is clear: switch on Holiday Mode. But after years of running … Continue reading Why You Don’t Need Holiday Mode: A 5-Minute-a-Day Strategy to Keep Your Etsy Shop Thriving While You’re Away
Why Beautiful Vintage Pianos Are Smashed Up and Tipped. Musical Heritage Vandalism!
old piano with concrete wall and leaf On Thursday, at a market, I bought an amazing panel frame comprising a huge fretwork rosewood panel. It's an absolutely stunning piece of workmanship. The panel came from above the keys of an upright piano. Sadly, another beautiful old Victorian piano was broken up and dumped. It seems like … Continue reading Why Beautiful Vintage Pianos Are Smashed Up and Tipped. Musical Heritage Vandalism!
The Vintage Piano Stool Gets a Second Wind. Thinking Outside The Box Repurposing and Upcycling.
Dual Piano Stool Perfectly for the Foot of a Bed I have over 30 piano stools for sale on Etsy. They are brilliant sellers. The great thing is, as we;;, ids that they are cheap to pick up as the markets where I go the dealers cannot shift them. A paradox? Not at all, I … Continue reading The Vintage Piano Stool Gets a Second Wind. Thinking Outside The Box Repurposing and Upcycling.
Pro Bono Restoration. Where Politeness Goes a Long Way if you Want Something for Free Without Asking.
The power of the glue and clamp.Selling online, I'd say around 95% of transactions go without a hitch. The remaining 5% fall into various categories of problematic. Fortunately, about 4.5% are resolved without issue, through refunds, replacements, or clear communication. The last 0.5%, about 1 in every 200, are the trickier cases that don't end … Continue reading Pro Bono Restoration. Where Politeness Goes a Long Way if you Want Something for Free Without Asking.
Return to eBay: The Curse of the Idiot Customer Strikes Again
We recently rejoined eBay. I originally cut my teeth in online trading there, back in the days when it felt more like the Wild West and less like a corporate bureaucracy armed with an algorithm. Over time, though, I became increasingly ground down, not by selling itself, but by eBay’s endless, baffling regulations and their … Continue reading Return to eBay: The Curse of the Idiot Customer Strikes Again
The Rise of the Humble Tea Chest
I remember when I was young, whenever we moved house, the old humble tea chest was a staple used by removal companies. It’s not hard to see why, stronger than a cardboard box yet nearly as light, easy to stack, and incredibly durable. Of course, once a tea chest had its tea removed, it no … Continue reading The Rise of the Humble Tea Chest
The Decline of the Humble Corner Cupboard
Ah, the vintage corner cupboard—once the star of every dining room, now relegated to the wilderness of forgotten furniture. Back in the day, these beauties proudly showcased Grandma’s finest china and a selection of mysterious, untouchable knick-knacks. Today? Their commercial worth is about as relevant as trying to sell pagers in the age of smartphones. … Continue reading The Decline of the Humble Corner Cupboard
The Dodgy Chair Back – A Vintage Trade Secret
Ah, the Victorian dining chair—a marvel of craftsmanship, a survivor of time, and yet, occasionally, a bit wobbly. If you've ever encountered one with a slightly flexible back, congratulations! You’re in possession of a classic quirk that has puzzled buyers, sellers, and even seasoned antique dealers for generations. Why Are There So Many Victorian Dining … Continue reading The Dodgy Chair Back – A Vintage Trade Secret
The Accidental Collector: A Lifetime in the Antiques Trade
I have a terrible habit. It started when I was 18, and for decades, I haven’t been able to shake it. I am—deep breath—an antiques dealer. It’s an addiction, really. Some people collect stamps, some hoard shoes. Me? I’m surrounded by a lifetime of treasures, most of which I picked up in my twenties. Take … Continue reading The Accidental Collector: A Lifetime in the Antiques Trade