Pick for Profit

From typewriters and rotary phones to milk bottles and butter churns, some antiques may have lost their original purpose but not their appeal. In this episode, we look at the bygone objects collectors still love, how they're used today, and why these obsolete pieces continue to sell in today’s antiques and collectibles market.

After this episode, you’ll never look at old paper the same way again. We’re diving into the world of ephemera (one of our most profitable categories!) and revealing the surprising pieces that actually sold. From flea market finds to forgotten drawer junk, these paper goods are pure gold.

You sent the questions, and we’re rolling up our sleeves! This You Asked, We Answer episode dives into bookkeeping and inventory for collectors. Learn how to manage your books in a (mostly) receipt-less industry, keep your records straight, prepare for tax time, and protect your treasures...and your sanity.

Every antiques and collectibles seller faces slow spells. But don't rush to assume it's also SPELLING disaster (pun intended). In this episode, we dig into practical ways to make the most of quiet periods in your shop or online store. From refreshing your inventory and reworking listings to creative marketing moves that bring buyers back, you’ll learn how to turn slow days into smart business growth.

Whether you’re running a brick-and-mortar antique booth, an eBay / Etsy store, or all of the above, this is your blueprint for staying steady...and setting yourself up for the next big rush.

You can’t just buy what you like! Every generation has its own sense of nostalgia. What feels like junk to one might feel “vintage cool” to another. In this episode, John breaks down what different generations are buying (and why) so you can snag  better inventory and sell to everyone from Boomers to Gen Z.

Slow antique or collectible listings don’t have to stay that way! Fall is the perfect season to refresh and resell. In this episode, we’ll share online antique shop strategies to reframe older items with a cozy, autumn-ready appeal. From adding fall-inspired keywords to updating photos with seasonal styling, discover how to turn overlooked pieces into top sellers this season. Perfect for anyone looking to boost their antique and vintage sales online this fall.

After a decade selling online, John finds social media can absolutely help move items from his Etsy and eBay stores. Here, he shares some insights on how to get started (even if you've never posted on social media in your life), how to easily get tons of content out of every item in your shop, and what he believes it means to go "viral" in the antiques and collectibles world (hint: it takes far fewer eyeballs than you think).

John is definitely seeing signs from his Etsy and eBay shops that the Christmas season is upon us as antiques and collectibles dealers. Here, he shares why he believes the Christmas (or holiday) shopping season is in full swing, how long you can expect it to last, and key steps you can take right now to ensure your online shop's in top shape for maximum holiday profits. Also, he's got some pretty sage advice for how to handle those mid-December dates. You won't want to miss it!

It's an eyeballs episode (and no, it's not about Halloween). Here, John shares how his own eBay and Etsy stores have recently seen an uptick in views and sales: why we think this is happening, and how you can capitalize on this in your own online shop. Turn the algorithm from your nemesis to your friend, and get more people looking at your antiques and collectibles. 

We’ve had a ton of interest in opening and maintaining an antique booth, so John and I decided to share some common shenanigans that take place when you have a booth. We cover what to do when items go missing, how to tell if your prospective mall is analog or digital (and why it matters for tracking sales), how to think about stocking inventory, and even why kindness toward the people who work your antique mall can pay off in the long run.