This morning I made a visit to my booth at the antique mall to straighten up a bit and add a few new things.
Instead of my usual pictures of "look at this awesome antique I brought in", I snapped some pictures of things that seem...like...they...have...been...in...my ...booth...forever.
I don't mean "props" like glass bowls, wicker baskets or books that I use as to make displays. I usually price these items, but most of them are generic enough that I don't expect people to buy them.
I'm just curious if anyone has any ideas about items that just don't sell. Is it just the law of averages that some things will take a long time to sell, or do I have a blind spot for some merchandise that is just doggy?
Like this architectural bulls eye. It's only priced at $4, has chippy paint and is appropriately distressed. I'm pretty sure it's been in my booth for at least three years. It's small, makes a nice stage or backdrop, so it doesn't bother me to keep it in my booth, but I'm surprised no one has wanted to take it home.
These shoes are super vintage- patent leather and clear plastic. Chances are the only person they would actually fit is a seven year old, but I'm surprised no one has bought them as a display piece- they're only eight dollars.
How about this? New Old Stock baby bonnet in a gift box with an unused card. I know that yellow is not a "best selling" color- a green, blue or pink box would probably have been gone long ago, but at $3, I'd think someone would want this. It's probably only been hanging around for 6 months.
This candy tin definitely shows some age, but it's not UGLY ugly and I don't think I've seen another one like it. I think its been hanging around for over 2 years.
This old metal mail box hasn't been around for too long. I think I brought in as part of a display last Oct, but I'm surprised that someone hasn't bought it to use to hold a spray of flowers, or tucked some vintage letters and lace out of the top.
This tobacco tin/lunch pail is fairly common, but it has nice graphics and at $18 would make a good piece for a beginning collector.
So, I'm just curious. Any ideas why these pieces are still hanging around? To be sure, I'm not worried about them. Like I've said before, I have GREAT customers and I'm lucky to sell most of what I bring to my booth.
Is there anything that you other dealers just can't sell and can't figure out why?
I'll leave you with one last picture of things I've just brought in. If I have my way, they won't be in my next "Why won't anyone buy this?" post.