ReSelling - Moving Day

This was a photo taken at the Antique Society a few weeks ago.  Yesterday this space was emptied by the previous tenant and I began painting the back wall in preparation for my next ReSelling experience. Today I officially begin to rent this space, I'll finish painting it (aqua of course) and begin moving in my Mid Century Modern lamps, artwork, decor, furniture and more.

Mod Sonoma moves beyond just a blog for me to share my passion about MCM, but a place to sell what I truly love. I can't wait to thrift on the weekend and arrive on Monday morning and place something in my Mod Sonoma space.

Although the cost is higher than any other ReSelling fee that I have, the option to sell things quickly without having to take photos, edit photos, list an item and package an item will give me a lot more freedom. As we all know, time is money.

I've mentioned often here at ATG that balance is the key to a successful ReSelling business. Although I always have tried to find that balance I have never truly accomplished it. I felt that I was just taking control of inventory, organizing and listing in February right before we moved and life became crazy and my ample storage disappeared. As many of you know, having too much inventory is often an issue for us. We love to buy.

Typically we buy more than we can process in a week. I buy on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with only four days really to prepare and list all of the inventory. This means that all the extra inventory goes in the garage for a later date.

One of my weaknesses in thrifting is my love of dishes. I don't want to think about how many sets I have in my garage right now. Yet the difficulty (for me) in shipping dishes means they sit in a box until I feel that I am ready to pack and ship them.

To help solve this problem, Mod Sonoma is going to have an entire display of vintage Heath Pottery. Tomorrow I will also display one of my favorite finds ever, 20 pieces of Starburst Franciscan Dinnerware. Okay.....this is probably the hardest thing to part with. Ever. I adore these but profit outweighs adoration at times like these.

I realize that my buying audience will change. It won't exactly be a global market like eBay and Etsy offers. Yet we do get so many shoppers from the San Francisco Bay Area as well as those visiting Sonoma County from all over the country.

I also now have the option to place things in my space until I am ready to list them on-line. It's kind of like they will be stored but in a venue where I can sell them if the right customer comes along. This is preferable to inventory in boxes in my garage.

I've been spending the last couple of weeks pricing inventory. I love sitting down at the dining room table, listening to Pandora on my iphone and creating price tags with my number stamps. I have found this small task to be so relaxing.

While I love being on-line, being at a computer usually gives me a headache. I never feel quite healthy behind a screen so now having an excuse to price inventory away from my Mac is heaven for me.

The next two days are extremely busy as I have to have everything ready in my space before the children and I drive north to Seattle for my mother's memorial. We leave Friday morning.

I'm considering hosting a sort of open house at my space in late August or early September. If you are a local reader and might be interested in attending, would you please let me know in the comments. There will be small gifts, edible treats and lots of talk about thrifting and ReSelling.

I'll definitely be sharing my experience being in an Antique Store with all of you, both the ups and downs of being a part of a bricks and mortar store. I'm hoping for many more ups of course. I feel that this is the year that my business is really going to take off in ways that I never imagined.

If you are local and interested in inventory that will be headed to my space, you can like Mod Sonoma on Facebook. I will be using both the Mod Sonoma blog and facebook to announce added inventory as well as post articles about Mid Century Modern and Mod Design.

Do you sell in an Antique store? Do you have any advice or stories to share?

Comments

[Jeanie]

Good luck! I so wish I was there!!!

[nancy]

Congratulations on your new venture, Selena! I think it's a great idea. The Antique Society is the most fun of all our local antique stores, and I look forward to seeing your space! Mainly because I love your taste and style.
By the way, my brother Glen has a cabinetry shop right behind the Antique Society.
I hope to make it in soon, and for sure to your open house!

[Laurie]

Very cool, Selena! Toasting to your new adventure!

[rivka]

You're going through so much these days. A huge move, your beloved mother's funeral, opening this new retail area. I would suggest to you to take it easy and do what you can to relax, but I know that the reselling is the balm to your soul.

For all you are * not * saying to your readers, for all the private tears, I know I can speak for all of your admirers that we give you a big hug and send our love.

[Pat]

Is there a place to go for advice on renting an antique booth? They are so expensive (to me, anyway) that I am afraid I will set up a booth and not even make enough money to pay the rent. Also, how do you decide on prices for your items? That is my biggest fear, knowing what to price stuff!

[Kristen @ Babe With a Budget]

This sounds so perfect for you! I wish you the best of luck in your new adventure!

[A La Modern]

That's great you're opening your antique mall space! Wish we were local so I could stop by for the opening.

I've experienced the same imbalance with buying inventory vs. listing it. Have been thinking of getting a booth for years now, in order to help with storage and cut down on the listing time. It'll definitely help for the bigger and bulkier items. The problem for us is that the booths are so expensive.. as you said, it would be the highest ReSelling cost (by far). I still haven't counted it out though, and will be interested to see how you do!

[teresa]

I'd be interested in joining you at your open house! Congrats on moving up to the bigger space - that's exciting...
teresa

[Linda]

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll do well!
I have a booth in Lodi, Calif and have been in it for about 3 years. There are definitely pros & cons. I love being able to just take something straight to the store from Sat morning g-sales. (And I will occasionally list an item on CL to bring people in the store.) Only con is the occasional theft, unfortunately.
Would love to attend your open house, as I am from the bay area & have family there.
Good luck!

[Megan]

Congratulations! Antique Society is my all-time favorite antique mall--I would totally come to your opening!

[diane@sweetEuropeanDreams]

It sounds like we are a lot alike. Listing online is so incredibly time consuming and I too often suffer from a large inventory due to enjoying BUYING so much! Best of luck in this new venture for you! -diane

[Frambooske]

Major leap forward!! You are so right about online selling being sooo time consuming, the packing, etc... I think it's great you're setting up a 'real life physical' shop. I bet lots of people will come and have a look and buy your treasures :). Best of luck and will be interested to see how you get on! (My hubby would love a little shop, but the cost versus the online fees is just a little too high still to jump that hurdle, soon maybe!)
S

[Leah]

Best wishes for much success! I did reselling via rented booth space and really did enjoy it. Sales were pretty good and I liked just having to keep my booth stocked and creatively designed.

[Curtains in my Tree]

my only advice is Buy cheap Sell cheap at first

seems an older lady told me that once because she said you will get repeat customers often if you start out like that then after you build a good amount of customers you can buy better things with higher prices.
I always keep both , chaep and high priced treasures on hand

[JoRetro]

My sister and I have had our booth for almost four years. It helps our sales that she passes by the shop after work a few times a week to add and arrange items. We share responsibility for different chores. She buys the linens and I wash and iron them. She goes to the booth more often, but I take care of the website and blog. We both research prices...I guess my suggestion is to share some of the chores with your family. There has only been a few times we didn't sell enough to make the rent, the first couple of months until we were fully stocked. The worst part now is not overstocking...we probably should get another booth...Good luck, you'll love it!

[basket jordan 10]

Olen todella vaikuttunut tämän blogin! Erittäin selkeä selvitys asioista annetaan, ja se on avoin everyone.It sisältää oikeat ja riittävät tiedot. Sivustosi on erittäin hyödyllinen.

[gagner de l'argent]

it's very beautifull! I love your blog!

[Eva]

It must be soo hard to let go of amazing things that you find! But you get to share the treasures with the rest of the world, which must feel special :)

[Carolyn]

It was so great to meet you yesterday. Your space looks fabulous. And yes, I would definitely attend an open house. Sounds like fun!

[Crochetblogger]

Wishing you tons and tons of luck in this new stage of your adventures!

[Michelle]

Congratulations! When my daughter and I would thrift, she was constantly asking me where the item I'd fallen in love with would fit in our house....and the answer was usually, sadly, it wouldn't fit. I solved all that by renting a space down at a local antique shop. I love my booth and hope you will have as much fun and joy as I've had with mine.

[Reneesance]

Good luck! I can't wait to see pictures of the booth when you get it all stocked. I also LOVE the Starburst pattern. I have 12 saucers that I found in a thrift store a few years ago but I've never been able to find anything else that my thrifty wallet would pay for. I would love to have a whole set to use every day *sigh*

[maria bergh]

Congratulations! Best of luck to you and your new venture!

[Shopediblecomplex]

Wow! I hear you about the computer and everything you mentioned about online selling. I imagine you will enjoy your new venture very much. It will be great meeting your customers face to face, as well as not shipping. I live in the South Bay area. Perhaps I can see your new diggs. :)
Best wishes,
Beth, the EdibleComplex on Etsy
P.S. I'll have to go check out your new blog and FB page.

[Nikki]

Good luck! I love having a booth space. My only advice is to change things around often and have lots of smalls. The $10 and under items pay the rent!