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After posing the question, “How do you price vintage clothing?”<\/strong> <\/em>on the Facebook page a few weeks ago, I was left wondering if it was worth asking the question at all.<\/p>\n Why? Because it seemed like everyone had their own point-of-view, and that there was no “industry standard” for accurately and fairly pricing vintage clothing<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read a sampling of replies I pulled from the Facebook comment thread to see my point:<\/p>\n THE POINT-BY-POINT ANALYZER\u00a0<\/strong> THE TREND FORECASTER<\/strong> <\/strong>THE EVALUATOR<\/strong> THE TRADITIONALIST<\/strong> It was after Heather McWilliams of Good ‘N Plenty Vintage<\/a> sent me a mock-up for her “pricing formula” that the truth clicked.<\/p>\n In my opinion, pricing vintage needs to be evaluated based on two points of considerations:<\/p>\n The cost of product and all other costs associated with it<\/strong><\/p>\n x<\/strong><\/p>\n A “mark-up” value based on subjective analysis of condition, trend, demand and desirability<\/strong><\/p>\n The formula I developed weighs all factors of how to price vintage<\/a> but is based on the traditional idea that vintage sellers should create a “mark-up” buffer value between cost of product and what their customer’s ultimately pay for it. This mark-up buffer is essentially your profit margins – which should be a seller’s end-all goal to have in order to make a living versus selling vintage as a labor of love.<\/p>\n What is your opinion? Does the formula below work for pricing vintage in a fair way for both seller and customer?<\/p>\n Let me know in the comments below,<\/strong> or by<\/strong>\u00a0saying hello\u00a0on<\/strong>\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/strong>subscribing to my newsletter<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n xx, SD<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\n“Desirability, condition, market trends and comparison to similar items. What we paid is irrelevant to what it will sell for, but if we have had something professionally restored that may factor into the retail price. The old adage is true, something is only worth what the customer will pay. But there are many different customers for vintage, a young trendy customer, an older classic conservative customer, the designer, the reseller, the museum, the TV or theater costume department, etc. Some dealers can sell an item another dealer cant simply because they have a different buyer. So I think the trick is knowing who your customers are and what their needs are. Then finding your pricing niche.”\u00a0– Jennifer Karpin<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n“It’s about demand and I compare to items on eBay and auction<\/a> sites. It’s also about condition, and market locale. In the Northeast there are hot vintage items that the Southerners would be like, ‘Huh? Why is that so hot?’ Also, what is trending – Steampunk? Okay, old poison bottles and watchfobs, hatpins, anything with old gears. You have to keep your hand on the pulse of what the current trends are in pop culture as well as what’s truly highly collectible.”\u00a0– Mel Baerry\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n“I do tons of comparisons to other similar items. The problem is many people will price something high ‘just because’ it’s vintage and that can throw off the true value. Not all vintage is in demand and not all vintage is worth the high price. It depends what someone is willing to pay and I’ll often start with a higher price if I’m not sure. Then, I discount later if it doesn’t move.”\u00a0– Veronica Cizmar,\u00a0<\/strong>Some Like it Vintage<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n“I always start with how much I paid for it and add in cost for cleaning and repairs. Then factor in rarity, designer, condition. Also if I know a larger item such as a winter coat is going to take up valuable real estate during the summer, I may charge the item rent.”\u00a0– Carla Rey,\u00a0<\/strong>Carla & Carla Vintage<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/span>A Quick Video Intro from Me<\/span><\/h4>