The Vintage List 2.0 + A Giveaway!

I haven't really talked about my other site, The Vintage List, here on Vintage Goodness lately... but for the last few weeks I've been working on what I am affectionately calling The Vintage List 2.0 - a new look, new directory pages, new new new! ;) Click on over to read all about it, and if you want all the details on how to add your shop or blog to the List, head on over to the Get Listed page to get the scoop on listing plans and requirements. Banner advertising is available also, here is the page with the details on how to get a banner ad. I've got a really great group of top notch sellers on the List, and I'm hoping to add some more this year, wish me luck! :)

To celebrate the official launch I am having a giveaway - my good friend Sherry from Real Deal Books came through for me again with a huge stack of antique and collectible books for me to offer, she just rocks! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on the Giveaway post - don't leave it on this post, it won't count, it has to be on the official post over on The Vintage List site!

Evil, evil Facebook.

I know I am not blogging as often as I used to - and there is a reason, other than the usual "I have no time" excuse...

I'm on Facebook. Here, here, and here. I am on Facebook more often than I am on Twitter these days - and it used to be the other way around! I don't know, it is evil and has its claws in me I guess...

Anyway, if you are on Facebook send me a friend request, and fan both of my Pages - I post on all three! :)

The Vintage List rocks Google - and I can't seem to shut up about it!

Ok, I already blogged, Tweeted on both my accounts, and updated my Facebook page - but I have to come here to express my true feelings about this news -

Listings on The Vintage List are ON SALE this weekend only!

Hey everyone! I'm having a sale on listings on The Vintage List - $5 OFF the price of both Regular and Featured listings! The sale price is only in effect this weekend though - so get Listed before Sunday night at midnight!

Regular Listings - $10.00
Featured Listings - $25.00

That's a one time membership fee, you'll never have to pay anything else! And when you get a paid listing you can add your blog to the Blog category for FREE if you provide a link back to the List.

If you've been thinking about signing up, now's your chance to save a few bucks! :)

Just Launched - AVCOSA - The Antiques, Vintage & Collectibles Online Sellers Association

I just posted this exciting news over on the Vintage List blog - check it out! :)

CPSIA Law - Does it apply to vintage and antique toys?

I just wrote a post over on The Vintage List blog - it's a must read!

Have A Very Vintage Christmas!

I'm a little bit biased, of course... but I have to point all of you who are looking for Vintage items to give as gifts this year to check out the amazing group of shops that are listed on my directory, The Vintage List... So much cool stuff I can't do it justice in words! Just click the graphic above to check it out! :)

Changes to The Vintage List...

The Vintage List directory is about 6 months old now - in that time, I've tried a few different ways of handling membership, none of which have really brought the results I am looking for. (I've never run a directory before, so I am very much in the middle of the trial and error stage!)

Anyway... My most recent change - making blog listings free - seems to have had an unintended side effect - I haven't had one shop listing added since then! I think people decide "Well, my blog links to my shop, I'll just get the free blog listing and I'll be all set"...

There's nothing wrong with that line of thinking, of course, but the directory is slowly but surely turning into a blog directory, rather than the shop directory I want it to be. The whole point of the directory is to allow buyers to be able to come to The Vintage List and shop! And we do have traffic coming to the site - keywords such as "vintage shop directory" and "list of vintage stores" are bringing people to us...

So, I've made a decision that I hate to make - I am going back to treating blog listings the way that I used to, where you get to list your blog for free when you buy a paid shop listing. I feel mean for doing it, but I just don't see any other solution!

I am also going to lower the price of a shop listing at the same time though - $15 for a regular listing instead of $25, and $30 for a featured listing instead of $60. That's still a one time fee, and it really is the lowest I can go... So, this is (hopefully) the last change I'll make!

I have high hopes that over time, The Vintage List will become the first stop for buyers who are looking to buy quality vintage from dedicated sellers who are committed to offering the best items with the best customer service! With so many shops popping up all over the web on multiple platforms and on individual websites - having one place for shoppers to go that leads them to the things they are looking for has never been more needed!

Surviving the New eBay - Tips for Vintage Sellers

I just posted a new article over on The Vintage List blog - if you sell vintage on eBay, click on over and check it out!

Update - Not long after I posted this, Gary Hendrickson over at The Auction Rebel blog (which I forgot to include on my list of blogs to watch, but it should definitely be on there!) posted a great article titled Despite All The Changes eBay Is Still The Place For Antiques And Collectibles - it's a must read!

Did I mention listing your blog is FREE now on The Vintage List directory?

It's really free, I swear. If you have a vintage focused blog, all you have to do is put this button...

... on your blog's sidebar, link it to http://www.thevintagelist.com, then head on over and submit your listing for the Blog category. I'll check that your reciprocal link is good and that your blog has a vintage focus, then I'll approve your listing!

Did I mention it was free?

Big change to The Vintage List shop directory - Lifetime Memberships!

Hi everyone! I made a fairly drastic change to the pricing on The Vintage List online shop directory this week - I am switching to a one payment for a lifetime membership system, instead of the way it used to be where you had to renew every three months. Here is the new price structure:

Vintage and Handmade With Vintage shops:

Regular Listing: $25 for a lifetime membership, paid via PayPal - one URL listing into 2 categories

Featured Listing: $60 for a lifetime membership, paid via PayPal - one URL listing into 2 categories, placement at the top of the category page

Vintage Blogs

Free if you provide a reciprocal link!

Banner Advertising

Another option for advertising your business on the List is to purchase a banner ad. Banners appear on the side bar of each page on the site - talk about maximum exposure!

Two Options for Banner Advertising:

140x140 pixels size: $25 for 1 month, paid via PayPal

140x280 pixels size: $40 for 1 month, paid via PayPal

The holidays are coming, if you are looking to advertise your shop click on over and get all the details!

The Future of eBay Stores

I just did a quick post over on the Vintage List blog about the future of eBay stores - if you have one, click on over and check it out!

WorthPoint is buying GoAntiques - and starting an auction site!

I just wrote a quick post about it over on The Vintage List blog - check it out!

Update! - Walt wrote a great article about this on his Examiner blog - and we are going to have the CEO of WorthPoint on the radio show in the near future! How cool is that?

Organizing Your Home Business

This coming Sunday's radio show is going to be a all about organizing your home business! I just posted a pre-show article over on The Vintage List blog if you want to check it out...

Flipping Vintage - What To Buy For Resale Online

Last night I wrote the first post in a new series I am calling Flipping Vintage - it's over on The Vintage List blog - if you sell vintage online head on over and check it out!

Life Beyond eBay - Podcast Sunday @ 2pm

My first co-host show with Auction Wally is tomorrow! Walt has titled it "Life Beyond eBay". I did a pre-show post over on The Vintage List blog, which I have worked on getting set up this weekend. I'm working on re-vamping this one too, as you can probably tell. I am thinking of pointing my vintagegoodness.com site directly here...

We are also going to talk about The Vintage List, which I am excited to get to talk about. I have a complete vision of what I want it to become, and I can't wait to get into it with Walt, I think it will be easier for me to express than when I try to write about it.

Don't forget you can call in while we are on the air, the number is 646-378-1561. There is also a chat room that is open during the show, so you can hang out and chat... We will try to keep an eye on it so if you have comments or questions that you want to ask in the chat room you can!

Now Open! - The Vintage List - Online Vintage Shop Directory

Finally, I can tell you about my new project - The Vintage List! This is going to be a long post, so grab a cup of coffee and settle in... :)

What Is It, And Why Now?:

It used to be that there were only one or two places where most people sold Vintage online, which made it simple for buyers and sellers to find each other. Times are changing though - in the new Web 2.0 environment, a lot of sellers are opening multiple shops on a variety of different venues, and/or on their own websites.

I realized that having one central directory that lists all the various stores from around the web would be a great solution for buyers and sellers alike! It is my hope that the List will become the #1 source for quality 20th century collectibles on the internet. No use dreaming small, huh? ;)

For Buyers:

Vintage buyers and collectors are a savvy and passionate bunch - for most of us, it is more of a way of life than just a hobby or a passing fad! It is my hope that The Vintage List will become the first stop on every vintage geek's online treasure hunt, because they will know that the sites listed are of the highest quality, containing only authentic vintage merchandise from trusted sellers who make customer service their top priority.

Each shop listed is personally looked over and approved by me, if they meet a set of pre-established standards:

- 85% of their inventory is from the 1920's through the 1970's

- New inventory is added on a regular basis
- At least 20 items for sale at all times

- Feedback scores are 95% and above on those venues that allow Feedback ratings

Also, the directory allows users to rate listings using a star system, and also to leave comments - it's a fun way to let shops know how they are doing, and to let other buyers know which shops you have had great experiences with!

For Sellers:

Making your shops known to buyers is a daunting task, but if we can come together as allies instead of as competitors, I believe the entire online vintage community will benefit. By listing our shops on one central directory, we can make it much easier for buyers to find us, and to find that special something that they are hunting for!

Regular Listing: $15 for 3 months, paid via PayPal - one URL listing into 2 categories

Featured Listing: $30 for 3 months, paid via PayPal - one URL listing into 2 categories, placement at the top of the category page, and in the Featured Listings box

Life On The V-List & The Vintage List Blog:

Included in the price of listing is membership to a private forum community for vintage sellers called Life On The V-List. My vision for this community is to create a group where we can "talk shop", share ideas, resources, and knowledge, and generally support one another as we each work toward our common goal - building an amazing online vintage business! We could also hold sales or promotions as a group as well... the possibilities are pretty endless!

Also, as a member you will be able to submit articles to The Vintage List Blog, to highlight your business, promotions that you are running, or to share information about your area of expertise. The blog will also have a link list to all member blogs that are listed in the Blog category.

Introductory Special!

For a limited time when you purchase a paid listing, you can list your blog in the Blog category for free for 1 year, as long as you place a reciprocal link on your blog back to the List! Click here for the details...

To Wrap This Up, Finally:

Needless to say, I am really excited! If anyone has any questions feel free to email me at thevintagelist@gmail.com.