questionnaire for buyers

eatyourmakeup

eatyourmakeup

Registered Guest
Hi, I'm writing a business plan to start up selling vintage and retro on markets around london, and I've gotta get myself some answers to my questionnaires.
So, I'm looking for anyone who works in a retro/vintage shop, independent buyers or anyone similar to fill it out...
it's only a few questions and I'd be more than greatful if yer did!

here goes...

1. Do you stock retro and vintage or just one or the other?
2. Which type sells best?
3. What kind of people generally buy each type of clothing?
4. Where/who do you source your stock from? Individuals walking in with items or from larger suppliers overseas?
5. How much stock do you buy at once?
6. How often do you buy in new stock? On a monthly/weekly basis?
7. How do you pay for the stock you buy?
8. What kind of clothing would you like to sell but can’t get hold of?


thanks alot.
and... meeeeeeerry christmas! x
 
Hi, I know some of my answers are a bit vague I suppose but they are all truthful!

1. Do you stock retro and vintage or just one or the other? vintage

2. Which type sells best? for me, vintage

3. What kind of people generally buy each type of clothing? varied types. younger students enjoying fashion, older people invloved in vintage events or dancing and everyone inbetween who just loves fashion.

4. Where/who do you source your stock from? Individuals walking in with items or from larger suppliers overseas? everywhere i can, Im always on the lookout wherever i go. I have never bought huge amounts from overseas though.

5. How much stock do you buy at once? often only one item and accasionally a few pieces at a time.

6. How often do you buy in new stock? On a monthly/weekly basis? only when i find something i like or see potential in, no particular set time frame.

7. How do you pay for the stock you buy? generally, cash unless its an overseas transaction, then credit card.

8. What kind of clothing would you like to sell but can’t get hold of? anything, lots more vintage. here in the UK, it is difficult to find vintage.

kelly
 
hi..eatyourmakeup......

i am no expert.....and only just got back into my vintage/retro clothing after nearly 20 years....since the last time...

at the mo.. my problem is pricing....as i have been out of touch with things for such a long time.....so still learning there..

you questions...that you are asking... from my point of view..are quite difficult to give you a proper answere...

as the one thing that i have truely learned..... you just dont know... what is going to sell... and who is going to buy it...

with vintage/retro clothing.....you can not go to a wholesaler.. like modern clothes... to buy your stock....

obviously you have a great interest/love for clothes from certain era's and where do you buy them from now ? i think that might be the answere to your question... about obtaining stock....i buy from auctions etc....and becuase peeps know i collect clothes.. auction houses normally contact me to say when they got stuff in their auctions.... for me to look/bid at.....

the question how how much do you buy... and when weekly/monthly basis.....

it all depends... i can go a few weeks and not find one item..... and then i could find loads of items in one day... and spend loads of money.....i allways pay by cash.....and take a little recipt book/peety cash... and write down exactly how much i give peepes and for what.....

as for clothes that i want but cant get hold of....ozzie clarke....but again i wait long enough and hopefully i will..at the right price for me...

i think your questionaire is a general one......which is based on people who are going to buy stock from a general wholesalers.....so not really fitting for the antique trade....

have you bought and sold vintage clothing before ?

all i can say...in my opinion.... there are diff.... buyers....

period collectors...specific items......drama/actors.....studants....... party go'ers etc...

at the end of the day.....you can not cater for every ones's needs/wants....and you need to decide if you are going to go for the general market.... ( which i do ) or specialise in a certain sector.....

as i say i am no expert... and maybe some one else on the forum can give you better advice/answeres to your questions.....and maybe correct me on the above answeres i have given you...

good luck.......keep us updated on how you are getting on..... and post some pics of your stock...
 
1. Do you stock retro and vintage or just one or the other? Vintage

2. Which type sells best? Vintage

3. What kind of people generally buy each type of clothing? Most of the 60's stuff goes to younger people, coats do well for older,
handbags/evening bags usually older people but it is very varied

4. Where/who do you source your stock from? Individuals walking in with items or from larger suppliers overseas? Anywhere and everywhere! Charity shops, car boot sales and straight from individuals I’ve met at fairs who have things to sell. Never bought in bulk from overseas

5. How much stock do you buy at once? depends, usually only one thing at a time, but more if I can find it.

6. How often do you buy in new stock? On a monthly/weekly basis?
No set time scale, depends if I need more stock, or just find something amazing.

7. How do you pay for the stock you buy? Cash

8. What kind of clothing would you like to sell but can’t get hold of? 40's clothing, and shoes. Just never seem to find any!
 
If this is a business plan for YOUR business - what we say is not going to matter much. You have to find out what works best for you or just decide what your game plan is going to be. Some people bring in new stock in dribs and drabs - some by the barrel full once a month or months. You cannot attempt to copy what someone else does and expect success. It has to be genuine. You can learn from mistakes, for sure - but your resources, your time, your location, your clientele will be different.

It does not mattter if you buy something once a year or every day - being successful in vintage is not about volume alone.
 
I sell entirely online, here's my answers:

1. Do you stock retro and vintage or just one or the other?
Mainly just vintage, stopping at 80s

2. Which type sells best?
I don't sell post 80s very well, so I don't take it much

3. What kind of people generally buy each type of clothing?
online sales, not too sure on most. some buy for special fit needs or events

4. Where/who do you source your stock from? Individuals walking in with items or from larger suppliers overseas?
I buy from individuals at estate buys and from large scale suppliers, anywhere I can find it

5. How much stock do you buy at once?
anything from one piece to hundreds

6. How often do you buy in new stock? On a monthly/weekly basis?
as often as possible

7. How do you pay for the stock you buy?
as little as possible...depends on the piece and possible return
EDIT: I read how <i>much</i> do you pay.....I use a business account or personal account reembursed by the business account

8. What kind of clothing would you like to sell but can’t get hold of?
designer, higher end. my location tends toward the average and day wear, occasional evening and prom gown, not bad stuff, but I'd love to have a few more "big scores"
 
1. Do you stock retro and vintage or just one or the other?

Vintage. If retro is 80s then I will if it is very cool (in my opinion!)

2. Which type sells best?

For me, vintage.

3. What kind of people generally buy each type of clothing?

Vintage clothing goes to collectors, re-enactors, and just general people looking for a different formal outfit of all ages. Later retro stuff (when sold) is noticeably more toward the 18-24 age bracket.

4. Where/who do you source your stock from? Individuals walking in with items or from larger suppliers overseas?

I occasionally am contacted by individuals through word of mouth/website. I have once bought a large amount from overseas but to be honest it's not cost effective enough. The majority of my items are picked individually from other dealers and auctions.

5. How much stock do you buy at once?

As much as is available, incase I don't get the opportunity again!

6. How often do you buy in new stock? On a monthly/weekly basis?

No rhyme or reason - whenever I find it as I don't have a regular guaranteed supplier.

7. How do you pay for the stock you buy?

Business account (and credit card, repaid in full at the end of the month!) so I use cash and card

8. What kind of clothing would you like to sell but can’t get hold of?

1940s is always thin on the ground in the UK, so probably that as it isn't come by easily (or cheaply).


;)
 
1. Do you stock retro and vintage or just one or the other?

Vintage but occasionally reproductions if they are well done for my re-enactor customers who don't want to risk destroying an original garment.

2. Which type sells best?

Vintage

3. What kind of people generally buy each type of clothing?

I sell to museums, collectors (both specialized and general clothing collectors), re-enactors and people wanting a one of a kind outfit.

4. Where/who do you source your stock from? Individuals walking in with items or from larger suppliers overseas?

No comment! :D

5. How much stock do you buy at once?

I buy as much as I can if it is of good quality.

6. How often do you buy in new stock? On a monthly/weekly basis?

Whenever the opportunity arises, depends on what time fo year it is. Certain times of the year mean it's more plentiful than others.

7. How do you pay for the stock you buy?

Credit cards at establishments so that I have cash flow and cash on hand for those unexpected purchases that show up on the doorstep.

8. What kind of clothing would you like to sell but can’t get hold of?

18th century items but most of these went into private collections in the 30's. Also fun 50's things which are hard to find here in the UK due to the poor post war economy here.

My business workings though have taking me ages to hone and even now it's still trial and error with things. What sells for me won't nessessarily sell for someone else as you tend to get a specialized client base over time. People tend to go to certain dealers that they know tend to carry certain eras of things.

Also too, you tend to start selling in what ers are your favorite too. Although I carry things right up to the 1970's, my era of specialization is the Edwardian era and before as I love antique things whereas Harriet, is the opposite of me so it works out perfectly when we go shopping together!

Your best bet is to look over your collection or wardrobe and see what eras you tend to gravitate to and then start dealing with things for that era. This is how myself and most dealers start out. If you find yourself going towards late 60's Mod styled things (clothing, accessories, homewares, etc) for example, the safest thing to do would be to start selling those as that is an area you already know about and then start branching out once you get established and start knowing what people want. That way, you don't risk a huge outlay of time and money getting a huge bulk consignment of stuff from eras that you have no interest in or know nothing about just because it's "vintage".

Lei
 
I think that's definitely good advice about concentrating on your 'comfort zone' first, if you know what I mean. I love any thing vintage or antiqu but to be honet as I feel so uninformed about earlier things I purposely avoid buying them as I feel like I won't do them justice because my knwloedg simply isn't up to scratch.

I like to think that one day I will have time to sit down and study older costume thoroughly, and maybe then I will feel confident enough to branch out a little further.. but I don't really see me having the time anytime soon as I am still trying to keep up with the midcentury stuff . So Lei is right, her and I can shop together without fighting over the spoils!
 
YOU ARE ALL AMAZING. BLESS YOU ALL!
I hadn't had any emails telling me I had any replies to this thread, I was getting worried!
lovely suprise, thankyou!!!!
 
having read through all your answers and advice, this is exactly what I needed.
just abit of general insight into buying trends, and what not.
I absolutely agree about having to know what works for you personally, and I have a pretty good idea of what does for me.
this thread was just abit of market research that the good ol' princes trust business plan tells me to do.
I've got to impress a panel of business types so I can get myself a loan and start out!
and all this information and advice you're giving is being noted!
much appreciated, thanks again :]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top