The meaning of vintage

soolin

This is really just a discussion post.

I have been chatting to sellers of vintage items, mainly 1940-1960s and the discussion turned to ebay feedback and how buyers don't seem to understand what vintage actually is, even when the original use date is given.

Items coming from the Far East or even originating here are often brand new and vintage inspired, or copies of vintage items and sold as new- vintage, rather than emphasising vintage style or vintage inspired. Surprisingly this means there is a vast pool of buyers out there who don't understand that a vintage item from the 1950s is actually old- many sellers had experienced this and hadn't realised how widespread this misunderstanding is. Most of the sellers who used ebay had had either poor feedback or a return due to item not being new, despite for instance saying the this is a used item from the 1950s, as the assumption appears to be it is actually a modern copy that just doesn't happen to be new.

The discussion started because one seller had received a return request and then poor feedback on a 1950s tablecloth, used/out of packet but in good condition/ dating from the late 1950s. Buyer insisted the advert was wrong as it didn't specifically say this was over 60 years old and she had thought 1950s was a style, not a real date! Not surprisingly ebay found in buyers favour and seller lost out on their FVFs and on appeal ebay suggested she stated clearly how old the item actually was :eek:

This story was not unusual, most sellers however don't fight the return requests as they can't afford to lose the FVFs. Most of us at one time or another have been asked if our item is the one from (insert current modern shop) or if we can tell them what shop we bought a teapot from as they want to go and source a new set of cups to match, or if the vintage dress can be changed for a larger size if it doesn't fit.

On a slightly different note we also shared some historical feedback that annoyed us, one poor seller had sold a 1960s tea pot, gave size and capacity and got a neg as the teapot was too large for a single person and just wasted a lot of tea. (ebay wouldn't remove that either)

Altarf

soolin wrote: »

on appeal ebay suggested she stated clearly how old the item actually was :eek:

Why the :eek: as it was damn good advice?

The job of sellers is make it abundantly clear what they are selling. If sellers know buyers don't understand the term 'vintage' (which means nothing at all), they shouldn't moan when the buyer complains to ebay.

Is it that hard to put together a listing?

soolin

Altarf wrote: »

Why the :eek: as it was damn good advice?

The job of sellers is make it abundantly clear what they are selling. If sellers know buyers don't understand the term 'vintage' (which means nothing at all), they shouldn't moan when the buyer complains to ebay.

Is it that hard to put together a listing?

Really , so you would not be able to calculate that if something dates from the 1950s it is over 60 years old?

Then I despair, perhaps McDonalds have it right then when they have to warn punters that hot coffee might be hot.

hollydays

Is it not just a flimsy excuse to return something?

I would describe something as modern, new , 1950s style.( or modern used 1950s style)
Or original 1950s used.
Doesn't the description give you the option to choose original or replica?
I don't always use the word vintage , I'm wondering if it complicates things then?
I do find it annoying when I search for a vintage item and the search brings up new items

soolin

hollydays wrote: »

Is it not just a flimsy excuse to return something?

I would describe something as modern, new , 1950s style.( or modern used 1950s style)
Or original 1950s used.
Doesn't the description give you the option to choose original or replica?
I don't always use the word vintage , I'm wondering if it complicates things then?
I do find it annoying when I search for a vintage item and the search brings up new items

In some categories there is an option for original or reproduction, but not all of the commonly used categories. The other issue is that item specifics in many vintage /collectable categories only go up to 1940, after that the option is 1940- modern day.

Where the item is pre 1940 ebay have favoured the seller on occasions as apparently item specifics are a fact , so buyer doesn't need it explained how long ago say a 1930s necklace was made.

forgotmyname

I mentioned this at xmas, looking for something special. Thinking ETSY will have someone making something similar and could make me one to order. (A particular style of necklace)

Except it was awash with cheap chinese items. Some sellers claiming they were hand made and some just knocking them out by the bag full.

Sticking a cheap chinese chain through a cheap chinese necklace is not my idea of hand made. Especially not at ETSY prices.

Bag of 20 pendants for under £3 and selling them for £24.99 each??

Hermia

A friend of mine has been selling vintage clothes for years and now just sells via a shop as she was sick of dealing with online customers. She always made it clear that the item was from 1940 (or whatever) but would then get complaints from people because it couldn't just be thrown in the wash or didn't have a modern washing label etc. She said it got to the point where she would have needed to write an essay on every listing (which no one would have read!). I think people get into things like vintage because it is trendy, but don't realise that you have to do your research.

forgotmyname wrote: »

I mentioned this at xmas, looking for something special. Thinking ETSY will have someone making something similar and could make me one to order. (A particular style of necklace)

Except it was awash with cheap chinese items. Some sellers claiming they were hand made and some just knocking them out by the bag full.

Sticking a cheap chinese chain through a cheap chinese necklace is not my idea of hand made. Especially not at ETSY prices.

Bag of 20 pendants for under £3 and selling them for £24.99 each??

I don't use etsy much for this reason. It doesn't help that people do use quite inaccurate labels in the craft world. I have seen people describe themselves as jewellery designers or embroidery designers on their business cards. Yet they just attach pre-made pendants to pre-made necklaces or they create their embroidered pictures using bought patterns. I would not buy an expensive handmade item without doing my research on the artist.

Shiztizta

Vintage has to mean very old I would think.

Not retro- this could mean someting modern but harking back to the old days in some ways.

FatVonD

It's just as annoying for buyers too, I was searching for a vintage metal sign and you have to wade through pages of mass produced A4 sized things.

FatVonD

Shiztizta wrote: »

Vintage has to mean very old I would think.

Not retro- this could mean someting modern but harking back to the old days in some ways.

That would be my understanding too, vintage, as in the year it was made. Retro, recreating something with a nod to earlier days but apparently not on eBay.

hollydays

I always think of retro as 1970s onwards