Page 1 of 4

Vintage Sources

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:15 pm
by hermosavtg
I know us sellers like keep our secrets, but I'm going to ask anyway. As a small seller without a good consistent vintage connection, I'm always on the hustle for fresh vintage items to fill my inventory. Between thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets I get by. I enjoy the variety of merchandise I find at my various sources, but am looking to expand, in both quality and scale. I know of a few wholesalers around my area, and I'm seriously considering bulk purchases to save on leg work. I'm considering scouting new locations outside Southern California as well.

So what are your favorite and most successful methods of sourcing your inventory?

Thanks!
-JR

Re: Vintage Sources

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:51 pm
by CRAZYBUBBA
Well, I'm a wholsaler so I'm actually looking for customers :P

What would be best for you is to find a local used clothing grading operation that would let you pick up stuff on a piece by piece basis. They usually grade 25,000 lbs per day in a factory, minimum.

There's an association that most of us are part of called SMART (Secondhand Materials and Recycled Textiles) they have a directory that would show you people in your area.

Conversely,if you're interested in picking up a container (25,000-50,000lbs)then you have alot more power to shop around/ name your price.

Re: Vintage Sources

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:35 pm
by hermosavtg
Well too bad you are located in Toronto Bubba, because I'd be interesting in browsing your wares. How much of whats contained in a 25,000 pound container actually sellable vintage as opposed to plain old rags? I know there is a grading process and would be interested in learning more about it.

I looked at SMART's website and unfortunately the member directory is for members only.

Thanks for the tips!
-JR

Re: Vintage Sources

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:38 pm
by Frank
opening up a 25000 pound container stuffed with vintage t-shirts would probably cause me to have a heart attack! That's probably about 40000 shirts, no?

anyone want to go halfsies? :lol:

Re: Vintage Sources

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:44 pm
by CRAZYBUBBA
Basically we buy in bulk from savers, salvation army, goodwill, etc and sort out the clothing by function (T-shirts, pants, dresses, etc) and quality (A, B, C, and wiping cloth).

When people look to buy vintage in quantity what happens is this:
You come down to the factory. Tell us what you want and how to identify it. We dedicate a person to pick the stuff out and train the people who work in the specific sections (t-shirts, jackets, etc) the generalities so that they can put stuff aside for the vintage checker.

It's actually pretty good. Because, in a way the customer actually makes the grade. Otherwise have no way of knowing what's hot right now unless we keep up with sites like Defunk'd :P

If you're actually interested we could talk more about it by email. I don't want to hijack the board.

Re: Vintage Sources

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:08 pm
by jimmyj
Hijack away sir! That's what this forum is for! You can even email each other directly through the board - give it a try and let me know if it works...still testing this thing.

Also - you're in Toronto? have we met?

Re: Vintage Sources

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:20 pm
by CRAZYBUBBA
I live in Toronto but work in Central America. So no, we haven't met.

Re: Vintage Sources

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 11:19 pm
by hermosavtg
Probably the one best guide for your graders (for t-shirts anyway) would be the brands guide here on defunkd!

Actually i just found out about a warehouse not too far from where I am and will be checking it out soon. Will let you know how that goes.

Bubba you do business with warehouses in new york? I'm there a few weeks in the spring and fall, maybe summer, and would like to check out some spots if you know of any. Never had much luck in new york with vintage clothes. Really LA is the vintage clothes capital of the world if you ask me! ;)

-JR

Re: Vintage Sources

Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:24 am
by CRAZYBUBBA
pssh... I definitely have a few places in mind. Let me check to see if they're open to the idea of more pickers coming by and I'll get back to you with their contacts.

Re: Vintage Sources

Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:03 am
by hermosavtg
Thanks Bubba! Who doesn't want more cash-paying customers in this economy!?

-JR