Welcome to another instalment of 'Blog Post Monday'!
With so much uncertainty still hovering over us in post lockdown life, the majority of Brits have opted for a staycation this summer. Your usual popular tourist spots are just as busy and some areas are experiencing mini tourist booms for the first time, as people try to avoid the crowds. Rumour has it that as a result, a lot of antiques shops and centres across the UK have been rather busy and are feeling the financial benefit of this.
Roll back the clock to the beginning of the pandemic and it was the internet that was proving to be the saviour of the antiques trade. People who had been too frightened to shop online before had suddenly found the courage to give it a go and boom, antique businesses across the world were experiencing an increase in online sales.
With a new breed of internet shopper, pit against a lust for post lockdown normality, it got me thinking... Where do people now prefer do the majority of their antique shopping? Online, from the comfort of their own homes or getting out and about and buying in person? There are obvious 'Pros' and 'Cons' for both, and that's what I'll be discussing with you this week.
So, as always, get that kettle on, fire up that dial up and let's see what comes out on top, in the battle of 'Internet' vs 'Shop'...
Well, let's begin with the Internet.
The internet, quite literally, opens up the world of antiques to you, which, in turn, gives you greater variety and in some cases, better value. It's like going to a massive antiques centre or fair, but instead of there being 100's of different dealers, there are millions! This obviously has it benefits.
On the other hand, buying online does have its risks. You don't get to hold, feel and examine the pieces you buy until you've bought them and received them in the post. I guess, like any dealer, ideally, I like to have a blimmin' good feel of my bits before I part with my cash.
But, nevertheless, most online stores will have a returns policy dictated by the 'Consumer Protection Regulations'. Meaning that if you are not satisfied, you can cancel an order within 14 days of receiving the item. So, I guess, it's just time that you're inconvenienced by in shopping online.
Conversely, shopping in person at a shop or fair allows you to hold, feel, smell, taste or whatever it is you like to do with your antiques, and trust me, I've seen it all! Meaning you can be confident that you are satisfied with what you are buying and you can take it home with you that same day! It also allows you to have a chat with the dealers, or the people selling on behalf of the dealers, meaning you might be able to find out a little bit more about a piece.
I noticed there was an obvious increase in online sales to begin with, but recently, it seems to have quietened down a little and it's the bricks and mortar shops that are seeing an increase. In time, I think there'll likely be a bit of levelling out, with people getting that initial lust for high street shopping out of their systems, but with winter fast approaching, will people be going back to shopping for their antiques online...?
It's over to you now. Let me know whether you prefer to buy 'Online' or 'In Person' by answering the survey below. Let's see if antique buying habits have changed.
Well, that's it for this week folks, I hope you've enjoyed this little discussion. As always, let me know what you think in the comments section below, it's always lovely to hear from you.
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So, until next week, stay safe, keep buying those antiques and keep spreading that Source Vintage love!
Cheerio!
Stephen
Owner Source Vintage
Shop from Source Vintage here