In the past few years, there had been an increase of articles having to do with no one cares about their parents or grandparents possessions. Used items, hand-me-downs, vintage & antiques. This with Millennials love that big Scandinavian store that starts with an I.
Millennials love vintage at Vintage Garage Chicago. (now Evanston) Our markets are full of them. I talk to as many as I can.
Here's the deal.
The simultaneous shrinking of two generations is a first in human history.
There is a lot there. Landfills are also a factor; it's not only about nostalgia or history. Reuse to reduce costs. It's about spreading awareness that more products ending up in landfills harm our world. Where is this stuff going if no one is interested? My conversations with millennials revealed that it is not about having everything. Their taste is what matters. They prefer Midcentury Modern to 1980s Memphis or 1970s colonial architecture.
How can we inform more people about the secondary market for vintage and antique items that can be worn, used, or displayed? (We define vintage as items 25 years old or older with a collectible quality, antiques, or those older than 100 years with value.
Why is vintage better than the alternative?
It's more cost-effective. It is higher-quality, then anything comparable made today. It holds value- you can actually resell one day maybe get a little bit of money back maybe even more!
Nothing today is made like it was 30 years ago and before
My daughter told me a story a story about a friend of hers, early 20s, paid $1200 for a couch and had to finance at 27%, then pick it up when it was paid off. Here's where someone will say, "I don't want to buy a used couch." Ok, fair enough. I'm here to tell you that the couch in my living room, a beautiful spotless sectional. Purchased at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago for $12,000 and used in the guest den. Cost me $350. That's worth having the fabric cleaned or replaced. This was from an immaculate estate sale.
I am a 48-year-old vintage dealer, buyer and market promoter. Buying something used or secondhand does not give me the heebie-jeebies. The landfill part bothers me and I love that I can spot quality at a lower price.
The $1200 couch, made with particle board in China, can't be much cleaner by it reaches you.
I get the heebie-jeebies that some millennials are financing garbage couches at 27% .
Millennials should be the most passionate about vintage. This is why.
It is less expensive.
You can easily get five times more for your money.
Even if you went to a vintage market and bought a solid wood couch with great lines and had it reupholstered in amazing fabric, it would cost less than a new one.
You've now saved something from the landfill.
It's intriguing, and while stores can replicate it, there's nothing like the real thing.
You don't even have to assemble it! It's actually made of wood! If Millennials earn 20% less than their parents at the same age, this can save you a LOT of money.