Ruby Lane: Antiques & Art, Vintage Collectibles, Jewelry
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The Vintage Merchant
The Vintage Merchant
Classic, wearable vintage clothing & accessories from the 1930s through the 1970s
Exclusively on Ruby Lane. Member since February 2002 View Profile

We are on our annual buying trip, so our next shipping dates are Dec 1, 2 & 3; after that we'll ship Jan 1st. Happy Holidays


Be sure to visit our other shop Aaralyn's Velvet Dragonfly and And This And That
 
Today's Featured Items

Vintage Late 50s Early 60s Cocoa, Copper, Pewter Autumn Floral Tapestry Kelly Handbag Purse
$65 USD
Vintage Late 50s Early 60s Cocoa, Copper, Pewter Autumn..
Fabulous Vintage Late 1930s Early 1940s Red Reptile Peep Toe Sling Back I Miller High Heel Shoes
$115 USD
Fabulous Vintage Late 1930s Early 1940s Red Reptile ..
Vintage Olive Green & Brown Sharkskin Men's Lounge Jacket
$195 USD
Vintage Olive Green & Brown Sharkskin Men's Lounge ..
Vintage 1950s Teal Cummerbund Day to Dinner Dress with Super Full Skirt S
$135 USD
Vintage 1950s Teal Cummerbund Day to Dinner Dress with ..
Vintage Huge 35" Square Silk Souvenir Scarf California Brightly Colored
$45 USD
Vintage Huge 35" Square Silk Souvenir Scarf California ..
Vintage 1940s/50s White Fur Hat with Red & Pink Roses by Nina Neal
$75 USD
Vintage 1940s/50s White Fur Hat with Red & Pink Roses ..
Vintage Late 1950s Black Feather Tendrils Clip Band Ballerina Hat
$55 USD
Vintage Late 1950s Black Feather Tendrils Clip Band ..
Wonderfully Warm Men's Vintage Loden Wool Coat from Munich, Germany
$285 USD
Wonderfully Warm Men's Vintage Loden Wool Coat from ..
Vintage Early 60s Sharkskin Shirt Jac with Cool Congo Player Embroidery
$135 USD
Vintage Early 60s Sharkskin Shirt Jac with Cool Congo ..
Vintage H Bar C Aqua & Orange Plaid Cowboy Western Shirt
$60 USD
Vintage H Bar C Aqua & Orange Plaid Cowboy Western ..
Gorgeous Fall Toned Green Feathered Vintage 60s Pillbox Hat
$55 USD
Gorgeous Fall Toned Green Feathered Vintage 60s Pillbox..
Vintage Floral & Flared Crocheted Wedding Gloves 1920s 1930s
$35 USD
Vintage Floral & Flared Crocheted Wedding Gloves 1920s ..

 
 

 

About The Vintage Merchant

Our Service Pledge To You:
It's that time of year ~

we will be traveling quite a bit over the upcoming holidays, so the next days we will be shipping are December 1st, 2nd & 3rd; after that we will not be able to ship until after January 1st, so get your shopping in NOW and we'll also throw in an extra 20% off on all orders placed and paid for before December 1st!

what a great way to start your holiday shopping!

~~~~~

We appreciate the time you took to visit us here at The Vintage Merchant and hope you return often!

When you place an order with us, we respond within 24 hours with shipping information (if not already included in the item description). We ask that you finalize your PAYPAL payment within 3 days, if not, we reserve the right to cancel the order and relist the item.

REMEMBER ~ our next shipping date will be December 1st; if you would like something for the holidays, we recommend placing your order and finalizing payment, so we can ship immediately on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd; after that, we will not be sending out shipments until after January 1st.

Thank you for understanding; we are looking forward to spending some time with our family this holiday season!

~~~

If you are looking for a particular vintage item, write and let us know; we will do our best to help you with your special quest!

Remember, we CONSIDER all offers, and will counter or accept depending on the item, and your offer. Thank you from The Vintage Merchant!

About Us



~~~

Thanks for coming in to visit us here at The Vintage Merchant!

Have fun shopping!

we typically discount for multiple item purchases, and always combine to reduce shipping.

We also will combine goods from our other shops (Aaralyn's Velvet Dragonfly and And This And That)
for discounts and shipping advantages as well.

~~~~~

Graduate of The University of Hawaii, with a major in Fashion Design.

We are also proud to be a member of the Vintage Fashion Guild.


~~~~~


As with all good VINTAGE merchandise, our inventory values go UP rather than decline with time.
We are in an interesting marketing situation, as age is an attribute, rather than a scourge! So we rarely run around and mark down an item if its been here for a month, or a quarter, or even for years! We're not in rush to "get rid" of our inventory...we don't need to sell "XXXXXX" dollars to pay the rent...
these are COLLECTIBLES, that we treasure, and that our clients treasure, as well!

Occasionally we have a curious shopper who requests that we discount an item BECAUSE they've noticed it in our online shop for a while, or question why an item that they've been watching will RISE in price, rather than go down...this is the awesome nature of vintage collectibles and antiques!...and as much as we're THRILLED that trends come (kitschy Enid Collins bags) and go (camouflage clothing), once a virgin second-hand shopper owns quality vintage goods with one-of-a-kind personalities,
they understand how enchanting, clever and exciting our world is!

If you're thinking that a price is a bit steep on an item, please feel free to make an offer!
We do have absolutely heart-breakingly wonderful wares that we have totally fallen in love with...and therefore find it really difficult to part with... so, sometimes we price with emotion (research-based, of course, but emotion, none the less!), rather than a mathematically strict marketing formula.

Also, SOME collectors refuse to handle vintage merchandise if it has ANY flaws of any sort...depending on the item, it's rarity, the current demand, AND the condition, we do handle SOME collectible pieces that are less than perfect.

Now, especially, "vintage," "vintage look," and "vintage inspired" is "in" in a big way!
Look in practically any shop that carries only NEW merchandise, and you'll see clothing, furnishings, ANYthing and EVERYthing made and marketed as "vintage"!

We always describe each of our authentic curios in detail, and provide loads of photographs, as well. In addition, we will happily send extra jpg photos via email to clients with questions.

All that being said, please notice that

WE DO CONSIDER ALL OFFERS!!
And will either accept or counter, depending on the item, and the offer.



~~~~~

We do not have a brick and mortar shop, we work out of our home, so we do not list our address,

thank you for understanding .

If you'd like to stop by in person some time to check out a specific item, though, email us,
and we'll try to set up a time when it would be convenient for you to come by.

~~~~~

We REQUIRE Paypal for all orders now;
it is by far the most secure online payment method for YOU and for us,
and remember, WE pay the payment transaction fee rather than you.

~~~~~

Our Layaway Plan (or Lack Thereof):

We have had at least half a dozen customers BEG for a chance to do layaways...each and EVERY ONE PROMISES they will pay within a certain time frame (30 days, 60 days, 90 days...) ALL BUT ONE never even made a second payment...and a few never even paid their initial deposit..."can you hold it til Friday?", "my car broke down, can I pay on the 15th...", "oh my Grandma is sick, so I can't pay until after the 1st..."

ONE customer that we agreed to do a layaway with agreed to pay within 30 days. We received her final payment 3 MONTHS LATER.

So, no, we have never ( NOT ONCE ) had a positive experience with layaway, and will never offer it as an option again. You can certainly pay via Paypal, and ask them about payment plans.

~~~~~

Sizing Vintage Clothing

Sizes are SO variable:

  • from maker to maker,


  • from Junior sizing to women's...


  • how tight or loose a person likes to wear their clothes...


  • AND typically, a Vintage Large is a Contemporary Medium... (for example, I wear Gap size 8 jeans... but in vintage sizing, I wear anywhere from a size 10 up to a size 16 dress sometimes!!)


  • SO

    we always list our clothing by measurement.

    We HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you take a similar garment from your own wardrobe that fits the way you like,
    then lay it flat and measure it.
    Compare your measurements to those of the item you are interested in, keep in mind how tight/loose you like to wear your clothes (knits can stretch, cordoroy won't), and the ultimate decision is yours.



  • ~~~~~

    We LOVE our International Customers!

    Please understand:

    Shipping, insurance, delivery confirmation and any customs, VAT or entry fees that your country has our YOUR responsibilities.

    We will NOT lie on any customs form to attempt to avoid fees or charges due.


    Our Return Policy


    PLEASE READ


    First we ask that you PLEASE refer to the above suggestions to insure a good vintage fit/size experience; it just takes a little extra time, and it could save you a bit of heartache!
    Thank you!


    If you are not pleased with your purchase, simply email us within 3 days of delivery of your item to obtain an ID number to begin the return process.


    We promise to acknowledge your return request within 24 hours (UNLESS we are out of town on a buying trip, and you will be able to see that notice on our front page when we are away).


    You must ship the item back to us within 3 days of the acknowledgement and YOU are responsible for return shipping and insurance.


    The item must be returned via the original carrier (unless agreed otherwise in writing),

    in its original packaging,

    insured for its purchased price,

    and must be received in the same condition as when it was shipped to you with all of our tags and identifying marks intact.


    We recommend you use delivery tracking and get a delivery receipt.

    Once we verify the returned item is as originally sent, we will issue a refund of the purchase price minus a 20% restocking fee within 3 days.


    ~~~~~



  • We appreciate the time you spend here at

    The Vintage Merchant

    and once again, be sure to check out our other online shops:

    Aaralyn's Velvet Dragonfly for an enticing selection of vintage & estate jewelry,or

    And This and That for all kinds of kooky kitschy vintage collectibles, and classic pottery and glassware, too!

    We gladly combine orders from any or all three shops, and will often discount for multiple item purchases!
    Thanks for shopping with us!