Selling FAQ

TIAS (The Internet Antique Shop) is the Internet's original marketplace for antiques, collectibles, and vintage treasures. Since 1995, we've helped thousands of dealers and collectors sell their items to a passionate community of buyers. With over 16,500 stores trusting TIAS over the years, we offer unmatched reach and credibility in the antiques market.

TIAS welcomes antique dealers, vintage shop owners, estate sale professionals, and individual collectors who have quality vintage and antique items to sell. Whether you're running a full-time business or selling items from a personal collection, TIAS provides the tools you need to reach buyers.

To sell on TIAS, you'll need to:

• Create an account and verify your email address
• Verify your phone number
• Provide your business address
• Set up your payment account through Stripe to receive payouts
• Choose a subscription plan (all plans include a 30-day free trial)

Getting started is easy:

1. Visit our Start Selling page and click "Start 30-day free trial" on your preferred plan
2. Create your account with your email and password
3. Verify your email and phone number
4. Complete your shop profile and set your policies
5. Connect your Stripe account for payments
6. Start listing items!

The entire setup process takes about 10-15 minutes.

Yes! Every plan includes a free 30-day trial with no obligations and no contracts. You can start listing items immediately and only pay if you decide to continue after the trial period. No credit card is charged until the trial ends.

We offer three plans to fit different selling needs:

• Light ($9.99/month): List up to 50 items with 10% commission on sales. Perfect for casual sellers or those just getting started.
• Standard ($49.99/month): List up to 500 items with 5% commission, plus additional visibility for your listings. Our most popular plan for established dealers.
• Pro ($99.99/month): Unlimited listings with just 2% commission, maximum visibility, and cross-listing to the Treasure Listings Sale Network and Google Shopping.

All plans include a 30-day free trial.

TIAS fees consist of two parts:

• Monthly subscription: $9.99, $49.99, or $99.99 depending on your plan
• Commission on sales: 10%, 5%, or 2% of the sale price depending on your plan

There are no listing fees, setup fees, or hidden charges. You only pay commission when you make a sale. Standard payment processing fees from Stripe also apply (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction).

Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time from your seller dashboard. When upgrading, you'll get immediate access to the new plan's features. When downgrading, the change takes effect at your next billing cycle.

After your 30-day free trial, your selected plan will automatically begin and your payment method will be charged the monthly subscription fee. You'll receive a reminder email before your trial ends. If you decide TIAS isn't right for you, simply cancel before the trial ends and you won't be charged.

No. TIAS subscriptions are month-to-month with no long-term contracts or commitments. You can cancel anytime, and your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing period.

TIAS specializes in antiques, collectibles, and vintage items. To be listed on TIAS, items must be at least 20 years old. We welcome a wide variety of categories including:

• Furniture and home décor
• Jewelry and watches
• Art and prints
• China, glass, and pottery
• Books and ephemera
• Toys and dolls
• Clothing and textiles
• Coins, stamps, and memorabilia
• And many more categories

Modern or reproduction items, as well as items less than 20 years old, are not permitted.

From your seller dashboard, click "Add New Item" and fill in the listing details:

• Photos: Upload clear, well-lit photos showing the item from multiple angles
• Title: Write a descriptive title that helps buyers find your item
• Description: Provide detailed information about the item's history, condition, and features
• Year produced: Specify when the item was made (must be at least 20 years old)
• Price: Set your selling price
• Condition: Accurately describe the item's condition
• Category: Select the appropriate category for your item

The best listings include:

• Multiple high-quality photos: Show the item from different angles, include close-ups of details, marks, and any flaws
• Detailed descriptions: Include dimensions, materials, provenance, and any known history
• Accurate condition reporting: Be honest about wear, repairs, or damage—buyers appreciate transparency
• Competitive pricing: Research similar items to price competitively
• Keywords: Use relevant terms in your title and description so buyers can find your item

The number of items you can list depends on your plan:

• Light: Up to 50 items
• Standard: Up to 500 items
• Pro: Unlimited items

If you need to list more items, you can upgrade your plan at any time.

Auction capabilities are not offered at this time. We have future plans to incorporate auction functionality, but we do not have a timeframe yet as to when this will be offered.

After signing in, click on your profile icon and select "Selling" or go directly to your dashboard. From there you can manage your items, view orders, track performance, update your shop profile, and access all seller tools.

From your seller dashboard, go to "Items" to see all your listings. Click on any item to edit its details, update photos, change the price, or mark it as sold. You can also delete listings that you no longer want to sell.

Buyers can contact you through the "Contact Seller" button on your listings and shop page. All messages appear in your Messages inbox, accessible from your dashboard. We recommend responding promptly to buyer inquiries. Quick responses build trust and lead to more sales.

Yes. From your dashboard, go to "Settings" then "Policies" to set your:

• Return policy: Define your return window and conditions
• Shipping policy: Specify shipping methods, timeframes, and any restrictions
• Payment terms: Outline accepted payment methods and any additional terms

Clear policies help set buyer expectations and reduce disputes.

When a buyer purchases your item, you'll receive an email notification and the order will appear in your "Orders" section. From there you can:

• View order details and buyer information
• Mark the order as shipped and add tracking information
• Communicate with the buyer if needed
• Handle any returns or issues

TIAS uses Stripe to process payments securely. During seller onboarding, you'll connect your Stripe account and provide your bank details. When a buyer purchases your item, the payment is processed through Stripe and deposited directly to your bank account according to your Stripe payout schedule.

Payout timing is managed through your Stripe account. By default, Stripe sends payouts on a rolling basis (typically 2 business days after a successful payment in the US). You can view and adjust your payout schedule in your Stripe dashboard.

Stripe is a leading payment processor trusted by millions of businesses worldwide. We use Stripe because it provides:

• Secure, PCI-compliant payment processing
• Direct deposits to your bank account
• Protection against fraud
• A transparent dashboard to track your earnings
• Support for multiple payment methods

In addition to TIAS commission (2-10% depending on your plan), standard Stripe processing fees apply. In the US, this is typically 2.9% + $0.30 per successful transaction. These fees are deducted automatically before your payout.

If you need to issue a refund, you can do so through your order management or directly through Stripe. When you refund a buyer, the funds are returned to their original payment method. Note that TIAS commission is refunded, but Stripe processing fees are typically non-refundable.

As a seller, you're responsible for shipping items to buyers. You can set your shipping preferences during store setup, including:

• Free shipping: Offer free shipping on all items or orders over a certain amount
• Flat rate: Charge a single shipping rate regardless of destination
• Calculated shipping: Set rates based on item weight and buyer location

You handle packing and shipping directly using your preferred carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.).

Currently, TIAS does not provide built-in shipping label printing or carrier integrations. You'll purchase shipping labels directly from your preferred carrier or through third-party shipping services. Many sellers use services like Pirate Ship, ShipStation, or their carrier's website for discounted rates.

Proper packing is essential for antiques and collectibles:

• Use sturdy boxes appropriate for the item's size and weight
• Wrap items in acid-free tissue paper to protect finishes
• Use bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or crumpled paper for cushioning
• Double-box fragile items when possible
• Mark packages as "Fragile" when appropriate
• Consider purchasing shipping insurance for valuable items

If a buyer reports damage, work with them to resolve the issue. Options include:

• Filing an insurance claim if you purchased shipping insurance
• Offering a partial refund for minor damage
• Accepting a return and issuing a full refund

Good packing practices and shipping insurance help protect you from losses due to shipping damage.

No, international shipping is optional. You can choose to ship only within the United States or specific regions. If you do offer international shipping, be sure to research customs requirements and communicate any additional fees or restrictions to buyers.