FAQ

Registration

Is the membership for buyers, sellers, or both?

Our Insider membership is for vendors and offers a featured listing on the Shop Secondhand Directory, as well as exclusive content and a workshop library.

Find all the features of membership here.

Why should I become an Insider of The Vintage Seeker?

When you join, you get access to helpful tools, workshop replays and other resources for selling. But you’re also backing our mission. 

We show buyers where to find cool secondhand stuff. We educate people about the independent resale sector. We support vendors so they can reach more buyers. We publish resources, advocacy and insight on topics that matter to this industry.

Our Insiders help to power this independent publishing platform that connects indie vintage, antiques and secondhand businesses and related services with shoppers and thrifters. 

All fees go back into maintaining and promoting our directory and website.

Plus, if you are a vendor, The Vintage Seeker offers opportunities to grow your business through our educational resources, and to get in front of new customers through our directory.

How can The Vintage Seller help my business?

The Vintage Seeker connects you with a ready-made audience that already loves vintage, antiques and secondhand. 

Through our free directory, you can list your shop or service where shoppers are actively looking to buy, advertise your events, markets and pop–ups, and post classified ads to connect with other sellers or share special offers. 

Insiders unlock more tools with exclusive content, our full workshop replay library, and featured placement on the Shop Secondhand Directory.

On a larger scale, we advocate to the public and to industry on important topics like pricing, the role of resellers in the secondhand economy, secondhand tax, tariffs and more — all of which give more visibility to the sector you work in.

See all the ways we help businesses here.

I sell thrifted, contemporary pre-loved, or antique items. Do I have to sell vintage to join as an Insider?

No. Our Insiders can be resellers of secondhand, thrifted, contemporary pre-loved, antique or vintage items, as well as service providers and organizations related to resale. Check out the benefits here.

Do I need to be located in Canada to become an Insider?

No! You can be located anywhere to list in our directory or access our resources. Note that occasional replays may contain information applicable to Canadian residents only (e.g. certain elements of a tax presentation).

Can I switch my account plan?

Yes! You can upgrade or downgrade your account anytime from your Account Dashboard when you are logged in. Navigate to Plans in your account dashboard menu and select a new one.

Is there a free trial of the membership?

There's no trial period due to the nature of digital products being immediately accessible. But our free tiers allow you to explore some of what we have to offer before committing to the Insider membership.

Can I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel anytime through your Account Dashboard. Go to Billing and then click Cancel Subscription. You’ll continue to have access until the end of your billing period. If you do not see Cancel Subscription in your Account Dashboard, feel free to email us to cancel.

Subscriptions remain in effect until the end of the billing period, so you won’t lose access until your next billing date.

Shop Secondhand Directory

What is the Shop Secondhand Directory?

The Shop Secondhand Directory, powered by The Vintage Seeker, is a specialized search engine that connects buyers with resellers and related services — all in one place, no matter where they sell. 

It’s like a portal to all things secondhand: We feature thousands of listings so consumers can discover new-to-them places to shop circularly and link out to those businesses directly.

Do I have to pay to search the directory?

Nope! Searching is always free. Start your search here.

Who uses the directory?

The directory is a specialized search engine intended for use by consumers: buyers, thrifters, casual shoppers and supporters of the secondhand/circular economy. Vendors also use the directory to browse for collaboration and partnership opportunities.

Is it free or do I have to pay to be listed in the directory?

It is free to add your basic business details, get listed in a couple of categories and perform basic functions of the site, including viewing and posting to our vendor-to-vendor classifieds. 

If you want to be listed in additional categories or access a range of other features including logos, unlimited categories and events, more classifieds, responding to customer inquiries, etc. — upgrade to our Insider plan.

We understand small businesses have limited budgets, but encourage you to consider the value of marketing your shop or service beyond organic reach. 

Who can list in the directory?

The following types of businesses can list in the Shop Secondhand Directory:

Vintage, antiques, consignment, thrift, pre-loved or resale shops and individual resellers selling offline in stores, markets, malls, etc., or online in marketplaces, apps, social media, websites, etc. These sellers should be limited to fashion/accessories, decor, furniture, collectibles, toys and games, antiquities, art and antiques, etc.

Antiques malls, collective spaces and other multi-vendor establishments that house secondhand vendors.

Markets, shows and other secondhand-related events.

Any business or individual involved in the acquisition, ongoing maintenance of, sale or downsizing of secondhand goods, even if not a reseller (e.g. auction houses, tailors, upholsterers, estate sale companies, liquidators, rental companies, organizers, app platforms etc.)

If you add your business and it is not related to the sector outlined above, your listing will be removed at the earliest opportunity and you will not be notified.

How do I list my shop or service?

Become a member of The Vintage Seeker on any vendor plan (including free) and follow the instructions in your Account Dashboard to set up your listing. 

For detailed step-by-step instructions, there are videos and written documentation in the Help section under Set Up Your Listing Guides once you are logged into your directory dashboard.

How much does it cost to list my business on the directory?

You can list for free! Upgraded listings get lots of extra features including logo, cover photo, unlimited categories and events, more descriptions, etc.

Pricing is $100/year for Insider, and you get all the other benefits from The Vintage Seeker when you sign up, not just the directory listing.

How do I promote my markets, events or pop-ups through the directory?

If you have an active listing, you can promote your markets or online events right through your dashboard on the Shop Secondhand Directory site.

If you haven’t set up your directory listing yet but you are a member of The Vintage Seeker, look for information in your Account Dashboard. For more on this, skip to the Events section.

Why is my business not already listed in the Shop Secondhand Directory?

We add shops and services on an ongoing basis, but there are thousands upon thousands of businesses related to the secondhand space. It’s not personal — we just haven’t gotten to yours yet! 

In fact, you can and should add your business yourself! It will speed up the process, as it may be some time before we discover your shop ourselves. That way, you can get in front of people using the site to search faster. 

You can sign up for free, but if you want to be listed in more categories and access more features so people can find your shop or service easier, sign up for an Insider plan on The Vintage Seeker and follow the steps in your dashboard to get set up.

What does a featured listing in the directory get me?

A lot, starting with higher priority in search results, logo and more categories! View the full rundown of features here. You can sign up on that link, or via our signup page, and either way, you'll get all the benefits of membership.

Why would I want my shop or service to be listed on a directory among so many “competitors”?

Listing in the directory and getting your shop or service seen is for your business. It has nothing to do with anyone else's business, or the number of businesses alongside you. 

If a shopper uses the directory to create a list of 20 local vendors who specialize in what you do, then you'd probably want to be included on that list. Listing your business ensures you will be. 

And a well-filled out profile will catch attention on that list!

Listing is a way to try to find new customers, something that all business owners are challenged with. If we want more people to shop secondhand, vintage and antiques and to support your business, we need to enable them to do so by ensuring they can discover you.

Do people use directories anymore? Wouldn’t they just search on Google or use AI?

They do use directories, especially in niche industries. Have you ever tried to search for vintage decor in your local area using a search engine? You’ll get results of course, but they’ll be limited to a map of bricks-and-mortar stores, and maybe a couple Instagram pages and “top 5 vintage decor spots in [city]” that have good-ranking keywords. 

But there are many more businesses out there that consumers aren’t seeing. They're online, they're hiding in antique malls, they're popping up in temporary locations. And for a consumer that loves the hunt like a secondhand shopper? Give them the best chance to find your shop or service. 

There are countless small businesses in the vintage, antiques and resale space that a) have little to no web presence b) have limited budgets to make their own high-powered SEO websites and c) operate mainly on marketplaces, in antique malls and/or on social media and are hard for consumers to find. 

AI retrieves its information from websites like online directories and blogs. So whether a user is using the Shop Secondhand Directory website itself to find your listing, or they're using an AI platform that is crawling the information on the directory and then spitting it out to them, your business gets seen. 

AI scrapes information from many sources, and some are inaccurate. We strive to provide reliable information. When you post a listing for your business, you control what information is posted.

The Shop Secondhand Directory is a hub for people who want to shop this way. They can favourite businesses, contact shops and services directly, and link out directly to your websites, online marketplaces and social media pages.

I’m so tired of marketing my business. It doesn’t seem to do anything. How is the directory different?

Being a small business owner is a lot of work. Many small business owners rely solely on social media marketing, which, while an important way to reach people, can be high-effort, low-reward. 

Social media isn’t always the go-to when people are looking for something specific. Eighty-five per cent of people prefer a search engine instead of social media in those cases, according to a study by HubSpot. 

With a little effort to initially set up your listing, the Shop Secondhand Directory allows you to be discovered on an ongoing basis by an audience of people who are specifically searching for all things secondhand, either via traditional search engines or directly on this website. 

It is up to you how often you update and/or promote your listing, but it’s a fairly passive form of marketing for your business and doesn't require a lot of upkeep.

For more information on what makes this a worthy marketing effort, see our article Why you should list your business on the Shop Secondhand Directory.

I have more questions about the directory. Who can I contact?

Good, we have tons more answers on the Directory FAQ page. Check them out and if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to contact us

Events

How do I search for events?

Head to our Events Search to find events by keyword, location or date range, or a combination of all. You can also sort events by list, grid, or by map. 

I went to an event and it's been cancelled.

Every event listing contains a disclaimer that you should verify details directly with the event before attending.

Always check their website or social media directly for the most up-to-date information.

The Shop Secondhand Directory and its event calendar is a public service and not affiliated with event organizers. Businesses are responsible to update or delete their events if they've been postponed or cancelled.

How do I submit my event to your calendar?

Register your shop, service, market, show etc. on the Shop Secondhand Directory for a free account or login to your existing one to submit events.

More detailed instructions are available when you’re logged in.

Is it free to post events?

Yes, you can post events for free — just register for a free account on the Shop Secondhand Directory. From there, you can add events to your post.

Your plan determines how many events per year you can post. Insiders can post unlimited events.

Using our event listings is a marketing opportunity for your business and we encourage you to update the events on your profile regularly.

Where do my events show up?

When you post an event, it appears on your business's listing profile under a tab called Events. It will also get crawled by external search engines.

Your event will also be added to our main Events Search within 72 hours if it's not duplicating another event already posted.

Will you post events for me?

We occasionally post events to our main Events Search as we come across them, but the volume of events in this space is very high and we only add a fraction. Please do not count on us to add your event.

The best way to get your event seen by users of the Shop Secondhand Directory and external search engines is to add it yourself with a free account (details on that above). Event listings are a marketing opportunity for your business, so take advantage of them!

What kinds of events can I post?

We currently have categories for Auctions, Classes & Workshops, Markets & Shows, Pop-Ups and In-Store Events (can be used for sip & shops, grand openings, etc.). Events must be related to the secondhand, antiques, vintage or pre-loved space. 

If you are vending at a non-secondhand market (i.e. a craft or artisan market), you may add it to your profile. We'll determine on a case-by-case basis if these types of events are a fit to appear on our main Events Search, which is generally reserved for secondhand-specific events to be most relevant to our users. 

I have more questions about posting events. Who can I contact?

Great, we have tons more answers on the Directory FAQ page. Check them out and if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to contact us

Account Management

How do I create an account on The Vintage Seeker?

Choose a plan to create your account. It only takes a minute! Sign up via The Vintage Seeker (or the Shop Secondhand Directory), and your benefits will extend across both sites. All the information you need will be in your Account Dashboard when you're logged in.

Do I need an account to read articles or access resources?

Much of our content is available to everyone, but some of our guides, insider tips and community features are reserved for Insiders. Sign up to ensure you get full access.

How do I log into my account?

You can log into your account here, by clicking the "Login" button at the top right corner of our homepage, or in the menu on mobile. Enter your email address and password, and you'll be directed to your Account Dashboard.

I forgot my password. How can I reset it?

No worries! Just click "Forgot Password" on the login page, enter your email address and we'll send you a link to reset your password.

I’m having trouble logging in. What should I do?

If you’re experiencing issues logging in, try resetting your password first, then clearing your browser cache if that doesn’t work. Still stuck? Feel free to reach out to us and we’ll help you out as soon as possible.

Can I switch my account plan?

Yes! You can upgrade or downgrade your account anytime from your Account Dashboard when you are logged in. Navigate to Plans in your account menu and select a new one, or email us for assistance.

How do I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel anytime through your Account Dashboard. Go to Billing and then click Cancel Subscription. You’ll continue to have access until the end of your billing period. If you do not see Cancel Subscription in your Account Dashboard, feel free to email us to cancel.

Subscriptions remain in effect until the end of the billing period, so you won’t lose access until your next billing date.

How do I update my email address or other personal information?

Log in to your account and tap Profile in your account menu. From there, you can update your email and name.

How do I manage my subscription settings (billing, renewal, etc.)?

Billing settings can be accessed under Billing in your Account Dashboard when you're logged in. You’ll be able to update payment methods, view your renewal date or make changes to your plan. If you don't see these options, email us and we can help you out.

How can I change my email preferences or unsubscribe from newsletters?

As a member, you receive email from us to stay in the loop. Choose what you receive at the bottom of any email by clicking “Update Preferences.”

You can also unsubscribe at the bottom of any email (note that if you unsubscribe from emails altogether, you may miss out on elements of your membership).

Unsubscribing from emails does not cancel a subscription; the subscription needs to be cancelled through your account dashboard or by emailing us.

Where can I view my billing history or download invoices?

Your billing history and downloadable invoices are available in the Billing section of your Account. If you need assistance, contact us directly.

Can I delete my account? What happens to my data if I do?

Yes, you can request a full account deletion by contacting us. Once deleted, all your data will be permanently removed from our system in accordance with our privacy policy.

Pricing

Is an account free or paid? Are there different tiers?

We offer free accounts for buyers and sellers as well as a paid plan for vendors. Free members get access to selected content, while Insiders enjoy more access, workshop replays and a featured directory listing. For a full rundown, click here.

How much does it cost to join The Vintage Seeker?

Insiders can join The Vintage Seeker for $100/year. That gives you access to our exclusive resources and a featured listing on the Shop Secondhand Directory with unlimited categories and events.

Prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD). Subscriptions are open internationally. Your credit card will convert to your local currency for you. For our U.S. friends, the exchange rate works well in your favour — you pay less in your local currency.

How does my membership support the vintage, antiques & secondhand community? How is my money used?

The Vintage Seeker is an independent publisher that relies on the support of its members to maintain and promote its website and directory and produce occasional advocacy for buyers and sellers. Most of those resources are free.

Your support helps us maintain this space, which provides tools to small vintage and secondhand businesses, sellers, services and markets. 

When vendors thrive, the whole ecosystem gets stronger (and the finds get even better for buyers!)

Fees help cover platform costs, resources, marketing, and tech upgrades to keep things functional for the entire secondhand-loving community.

Is there a monthly option?

No. Insider plans are available annual only.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards. Payments are processed through our secure checkout provider, Stripe. If you do not have access to a credit card but are interested in joining as a paid member, contact us.

How do I update my payment information?

Log in to your Account Dashboard, click Billing and change it there.

What’s the refund policy?

We are confident that you will find great value in our content and directory. Because digital products grant immediate access upon purchase, we cannot offer refunds.

However, you may cancel your subscription at any time through your Account Dashboard and you will not be charged for the next billing period.

The Vintage Seeker reserves the right to remove any bad actors and refund their payment.

Advertising & Partnerships

What advertising opportunties are available from The Vintage Seeker?

We offer a variety of ways to advertise your business or event, including display advertising on the Shop Secondhand Directory, emails and packages, as well as sponsored blog posts and social media.

Download our media kit to learn more.

Do you accept guest posts, brand partnerships, collaborations, Instagram takeovers, sponsored content, etc.?

Yes! We would love to chat to you about this further. Visit our Advertise With Us page to download our media kit, our Work With Us page to get ideas, or email us to find out about ways we can work together.

Do you have a media/brand kit or rate card?

Yes! Submit a request for an immediate download of our media kit and we will be in touch!

Do you have opportunities for guest experts, speakers or presenters?

Yes! Visit our Work With Us page for more information.

Pitches & Submissions

What types of vintage and resale businesses do you feature?

We are now focused largely on advocacy for buyers and sellers, expert insight and ongoing resources that help buyers and sellers better understand each other.

We no longer profile individual businesses, but we are always looking for topics important to buyers and sellers, expert insight and guest contributions focused on advocacy and insight.

Generally, we are focused on vintage, antiques, consignment, thrift, pre-loved or resale shops and individual resellers/dealers selling offline in stores, markets, malls, etc., or online in marketplaces, apps, social media, websites, etc. These sellers are limited to “lifestyle resale”: home decor, fashion/clothing, jewellery/accessories, furniture, ephemera, glassware, art and antiques, toys and collectibles, etc.

We also love to hear from antiques malls, collective spaces and other multi-vendor establishments that house secondhand vendors, as well as markets, shows and other secondhand-related events.

Businesses or individuals involved in the acquisition, ongoing maintenance of or downsizing of secondhand goods, even if not a reseller (e.g. auction houses, tailors, upholsterers, estate sale companies, liquidators, rental companies, organizers, etc.) are also part of our scope.

New or established companies, online-only or bricks-and-mortar businesses, “modern” vintage or “traditional” antiques shops are all welcome to get in touch.

Is there a cost to having my business featured?

We no longer produce profiles on businesses, but rather occasional resources and advocacy work. There is not a cost to being featured if you are called upon for an interview or to provide expert insight.

We publish resources based on a range of factors including reader need, demographics, geography and newsworthiness. Our lists and articles are “editor’s picks,” so not every business will be featured in a post like “5 Vintage Clothing Stores in Vancouver.”

Coverage is not guaranteed. We cannot cover everything we are pitched.

 

If you are interested in partnerships, collaborations or sponsored content, please see the Advertising & Partnerships section on this page.

Do you accept story pitches, news, ideas, event submissions and guest posts from vintage shops/resellers/consumers?

We are always seeking additional resources to add to our site. Email us if you have a vintage-, antiques-, thrift- or resale-related issue you think we should know about, if you have questions or topics you think should be covered, or if you have questions about guest posting.

If you have an event to submit, please use our calendar on the Shop Secondhand Directory. Here's how to submit.

Do you hire freelance writers or photographers?

The Vintage Seeker is a startup and we have a very limited budget. We rarely hire freelance writers as of late 2025, but feel free to contact us. Photos are either taken in-house, sourced from social media or stock sites, or used with permission.

Email us to introduce yourself, request our submission guidelines or to send a pitch. Pitches should explain why your resource idea is relevant to our audience of sellers and shoppers.

What are your writing guidelines?

The Vintage Seeker’s coverage is focused on advocacy, insight and resources for the vintage vendors, antiques dealers, resellers, service providers, shoppers and supporters who comprise the independent resale sector.

Our content is either buyer- or seller-facing, or both (they’re often the same person)!

We create consumer-friendly, educational content that highlights the industry, and we build resources to help sellers grow sustainable businesses.

If you’re a writer or business owner who is considering a pitch and you want more information on topics, timelines, specs and process, email us to request our full submission guidelines.

What are the guidelines to send in information about my business?

Email us a few sentences about your topic, idea, business, news or event and what makes it unique or interesting, as well as your social media handles and website. 

If your pitch is accepted and we proceed to compile a resource or include you in a list, we will need access to images that fit our editorial style.

For images in a multi-source resource, preference will be given to vendors who provide clear product images with good lighting, or styled vignettes. A great way to understand our style is to spend some time on the website or our Instagram feed.

If you’re being featured as part of a Q&A or article and haven’t sent images, we will send you image request guidelines.

Am I guaranteed to be published if I send in information on my business?

Coverage is not guaranteed. While we want to help bolster the community as much as possible, we cannot cover everything we are pitched. We provide a curated selection of resource for our audience, and consider tone, style, image quality, newsworthiness and reader need. We also ensure that our content aligns with our mandate to provide resources, advocacy and insight.

If you are interested in sponsored content and advertising opportunities where you are guaranteed coverage for your business, see the Advertising & Partnerships section on this page.

When can I expect to receive a reply to my submission idea?

Feel free to follow up two weeks after your initial email if you haven’t received a reply.

Do you feature international businesses?

We feature vendors from anywhere on the Shop Secondhand Directory. For our ongoing resources on The Vintage Seeker's website, we are currently focused on topics that affect vendors and buyers in North America (Canada and the U.S.), but we do sometimes feature international shops and sellers as part of our work.

Please email us for more information or to introduce yourself.

General

Do you offer 1:1 services?

Yes, we offer shop consultations, editorial consultations and custom publishing!

Shop Consultations

This session is ideal for shop owners or decision-making staff in the resale sector at any stage of their shop who are looking for advice, feedback, inspiration and a value-packed deep-dive on their brand. Book a consultation through our Services page.

Editorial Project Consultations

Planning a project for vintage and resale or another sector and need to get it off the ground? Sit down for an hour with an award-winning media professional who knows what it takes to make great content. Book a consultation through our Services page.

Custom Publishing

If you want to produce digital or print materials such as newsletters, digital or print guides, brochures, blog posts or special publications and require an experienced editor and project manager, we're happy to chat. Book an intro call through our Services page to discuss your project.

Who owns the Shop Secondhand Directory and The Vintage Seeker?

The contributions and guidance of our audience informs the direction of the Shop Secondhand Directory and The Vintage Seeker. The Vintage Sellers Community no longer exists, but our past workshops are available to Insider members.

The Shop Secondhand Directory is owned and managed by The Vintage Seeker, an online resource that helps vintage, antiques and secondhand vendors and associated service providers reach shoppers.

Founder, publisher and vintage lover Kristina Urquhart has nearly 20 years of experience in media publishing and creating niche content for industries.

Who can I contact for media inquiries?

Quick quotes or deep industry insight — no matter what you need, Kristina Urquhart, publisher of The Vintage Seeker, is available for media interviews or as a guest speaker.

She has provided commentary on the vintage and resale market to outlets including the CBC, Global News, CityNews, TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin, Saltwire and VITA Daily, as well as on industry podcasts, social media lives and webinars for niche groups.

For press inquiries, or for a copy of our media kit, email partnerships@thevintageseeker.ca.

Is the The Vintage Seeker managed by a seller?

No. Kristina Urquhart is an editor and B2B publishing professional who compiles information, offers expert insight as an advocate for the industry, and programs member-to-member content. She is also a business journalist and communicator who helps vendors communicate with shoppers.

She is an avid vintage and secondhand buyer, and supports the small, local, independent businesses of resellers more than she thrifts.

I have more questions not answered on this page. Who can I contact?

We're here for you! If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to contact us