Empty Perfume Bottles: Where To Sell Them?

where to sell empty perfume bottles

Empty perfume bottles can be sold on various online platforms such as eBay and Etsy. Some people have started collecting pretty glass bottles, and rare or vintage perfume bottles can fetch high prices. Common selling prices range from £2 to £8, but more extravagant pieces can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Before selling, bottles can be transformed into decorations or ornaments, filled with broken jewellery, beads, coloured sand, or shells. Alternatively, they can be used to make candles or suncatchers. It is important to note that decorated Chanel bottles cannot be sold due to copyright issues.

Characteristics Values
Online platforms eBay, Etsy
Price range £2-£8, $0.50-$20, $278, $2500+
Vintage Sells well
Chanel bottles Can't be sold if decorated
Upcycling Can be used to make candles, decorations, ornaments, etc.

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Selling empty perfume bottles on Etsy

Before selling your empty perfume bottles, ensure that they are clean. You can wash them with soap and water or rinse them with alcohol. You can then upcycle them into decorative products, such as filling them with broken jewellery, odd beads, coloured sand, shells, paper flakes, or sprinkles of glitter. You could also make candles inside the bottles or turn them into suncatchers by stringing them along a length of wood with smaller pieces of glass, shells, beads, or jewellery. These decorative pieces can be sold at craft stalls or online on Etsy.

When selling empty perfume bottles on Etsy, it is important to note that you cannot sell decorated Chanel bottles, even if you remove the labels, due to copyright issues. However, you can sell empty Chanel bottles without any decorations.

Some of the bestselling empty perfume bottles on Etsy include engraved bottles, mini bottles with keychain pendants, and roller bottles with crystal healing elements. You can also sell empty perfume atomizers and spray bottles, which are popular for travel and essential oil blends. Offering free shipping on your listings may also be beneficial, as many shops on Etsy provide this option.

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Selling empty perfume bottles on eBay

EBay is one of the most popular options for selling empty perfume bottles. The online auction site allows you to list your bottles for sale and reach a wide range of potential buyers. To get started, create an eBay account and follow the steps to list your items. Take clear and attractive photos of the bottles and provide detailed descriptions, including any notable features or history. Set a competitive price, considering the condition and rarity of the bottles. You can choose to sell your bottles through an auction-style listing or at a fixed price.

When selling empty perfume bottles on eBay, it's important to ensure that your bottles are clean and presentable. Wash them with soap and water or rinse them with alcohol to remove any residue or odours. Consider the unique features of your bottles, such as their shape, colour, or any decorative details, as these can enhance their appeal to potential buyers. Some buyers may be collectors or enthusiasts specifically seeking rare or vintage bottles to add to their collection. Others may be crafters or decorators looking for unique items to upcycle or repurpose.

To increase the visibility of your listings, use relevant keywords and tags in your descriptions. Include terms like "vintage," "collectible," or "upcycling" to attract the right audience. Additionally, consider offering multiple shipping options, such as standard and expedited delivery, to cater to different buyer preferences. When packaging your bottles for shipping, ensure they are securely wrapped and protected to avoid any damage during transit.

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Upcycling empty perfume bottles

Empty perfume bottles can be upcycled in a variety of ways. From decorative ornaments to practical household items, there are many ways to extend the life of your treasured collection.

A simple way to upcycle your empty perfume bottle is to turn it into a flower vase. This is a great way to add a touch of elegance to any room, and it can be used to display a handful of wildflowers or a single magnolia in your kitchen or bedroom. If you have a larger bottle, you can fill it with real flowers for a never-ending feminine glow in your room.

Another option is to fill your empty perfume bottles with coloured water and place them on a tiered dish, mirror, or other perfume display to showcase your collection. You can also use them as decorative storage containers by filling them with small items like beads, bath salts, or spices. Perfume bottles can also be used as unique candle holders. All you need to do is remove the top elements of the bottle and replace them with a long candlestick.

If you're feeling creative, you can try making your own perfume or room spray using a DIY recipe and filling your empty bottle with the new scent. You can also turn your bottle into a reed diffuser by filling it with almond oil, adding a few drops of your favourite essential oils or oil blends, and placing some reeds or bamboo skewers inside to spread the fragrance throughout your home.

For a magical glow, insert a string of fairy lights into your empty bottle. This easy DIY project will add a unique touch to any room. Alternatively, fill the bottle with flakes of paper or sprinkles of glitter to create a long-lasting decoration that is much less demanding to make than scented candles.

You can also sell your upcycled creations on online marketplaces like Facebook, Craigslist, or auction sites like eBay. Rare or ornate bottles can often sell for prices up to $100, and a crafter's site like Etsy is a great place to market your creations to buyers looking for repurposed materials.

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Vintage empty perfume bottles

Selling vintage empty perfume bottles can be a great way to make some extra pocket money. There are several ways to go about it, and it's important to consider the time and effort you want to put into preparing the bottles for sale and finding buyers. Here are some options to consider:

Online Marketplaces

Selling your vintage empty perfume bottles on online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy is a convenient option. Amazon offers a wide range of products and fast delivery services, while eBay is known for its auction-based listings. Etsy specializes in handmade, vintage, and unique items, attracting buyers interested in personalized products. These platforms provide a broad reach and allow you to set your prices, but you'll also need to consider shipping costs and potential competition from other sellers.

Craft Fairs and Stalls

If you enjoy crafting, you can upcycle your vintage empty perfume bottles into decorative items and sell them at craft fairs or stalls. You can fill the bottles with broken jewellery, beads, coloured sand, shells, or paper flakes to create unique ornaments. Adding a personal touch to the bottles can make them more appealing to buyers and potentially increase their value.

Auction Houses

Auction houses can be a great option for selling vintage empty perfume bottles, especially if you have rare or antique pieces. Regional auction houses that specialize in antiques and have a wider reach tend to attract more buyers and can help you fetch better prices. The International Perfume Bottle Association suggests looking into yearly auctions, such as the Perfume Bottles Auction by Ken Leach, for top-tier bottles and vanity items.

Estate Sales and Consignment Shops

Estate sale companies and consignment shops are other avenues to consider for middle-tier and lower-end vintage empty perfume bottles. Estate sale companies typically charge a commission based on a percentage of gross sales, which can be around 35-50%. Consignment shops may reduce prices if items don't sell within a certain timeframe. While these options may not yield the highest profits, they can still provide a platform for selling your bottles.

Direct-to-Dealer Sales

If you have a collection of vintage empty perfume bottles, you can create a flyer listing the items for sale at dealer prices. You can then distribute these flyers to antiques mall dealers or IPBA members who deal with perfume bottles and vanity items. This approach allows you to cut out the middleman and sell directly to interested dealers.

Remember, when selling vintage empty perfume bottles, presentation and rarity can impact the price. Cleaning the bottles with soap and water or rinsing them with alcohol can make them more appealing to potential buyers. Additionally, rare or vintage bottles tend to sell for higher prices, sometimes reaching hundreds of pounds. With a bit of research and effort, you can find the right avenue to sell your vintage empty perfume bottles successfully.

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Making your own perfume in an old bottle

Empty perfume bottles can be sold on sites like eBay, Etsy, and specialist perfume sites. Some rare or vintage perfume bottles can sell for high prices, while common selling prices lie between £2 and £8. You can also upcycle empty perfume bottles into decorations or ornaments and sell them at craft stalls.

Now, if you want to make your own perfume in an old bottle, here's a step-by-step guide:

Choose your notes

The scent of a perfume is made up of chords, with each chord consisting of a base note, a middle or heart note, and a top or head note. The base note is the scent that lasts the longest and is usually something like vanilla, patchouli, vetiver, frankincense, cedarwood, or sandalwood. The middle note comes through after the top note disappears and can be coriander, palmarosa, marjoram, basil, rosemary, rose geranium, petitgrain, or lavender. The top note is the initial scent when you first put on the perfume, and it evaporates quickly. Examples of top notes include lemon, orange, grapefruit, lime, bergamot, spearmint, and peppermint.

Purchase your ingredients

Buy your chosen notes in the form of essential oils, fragrance oils, infused oils, or even flavour extracts (make sure they're pure). You will also need a carrier oil such as jojoba or sweet almond oil, and a good quality perfumer's alcohol.

Prepare your bottle

Sterilize your old bottle in the dishwasher, especially if you're reusing it, to ensure it's clean and sterile. If you're using a clear bottle, cover it with aluminium foil or wrapping paper to protect the fragrance from the light.

Mix your perfume

When mixing your perfume, start by adding your base notes, then middle notes, and finally your top notes. Adding scents from neighbouring families creates harmony in your perfume. Be very precise with your measurements, as adding too much of one ingredient can ruin your mixture.

Bottle your perfume

Once you're happy with your mixture, carefully pour your perfume into your prepared bottle using a funnel if needed.

Age your perfume

After bottling, your perfume will need time to age and for the scents to meld together. This can take a few weeks to a month, depending on the ingredients used.

Enjoy your creation

Once your perfume is ready, you can enjoy your unique, handmade scent. Don't forget to label your bottle and include a "born-on" date so you know when it was made!

Frequently asked questions

You can sell empty perfume bottles on eBay, Etsy, or craft stalls.

Common selling prices lie between £2 and £8, but the more extravagant pieces can sell for hundreds of pounds.

Vintage and miniature perfume bottles are more valuable and collectible.

You can fill the bottles with broken jewellery, odd beads, coloured sand, shells, paper flakes, or sprinkles of glitter.

Chanel prohibits the sale of decorated Chanel bottles, even if the labels are removed.

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