F.A.Q.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How old is vintage? How old is antique?
Here in the Vintage Kitchen, we qualify vintage as anything between 20-99 years old and antique as anything over 100 years old.
What is the difference between reproduction and vintage?
Reproductions are new modern-made items that look vintage or antique but contain no old elements or parts. We prefer authentic antique and vintage items, but every once in a while you may find a reproduction piece listed here. In that case, the word reproduction will be clearly stated in the item's description.
How frequently is new inventory added?
New items are added to the shop weekly! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for sneak peeks at new items coming to the shop. We also feature more in-depth history/storytelling of many shop items on our blog, which can be found here.
Can I have an item put on hold for me?
Absolutely! Items placed on hold require a 10% deposit at the time of hold request and must be purchased within 7 days. Please send a message to reserve your item.
Are all sales final?
Yes.
Do you offer gift wrapping services?
Yes! Please note that all our packages are sent out wrapped in paper and ribbon for pretty presentation. If you require additional packaging please let us know at the time of purchase.
Can I request a specific type of shipping service?
Absolutely! All items in the shop are setup to ship via priority mail with USPS (United States Postal Service) so that your treasures will arrive super fast. However, sometimes priority mail can be more expensive than other avenues. For example, all cookbooks can be mailed via media mail within the U.S. which costs about 3/4's less than priority mail but takes a few days longer to arrive. Also if you are buying in bulk we can ship items via flat rate which is less expensive for heavier packages.
If you have any questions about shipping or would like to explore less expensive mailing alternatives please send us a message with the item of interest and your zip code or postal code so that we can work out a custom mailing price for you.
How quickly will my order be shipped once I purchase an item?
Your order will be promptly packaged up and shipped out within 1-2 days of purchase unless otherwise noted. All packages ship from Middletown, CT 06457.
If my order arrives damaged in the mail, what should I do?
All items that leave the Vintage Kitchen shop are carefully packed to ensure safe arrival. However, sometimes boxes get tossed around during shipping and damage occurs. Please note, the Vintage Kitchen is no longer responsible for your item once it leaves the shop. If damage occurs while in transit please contact your local USPS post office to file a claim.
I have a vintage/antique collection I'm interested in selling. Do you buy items from private collectors?
This can be a tricky question to answer. Since so much of our content is story-driven, we are pretty particular about the types of items that we curate for the shop. However, if you have an item or two (or a bundle) that also has a great story behind it, please email us (link below) and be sure to include some photos of your collection. If we are interested in learning more, we will be in touch from there. We receive many phone calls each week and regretfully don't always have a chance to call everyone back in a timely fashion since we are also cooking, writing, gardening and curating for the shop and the blog. Email is definitely our most preferred way to communicate.
Do you accept donations of vintage items?
Yes! Now through December 1st, 2025, we will be accepting donations of vintage cookbooks (pre-1980s) for sale in the shop. The sale of those books will see 20% of gross proceeds donated to Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries and local meal programs dedicated to providing nutritious meals to food-insecure communities around the United States.
Our donation program ensures that vintage cookbooks and the valuable recipes and stories they contain will not be discarded in landfills, becoming tragic representatives of culinary history lost to time. Instead, these books will find the homes, hands and hearts of true collectors that will love, care for and appreciate them. If you are interested in participating in our donation program, please send us an email.