Everything you need to know about shopping for antiques, collectibles, and vintage treasures on TIAS.
TIAS (The Internet Antique Shop) is the Internet's original marketplace for antiques, collectibles, and vintage treasures. Since 1995, we've connected collectors with trusted dealers offering hundreds of thousands of unique items across dozens of categories — from furniture and jewelry to art, memorabilia, and much more.
You can browse and buy items without an account — TIAS supports guest checkout. However, to view your order history, save items, or message sellers, you'll need to create a free account.
Click "Register" in the top navigation and select "Buy." You'll need to provide your name, email address, and create a password. After verifying your email, you're ready to start shopping.
Yes, buyer accounts are completely free. There are no membership fees or hidden charges for shopping on TIAS.
There are several ways to discover items on TIAS:
Yes! Click the heart icon on any item to add it to your Saves. You can view all your saved items anytime by clicking "Saves" in the top navigation. This is a great way to keep track of items you're considering.
Absolutely. Every listing and shop page has a "Contact Seller" button. Use it to ask questions about condition, dimensions, provenance, shipping, or anything else before making a purchase. Sellers are typically knowledgeable about their items and happy to provide additional details.
Yes. On any seller's shop page, click "Follow Shop" to follow them. You can view all the shops you follow from your account.
We accept all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. All payments are processed securely through our payment partner.
Absolutely. We use industry-standard encryption and secure payment processing to protect your information. Your full card details are never stored on our servers — they're handled entirely by our PCI-compliant payment processor.
Your payment method is charged when you complete checkout. The seller is then notified to prepare and ship your item.
Yes, you'll receive an email confirmation with your order details immediately after purchase. You can also view your order history anytime in your account under "Orders."
Shipping costs are calculated based on the item's size, weight, and your delivery location. You'll see the exact shipping cost at checkout before completing your purchase. Some sellers offer free shipping on certain items or orders over a specific amount.
Delivery times vary by seller and shipping method. Most items ship within 1–3 business days and arrive within 5–7 business days for standard shipping. Sellers are required to ship all orders within 10 business days of purchase.
International shipping availability varies by seller. Check the item listing or contact the seller to find out if they ship to your location.
Once your item ships, you'll receive an email with tracking information. You can also view tracking details in your account under "Orders." If tracking isn't available, contact the seller directly through your order page.
If your item arrives damaged, take photos of the damage and the packaging and contact the seller first through your order page. Most sellers will work with you to resolve the issue. If the seller is unable or unwilling to help, escalate to TIAS support and our team will step in to facilitate a fair resolution.
If there's an issue with your order — such as damage, an item not matching its description, or another problem — start by contacting the seller through your order page. Most issues can be resolved directly. If the seller is unable or unwilling to help, contact TIAS Support and our team will step in to facilitate a resolution.
After your item is delivered, you have a 2-day window to inspect it and confirm everything is as expected. If there's a problem, report it during this window for the fastest resolution. Issues reported after this window will still be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
If a refund is approved, it will be credited to your original payment method. Depending on your bank, it may take a few additional business days to appear in your account.
On TIAS, we follow the widely accepted definitions:
All items listed on TIAS must be at least 20 years old to qualify. Sellers provide year or era information on each listing to help you understand an item's age.
Our sellers are experienced dealers and collectors who specialize in their categories. Item listings include detailed descriptions, photos, and provenance information when available. If you have questions about authenticity, condition, or history, contact the seller directly — reputable dealers are happy to provide additional details and documentation.
If you receive an item that significantly differs from its listing description, contact the seller first through your order page. Most sellers will work with you to make it right. If the seller is unable or unwilling to resolve the issue, escalate to TIAS support and our team will step in to facilitate a fair resolution.
Absolutely. Before purchasing, use the "Contact Seller" button to request additional photos, measurements, condition details, or any other information you need to make an informed decision. Our sellers understand that buying antiques and collectibles sight-unseen requires trust, and most are happy to provide extra details.
Sellers describe each item's condition in the listing, noting any wear, repairs, or imperfections. Common condition terms include "excellent," "very good," "good," and "fair." Since vintage and antique items have lived previous lives, some wear is expected and often adds to their character. When in doubt, ask the seller for clarification.
Still have questions?
Our support team is here to help. Contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.