A few things.....

The Hermes belt was received by the gal who bought it! Thank goodness! Once again - Melanie in Canada is a doll! It is a mystery as to how this happened - I guess it will remain a mystery - at least it all worked out in the end. The gal who received it was very understanding and seems to be happy with her purchase - all's well that end's well!

Bought a fabulous blush - although they call it "Palette Mauresque for the Complexion" - an original interpretation of the bronzing powder to give all skin types a sunny gllow or to enhance an already tanned complextion.

It's gorgeous to look at and even better to use. The corners have a shimmer that really adds a nice sparkle!

My daugher calls me the "PRODUCT QUEEN" - it's true - I just love this stuff!

But I do think that this is one thing you might really love!
ENJOY!

I think that this is really one of the most wonderful products I've ever bought! I'm crazy - I know - but what fun!

Moving on to other things

In regard to the list of make up products - I would like to add one that has been terrific.

One day in Bloomingdales, my mother-in-law was purchasing some of the Yves Saint Laurent moisturizers that I use - while the young woman was helping her - one of the other sales people was talking to me. I'm such an easy sell - doesn't take much to convince me to try something.

He suggested that I buy the Yves Saint Laurent Les Experts Eye Definer Brush - oh right, another brush - just what I didn't need. I have so many now - Trish, Bobbi, Laura Mercier, etc. I do have my favorites - the others stay in another container hoping to be used......I really did not need another brush.

Of course he convinced me and along with another shadow I bought it.

What can I say - it is now my most favorite brush of them all.

I really recommend it - it's the BEST! I use it in the corners to blend, apply the darker colors that I like - it's such a great brush.

I worked hard to find it online for you - and I think that is the best price available.

I thank the salesman at Bloomingdales, he really gave me great advice. Hope you like it as much as I do.

M & M

I just heard from Mikkel....

Yes I just read your blog, it is a true mystery how the belt can end up in Canada, but I am truly glad that it is now on its way to Europe. Thank you very much for being so informing and give my best to the women in Canada for her great help.

So that is a good thing - Melanie, of course has just been the best. Although so many of my ebayers are great - I don't know how many would have gone to the trouble she has to make this right. Mikkel has also been very nice - understanding about the whole thing.

I do hope that the mystery will eventually be solved - it is very strange.

The H Belt Saga continues..................

From Melanie in Canada......

Just a note to let you know your parcel has been posted. I actually went to the main post office this a.m. just in case the parcel might be processed sooner but believe it or not, it was closed until Tuesday. My next stop was the closest substation where even the postal worker seemed horrified to tell me that if I needed a signature it would be $68. When I told him that I was told $45. the day before, he replied that that was only for tracking and thus I settled for tracking and insurance and the quickest way possible. I got a copy of the invoice that I will mail to you as I find still find it hard to believe myself. The total came to $48.43 as there is also a surcharge for fuel. I am indeed sorry that this transaction has cost you so much Barbara. It goes beyond decency! I know from reading your blog about your rightful concern in getting items safely to their destination but I am only a buyer and have never objected to having things sent to me in the safest way possible. As I look at this from your side, each time you send something off you are at the mercy of someone on the receiving end being an honest buyer.

Incidentally, when I filled out the form with my return address and the address of the recipient, there was a space for her telephone number - when I mentioned that I did not know it, the postal worker said not to worry about it. I am hoping this information was valid and am wondering if you need the recipient's phone number when mailing overseas from USA.*

I have worked out the exchange on the $50. minus the 1.75 taken by PayPal and the cost of the envelope at roughly 1.50 without tax and I am now owing you about 2.50. I will use the send money feature on PayPal to reimburse you - small change from such a large amount sent - I was hoping it would be more.

I see that you have sent me something - truly you need a scolding - thank you and this was most unnecessary.

I found the tale of the woman truly amusing and could not imagine someone thinking the price should be lower. Somehow you manage to portray to me a lady of great wit and wisdom and common sense and obviously these characteristics shone forth in this instance. I also loved learning of your travels and buying forays and whenever I read your descriptions, I know you know what you are talking about.

Do you remember the blog about the lady who wanted the unusual and somewhat helmet-like hat - she was not young but wanted to wear that hat regardless of how it looked! I loved that story and hope she ended up wearing it. I myself am now a granny and though not quite able to picture myself in the third Reich-like hat, I salute her fun-loving spirit in doing so. I also salute your courage Barbara in dealing with the challenges and surprises that selling on ebay sends.

Remember to breathe deeply in times of stress!

M.


And my reply to her.....

I'm breathing deeply right now - it's my only choice! Yes, I guess I don't think often about the challenges of selling on ebay - but there are many. I enjoy it (most of the time) so much that I don't think of the challenges. Most of the time I just find difficult people somewhat entertaining. I mean - really - life is so short and there are so many terrible things going on all over the world that you have to appreciate the little things.

So people who become petty or mean - well, you have to feel sorry for them more than anything else. One of my ebayers received a really fabulous BANANA REPUBLIC brown leather jacket from me. $68! Soft beautiful leather - she emailed me to tell me that the middle button was broken and had she known she would not have bid so high! $68 for a jacket that was probably worn once, maybe twice! I told her that I obviously didn't see that the button was broken and that hopefully there was an extra inside the jacket.

Luckily there was and she emailed me back to tell me how annoyed she was that she had to waste her time taking it to be replaced.

OH BOY! Talk about taking a deep breath! I practically hyperventilated! I emailed her back and told her that I clearly understand how upset she must be but that she must look at this in the proper perspective. It was the day after that awful shooting and I was listening to the news as I was writing her the email. The sadness and the misery of all of these people - and she was upset because she had to take time to get the button replaced. I didn't hear from her again - but she did leave good feedback - so perhaps she got the message.

Overall though - people are grateful for the things that they are able to buy on my site and that is really what keeps me doing this. I love sending things all over the world, I love giving people the opportunity to get wonderful things that they would have trouble finding anyplace else - AND usually at really good prices.

Today I am going to be listing some fabulous pieces that someone gave me from Hermes! Sweaters and such - how wonderful is that?

I so appreciate that you took time from your day - good thing that other gal did not receive the belt by mistake - to help me out. I have not heard from the gal in Denmark at all. I have emailed her the details of the situation - but hopefully she will just be happy when she receives the belt. Perhaps with all of the shipping costs and the price she paid we could have bought one NEW from Hermes! Ah well, this belt is better now - it has a real story!

Enjoy your day - I must get busy listing things.

Barbara


*note - yes, a telephone number is always required - but I just put in my own!

HELP!

First - before I start this blog let me say that I have just been so BUSY! I don't know where the time goes - but it sure does disappear!
Second - the mix-up in the packages before I went to California got straightened out. Both parties couldn't have been nicer and each sent the right parcel to the right buyer! WHEW!

But now - read this:
I just sent this email to an ebayer who bought a wonderful Hermes belt from me....

Dear Mikkel
Believe me, this makes NO SENSE to me at all. But first let me say - DON'T WORRY - your belt is coming!

But this is the story:
You made your payment to PAYPAL for the Hermes belt on 5/10 - at that time I ordered the shipping label for you right through PAYPAL. They show the item as shipped on 5/11 (tell me, did you receive anything?)
Now you have to understand that I send out lots of things and nothing like this has ever happened before.

Today I got the following email from one of the wonderful people who buy things from me:

Hi Barbara, I fear an error has been made! I have just received what I believe to be this very item on my doorstep. It is destined for someone else and in error was sent to me. Looking at the item on your completed item page, I see the winning bidder was someone in Europe. I will need to know whether I should return this to you or whether I should forward it to the person who purchased it. I love to purchase from you and have done so many times and always have been so happy with your wonderful listings. Thus, I know this news will be upsetting for you as you are conscientious and do things so well. I will be happy to do whatever suits you best. I do have some concern as to my responsibility in ensuring that the item is sufficiently covered against loss and would need to get proof of delivery as I would become a third party in this transaction. I look forward to hearing from you after you have had a chance to take a deep breath! Melanie

Really I am lucky that I do business with such nice people.

Now, how did this great belt that you purchased wind up in Canada on her doorstep. I can't imagine. I came home from work and have tried to figure it out. There would have been no label printed up for her on May 11th as she didn't buy anything within that time frame AND your label was purchased through PAYPAL - all of the information comes up without me having to put it in.

I can't figure it out. I'm totally stymied! Did you receive anything from me? I hope not....

In any event this terrific gal went to her post office in Canada today and tried to send it out to you immediately - how nice is she? But she didn't get there in time. At the end of the day I received this email from her:

Hi Barbara,
Unfortunately I was not able to beat the deadline and was still in line when the postal collector came to pick up the parcels. Do not scream when I tell you I am still in possession of this wayward parcel. I will take it back tomorrow morning but as there will be no pick-up until Tuesday and the difference in mailing costs is significant, I thought I should at least give you the option of a choice. There are two ways to mail this. The first will include insurance (up to $100.) and does include signature and is by Xpresspost taking 4-7 days with on time guarantee. This method costs $45.00 The second method is Air Parcel (small packet) and takes 6-10 days but does not have insurance nor signature. This method costs 7.90. The only method that can be insured and signed for is the first method. Because there is such a huge difference in postal costs I thought I should let you know so that you could give me your preference. Melanie

I have already asked her to send it via the first option - Xpresspost - for $45 (between what you paid and what I've paid - the shipping is over $65!). As you can see - she will get it out Tuesday morning and you should have it in 4-7 days.

Can you believe this?
I can't - it's a real mystery and I really can't figure it out.
Even if you did receive something from me - I mean what did I put the label that was ordered for you on? and where did this repeat label from something that I mailed to her on March 16th come from?

Most of all I hope that you will have the necessary patience to receive your wonderful HERMES belt and that you will have forgiveness for what seems to be a real puzzle!

I would love to hear from you.
I would love to know that you understand the situation and whether or not you did receive something from me.

Have a great weekend
THANKS in advance for your consideration and understanding

BARBARA
ilovemygirls3

and read my blog - as this will be my next one!!!!!!!!

OK - who can figure this one out? I truly can't! How did an exact label get printed on 5/11 for something that was already sent out on 3/16 to someone in Canada? AND - what happened to the label that I ordered up on 5/11 to Denmark through PAYPAL?

My luck - that mix-up before I left for California was the first ever in the almost 4 years I have been selling on ebay. I was actually happy when it happened because I had always worried about it happening and once it did - well, I didn't have to worry anymore - know what I mean?

BUT NOW THIS - I'm sitting here shaking my head - I just can't understand how it has happened.

Lucky me though - Melanie couldn't be nicer and I appreciate it so much. I will send her a little surprise for being sooooo nice. Believe me, this could be a much bigger mess than it is.

Well, I'm anxious to hear if the gal in Denmark did receive something else and how quickly it will take for the belt to get to her. I sent it out on the 11th and Melanie received it today (7 days - USPS says it should take 4-6 days) - perhaps I should ask for a refund - HA HA HA!

Of course you know that when I track the number that shows up for the label made out for Denmark I get no information. USPS tells me that there is no such number! I do love it!

Have a good weekend everyone and if anyone has any guesses - let me know.

It had to happen eventually - BUT the timing was SOO bad!

We never go anywhere - well, we did go on that cruise at Christmas - maybe things are picking up! But there we were, all ready to leave for California. I'm not good at these things - having to leave my dogs is really so hard for me! And packing - well, I just took everything! (well, almost everything - I managed to foget my computer!). Lucky for me I have the very BEST friend and neighbor and he express mailed it to me - so here it is now in my hot little hands!!!!! When I asked him where I had left it - he said under the list that said "what to pack" - figures! Of course that was my husband's list - I don't make such a list - I just take everything!

Anyway - I'm at the computer doing last minute things and I receive an email from someone telling me that she received two pairs of black Maria Rinaldi pants instead of the Citizens of Humanity jeans that she bought.

You know - I always worry about this - sometimes I'm printing 10-15 labels and sending out that many things at one time. I write what the item is that is being sent out on the label as it comes out of the computer. I make a list of items sold and check it as I pack things up- truly, I am careful - because I know that this can happen. Over 1000 items sent out and luck was with me until right before I'm leaving for California!

Sigh!

I emailed her right back and told her that I would straighten it out. I emailed the other gal and told her what happened. She was funny - she knew she got the wrong item - but thought that perhaps she made a mistake and bid on the wrong thing! Great team!

Both of these gals couldn't be nicer - truly. They both promised to send the other the right item. I refunded them each $15 to cover any shipping charges (actually I made a mistake and refunded the second gal her ENTIRE payment - think I was out of control at this point?) AND then I have to explain THAT to her!!! But she was great - refunded me back my money immediately and promised me that she would send out the parcel.

I'm really lucky - these gals were both so nice and understanding. Having the packages come back to me would not have worked - I won't be back home until May 7th and the last thing I would need would be having to straighten that out then. BECAUSE when I get home there will be a TON of things that will need to go out.

So I thank both of these gals - ebayers can be really great!

I always knew that something like that would happen eventually - I hope this is it for the next 1000 packages.

Having a really nice time in California. Palm Springs is HOT HOT HOT! But there are lots of people here and lots of things to do - we'll have a good time. I'm getting used to being away - I do miss my doggies though. When we walk around and I see people eating outside with their dogs or even just taking them for a walk - I miss them even more.