It's so interesting to me that the things that you might have in your closet - that you will never use again are going to be fabulous for someone else. That's what ebay is really all about to me. I bought a Louis Vuitton cell phone case years ago for my phone - I really enjoyed it - it was great because it connected to any handbag (inside or out) and just didn't wear out. You really have to use LV Monogram for years and years to actually wear it out (and then it still can go to someone else) - anyway - I bought that cell phone case (had to have it ordered for me at Saks Fifth Avenue) and used it and enjoyed it for a long time. It is still in fabulous condition but now I have an iPhone and of course it does not fit in the case. So here it is - my LV case that was sitting on the shelf in my closet. What to do? After all, I don't expect to ever use it again - I'm an Apple devotee and now that they do phones I would not expect to use anything else (it's a brilliant little piece of technical equipment). So I put the cell phone case on ebay - it has been bid on and 35 people are watching it. It really doesn't matter so much what it will sell for - the really good thing is that someone else someplace in the world will be so happy to buy it and receive it. Whoever it will be will put their cell phone in it - clip it on to their belt or their handbag and probably use it for years too. Isn't that great?
We all have things in our closets that we are finished with - we just don't need it or want it anymore - but someone out there - they can be anywhere - may want it - and to them it will be brand new and wonderful! I think that is a really great and interesting thing.
Look in your closet - sell it on ebay! or just pass it on to someone else - I think it's fabulous! Or get in touch with me and I will sell it for you!
I can’t remember exactly when I started loving clothing – but I do remember figuring out each morning just what I was going to wear to school that day. Even if it involved pulling out a pair of stockings from my mothers top drawer. When did she actually figure out what was happening to her dwindling supply? As angry as she would be over things I don’t remember her being angry about that. Perhaps I’ve blocked it out!
We didn’t have opaque tights in those days – just socks or stockings! And don’t forget the garters – Boy – I sound like someone’s grandmother! (and don’t I wish!!). In those days when you needed extra warmth my mother made me wear pants under my skirt – no pants to school remember! Nothing could be more embarrassing than that!
I remember throwing my hat on before I would round the corner home – if my mother saw me without my hat I’d be in BIG trouble.
But getting up and getting dressed for school always involved the same thought that I have every morning now (only now with a closet full of amazing clothing it’s much easier) – what to wear? I had some wonderful things in my closet that were gifts from my Aunt May. All of them from B. Altman & Co. Mohair sweaters, plaid skirts – how lucky was I. She bought me some of the best things that I had in my closet.
So a skirt, a blouse and a sweater (probably with knee socks) was the general choice. The only particular things that I still see in my minds eye are the things that were gifts from Auntie May.
I do remember my mother always dressing us up on Easter Sunday. Black and White houndstooth coat, white straw hat with ribbon, fancy dress, black patent Mary Jane’s (black patent is the THING of the moment right now), little white socks. So here we were – both of us, my sister and I all dressed up but no where to go! We were Jewish! What do we have to do with Easter! Why were we all dressed up? Then my mother would cry because we had nowhere to go!
Clothing was important to both of my parents – they always looked pretty wonderful. My mother was a beautiful woman and my father took great pride in her good looks. He was pretty natty himself. We weren’t rich by any means – but we always had to look a certain way. When my mom passed away it was very important to pick out just the right outfit for her very last trip – she looked beautiful and we felt good knowing we sent her off looking just the way she would like. Crazy? Perhaps – but it has always left me with a good feeling knowing that she would have been pleased.
Today is the best though – working in this store has given me access to clothing I would otherwise never be able to buy. I love the quality of wellmade clothing, the fabrics and the style. I love walking into my closet and always being able to put my hand on just the right thing.
So clothing it is – my biggest vice – and I have such a good time with it.
Find some wonderful things to wear today - check out my ebay site ilovemygirls3
I started selling on ebay just about four years ago. I would go into my closet and see all of the shoes/bags/clothing and just didn't know what to do with it all. After all, here I am working in this fabulous store and bringing home new things each season - there had to be a weeding out. My younger daughter had her first job after college at Kate Spade and between us we had as much stock as KATE SPADE! All of these beautiful things that just weren't going to be used anymore! What do you do with them?
So I decided to start selling on ebay. The very first item that I put up was a wonderful little jewelry case that I bought at one of the Kate Spade Sample Sales! I watched that sale from beginning to end with such excitement! It was really fun! Since then I have sold so many wonderful things to people all over the world.
Tonight I received this email........
Thank you very much for your helpful opinion. I am most grateful to you for it. Yes, I was delighted to see you have found time to continue your blog although I am not quite sure just how you manage to fit so much into your busy life. It is always a joy to read - informative, often with a great sense of humor and somehow filled with wisdom and common sense! I will keep watching for the wonderful things you list. You often mention that people give you terrific items to sell and you are right! From a buyer's point of view, you are a wonderful person to purchase from - everything one could hope for in an ebay transaction. I could give you a long list of superlatives but I will simply say "keep up the wonderful work you do Barbara"!
Now isn't that just the best?
That is really what makes it all worthwhile. I guess some people don't really care about clothing. I look around at some people and wonder if they bothered to look in the mirror that morning. Perhaps that makes me sound so shallow - is clothing all THAT important? To some of us YES - to some of NO - but no matter what - it doesn't excuse, in my opinion, people leaving the house in the morning looking like they just tumbled out of bed!
Lots of good things going up this week. I must get as much scheduled as possible on Sunday and Tuesday - the only days I will have this week for listing. It is so hard sometimes to find the time. The clothing is piling up - I hope that I can get lots scheduled.
I really hate the winter - I hate it because I do not like driving in the snow and on the ice! I'm petrified! Thank goodness the store is closed February and March - those awful cold and dreary months!
BUT I LOVE winter clothing! How can I ever move to a warm climate? Linen/cotton/lightweight clothing all of the time? No cashmere - no gabardine - it just can't be! No winter handbags - no fabulous boots! No, I'd rather have to hide on those really awful days than to wear summer weight clothing all year round.
It just doesn't hold up! Not to be able to wear a warm cashmere sweater under a really fabulous winter coat - the thought of it makes me cringe! Giving up all of my fabulous warm sweaters - impossible!
Happiness is when the nights start getting cooler in September - if you're lucky - you'll get a cool night in August too. Out come the lighter weight cashmeres - having been put away to hide from the moths in the summer - we can start bringing them out again. Ahhhh - my closet is filling with brand new winter clothing. Gorgeous pants and jackets from YOHJI, two ply cashmeres from Eskandar, interesting pants and skirts from Annette Goetz. Can't wait for the boots to come from TRIPPEN and we're still waiting for our shipment from RUNDHOLZ.
It's all too exciting! Sales on ebay are going up again - people are looking for new things - tired of summer clothing - ready for FALL!
So - the good thing about winter is the clothing. In another three weeks we start buying for next spring. The time just goes by so fast.
The seasons seem to come and go so quickly! May as well have fun dressing!
Check out my things for sale on my site ilovemygirls3
I received this comment from someone - I'm going to post it here though because otherwise too many of you won't see it - as it has been attached to a much earlier post.
I really understand this. As a buyer and a seller it's hard to know when to leave feedback and what to say. I have been on ebay since the 90's when things were a tad friendlier. People didn't jump to paypal (well, I don't think it was around) at the slightest provocation and we just emailed or called if there was a problem. We actually sent *gasp* cash through the mail!
I have gotten to be a seller that unfortunately, waits to leave feedback. I am not the sort of person that retaliates but I have to prevent buyers from giving me a neg without contacting me. I will always make it right, just give us sellers (with great feedback) a chance.
I had a situation where a woman purchased a vintage bag for 5 dollars, (yes really- 5 dollars) and negged me because the bag wasn't new. I couldn't have possibly known she didn't read the listing and I couldn't have fixed it because she didn't even contact me to let me know she was unhappy.
I hate making the buyer feel as if I am holding their feedback hostage but I also want the opportunity to work it out if there is an issue.
However, as a buyer, I really get understand how it feels to not be able to voice your thoughts. I have dealt with two sellers who really deserved a negative, I mean really deserved it. I purchased a pair of diamond earrings and got plastic studs in the package. I was eventually refunded but buy was it a struggle.
The second one flat out told me "don't look for ebay or paypal to help you, this isn't a tangible item"
Sellers like that are what make me wavier once in a while over ebay's policies.
So I guess, all in all, feedback is necessary but it is flawed, even with the new star system.
I completely understand and agree with everything she has said. The feedback system is good - but definitely FLAWED. I also do not leave feedback anymore until I have received it from the buyer and I see that when I leave feedback for someone who I bought something from - THEN they leave it for me.
That's what has happened to ebay's feedback system - sellers are actually AFRAID to leave feedback before they receive it from the buyer. AND I CAN'T BLAME THEM AT ALL! You never know what kind of crazy complaint someone may have. Luckily I have not had that problem (YET) - I can see how it can happen. Luckily people have always gotten in touch with me first - if they have any problem, or want to return something - and I have always taken something back if someone is unhappy.
I still cringe when I think about the seller who left me a negative - the only one that I have. He tried cheating me and then has the right to leave me negative feedback! What's wrong with this picture? I believe that there should be an opportunity for someone who has been cheated by someone - and then when that someone leaves the HONEST party a negative - that it should be removed. He left me negative because I left him negative. BUT I thought that was what the feedback system was all about - that's when I learned (the hard way) that you can't do that. So this creep will get away with cheating people. It was easy for ebay to see who the "bad guy" was in this situation - I had emails from him telling me to "try to get my money back from PAYPAL" and that he had no intention of sending me the item I won (a great CHANEL bag at a fabulous price). Ahhhh - time to move on - but the feedback system is good - but FAR FROM PERFECT!
Check out my items.............time to think about fall! Ebay items for ilovemygirls3
I know that it has been toooo long - sorry about that - a few things have happened including my just being so tired. I guess once you stop - it's hard to get started again.
But here I am - I've been busy with ebay, busy with work and I guess very busy with life! All good things!
We have been selling fall merchandise now for about four weeks - it's always so amazing (I guess) to talk into a store filled with cashmere/wool/winter coats/boots, etc. when it's over 90 degrees, hot and humid outside. Customers come in as hot as can be - look around at the cashmere and you'd think that it is just possible that they would PASS OUT!
We keep the air-conditioning on nice and high - and that helps quite a bit. They have to readjust to the temperatures and the season! And before you know it - they are quite able to buy themselves a nice winter coat - a warm cashmere sweater or yes, even a pair of fur lined winter boots! Love these women! They do what they have to do.
The clothing, as usual, is beautiful - lush cashmere, dreamy suede and leather - I do love it so much. Yesterday a favorite customer came in - just to look around - not to buy - just to check things out. The thing is though - if you don't buy it when you see it - it's usually gone in the next day or two. The clothing is truly special - we don't buy more than 1 in each side (usually) and so if you don't grab it when it's there - it goes home with someone else.
So she wound up with a fabulous rain jacket (on sale - half price) and a really wonderful pair of YOHJI pants! I felt bad - I felt that she really didn't want to buy anything and I hate to think that anyone thinks I'm pushing - it's the last thing that I want to do.......well, sometimes...........but certainly not with a favorite!
But the one thing that I know - she will love both pieces - the jacket was a great buy - a great color and a very useful piece. The pants, well, I have the same ones and can't wait for cooler weather so that I can wear them. That's right - I love summer - I hate the winter snow and ice - BUT DAMN - I do love the fall and winter clothing so much more than summer clothing. Yuck - linen (very nice) - cotton (OK) - but not to be compared to cashmere, gabardine, fur and leather!
Everyday that the new things comes in is like a holiday - I love the clothing. Even doing the buying - by the time it comes in (having ordered it six months earlier) - you forget and it's all new again.
My closet is bursting at the seams - must get in there to pull things out - get them on ebay and move them on to a home where they will be appreciated. Too many wonderful things.
Ahhhhh - good to be back! Lots of good things on my ebay site - check it out.....lots of great values! My items for sale on ebay........
