Excuse me, "How much are these cups?"

My husband Tom and I are so much alike, we both love shopping for deals, we both are neat freaks and we both love yard sales. So the story goes a couple of weeks ago we head out super early on a Saturday morning to scout out the yard sales. I of course am looking for anything I can resell, either at my resale shop or on eBay. My husband, well he’s just looking for expensive stuff dirt cheap. We come across a promising location where there was a lot of buzz, and tons of people shopping. Three women are running this show and they are selling of all things fake stuff…fake Louis Vuitton, fake Burberry, and fake Tiffany jewelry. Oh, excuse me, “designer inspired”. Yes, you can feel my frustration. I am bummed, but I’m nosy, so I move closer to inspect. The prices are around $20-$30 for, I repeat, FAKE STUFF!

That’s when I get the psst from my husband and he gives me The Look. He holds up an antique sugar and creamer set, all sterling silver and numbered. Now this is Tom’s department, he’s naturally drawn to antiques or anything collectible and he especially loves metal items. “They’re not priced”, he says. That’s him telling me to get the price and negotiate. Now after having just witnessed the feeding frenzy and ridiculous prices over FAKE STUF, I wonder how much they will charge for these items.

Having witnessed this scene many times before, I know they care more about what prices they will get for their fakes, rather than the really expensive stuff sitting right under their noses. I ask, “Excuse, but how much are these cups?” One of the women looks up from her table, shrugs her shoulders and says, “Oh I don’t know, 50 cents?”

JACKPOT!!!

What a find and an eBay disappointment averted! I bought this beautiful set and at a price that no one would argue is a steal. When we got home we did a little research and saw these same sets selling on eBay from $60 on up.

Isn’t it interesting the value people will assign to one thing, yet devalue another?

Lesley for Lil*bo*tique

Maternity 2 to 12

Being pregnant is not about being fat or feeling frumpy. It is a once in a lifetime event and though it won't seem like it, those 9 months go fast. So, how do you want to look? Well I've discovered I really like selling maternity clothes on eBay for two reasons. One, it's in demand right now. Two, I feel good providing a new to be mom with something she will probably wear every week. I'm providing her with those favorite jeans from the Gap, that retail for close to $80 and she buys from me for half price. It's a sweet deal!

I'm a firm believer that whether you are size 2 or a size 12 you too can look great while pregnant. Maternity clothes have come a long way in the last 15 years since I had my youngest so I find myself shopping for things I would wear "if I were pregnant".

I've noticed there is a very limited local market selling maternity clothes, they can be hard to find. I think that's why the online market is the rage, it saves the expectant mama the trouble of driving all around town, only to be discouraged when she finds something she loves and the retailer doesn't have her size in stock. Shop on eBay and your size is almost always in stock, and at the right shipping price you just can't go wrong!

Lesley for Lil*bo*tique :)

Downsizing or just plain ready to let go of stuff?

If you are downsizing or are finally ready to part with those favorite pair of designer jeans that you swore you would fit into by Memorial Day, then it's time to start the process of letting go. First ask yourself how much you think the item you have is worth, now be honest! Not just worth to you, but to someone else. The world of eBay is a very big place and maybe, just maybe there is someone out there who is looking for the item that you no longer need. It's a win-win situation, by turning that item into cash for yourself, and also passing that item along to someone who could really use it. It's environmentally friendly too, and that's a good thing!

Lesley for Lilbotique :)