Ok, greedy selfish me!!! When you find a seller you like on ebay, especially who sells something of a limited quantity, do you share it with others? What if when you share it, someone else may bid against you? hehehe oh the stresses of bidding...

Well, I LOVE OnlinePaintings. OnlinePaintings has some of the coolest oil reproductions, done by art students, and some of the these pieces are really fantastic. Most of them go for less than $20. I also have them frame the pieces I buy (they have frames for sell on "buy it now", and they stretch and frame your art for you so that you don't have to worry about getting it done after you get it in the mail).

Since it comes from Israel, it's costs a little bit in shipping, but when all is said and done, these gorgeous, delightful oil art pieces are an amazing value, and they are not mere prints! Plus, they look great in my home, they look great in my office, people think I have style and I look tasteful for having good taste in art, and no one knows how darn affordable they are! I just can't think of a reason to buy prints any more.

They can also reproduce any artwork you like, and even vary the size to your preference, if you wish! =) One of the MANY reasons I LOVE EBAY!!!!

Let me know what you think of them, or if you buy one. I've told many of my non-ebaying friends, and I just think Online Paintings is pretty darn cool.
~WashragPig

I am frantically packing the many things I've purchased as gifts, balancing in my mind the iceskating we're going to do this afternoon, the little bit of work I have to get done before I can consider myself done for the day, the grocery shopping to stock the fridge, the last stop by the mall, the house that needs to be put in order, and the dinner at my parents tonight before the family comes over tomorrow. Too much!!!!

But I love Christmas, and I love Christmas Eve. I always promise myself I will get my ducks in a row better next year, and the truth is, I've done a far better job this year than the last (thank you ebay!!!)

Yet my husband doesn't seem so frantic... what's that I hear? He's going to the gym.

Mmmm, I have an idea. Let's trade! I'll go to the gym in his place (nothing like pumping iron, stretching those muscles, and doing a quick three miles on the treadmill) and he'll stay home and whip into shape all those things on my list. Think he'll accept the offer?
;)

This year's been a fantastic year. I am still shocked at how fast it flew by! I moved from one part of the country to another, changed the genre of my home from contemporary modern to mid century, and had a lot of fun utilizing ebay!! Ebay is now a staple, heheh. I can't imagine it going away.

On the other side, it's almost scary that another year is gone. Time is precious, life is precious, and I find myself asking more and more if this or that way is how I want to be spending my time. With work. With entertainment. I hardly watch tv any more for that reason... there's just too much I want to do before my time on earth is gone. Not that I'm dying (we're all dying, so to speak) but that my realizing my finitude has changed what I want to live for. Although I enjoy "things", life can't be about just having things, acquiring, etc. It can't be about accomplishments, either... (imagine a giant checklist). Leaving the office now...

Have a Merry Christmas, everyone!!! =) One of the most wonderful times of year!!

heheh I got my sister onto eBay!!! There's always that one item people are looking for that marks their discovery into the big world of eBay (almost like opening a day into a whole other universe) and for her it was an adorable "Harmony Bear" Care Bear. As of this point, she's bought two items, (Care Bears) still has a feedback score of zero (has not received items yet), and no pic or profile info, etc. But I suspect there's no turning back now!!!

What I love most about eBay is that it allows access to a wealth of history and design and things of years or ages past that really have come to capture and signify times that have gone. It's like a glimpse into the past. Recently, my parents came over, and gapsed in happy astonishment. To their delight, my home is furnished in mid-century decor, with colors such as strong oranges, ambers, and golds, and it was a reminiscent step back into memory lane, when they were younger, and just fell in love. (In my previous home (I lived out of state then), my living room was based on reds and blues.) My mom asked if we could do Thanksgiving at my house?? Big grin from me! Thank you eBay! That's the first time my parents have ever parted ways with wanting it at their house... and because they like my decor!!!!

Lately, I've done a bit of buying, especially in light of our most recent move to mid-century modern from a bit more of a classical palette. Soon, however, there's going to be a barrage of excellent, classical pieces in tip-top, almost brand new condition on my selling list! I'll be starting with a very nice set of three vintage Waterford candlesticks, a gorgeous, excellent condition, tuffetted, handmade, burgundy dupioni silk round pillow, and a set of mint vintage classical icecream sundae goblets. My hubby has an almost brand new Tivo that we don't use, I think I might sell that too! 

How much is character worth? How much would you sell yours for? Nowadays when people talk "character", they often use it in a phrase such as, "He's a quite a chacacter!" or "Interesting character..." Character is frequently used to state that someone is unusual, different, wierd, or of entertaining value. Today I want to write about a different kind of character, the definition that harks back to virtue, choosing to do right even despite personal cost. 

If you had any hesitations that you didn't pack something well, didn't follow USPS insurance policy packing guidelines, would you take ownership when your buyer reports that the item arrived broken in the mail?

Would you list something claiming it had a little "dirt" inside of it, that was actually an inclusion in the glass, and let the buyer discover that on their own?

Would you intentionally "accidently" leave the details of an item vague despite having full knowledge of what you are selling, in hopes that someone less knowledgable or trusting would buy it?

Would you be willing to be less than forthcoming to make a sale?

How much would you do it for? $5? $10?

If the buyer came back to you to address something not being as it should, what would you do?

I have faced all these sorts of situations as a buyer on Ebay. I've had lots of excellent transactions, but some that have left me dumb-founded. My desire is to deal generously with people, preferring to give the shadow of the doubt, but sometimes... sometimes I suspect some sellers know exactly what they are doing...

It irks me. In the non-Ebay business world, I have given my word, vouched for things, and when some of them didn't go through for some reason, or the terms ended up different, I ate the loss. Significant loss, at some points, thousands of dollars, or having an account become "pro bono" so to speak in order to honor my commitments. I've never passed the buck to my clients. So I am appalled (true to how I feel) when someone will "pass the buck" for $5. Or $10. Or $20.

Recently I bought a piece that the seller said had a little dirt inside that could easily wash off. The dirt turned out to be an inclusion in the glass. It didn't take much looking to figure that out. I left positive feedback for the seller, and decided to do a little "test". I suspected he had ample reason to know about these permanent inclusions. I sent him an email letting him know how much I like the piece, but that the dirt turned out to be inclusions, four or five of them. This is a collector piece, worth almost nothing with inclusions. As an avid seller of these pieces, it's reasonable also he would have known that. So I said that I liked the peice, but I'd be much happier with the purchase if he gave me a small $4 or $5 refund in consideration of the inclusions. Really, a tiny amount for this piece. (In truth, I just didn't have the energy to go through shipping it back, etc). But, nothing. No response yet. This is even a seller I've bought from before, I'm a repeat customer.

Dumbfounded. For $5 he could have had an eternally loyal customer. But it wasn't about the $5, it was about knowing I could trust his word. A person of integrity doesn't need to be prompted to do the right thing. When they hear there's a problem, they just take care of it out of principle. I wanted to see what would happen here.  Integrity isn't  the same thing as doing the right thing when there's the possibility of experiencing loss. Integrity is doing the right thing because it' right.

I've really been having a hoot buying Christmas presents for people on Ebay. Mainly, shopping for my family, because I know well what my mother likes, my sister, my brother, etc. I've bought pieces I would have been far-fetched to find in regular retail stores, or near the price. I don't think I buy what constitutes "normal" things, on Ebay. I usually buy collector pieces, items with nice design, authentic items, nostalgic items.

I think I've parted ways with traditional, cookie-cutter merchandise. Today, when I was contemplating buying a much needed pair of boots (the two pair I have are soft-leather, non-rain tolerant, and purchased while living in a different climate) I considered how the mall carries a standard range of boots, certain manufacturers, and pretty much everyone wears the same shoes (within a given range). All this population, yet such little differentiation! I don't like to shop like that any more. The alternative is to have everything custom, but I'm really not in that price range either. And while I may not have that much room to manuever in my clothing options (outside of shopping at boutique stores or online, and avoiding the big malls--yet still difficult at times and with certain restrictions) with household goods the opportunities are endless! I'm even looking at furniture, contemplating a new (for me) mid-century credenza!


Everyone in my family is going to get different Christmas gifts this year. And with a no return policy, heheh (except to give it back to me if you don't like it! But I'm sure that won't be a problem!)

What a fabulous day today! I'm declaring today an "official holiday" for myself from the real job (love those flexible hours), going to go on a run, post some other items for sale on ebay, and start tackling the house. (I've just moved recently and I still can't find my warm winter coat!) Hope you guys have a great Columbus Day, too!!

Ok, I have to admit, Janice4518 piqued my interest when she listed a "mystery box" filled with pampering products and women's accessories!! (item number 280159252141) I was pretty much sold, considering that Janice4518 is a chemist by day and a specialty goats' milk soapmaker by night! I liked the idea that the mystery box is worth $60, but being an avid handmade soap afficionado myself I already know that Janice4518 ebay pricing for soaps is way below retail value. In town I buy my handmade soap from a cooperative (meaning member-owned) organic store, where one bar is easily $5 or $6  piece.

Janice4518 is totally my type of person. My husband bought me a handmade soap recipe book, knowing my passion for the subject, but I've neither had the time nor the skill to venture into what is really a very trying field. There are all sorts of ways that soaps can go wrong, yet Janice4518 has mastered the field.

I'm currently the highest bidder, and I have to admit my max bidding price is a little bit higher than current. I am really enjoying the mystery. I know a lot of people on ebay wouldn't feel safe treading into territory where they don't really know what they're buying, and who's to blame them? Even when we know what we're buying, sometimes we're in for a surprise. I suspect, however, a surprise is well worth it with Janice4518. I'll let you know what I win!!

I suppose I just have to accept that my first buyer is not going to leave feedback. I sold a fantastic product for $157, packed it well and shipped it as promised the very next morning after the auction's close the late evening before. I don't charge handling fees, so the shipping was really well priced, and as is customary for who I am I was friendly and kept my buyer informed every step of the way and up to date on what was happening.

Several days later, after I felt sure the item would have been received, I sent a followup email checking up if they had any questions and bidding them happy enjoyment of the item. Because my buyer was brand new to ebay, I mentioned how feedback would be meaningful to me, as I was trying to build my feedbck score. I gave step by step directions for how to get to the feedback page, figuring they probably hadn't figured out all ebay's kinks.

No email response however, and no feedback posted. I posted strong and supportive feedback, as my buyer payed very quickly and the transcation was smooth. I was my buyer's second seller feedback (as well as second total feedback).

I suppose this is how it goes sometimes. It's still a bit of a bummer, although the reason I take care of my buyers is not just for the feedback. I do it because I believe it is right. I would do it even if there was no such thing as feedback, because of how I feel about myself, and what I value. Yet it is a "vain" world sometimes, meaning that we are measured by appearances, and as of yet, I still seem like a seller (as per feedback) without any experience at all.

I must keep truckin'.