5 Things I Want on eBay…

It’s a raining semi-cold day here in Kansas.  I thought I would pick my top 5 things I would buy “if I had money” this week.  I really don’t need anything.. except that sleep number bed.  What are some things you’d buy on eBay?

1.  Coach Optic Suede Tote Limited Edition Purse/Handbag 370160788934 $375.00

2. Brand New Dell Studio 1535 Laptop Pink: item number: 110394773549 $749.00

3. Dazzling 1850’s Mosaic Antique Quilt 250386281612 $1650.00

4.  Fitz & Floyd Pig Pitcher 200344633251 19.95

5. New Sleep Number Bed 170328653795 $1889.00


eBay Buyer Used the item and Now wants a Refund

Dear eBay Queen;
I sell just about anything I can get my hands on. I purchased some brand new sheets at a closeout store, and sold them on eBay. I copied all of the information from the back of the sheet package.
Today I received this message from the buyer:
“After washing and putting sheets on bed, I noticed that the pockets were 14 inches instead of 12 inches as stated on eBay. The reason l bought these was because of the 12 inch pocket. l have a linen closet full of ill fitting sheets, so was excited to find a pair that would fit my mattress.. Very disappointed in the elastic that goes around the fitted sheet. extremely lose… l will sleep with them on the bed tonight and see how they hug the bed, perhaps this can be rectified if they turn out not to my liking, very disappointed.”
I have these same sheets on my bed. The sheets fit fine for us. How should I handle this?
Jennifer; Topeka

Dear Jennifer;
I hope that you have a refund policy that covers items being washed and used then returned. This buyer could be a problem. I don’t know many stores that will let you use an item then return it, especially bedding.
If this were my transaction, I would email the buyer back saying this:
“I am very sorry the sheets are not what you expected. I do accept returns as long as they are in the condition I sent them to you in. Since you have washed them and are sleeping on them, I will not be able to accept these for a return. I have checked on the back of the package, and they said these sheets have a 12″ pocket as the eBay ad stated. Once again I am sorry these are not what you expected.”
After that email, I would wait and see what your buyer does next. She could file a dispute, which you will win, or leave a negative which you can respond to. If you want to avoid all of that, you can refund her money and have her send the sheets back or keep them.

Dear eBay Queen;
I sell was lucky enough to buy out a music store a few years ago, and I am finally getting around to list the items I bought. I have had pretty good success with the CD’s, sheet music and music books. My customers have been very kind up until now!
I sold a $14.99 Buy it Now Music Song Book tonight. The buyer paid right away, and he has 6 feedbacks. He sent a message to me immediately after his payment telling me that he studies vocal music in Los Angles and wants to know if I have any complimentary song books I can send him. Don’t you think that is weird? It is one thing to ask for a discount, another to ask for free stuff right?
I am anxious to know how you would handle this.
Freebie Queen

Dear Freebie;
My Grandma used to say “Sugar, it takes all kinds to make this big world go round”. I believe this is one of the people she was talking about. Do you have anything in your eBay ad that would lead this buyer to believe that you give gifts with a purchase?
You have a couple of options with this guy.
1.     You could send the item, and not respond to his question.
2.      Respond to his question by letting him know that you have lots of music books up for auction now, but do not have any that you could send to him complimentary.
3.     You could respond to his email, letting him know that you were once a college student, and understand his plight. You could then offer to send him one of your cheaper, low cost books this one time.
If this was my transaction I would probably email them to let them know I did not have anything I could send them complimentary, and wish them good fortune in their studies.
It’s pretty bold move on this guy’s part; asking for a free song book. You are not obligated to send him anything but what he paid for. Do not feel like you need to, but if the spirit leads you, by all means send him something.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 220400875978 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the eBay homepage) Have you been looking for a Life Size Cow Statue? Check out this one SOLD $720
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP.dll?ViewItems&item=220400875978

A Mother’s Day Obsession… I mean Memory..

When I was a child my parents had these dishes.  I remember setting the table at all the major holidays, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas.  But we never used these dishes on Mothers Day.  Why?

Well, they aren’t dishwasher safe… See that little gold-tan rim? That will come off in the dishwasher (or so my mother told me), and my mother didn’t want to wash the dishes on her special day!

These are Adams Caylx Ware and are in the Metz pattern. My mother says these dishes came from her aunt and uncle; Art and Nell Weaver.  If you are from Lawrence Kansas, you’ll know them from Weavers Department store… if not, you’ll just think of them as a sweet old couple that loved my mother.  My father says he brought them back from a trip to Japan while he was in the Navy.  I tend to believe my mother.

So.. back to the story.. I really, really wanted these dishes. I grew to love them, because I had wrapped these dishes each time we moved.  I hand washed them so many times, and lovingly set them back in the china cabinet. I was sure my mother would let me have them. She hadn’t used them since I was 13..  so surely she’ll let me have them. She didn’t.

These dishes aren’t the most attractive set to me.  They are not what I would pick if I were to go pick out a set of china today.  But because they hold such a wonderful memory of the special dinners we ate when I was a child… I needed to own this set.

My mother refused to give them to me.. or let me buy them.  So I bought them all on eBay.

I’m not trying to brag.. but I have a place setting for 12, includng the cream soup bowls, and egg cups.  Ok.. maybe I’m trying to rub it in a little..  I also have 4 platters, a huge rare salad bowl, covered dish and cake plate.. but who’s counting.

First Auction of the Year….

I went to my first auction of the year today. I haven’t been to an auction is quite awhile.  It was a nice day, super cloudy and about 72 degrees.  I headed up the the new “Eastern Kansas Auction”.  I say new.. because it used to be not far from my house, and they stopped having auctions for a while.. now they’ve moved to a new location up on the hill in Ottawa.

No Truck Stop up here.. just this cool old sign.

These beautiful flowers were sitting in the office at the new auction barn. Don’t you love the silver basket vase?

What would an auction be without old men talking?

I didn’t know it when I took the photo.. (because I was pretty sure I was leaving before I bought anything) but see that green circle thing?  It’s a Fiesta cup holder.. it’s mine 🙂 now.

How cute is this little girl with her dog?

How about some tools, a boat or a lawn mower?

My loot

Some super cute pink Christmas Ornaments (for me)

I bought two stained glass windows that came from a George Washburn (designed) House in Ottawa, some Mary cherry dishes.

Cute little painted box (for me) the Fiesta cup holder and a blue and white rug that was in with some stuff.

When  I come home my kids run out to see what I got.. and to see if they just might have snagged something too. Here’s child #5 looking over the backseat at my junk.  This is the “do you have anything for me mom” face?

WHAT? You didn’t get me anything? He’s an animated little booger isn’t he?

You did? Where is it?

I don’t see it.

I see it!