Holiday Weekend

Hope you all had a Happy Fourth of July!  

We realized late in the game that we didn't have plans so we quickly invited some friends over to BBQ, play games and light fireworks.  

The party got a little out of control when the kids started going upstairs and walking around the roof but I'm sure that will be an awesome memory for them later on.

But never again since they've been banned from the roof except to hang Christmas lights!!! YIKES!!  That stressed me out.

I had a few sales this week!  

I've been working like crazy to add listings and finally things are selling!  

Woot Woot!

Here is what I sold:

Finally!  

This Eddie Bauer shirt has been taking up space here for over a year.  I bought it for $3.00 and it sold for $29.99 and I am SO glad it's off to a better place.  

 White House Black Market Navy Lace Dress

Bought for $9.00 and sold for $69.99

 ASOS Maternity Midi Dress 

Bought for $7.00 and sold the same day listed for $39.99

I am so happy sales have picked up!  

Fighting Slow Sales on Ebay

I really had to take a break and step away from eBay for a little while.  I was feeling so frustrated with the lack of sales when I KNOW what great, quality items I had up for sale in my store.

I will add that all of the ever changing rules were a bother also.  Having to add free shipping, 30 days returns, blah. blah.  

I just was stuck in the "I really like the way things USED to be" mode and we all know that's not how life works. 

It felt good to take a hiatus and I can't say I'm back into my weekly super sourcing ways like I was before.  But you do have to feed the machine to keep it running so I'm shopping here and there and seeing what I can find at yard sales to add to my store.  

I'm just learning to be content with the lower income level, which is not too bad given that it gives me a lower stress level along with it.  I only wish I had a money tree growing in my backyard though!

Here are my finds this week that I have just listed:

 White House Black Market Navy Lace Dress Size 6  $69.99

 Cache Knit Dress Size Medium $49.99

 I've never seen this brand before, Desigual Rainbow Dress Size Large $49.99 

It seems to sell well from the completeds so I'm testing this one out!

 J. Crew Wool Blend Red Coat Size 6 $69.99

I have a few more to list today...we are celebrating a few special dads for Father's Day around here this morning and planning on a BBQ tonight!

I Think I Might Be Done?

Sales just completely stink.  

I'm lucky to sell 4-5 a week now when I used to do double or triple that.  I told my husband that I am just not actively sourcing anymore.  I might still list things I find from time to time at yard sales or whatever, but for the most part I can't keep filling my house with thrift store finds.  

As organized as I am it still takes up a considerable amount of room.  It's totally bugging me lately.

So I'm working on listing what I already have and not shopping for now.  Here are my new additions: 

 Laura Ashley Vintage Black Silk Dress Size 10 $199.99

 Ralph Lauren Side Buckle Skirt Size 14 $39.99

 Maeve Sun Dress Size Small $39.99

 

Banana Republic Black Tweed Skirt Career Dress Size 0 $39.99

Boden Polka Dot Skirt Size US 4 $39.99

Welcome 2016!

Happy New Year!  

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are full swing into the New Year!  

I am one who loves New Years Resolutions, setting new goals and I think New Years is the perfect time to do that.  

Weirdo I know! Ha!

All three of my kids are in school all day and I have started thinking sometimes that maybe I should get another job somewhere.  Then I think of how much I love being home at the "crossroads" with them, there at all of their comings and goings.  I realized that ebay is a perfect job for me at this time.  I can be home to take care of my family, which for me, there is no more important job.  

I realize what a luxury this is to some and I am so grateful that this is something I can choose to do.  This money goes to pay for extras like birthday parties and a new couch for our basement! 

I hadn't been shopping in a long while but decided to pick up a few things last week to see if I could get sales from my ebay store to pick up.  So far that hasn't worked but hopefully it will soon.  

Sales are still coming in here and there enough to cover my basic goals so at least I have that!

Here are some of my new finds....

 Ralph Lauren Paisley Career Sheath Dress Size 8 $39.99

 Betsey Johnson Pink Evening Strapless Prom Cocktail Dress Size 6 $59.99

 Jewels by Julie Knapp Maroon Leather A-Line Skirt XS 0 2 $49.99

 Banana Republic Women's Heritage Wool Black Plaid Jacket Small  $89.99

 Disney Parks Mickey Mouse Hoodie Small Argyle Zip Up Jacket  $37.99

 Anthropologie Maple Clockwork Black Ivory Green Kimono Dress Small  $69.99

 

Soft Surroundings Long Purple White Floral Dress Medium $69.99

How is everyone doing with their sales?  Has the postage change affected you very much?

Consignment Sales Done!

I recently finished participating in my local Just Between Friends Consignment sale.  There is one up north from me in Farmington, Utah that fills two large out buildings at the state fair park.  I hate driving all the way up there but I love getting the check from that one, it's usually pretty decent. 

This year I did a little over $500.

Then the same franchise owner holds another one in the Salt Lake Valley and it has been bouncing around location wise the past three times.  What a bust, I only made $200 which I'm not sure is worth the effort to list, tag, haul and volunteer.  But money is money I guess.

Consignment sales just aren't that big of a deal around here.

Sales have been slow but then again, I haven't been listing a ton.  But with over 400 listings you would think it might be a *little* better, right?  Here are two recent sales....

 

 Anthropologie Maple Polka Dot Dress

Bought for $7 sold for $44.99

I love this Ralph Lauren dress, I bought this for $9.40 and it sold for $39.99

Prices for sourcing are going up and I feel like my profits are just going down.  I am not making nearly what I used to a few years ago doing this which is frustrating!

Just got back from a fall break vacation to the Oregon coast with the family, maybe it's time to step it up with ebay again and see if I can pay for Christmas!

Did I Miss the Memo?

Did the summer slump start early this year?  I've hit a new record - 470 items in my store, one return on the way and ZERO sales in FOUR days!

Dear Sales,



Please come back.  
I have sno cones and sandals to buy.
This is so depressing.  

Back From London!

It's difficult to keep your chin up and keep going with this job when sales get so slow.  As far as I've heard this is a common theme among sellers right now although I personally don't recall May being such a bad month usually?  I am dreading what July will be like. 

I've been gone a little while!  I had the chance 20 something years ago to do a study abroad in England with Brigham Young University.  It was honestly one of the best four months of my life!  I recently got back in touch with two friends from that time and we went back to London the first week of May.  

Our home sweet home back in the day - 27 Palace Court!

It was a DREAM trip!  I couldn't believe I was there again.  

I am in love with England and London never disappoints.  It was everything I remembered it being!  

We had an amazing week full of plays and musicals each night, touring Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, seeing things we missed before and a few new treats like the London Eye.  We were there when Princess Charlotte was born and everything was lit up pink for her.  I really think London is the best big city in the world and it was fun to pretend to be rich for the week, shopping in Harrods and having afternoon tea at Fortnum & Masons.  Sigh.

My husband and parents were so great at taking care of the kids so I could go for a week and now I am back to the grind.  List list list so I can save my pennies up to take my whole family back!