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| Authenticity Cannot Be Guaranteed.
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Added on 01/20/08 by Betsy
I made the Goodwill circuit today, 3 Goodwills in 2 hours.
My last stop was in South Elgin, Il - it's a bit of a hike and considering my cart was empty walking out, don't think I will be walking in again soon. Something caught my eye, a sign taped to the inside of the locked 'good shit' glass case which stated in all capped Sharpie "Authenticity of Designer Purses Cannot Be Guaranteed NO REFUNDS".
Inside the case was the typical Coach resale line up: Beekman briefcase, City bag, Station bag and the unsellable Court bag. The crazy thing was that the prices were way higher than my local Goodwill for similar items, they wanted $54.99 for a City Bag that looked like it had been dragged across the Jewel parking lot on a hot day.
I wonder if Goodwill considers themselves to be an outlet store in direct competition with the Coach outlet which is about 5 miles away and where you can walk out the door with a new purse for $65 and you don't have to pick asphalt out of the seams?
Though I would be lying if I didn't cop to being rescued by a small package hidden deep within an unused pocket of my resale Coach Hamptons tote, a new Maxi pad left there by the girl scout who bought it new.
Coach outlet should take note,. . . (read post) |
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| Tiffany at a Garage Sale
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Added on 06/23/07 by Betsy
Now when you read the title to this listing you were probably thinking...big news Betsy... and "I think we're alone now" single in someone's free box.
But no. That is not the Tiffany I am speaking of.
Came across my first blue box garage sale Tiffany item today.
Normally, when I come across good stuff at garage sales I try not to get too attached or excited. I don't ask questions about authenticity. I don't do anything to let on that I will not be parted from the item in my hand.
It is hard to be detached and disinterested in Tiffany.
"Why are you selling Tiffany at a garage sale?"
I had to ask especially since it didn't look like a Tiffany in the box sort of neighborhood.
"Wedding present from my mother in law. They are her taste not mine. Two bucks."
Funny isn't it. Mother-in-laws can't win. I know mine can't.
My wedding present was a homemade wreath with a jam packed Walmart potpourri center, wrapped in pink netting to allow for scent escape and topped off with a beady bow.
I thought about telling this chick she needed to practice more gratitude and that she could probably sell these for more than two bucks.
So now Karma came around and hooked me up with a belated wedding present.
I haven't decided whether to sell them or keep them. They are. . . (read post) |
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| How to Avoid Selling Fake Purses
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Added on 11/04/06 by Betsy
You will know from previous posts that I always advocate to sell what you know.
This is especially true for designer purses.
There is a resurgence of label obsession going on currently.
The trick is to avoid selling knock offs- if you think you can pull this off not only is that a criminal thought you most likely will not get away with it.
Ebay will pull your auction which means end it and they won't refund your insertion fee.
Both manufacturers and other sellers patrol the Ebay pages looking for fakes so don't even bother.
This is what I have learned about selling different brands.
#1 Outlets- A lot of Ebay sellers who exclusively sell one brand like Coach are just going to a Coach outlet store and buying the sale or clearance stuff- often to prove authenticity they include the sales receipt and the box in the pic. Outlet boxes are red- retail boxes are brown.
I have asked at the Outlet and I have been told by management that outlet purses are quality wise equivalent to regular retail bags.
However that said all outlet bags are marked with a stamped O or X or other letter on or near the Coach creed and serial number.
Also years ago I bought such a bag at a resale shop and called a Coach store to ask about the mark- they told me that the Coach factory has opened it's warehouse from time. . . (read post) |
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| Purging Your Commemorative First Edition Collectible Collection
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Added on 11/01/06 by Betsy
There are a lot of things that people think are worth money. Even at garage sales I repeatedly see the same items over and over that people think are worth tons of cash on a special little card table near the cash box in case anyone gets any ideas.
Now I understand- it was just you and a box of wine at 2am when the Franklin Mint coin set was calling your name- it's not your fault you bought a monthly subscription to the coins of the world club- it's the fault of Mr. Franzia and his clever wine in a box idea.
Now Christmas comes and Grandma sends you what she sends you every year- you don't know why she sends it to you. Perhaps you never realized that Grandma likes wine in a box too and that she is regifting her late night QVC impulse buy- but there you are face to face with a Precious Moments commemorative figurine. "What a Friend You Have in Jesus" is looking at you with sappy eyes just begging to be smashed, but Grandma bought it and in case she visits you should keep it.
Then your significant other is on their way to work and hears the DJ remind the world that manana is Sweetest Day. Freaking out your SO's secretary recommends a Vermont Teddy Bear- not only are they adorable, and available for express shipping but they are collectible too you see.
Before you know it there you are drowning in a see of. . . (read post) |
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| Hunting Good Will
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Added on 10/17/06 by Betsy
If the Olympics should come to Chicago as Mayor Daley is hoping, I will contact the city's Olympic committee because I have the perfect idea for a new competitive sport. If the Olympic Committee gets a better gift bag from Tulsa and we are out of the running, I may contact NBC because my idea would also be a divine reality show.
If you watched the Atlanta Olympics you will remember the cheesy back stories about starving Eastern block mommies who sent their buxom baby off to shot put boarding school so she could have a shot at the good life.
Picture Chicago 2008, the cheesy camera fog parts and reveals the doors of Goodwill. It's 8:50 and the athletes are taking their positions, climbing out of all manner of hoopty and limping to the starting gate.
There's the Pall Mall Paul who talks through a hole in his throat but can jog like a pro when he spies anything that plugs in and was mad after 1989.
There's Grandma Jean who pretends to be checking everything over with her bifocals, but is actually switching price tags.
There are the religous chicks who always come in a herd and can never seem to satitate their thirst for ankle length denim skirts.
And then there is me. And just like them something happens to me once I get inside those doors.
I feel a rush of adrenaline and once my hands hit the handle of the. . . (read post) |
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