January 18, 2010

the purge.....part two

So, the sorting continues. I'm in a ruthless frame of mind.

For anyone popping in for the first time, read this to hear about my little hoarding problem. It's not a big problem, just a little one. Not the "save every candy wrapper" kind of hoarding problem, but it's a problem just the same, and I'm extremely motivated to deal with it now.

Here are a few more goodies that have never found a place in my home.




These things all look like they should fit perfectly, but you all know how it is when something just doesn't work. These things just don't work. I love pink, but too much in my house makes it feel like a baby nursery. And as I don't currently have a baby, there ya go.

Chenille. This is one of two bedspreads I have.....I still haven't decided about the other one, but this one's going for sure.


And chenille cuts for pillows. We all know how the pillow thing turned out.


Tole.


One of my boys had a very cool vintage baseball room when he was young.


I don't remember where this came from, but isn't it the coolest thing for my home office? Only, I don't have a home office. And never will.


Lots of bits of china that aren't displayed in the cabinet, and I know will never be pulled out even on the very rare occasion that I set the table with my vintage china.


I have four different piles going. Ebay/Etsy, a local antique store, the flea market, and a charity garage sale. Things too large to ship will stay local.

I've never sold anything, and I'm always intimidated by things I know nothing about. I'm leaning toward Ebay over Etsy, mainly because I want a definite ending date and an auction will serve that purpose, and also because I would find it quite difficult to actually set prices. I think I'll start fairly low and see where things go from there.

Every penny I make is going to Compassion International's Disaster Relief Fund. I cannot possibly say anything about Haiti that could speak louder or better than the images we are all seeing on TV. They speak for themselves.

If you have a desire to give, and have not yet found the right place, you can read about Compassion's financial integrity here.



I'm getting closer, but it's probably going to be February before I'm ready to start selling.

If you have any Ebay selling tips, I'd love to hear them.....if you need any Ebay buying tips, I'm your girl!

37 comments:

  1. That is so generous of you! And some great things - I'm sure they'll find a home soon!

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  2. gorgeous items! don't start too low..or your might literally end up giving the item away, also putting 'shabby chic' in your title will GUARANTEE a ton of hits!

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  3. I think I am definitely in the minority about your purging. We get too attached to stuff that's just "stuff". I noticed when you posted about purging the other day, most people didn't think you should get rid of anything. I think it's a matter of where you are at in your life. I am in a phase to simplify but maybe it's my age. I think when you get to be 50, you start to look at life differently. If you read my post today, you'll see what I mean. Good luck in your purging adventure. Also, if you have any resale consignment shops, that is a great way to go too.

    LeAnn

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  4. I think thats the way to go, also Craig's List is good. I was thinking, "it would be so nice if she donated this for Haiti. Then you said that was what you were going to do with it! Bless your heart! We all need to be helping..so many little children without a family now, breaks my heart! Come say hi :D

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  5. I too have way too much stuff that I drag from home to home each time we move. Really need to hold a yard sale, but no one comes to yard sales on the road we live on unfortunately. Just a bit too far out.

    May I ask please, what is that metal file thingie??

    Di
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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  6. Boy, you ARE purgey! I've never sold anything on ebay before, either. It's on my list of things to try this year - but I think I'll let you be the guinea pig.

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  7. Teresa...those are wonderful loverly things, but if they don't 'belong' they don't belong. I'm so proud of your purge! I did eBay for years, selling all sorts of things, and I do prefer it over Etsy. Case in point, I had some Bakelite crib toy that I had no idea of it's worth, nor could find anything out about it. I posted it for $5 on eBay, and it sold for $120! Collectors go to eBay. I would have sold it for $5 elsewhere, not knowing better. Email me any questions you have about eBay, I'd be happy to help!

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  8. It sure feels good to clear the house of things you no longer need/want. I like the idea of raising money for a cause. For years we put all our unwanted items in the Band Booster Club garage sale.
    If you want to to try to unload a few things without the charges of e-bay, post an asking price and you might find buyers for some of the things right here on the blog.

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  9. Oh for the love of cottage, please sell me those chenille cuts!

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  10. I've been purging here too. Anything I don't absolutely love is getting sold/donated.
    Please let us know what your e-bay seller/store name is - I'd love to add some of your purged items to my newly found empty spaces!

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  11. All of your purge-purchases will be GREAT sellers and I know the Lord will bless the sales as you are so generously helping with the tragedy that is Haiti. God knew all along when you would need to part with those pretties!Wishin' it was garage sale season here in Mich to raise some $ for the cause! Blessings,Sue

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  12. Chenille heaven!!! Can't wait to buy it on Ebay! Totally willing to change the color scheme of the bedroom. Or buy a different bed for the guest room. Would you consider just selling them auction style on your blog? Don't know how hard it would be to set up PayPal. Just an idea... you wouldn't have to "share" the wealth with powers that be at Ebay-all straight to Haiti!! Bless yur heart.

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  13. Mostly, I had a very positive experience selling on eBay but I did have one buyer that caused me a great deal of grief and negatively impacted my perfect rating for a year. Kinda turned me off on eBay and I haven't sold anything on eBay since.

    Be sure to price your items high enough to cover the fees eBay and Paypal charge you. (Obviously you don't want to sell something for $2.00 and have $4.00 in fees.)

    Always, always, always buy delivery confirmation when you mail your packages. (Factor the cost into your starting bid price.) You'll be glad you did when that one dishonest buyer *says* they didn't get their item. If you don't have proof, Paypal will make you refund the buyer's money (including shipping!).

    All sellers on eBay must accept Paypal but Paypal looks out more for the buyer than the seller. Even if you say "No Refunds," Paypal will make you issue a refund if a buyer isn't happy...for ANY reason.

    Pack breakables VERY carefully. It is the seller's responsibility to get the item to the buyer all in one piece. (It might be wise to buy insurance and factor the cost into your starting bid price.) If the item arrives broken, you must refund the price of the item and shipping to the buyer. If you don't, Paypal will (if the buyer files a "Significantly Not As Described" claim).

    You will have a much better selling experience on eBay if you are well educated on selling Do's and Don'ts. You can learn a lot by reading the eBay Answer Center, a forum where people ask experienced eBay members for advice/help. Here's the link: http://answercenter.ebay.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1

    Good luck!

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  14. New condo, trying to make it comfy & cottage-y. Would love to buy the pink flower-shaded lamp! Love that the $$ is going to Haiti.

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  15. I'll be watching. I love that first painted tray. Ohh it is lovely. I know how you feel though. Each of us have things in our home that just don't need to be there.

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  16. I went back to read your linked post about over collecting and the binge/purge process. Having the same issues, over the years I have sold much and bought much more. I like to think that I am just saving or holding vintage treasures until they find someone to love them. Look at all the comments from those who are ready to give your unwanted things a new home. Your house is lovely, a breath of fresh air. I will be back to read more.
    Susan

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  17. Looks like there will a line forming to bid on the chenille! You have some lovely items.

    The only ebay tip I have is to check out their 'very specific' rules when selling items that will benefit a charity if you'll be mentioning that charity in the auctions. In my experience with this, letting bidders know its for charity often brings in higher bids but ebay has a specific process for doing this.

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  18. Just found your blog by way of So Into Vintage.
    Your blog is absolutely lovely!! It looks like you are living the kind of life I dream about. With the setting and the garden and the inside-----oooohhhhh. I will visit again, Annette

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  19. I'll buy that blue rose shutter RIGHT NOW!!!! Good luck and thanks for sending it to a worthy cause:)

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  20. You could save time and sell me the blue frame with the rose insert and the chenille bedspread right now :) I'll pay shipping. Name your price!!! Your stuff is beautiful, you have to keep us updated of where we can start the bidding!!!

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  21. I'm in a similar mind set lately. January is such a good time for a little perging.

    Your treasures are all so beautiful I can't pick a favorite.

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  22. Oh such beautiful things!!!! It must be dreadfully hard to part with them. Twice Remembered sells her stuff on her blog, as does Cherry Hill Cottage. They just set a price and whoever comments first gets it and you save on the ebay fees!

    I just made your dip of tomatoes, feta, avocada and olives. Mmmm...delish!

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  23. Oh I would love to buy the pink and aqua tray!! Elma elma2179@yahoo.com

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  24. I laughed when you said just a little problem. That is what I tell myself. I then always go closet to closet and purge. Every season I fill a box and give to Habitat for Humanity. My husband always says "Didn't we just do this exercise...where does all this stuff come from?" I blame in on my dad, he's a pack rat and I'm an identified itty bitty hoarder. But at least I recognize it and deal :) Just found your blog and love it!

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  25. "Please let us know what your e-bay seller/store name is -"

    YES please do!

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  26. OK...so your chenille is making my tummy do flip-flops!!! ...and I have a sincere weakness for vintage office 'things'!
    Here's a chenille idea for you (I know...I'm just full of it!)
    http://cherishedvintage.blogspot.com/2008/11/going-to-womens-auction.html

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  27. Oh, I can't wait for you to start selling your items! I love the things you posted and they fit in perfectly with the new color scheme I'm adopting for our home. You'll have a buyer with me for sure! :) The fact that the proceeds will benefit Haiti just make it that much sweeter!

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  28. I would love to buy the chenille cuts for pillows, paying shipping of course. Please email me if interested. ksfarash@hotmail.com

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  29. I just found your blog today (from vintage home blog)and feel I stumbled into my dream/fantasy...oh, how I want to move away from the urban rat race to the meadows...sigh. Your farm looks wonderful...what state do you live in?
    I see you have the same taste as I do: chenille, vintage tableclothes, hankies...and, I am eyeing the metal tissue holder to add to my collection...I definitely will be watching for your eBay sales. It's very generous of you to be donating for the Haiti victims.

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  30. oops, I meant I found you thru into vintage's blog.

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  31. I am in the same state of mind: get rid of it. I'm planning a purge-a-thon for this weekend, although I always seem to get stuck soon after I begin. You've inspired me!

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  32. I'm in the complete opposite frame of mind/point in time -- I NEED to buy much for our new, sadly empty newlywed nest. And that's a fun place to be! Love the chenille, lampshade, and rose shutter!

    As a buyer, I've shopped more on Ebay than Etsy.

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  33. Hi Teresa! Tell me if I'm wrong, but aren't we just kids from Camp Ki? Or did the years fly by and we are all grown up now! You could knock me down with a feather! Your photography is absolutely gorgeous...you are gifted Girl! I love to "downsize" and it's easy with moving every 2 years or so. Ebay is a wonderful asset...more often than not, I've gotten alot more for my items than I thought I'd recieve. Your blog is wonderful...thanks for sharing!
    Kari :)

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  34. Hi Teresa! Oh, what beauties! Wish I had that pretty toile tray!! I've been enjoying myself scrolling through your blog.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  35. I've done this very same thing -- gotten rid of stuff a few years back and living very smiple but as a girlly / woman in me I still love having beautiful things around me -- your stuff will sell and you will be blessed tons!

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  36. I'm adding your blog to my favorites... I love to shop on eBay!!

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  37. Wow you have some cute stuff! I will be looking out for your auctions!
    Just keep in mind that selling is much different than buying...ebay is always on the side of the buyer, so cover yourself for all liabilities. I think the best thing I have learned is to wait a day or two before responding to a customers unpleasant email. You'll react much more calm and friendly and avoid problems which may lead to negative feedback. If a buyer claims that something arrived damaged, ask for pictures to verify...unfortunately fraud can get the better of naive people. Communication with your customers is key. Print your shipping labels online through paypal...it saves you time, money, and inlcudes free tracking to put your customers at ease.
    Hope this helps!

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