tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24815611618614747412012-01-28T02:45:53.684-05:00Want to learn to be an eBay seller? Come on in, I'll teach you how to get started! No purchase necessary and no strings attached!Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.comBlogger1731100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-89503731146297317792011-03-11T19:54:00.000-05:002011-03-11T19:54:02.574-05:00

... but here I go anyway!! It's been months.  MONTHS.  My last post was right after my birthday. Well, the eBay business is dead.  I killed it.  I want to keep blogging about what's on my mind nowadays but: a) Those of you who came for the shoes would probably not enjoy that and b) A lot of people I know personally read my blog and I don't really feel like hanging my dirty laundry out to dry,

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-43782006644461020242010-12-12T20:48:00.000-05:002010-12-12T20:48:08.400-05:00

Ok, so it's almost a week late, but it's also probably the most exciting thing that's happened to me this week.  On Monday, December 6th, I turned 34.  I'm going through this weird phase right now where I've started to act like I'm 24 again - going to happy hours, gossipping with the girls, and generally not acting (or dressing "my age".  For the most part I'm enjoying this harmless renaissance,

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-57140416438745611872010-11-28T15:06:00.000-05:002010-11-28T15:06:51.519-05:00

I'm so sorry for the radio silence.  I didn't realize until today it's been more than two weeks since I last posted!  Happy Thanksgiving, I hope you're all doing well. The truth is that while I've had some activity on eBay, I've been out of the shopping loop for a while.  I'm a really fickle creature, and there's a lot going on right now at work and in my life that is sucking my attention away

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-66288216230593363522010-11-13T16:43:00.000-05:002010-11-13T16:43:46.911-05:00

Today I want to talk about the duality of me.  And shoes, of course. I got a pair of new shoes in the mail this morning.  I saw them at Neiman Marcus a few weeks back and ignored every piece of advice I've ever given you guys by buying them on the spot at FULL PRICE.  They didn't have my size so one of the sales associates had them special ordered for me. I didn't even use a coupon,online code,

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-70084206737644520882010-11-11T20:03:00.000-05:002010-11-11T20:03:07.888-05:00

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua I think I've probably mentioned on here before how I'm originally from Nicaragua.  I lived there most of my life, though I went to the American school until the age of 18, and then took off for college in California.  My family is pretty priviledged by Nicaragua standards, although we've probably be upper middle class in the US - if that. One of the privilidges that

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-83233649029299097312010-11-07T18:40:00.000-05:002010-11-07T18:40:35.123-05:00

Here's an old school type of post for you. Behold two shoes.  Both are Christian Louboutin.  Both New In Box.  One is a size 36.5 and the other a 38.5.  One is white, and a sandal, and therefore painfully out of season.  It's also a small size, which is harder to sell.  The other is purple - a fall/winter color - but it's a wedge, and Louboutin wedges don't sell as well because as I've said

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-78059231477890450762010-11-06T10:00:00.000-04:002010-11-06T10:00:20.322-04:00

This smashing model is my longtime friend and one of my favorite clients, Rosa.  She's wearing a pair of pants I got for her, and looking HOT doing it.  But that's not all.  Not only does Rosa look like a rock star, she's also an incredibly smart businesswoman AND she has an amazing political analysis blog called "Rosa's Reality Check" that you all need to check out. At the risk of going off

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-4822897847353955912010-10-31T23:17:00.000-04:002010-10-31T23:17:37.840-04:00

I'm back in town and trying desperately to recover from a marathon 3 and a half days in Mexico.  I'm trying really hard to get back into the swing of my business, and even went to see my secret supplier for a short while on Saturday to check whether there were any good goods left over from the special event on the 27th.  There were (lots of Prada, YSL, Manolo Blahnik, even some Louboutin), but my

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-8480001993243570432010-10-22T18:03:00.000-04:002010-10-22T18:03:16.288-04:00

Hey guys!  I know, I know, it's been a while. I'm going on a short hiatus from the blog.  I'll still be working on my projects over this weekend and for those of you working with me I will have updates on Monday.  After that I'm going on a business trip to Mexico City so I'll kind of be out of pocket. Unfortunately my business trip is going to put a serious damper on my shopping activities.  My

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-28413671922996105762010-10-14T20:31:00.000-04:002010-10-14T20:31:48.965-04:00

Remember my wedding client I was telling you guys about?  Here she is, in all her splendor!  Isn't she booo-tiful?  And you know that purdy dress she's wearing?  Guess who got it for her! :) Congratulations to the lovely couple!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-31866074339391703372010-10-10T18:13:00.000-04:002010-10-10T18:13:45.737-04:00

I was out shopping today for one of my special projects when I came upon this pair of beauties at a Barney's outlet near my house -picture courtesy of Net-a-porter.  There are Christian Louboutin Gres Mule 70 sandals in gold.  They were $266 including tax.  I considered buying them to post on eBay for a minute, since they were a pretty popular style in the Spring/Summer line and I was fairly

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-59688434270672651192010-10-07T19:41:00.001-04:002010-10-07T19:44:08.167-04:00

I had four pairs of shoes for sale this week and they all sold! Woo-hoo!!  The includes the LAST remaining pair from my original foray into luxury shoes.  You konw, the pair from the extremely expensive designer no one's ever heard of that are super impractical and I paid way too much for.  I took a $140 loss, but hey, such is life.

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-19470663650361419952010-10-02T21:46:00.000-04:002010-10-02T21:46:15.054-04:00

I don't really have that much to say about eBay anymore.  Is that a turn off for you guys?  The thing is, most of my business now is coming from personal shopping.  I have an average of 5 to 7 projects in any given month, and that makes me just as much money as selling on eBay used to... except it's better, because it's a guarateed sale, whereas with the eBay merchandise I STILL have two pairs of

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-81256759529432252452010-09-26T09:00:00.000-04:002010-09-26T09:00:33.426-04:00

As I mentioned in my last post, my parents are visiting this weekend, so things have been a little more hectic than usual.  What I didn't mention is that my two brothers and my one sister are here as well, since we're celebrating my dad's 61st birthday this weekend. Some of my very earliest shopping memories involve going to Dadeland Mall in Miami with my mom and my sister for our biannual "

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-43427093774057235142010-09-21T23:28:00.001-04:002010-10-09T07:59:03.171-04:00

I got here yesterday and I'm leaving within the next hour, but I couldn't come to California and not go check out a new secret supplier.  After my business meeting today I drove about an hour south of the city today to visit an outlet in this area.  I didn't think it would be worth it, but wanted to give it a shot. HOLY BONANZA, Batman!  I've never seen so many cheap red soles together in the

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-40722313213646339902010-09-19T07:58:00.000-04:002010-09-19T07:58:34.947-04:00

Those of you who are Facebook friends of the blog have already met my new white patent Christian Louboutin Joli Noeuds.  I brought back one more, less exciting but more practical friend from Italy: a pair of Tory Burch Reva Gabi ballerina flats in a size 7.  I'll admit, these were supposed to be for me, but in typical fashion I convinced myself in the store that they fit perfectly, given how

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-57656075289471698462010-09-16T06:15:00.000-04:002010-09-16T06:15:04.756-04:00

Madrid, much like Milan and Florence, must be a nice place to shop during the sales season.  I have to be honest with you all.  I'm very proud of my magic shopping powers and all week I have been feeling a little bit like Superman on the planet Krypton.  That is to say, I'm not familiar with the stores, with the currency and with the modus operandi so I have no idea where to go to get the kinds

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-48799356792014241512010-09-13T15:25:00.000-04:002010-09-13T15:25:25.969-04:00

After a long day that involved combing through rows and rows of Prada, Miu Miu, Gucci, Valentino, Dior, Fendi, Balenciaga and YSL, among others, I have finally arrived in Milano and the verdict is in: the outlets in Tuscany are very disappointing. My cousin Valentina and I woke up very early this morning - at 7 AM - and got ready for the 2.5 hr drive from the outskirts of Rome to the outskirts of

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-11541209852876741892010-09-11T10:50:00.001-04:002010-09-11T14:14:58.834-04:00

Ciao! Come va? Today is my fourth day in Italy and my first day on the mainland.  I spent a few days in Sicily for my cousin's wedding and now I'm slowly making my way back to civilization.  I've yet to do any work shopping, since there's really not much selection in Sicily, but the one store I stepped into in Agrigento was very, very promising. While I have access to a computer I wanted to let

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-3323052085957568942010-09-06T19:04:00.000-04:002010-09-06T19:04:14.464-04:00

My sister gave me this GREAT idea to do an "online sample sale" from Italy while I'm at the outlets.  I'll let you guys know whether it's logistically possible. Wish my luck on my trip. It's the first time I've left my son for this long. :( I hope those damn shoes are worth it.

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-72682712694637876182010-09-04T21:32:00.001-04:002010-09-04T23:03:38.908-04:00

I've learned a few things about myself since I started this micro-business.  Things I already knew, but had managed to ignore since starting my downward spiral to brokedom in 2005. I'm a shoe snob.  A horrible, awful, snooty, obnoxious, superficial shoe snob.  Of the worst kind.  The problem is I'm a BROKE horrible, awful, snooty, obnxious, superficial shoe snob, so I have no choice but to turn

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-50520344653708505562010-09-03T22:29:00.000-04:002010-09-03T22:29:36.019-04:00

One of my clients, Christopher, was kind enough to leave a comment on this post referencing my "magic shopping powers" for digging up designer goods at good prices.  To be fair, I dig them up at ludicrous prices and then resell them for good prices, but that's besides the point.  I will preface this by saying, as I think I did one of my previous posts, that what makes me good at the shopping

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-32238598952113645102010-08-31T22:03:00.000-04:002010-08-31T22:03:10.066-04:00

Dear Buyers,How do I love thee?Let me count the ways.I appreciate thee more than I can really say,thanks, Anna Shoesmitten, for sending this modeling pic and making my day. Love,ElisaakaElisavNotyomamasebay

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-77451815238632082612010-08-28T09:03:00.001-04:002010-08-28T13:57:34.158-04:00

Ok so I've been holding out on you.  Remember I told you guys in this post about my Italian father?  Well, I have a lot of family in Italy, and one of my favorite Italian cousins is getting married, so I'm heading over to the old country after a long three year absence to watch my crazy cousin Gianluca get hitched. Aaaanyway, since my husband and son are staying home for financial reasons, I'm

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-63679612515866832582010-08-27T15:03:00.000-04:002010-08-27T15:03:31.605-04:00

... and she's getting good feedback too!  I've made about $65 so far with my second eBay account (the one for selling pre-owned, non-designer stuff - and my stash of ugly gifts) and have 100% positive feedback.  Ok, so I've only got 5 feedback so far but still!  This account is really easy to manage because I don't worry as much about all the TINY details of packing and sending people's stuff.  I

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-57830222586232419312010-08-24T20:43:00.000-04:002010-08-24T20:43:21.604-04:00

While I spend a lot of time talking about my strategies for being a good eBay seller, a comment by one of my clients last week reminded me that the majority of you are not sellers but buyers, and that perhaps a short primer on how to stay safe while buying expensive items on eBay may come in handy.  I may be giving away some trade secrets here because I use my eBay skills to help me get great

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-78891855796850481582010-08-21T16:31:00.000-04:002010-08-21T16:31:56.982-04:00

Bonanzle is really picking up!  I sold two items on there in the last week, which is VERY exciting since I actually made a profit on one of them and the other has been in inventory for MUCH longer than I'd hoped.  So long, in fact, that I was actually considering keeping it myself.  It was one of the first things I ever bought, and I have to be honest, I made some big buying mistakes with my

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-44480271936623477852010-08-20T17:46:00.000-04:002010-08-20T17:46:31.378-04:00

I just got awarded a "Top Rated Seller" badge by eBay! This designation is given only to Powersellers who meet certain standards of customer service on things like shipping, communication and accurate item descriptions. I guess all my stressing about customer service actually got me somewhere!  Well, at least with eBay anyway.  Now let's see what buyers think of this stuff.

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-56797536145984870422010-08-18T21:51:00.000-04:002010-08-18T21:51:07.786-04:00

Soooo right after I was saying life was boring and nothing new was going on with eBay I logged on and found THIS next to my user id! I have no idea what that means for practical purposes, but I know Powersellers get some extra perks like discounts and the like.  This is VERY exciting for me, I feel like I won a medal. :) I'm definitely going to have to throw a cyber party to celebrate this one!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-47314470101441747572010-08-18T18:52:00.000-04:002010-08-18T18:52:35.601-04:00

With eBay super slow and my need to preserve the privacy of my personal shopping projects, I find myself low on things to talk about in the blog.  I have a couple of offers on some of my eBay stuff and I've actually been seeing some movement on Bonanzle but nothing to write home about.  My personal shopping has been fun.  I'm helping one client get ready for her wedding so that's been exciting. 

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-62650341208438661412010-08-16T21:52:00.000-04:002010-08-16T21:52:36.652-04:00

The eBay business has been unbelievably slow lately, although thankfully my "special find" clients have been keeping me busy.  I've been strongly considering toning down the eBay and dialing up the personal shopping lately because frankly I have so much fun on these special assignments it's like I'm not doing any work at all. This weekend I went on the hunt for a pair of Christian Louboutin

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-34860967634377233512010-08-13T19:41:00.000-04:002010-08-13T19:41:46.667-04:00

Black Jimmy Choo Cutout Pump in 38.5 I went to a store secret supplier I don't normally go to on Weds and found these beauties waiting for me.  I've also just purchased my fourth pair of Louboutins, in shocking pink.  They'll be here sometime next week.  I'll post pictures once I get them. :) I'm posting these on eBay tonight but as always if any one of you wants them do email me and the

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-20652232794804135872010-08-12T19:03:00.000-04:002010-08-12T19:03:12.517-04:00

One of the things that's been bothering me all this time as I've transitioned into selling new, premium designer items is that I miss the quick petty cash I used to get from selling more inexpensive used clothing.  The less expensive the item, the easier it is to sell, which essentially amounted to quick pocket change when I first started out.  Now I actually have to worry about things not

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-66999946154181140062010-08-09T22:57:00.000-04:002010-08-09T22:57:36.759-04:00

I'm helping a friend/client find it to wear to a wedding related event. She doesn't recall where she found this picture, but it was online at a blog of some sort.  The dress looks like some sort of chiffon / silk voile with a banded collar, pintuck bodice, self-covered buttons and a pleated knee-length skirt.  It's reminiscent of the 1940's.  The picture looks like it might have been a magazine

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-92184698650885354472010-08-07T22:27:00.000-04:002010-08-07T22:27:58.101-04:00

I ate everything under the sun in Mexico City.  I thought for sure my Nicaraguan stomach bacteria would trump the Mexican food and water bacteria.  Boy was I wrong.  Ouch. Anyway, I got back tonight and I'm having a hard time getting back into my old rhythm with the eBay business.  I'm not compulsively checking my auctions tonight, or "spying" on my visitors with my tracking program.  I'm not

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-56032015924803898542010-08-02T12:51:00.000-04:002010-08-02T12:51:06.944-04:00

Hey guys, I'm going on a business trip this week and will probably not have time to post.  Just wanted to let you know in case someone other than my son actually missed me!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-7093244110585771912010-08-01T09:29:00.000-04:002010-08-01T09:29:18.261-04:00

My first post was entitled eBay Startup - The Road to 50, in reference to the little number that appears next to your eBay username totaling the number of pieces of positive feedback you have received.  At that point I had around 25 feedback, and I was still focusing on selling my own pre-owned clothes, as well as my son's.  My goal was to reach 50 points - a prospect that seemed as reachable as

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-84288337629841554402010-07-29T21:00:00.001-04:002010-07-29T21:00:32.413-04:00

I reached 100 feedback tonight.  I received my tourquoise star (although I have to say, I kind of like the color of the blue star better). I know I said we would celebrate this occasion when the time came, and we will!  But tonight I've just gotten home from work, I'm stressed out about a work trip to Mexico I'm doing next week, and I really just need to get to bed. Good night, folks, and happy

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-29086768512244386072010-07-28T21:26:00.001-04:002010-07-28T21:34:14.435-04:00

So along the lines of my post regarding my sales, I was equally astounded today to log into my account and discover that I owe eBay nearly $300 in seller fees.  It's not that I don't incorporate eBay fees into the price of my items, it's just that it irritates me that if I could lower my prices by HALF of what eBay charges me I could sell things twice as quickly, give two times the discounts and

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-64629899562669826442010-07-26T20:21:00.000-04:002010-07-26T20:21:44.528-04:00

...I updated my sales figures in the header at the top of my blog entries.  I kept talking about what a good week last week was.  Here's how good it actually was - I had over $1100 in sales. I keep waiting for the universe to strike me down or something.  Knock on wood for me.

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-21742921740025274222010-07-25T10:22:00.000-04:002010-07-25T10:22:00.170-04:00

Get it?  "In store"?  Ha ha ha. I went to replenish my inventory as mentioned (thanks for all the suggestions, by the way.  I could hear the crickets chirping all the way to the mall!) and I got a few things I've had my eye on for a while now.  Unfortunately I don't think I've ever had a shopping trip where I bought so many things for the store that I'm really hoping don't sell so I can keep

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-8671116187906583372010-07-23T20:03:00.000-04:002010-07-23T20:03:14.755-04:00

I've just had pretty much the best sales week of my entire eBay run, and I've got a ton of money burning a hole in my Paypal account.  I plan on using this money, in addition to a few discounts I've accumulated at major department stores, to replenish my inventory. My question to you guys is ... what should I get??? Please please please leave me comments about what you would like to see in my

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-51883055532518943182010-07-21T21:25:00.000-04:002010-07-21T21:25:56.893-04:00

I don't really have anything super interesting to say tonight.  I'm having a fantastic week with my auctions, so I just wanted to share some of my successes. I had a couple of Coach bags left over from a special project I took on a couple of weeks back, and since "Coach" is one of the most popular search terms on eBay I figured it would probably help my other auctions if I listed these two bags

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-43728359466559244962010-07-21T09:06:00.000-04:002010-07-21T09:06:31.482-04:00

I think a picture speaks a thousand words, don't you?

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-67717862921648674782010-07-18T09:15:00.000-04:002010-07-18T09:15:41.693-04:00

How can you guys resist this hotness? What style! What shoes! And she got a great deal on them, too. :) Thanks for the pic, RB!  Keep rocking those L.A.M.B's!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-19857606989569245052010-07-16T19:06:00.000-04:002010-07-16T19:06:08.462-04:00

I've been thinking about the term "value proposition" a lot.  After I wrote that post last week about why I wouldn't quit my job and turn this venture into a "real" i.e. formal business, I started chatting with a friend of mine who also happens to have a business degree about what it would take to turn what I do into a real, scalable business.  That's definitely an idea I want to explore further,

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-27367531759798131382010-07-12T19:13:00.000-04:002010-07-12T19:13:49.542-04:00

Ok, so I kinda left you hanging yesterday with my lame post.  Sorry.  It's just that the title of today's post - the risks of buying and selling online - have been on my mind lately. During the last few weeks I've been participating in an online forum called the Purse Blog Forum.  The Purse Blog Forum originally started as a place for handbag lovers to come and discuss their addiction of choice

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-24443170443128936892010-07-11T16:25:00.000-04:002010-07-11T16:25:22.294-04:00

I choose to ignore them.  No risk, no reward.  Basic financial theory. More about this later.  Right now, I'm watching Spain v Holland and MAN is it exciting!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-30398591426213142112010-07-08T13:41:00.003-04:002010-07-08T13:44:16.555-04:00

You guys all know I make a small profit on the shoes I sell online.  That's the business I'm in.  And as expensive as many of these shoes seem, most of my prices reflect a 70% discount, even after I've incorporated eBay fees and a small profit into the price. I mentioned before in this post that there are a few very easy things you can do to get shoes at a steep discount.  Today I'm going to give

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-1776136091157356882010-07-06T13:29:00.000-04:002010-07-06T13:29:26.599-04:00

1) Stress.  In general, I stress about two things related to running my business.  The first is getting negative feedback and the second is being unable to sell things and winding up more in debt than I started. 2) Money.  At a whopping profit of - MAX - $500 a month (before taxes, and that's if I'm doing the numbers right), my family would starve to death.  It would help if eBay didn't charge

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-22567395395270898062010-07-04T12:07:00.000-04:002010-07-04T12:07:25.994-04:00

My favorite customer Maria in her brand spankin' new Louboutin Declic 90's. Just had to share! :)

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-38758959281910543092010-07-03T08:00:00.001-04:002010-07-05T22:33:32.985-04:00

I have a creative side.  Those of you who know me know I like doing things that surprise people.  I don't like doing what everyone expects, and that can sometimes get irritating for people who don't like to color outside the lines. I've been giving some thought to why some of my shoes haven't been selling as well as I would like.  I looked at the number of impressions they got (how many times

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-31955570349106430402010-06-30T22:49:00.002-04:002010-07-01T22:46:06.706-04:00

One of the questions I get most frequently from people who read my blog is "who is your secret supplier?"  What if I told you there's absolutely nothing special about my "secret supplier" and that if you wanted to you could get the same kinds of things I get for CHEAPER than my asking price? The shoe in the picture is a Christian Louboutin Declic 90 mm in a black patent.  It retails for $675 at

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-72486667640802631252010-06-29T00:37:00.002-04:002010-06-29T13:04:59.552-04:00

Some of you reading this blog know me in real life, but most of you don't.  Because of my interactions with other blogs, I've had a lot of new visitors lately, and this spurred the idea to write a more personal entry about who I am and why I do what I do. Those of you who know me will have to forgive me if this is too elementary, but I'll try to throw in some obscure Elisa V facts in here as

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-71956180260988494812010-06-26T09:53:00.000-04:002010-06-26T09:53:52.822-04:00

The blogging world fuels itself through the concept of reciprocity and blogging etiquette dictates that when someone comments on your blog, you comment back, when they follow your blog, you follow back, and when someone gives you an award, you pass that award on to someone else.  As you saw, Maryanne from Lipglossd Mom gave me an award a few days back, so this post will serve as a passing of the

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-49322255300368431482010-06-25T21:54:00.000-04:002010-06-25T21:54:00.713-04:00

Tammy and I wanted to exchange blog posts, so we agreed that she would write about the five things she wishes she had known about eBay, and I would write about my experiences Bonanzle. Please go visit me on Tammy's blog, This Mama Works It!, to see me wax prophetic about "The Ranch" (that's Bonanzle to us Bonz sellers). :)

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-57268831500762778242010-06-24T14:54:00.000-04:002010-06-24T14:54:45.329-04:00

Today I am featuring a guest post by Tammy from This Mama Works It. She has been a seller on eBay since 2005. Her specialty is selling kids clothes, specifically name brands such as Gymboree and Gap. Her blog offers advice on purchasing name brand kids clothes cheap and then how to successfully sell them on eBay and other online venues. Her post today will talk about what she wished someone told

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-30539916875056437932010-06-23T21:10:00.000-04:002010-06-23T21:10:23.816-04:00

No sooner had I finished being a royal bitch and criticizing other blogs, when I learned that Maryanne from Lipglossd Mom has done me the honor of giving me an award as an outstanding blogger!! Ok, so let me make a few things clear before you go over to Maryanne's blog to look at my glossy award:1) Maryanne's blog is NOT one of those blogs that makes me want to hurl myself out the window2) Oh my

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-84022108200035714342010-06-23T19:52:00.000-04:002010-06-23T19:52:59.644-04:00

Ever since I started this blog, I've also become more interested in reading other blogs and supporting other bloggers.  Now, most blogs out there make me want to hurl myself out of my 4th story balcony.  However, there are a handful of blogs I regularly follow (This Mama Works It, The Best of Fates, to mention just a couple) and actually really enjoy. Anyway, the author of This Mama Works It,

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-37805276318256536272010-06-22T16:32:00.000-04:002010-06-22T16:32:28.275-04:00

It's been a while since I sat down and re-evaluated my progress. When I first started this blog I had a measely 25 stars under my belt, and while I still only have a measely 81 positives, a lot has happened since you and I first met. Remember my eBay accounting post, where I talked about conversion rates, margins and profit per item?  I was selling $10 items for $8 in profit back then.  My first 

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-43413096799680523522010-06-20T18:32:00.000-04:002010-06-20T18:32:33.009-04:00

Sorry for the late notice, but you guys are all invited to come see me at my Bonanzle booth tonight, 9 pm - 12 pm EST, for my second Bonanza of the season. I always get a little discouraged during these because ultimately it ends up being me, myself and Irene with Bonanzle's kinda sad strobe lights and disco music, so if any of you have the time or the inclination to stop by and pretend to be

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-21452235705540239662010-06-19T10:15:00.001-04:002010-06-19T20:16:18.694-04:00

Ok, so I have to admit the ole blog has been a little uninspiring lately.  I'm in a stage in my little eBay venture where the only really strategic things I have to think about are which items to buy, how to price them, how to market them and how to list them, and if you're not into eBay (or fashion/shoes) that can get a little boring.  So, I thought I would finally come out and tell you about a

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-49265106776557204282010-06-17T18:35:00.000-04:002010-06-17T18:35:13.535-04:00

No, I didn't clean (that's not my style).  Instead, I took you all's advice about my nasty carpet and did what Tammy from This Mama Works It suggested.  The result? TADA! Oh my God, WHAT A DIFFERENCE!  See? This is why I LOVE IT when you guys comment!!  More, please!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-52698041232900682242010-06-16T21:54:00.000-04:002010-06-16T21:54:08.279-04:00

I listed a pair of suede and patent Dolce & Gabbana strappy pumps for $9.99.  Brand new, $400 shoes for $9.99. Go to the Listing Within 15 minutes, they had a bid.  Ay ay ay.

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-19248177393186261472010-06-15T22:39:00.000-04:002010-06-15T22:39:24.974-04:00

Driving out to the outlets every weekend is getting old, and truth be told my secret supplier works really well for shoes but hasn't proven to be as reliable for clothes.  I'd really like to start selling slightly trendier items than Banana Republic, so I've been looking into options for sources of other popular brands of clothing. To that end, I've been combing eBay for lower-priced items from

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-67522109892365505952010-06-14T23:32:00.000-04:002010-06-14T23:32:12.823-04:00

1) The stupid USPS tracking thingie not UPDATING.  ARGH.  I'm going postal on my post office tomorrow if I don't wake up tomorrow to delivery confirmation for the TWO items I sent at the end of last week. 2) People who send $100 offers for my $389 shoes.  My response?  I very politely send a counteroffer for $379, just so they know how it feels. On a happier note, here are some pics of my

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-17116530066287263542010-06-12T21:54:00.002-04:002010-06-12T21:54:33.579-04:00

With 5 min left!!  Oh my God the stress!!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-49313796697924367512010-06-12T20:29:00.000-04:002010-06-12T20:29:04.777-04:00

Hello from Summit, New Jersey, where I haven't been able to stop looking at my computer checking tracking numbers for the items I have en route.  Sometimes, God knows why, even though USPS Priority Mail has delivery confirmation the tracking doesn't update, so I twist myself into knots imagining my buyers don't get their items and I'm out hundreds of dollars.  It's never happened, and it's very

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-81945170077386473272010-06-11T22:40:00.000-04:002010-06-11T22:40:18.839-04:00

I'm going to New York tomorrow to find a new secret supplier.  The old one is getting - well, old.  Any requests for new kinds of stuff I should get for the store(s)? MM - Your black Louboutins are still my #1 priority!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-88530598953709590512010-06-10T19:44:00.001-04:002010-06-10T20:52:55.169-04:00

Forgive the dirty carpet, folks. No bidders on the Prada sandals yet.  Only watchers.  They must think I'm off my rocker. Tee hee.

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-40328872438559713662010-06-10T13:29:00.000-04:002010-06-10T13:29:57.019-04:00

Sold the Kate Spade Christas to a lovely woman who plans to wear them on her wedding day. :)  They are KINDA blue... maybe there's hope for Bonanzle after all!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-86569036321430672392010-06-08T20:00:00.001-04:002010-06-08T20:03:08.687-04:00

So, I've been working on my marketing strategy, and I gotta tell you I'm getting pretty discouraged. I need to drive more traffic to my blog AND to my items, I can't continue to rely on eBay's rules about listing visibility. They force me to take risks with the price of my items that I don't want to take. I've tried a few marketing tactics since I started my eBay venture, and I have to tell you

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-39113208371301211882010-06-06T08:42:00.000-04:002010-06-06T08:42:32.327-04:00

I think it's time to play the guessing game again!! You ready to play? Here we go. I'm auctioning off these beautiful Prada Vitello Shine Stud sandals in a size 7.5. I've set the starting bid very low: $49.99. They are authentic Prada sandals, purchased at Neiman Marcus. The person who guesses the exact selling price of the sandals will get 10% of the final sale price as soon as the winning

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-60902604124848665652010-06-05T10:05:00.000-04:002010-06-05T10:05:15.734-04:00

Remember this dress??  I had it in an 8 and it sold very well.  I then went back to Banana Republic and ended up winning a $500 shopping spree, so I got it again to sell in a 6.  It's got FORTY watchers and 4 bids.  A holy bidding war is about to break out.  Check it out here. Don't miss it!!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-49616396015604636592010-06-04T18:45:00.000-04:002010-06-04T18:45:48.957-04:00

I'm waiting for a train to come but I had a lot to share so I decided to do a mini-entry, with pictures to come. I have two min so here we go: 1) Resolved the problem with the dissatisfied buyer. She was very accommodating and ended up leaving some wonderful follow-up to her original feedback. She has also offered to revise her original feedback but I think I would rather leave the follow-up

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-17799648683443015802010-06-03T22:19:00.000-04:002010-06-03T22:19:13.800-04:00

I have about six pairs of shoes for sale now, and about 4 of them are a 7.5.  I think I naturally gravitate to that size because, guess what?  I wear a 7.5.  The problem with that is that I'm tempted to keep the shoes if they don't sell, and trust me, I don't need $2,000 worth of shoes. I think what I'm going to start doing is carrying one in each size between 6 and 9.  Once a size sells I will

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-88792203987081917842010-06-01T22:54:00.000-04:002010-06-01T22:54:51.697-04:00

Wow it's been slow.  Maybe it's because I've been listing higher price items.  Maybe eBay in general is just slow because of this weekend's sales.  Who knows, but tonight's auctions were terrible AND I have a non-paying bidder from last week's listings.  Super. I'm thinking of putting my publicity stunt in play tonight.  Remember I mentioned it here.  I have a pair of Louboutin pumps I haven't

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-79498532550407522482010-05-31T20:33:00.000-04:002010-05-31T20:33:28.868-04:00

I think I went a little overboard with the inventory.  The bad thing about having this eBay business is that it gives me a good excuse to go shopping, which I get an HUGE rush from.  You know that first Shopaholic book?  That is so me.  I had completely weened myself off the shopping but now I get to do it because it MAKES me money. :)  Anyway, went back to the secret supplier today (read: pusher

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-81189958456749340682010-05-30T19:10:00.000-04:002010-05-30T19:10:30.980-04:00

Sorry for the melodrama yesterday.  Things are going much better today.  I got an opportunity to redeem myself for my shoddy packing skills, my items are generating a lot of interest AND I went on a fantastic shopping trip where I got the beauties you see below for a great price. I also got a few more affordable clothes to sell in lots, AND I did a little bit of accounting and figured out my

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-26013503139218194302010-05-29T18:45:00.001-04:002010-05-29T21:02:20.698-04:00

I logged into my computer for the first time since this morning to find that one of the buyers from last week's auctions had left me neutral feedback. The buyer feels I didn't package the item well enough, and that it was not in as good a shape as I'd described it in the listing. The feedback, although neutral and not negative, left a bitter taste in my mouth because: 1) I wanted this buyer's

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-2558263052857399812010-05-28T19:00:00.001-04:002010-05-28T19:43:36.283-04:00

I've started doing something new lately, something I haven't told you about. I mentioned in one of my earlier posts (or maybe one of my comments - can't remember) that I've noticed that my auctions are a good marketing platform, in the sense that auctions attract your buyers to other auctions.  To try to exploit some of that, I put a scrolling banner from Auctiva at the bottom of every listing,

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-49261149997033612302010-05-27T10:10:00.000-04:002010-05-27T10:10:09.205-04:00

The Louboutin Miranda flats arrived in Norway safe and sound, thank GOD.  I've been having nightmares about them being lost in the mail and having to fork out ... well, what I paid for them! Icing on the cake?  The buyer loves them.  Hooray!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-23421071084759909472010-05-25T22:09:00.000-04:002010-05-25T22:09:06.876-04:00

I'm exhausted and promised myself I would get to bed early, but I did want to update you guys on my last batch of auctions. Yesterday's auctions went phenomenally well!  Best performing items were: Awesome pair of pre-owned Kate Spade pumps in great shape Silk Banana Republic dress I wore to the wedding I went to in NOLA The last of my brother's shirts Tonight's auctions, on the other hand

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-82769737834843672942010-05-24T22:36:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:38:43.143-04:00

I have a bunch of auctions ending tonight.  Most of tonight's items have bids, so I'm happy as it stands, but wish me luck anyway. :) I get so excited when new things sell.  I get such a kick out of the process of "meeting" new buyers.  As I've mentioned in the past, some are friendly, most are silent, but when I do have a good interaction it puts a big smile on my face. Finally, I got some

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-84784114244615613432010-05-23T23:22:00.000-04:002010-05-23T23:22:17.772-04:00

Errr... I think the title of my blog post might be a tiny bit misleading.  I was referring to a new site I found called Shop Style.  Shop Style is essentially an aggregator site for many other fashion sites- department stores, online retailers, you name it.  Not much unique about that. What's AWESOME about Shop Style is that one of its features is an online forum (ho-hum), as well as a "look

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-62274531273399218462010-05-22T23:36:00.000-04:002010-05-22T23:36:24.555-04:00

Prada, Christian Dior, Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik and Nicole Miller.Haven't listed yet but plan on doing so tomorrow. SO excited to list this stuff! PS: To the lady who was interested in a pair of Louboutins, I managed to pick up the gold platform sandals today (bottom picture).  They are a size 9, but run at least half a size small.  I've also located a Chanel bag but would need to talk more

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-71500002080928219732010-05-21T20:43:00.001-04:002010-05-21T20:43:48.912-04:00

I have a confession to make. Sometimes the clothes I sell don't look as good hung or laying flat as they do on a model. So sometimes I model them and take my own picture... even if they don't fit. Now that's hard to do with the size 2 BCBG pants I've got up for auction now (over here), but sometimes an item will juuuuust fit me and I will dare to snap a few shots. Take this dress for example.

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-62359084364225241152010-05-20T21:37:00.000-04:002010-05-20T21:37:53.860-04:00

Ok, so I've removed comment moderation for now to make sure I receive everyone's comments AND I've got 16 listing in full swing right now, so we're back in business. I've also decided that in addition to just listing my items on eBay and tweeting about them to my 50 coerced followers, I'd also like to start advertising in more creative ways.... almost like a real shop.  A couple of things I've

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-10100277467303163182010-05-19T22:02:00.000-04:002010-05-19T22:02:54.183-04:00

The comment disappearing thing has happened three more times since my last post.  If you have left me a comment, please forgive me for the technical difficulties I'm having!!  If you could send me a msg via twitter (http://www.twitter.com/notyomamasebay) or Facebook (Not Your Mama's eBay Blog) I'd be very grateful. I apologize again, I hope you will come back and see this and not think I'm

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-60248271153658900942010-05-19T21:03:00.000-04:002010-05-19T21:03:17.618-04:00

Ok, for those of you more experienced with blogging than me, can you please help me with a bloggy problem? So I came to check my blog dashboard and saw that I had 2 comments to moderate, but when I clicked on the link that said "2 comments" only one was there.  Once I approved the one I could see, the other "ghost comment" had disappeared. Any idea what could have happened?

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-68153238507280752812010-05-18T22:17:00.000-04:002010-05-18T22:17:38.943-04:00

On the way to New Orleans, my luggage decided it wanted to take a short detour through Atlanta.  I guess it wanted to do some sightseeing.  Who knows.  Anyway, after much cajoling and negotiating, the airline agreed to reimburse me for a change of clothes (and a car seat so I wouldn't have to leave my son at the airport).  I didn't need a change of clothes, since I was staying with my cousin (

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-1993413976959822852010-05-17T10:16:00.001-04:002010-05-17T10:16:58.791-04:00

Hey folks! Blogging from the road again. We are on our way to the airport so we can get back to life as usual, but I wanted to give you the breakdown on yesterday's auctions. So, I made a little money even though I broke even on most items. Overall, it was a little disappointing, but like every auction it was a learning experience. Here's what I learned: 1) Sunday might not be the best day

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-14380319783721036082010-05-16T00:13:00.002-04:002010-05-21T12:53:37.484-04:00

Hi folks!  Still in New Orleans so I'll be brief. My nine auctions end tomorrow, and although I've picked up a couple of things here in New Orleans I probably won't have time to list anything until Tuesday or so, so this is going to be the most excitement I get in over a week!  Only two of the auctions have bidders (the two lower price ones) and the rest have about a bazillion watchers each but

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-76505563072776012222010-05-13T23:13:00.000-04:002010-05-13T23:13:27.538-04:00

I hadn't been in New Orleans for 20 minutes when I'd already ransacked my cousin's closet for eBay merchandise.  She was good for a pair of Jimmy Choos and a pair of Michael Kors high heel sandals.  Expect to see them up shortly.

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-82545853344103663982010-05-13T07:20:00.002-04:002010-05-13T07:20:59.580-04:00

Hey guys, I'm off to New Orleans with my fam today and we don't get back until Monday so you may not hear from me for a couple of days. Do me a favor though, would you keep an eye on my auctions while I'm away?  For good luck? Thanks!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-71030246491219945622010-05-12T08:07:00.001-04:002010-05-12T11:25:30.000-04:00

Someone sent me an email offering me $350 for the Christian Louboutin flats if I end the auction early and sell them to him Buy It Now through eBay.  He says it's his sister's birthday on May 20th (he's in Japan) and would like to get them before then.  He's willing to pay for expedited shipping. The item has 6 watchers and is getting lots of traffic.  My guy feeling is that they will sell for

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-73098900519891568202010-05-10T20:15:00.000-04:002010-05-10T20:15:11.749-04:00

Ever since I moved into buying inventory to sell on eBay, I've been playing really safe.  Listing items Buy It Now, shying away from auctions, that sort of thing. I decided last night I need to change my strategy, because this Buy It Now bullshit is really BORING!  No matter how many times you look at the price on your Blackberry throughout the day, it never changes.  Here's what I'm doing.  I

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-60996886668349097432010-05-09T23:12:00.000-04:002010-05-09T23:12:19.399-04:00

Inventory, that is. Say bye bye to Manolo (Adios Manolo!) and hello to Mr. Louboutin (Bonjour!) I bought a TON of inventory this weekend, including the gorgeous, stunning, magnificent and best of all CHEAP Christian Louboutin flats you see top right.  Relatively speaking, of course. Here are some of the other things I'm hoping to sell this week:

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-67064336064725247862010-05-09T09:45:00.000-04:002010-05-09T09:45:25.146-04:00

It's mother's day in the U.S. today so I wanted to wish those of you who are mommies a very, very special day.  We don't have anything planned (we rarely do - have anything planned, that is!), but I think we might go inventory shopping. :)  Can't wait to show you what I get!

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481561161861474741.post-37830420687788124692010-05-08T20:36:00.000-04:002010-05-08T20:36:46.073-04:00

For all my Polyanna cheerfulness and positive attitude, my good friends will tell you my nasty cynical side does like to make a guest appearance once in a while. Like today.  Funny, up until today I never even considered the possibility that my little business wouldn't go anywhere.  My family (except for my husband) thinks I'm NUTS.  They don't really take me seriously when I talk about my silly

Elisa Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07664260275205959675noreply@blogger.com2