Essential Top 5 Tips for Attending Antiques Roadshow

My husband and I have been trying for the last 5 years to attend one of these shows. We finally received our tickets and I thought my husband won the lottery! I heard yelling coming from our home office…and went rushing..he was holding up the Golden Tickets!! And the journey began…

Is eBay Becoming a Buyer’s Market?

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I’ve been selling on eBay since 1998. I recently (2006), made eBay my full time job and love. I started out by selling what I love most, books. I found a pallet of books I bought for $70.00 and quickly turned that investment into over $2000.00!

I knew I did something right! I am now into the collectible and glassware categories and enjoy what I do very much. I shop estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores, anywhere I can find these type items at the right price for resell.

Up until 2009, I found it almost impossible to find items on eBay for a good price to resell. Most items were priced right. At least in the collectibles and vintage glassware categories. I very rarely found any items worth my while after paying shipping, etc. I could make money to resell.

All of that has changed! Since the change in policies, fees, etc. on eBay and more eBay sellers leaving to other sites…eBay has become a Buyer’s Market! Items on eBay right now have become so low on items it is almost impossible to browse eBay without finding at least one or two items that are priced so low, you just can’t NOT buy them!

The reason is simple. The older more experienced sellers who have learned selling basics, how to price their items to the market price, how to use auction strategy to sell their items, have left eBay. There are newer more inexperienced sellers arriving everyday. It is a shame for them. There is help for them on every ’street’ corner of the Internet, if they are willing to listen. Lots of experienced sellers are offering tips and tricks to help them along. Not that many are willing to admit they don’t know, or don’t know what they’re missing.

Now, I’m not suggesting that there should be a run on unsuspecting new sellers. But the items are there to be bought. If I find an item that is grossly under marked, I do my best to give the seller the info needed. Sometimes they do get angry, but most do appreciate the help.

For those of you antique buyers, just an example. I watched a bronze tray, signed by the artist (French). The auction started at 500.00, this price was actually very low for a very highly collectible artist who also did sculptures in bronze. No sale, next listing, down to 450.00, no sale…375.00, no sale. I continued to watch as this seller lowered the price all the way down to a starting bid of 199.00.
I don’t believe this is a sign of the times, I just sold a cabinet plate for $500.00…It is the absence of buyers in a buyer’s market!

This same tray would’ve sold on Amazon for much more than 500.00 in the first listing. With that said, I will label Amazon a seller’s market.

So now we know, to sell an item…go to Amazon, try your hand…but to find really good prices to buy, right now…go to eBay!

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Antique, Collectible Sellers..Looking For A New Venue to Sell Your Items?

I’ve been a member of eBay since 1998, I admit it…I really haven’t tried too many other online selling sites until around September of 2008. Since then, I’ve built up my portfolio of online selling venues.

Lets face it, we don’t want to have to admit it, but you need to diversify to stay in the game. As crazy as it sounds, its true. In todays world, you have to put your eggs in several baskets. For a seller like myself, I don’t have a lot of capital to pay fees for setup, monthly fee, picture hosting, commission, etc. My category of sales I went looking for was Antiques. I have quite a few Antique items to list. They have been listed on eBay before and have not sold. For those of you who have not noticed…lately eBay has become a buyer’s playground! Sellers are practically giving their items away! I refuse to do this.

So I went on the big Search! First stop, you know where…GoAntiques.com. Fees…next, Tias, Ruby Lane, etc. Fees, fees and more fees! I really thought I was not going to find a site.

Then while reading a monthly newsletter put out by Kovell’s online, I ran across ‘www. SeeAuctions.com’  NO FEES!

Now before all you electronic dealers and others get excited…. This site is only for Antiques and Collectibles. They even define the words on the site! This site is absolutely brilliant! If you sign up now until March 2009, you will have 1 Year of free service! No fees, no commissions, no picture hosting, no fees, no how!

This site appears to be a very hands on site by the owners. In fact, before they activate your account, you will receive a call from one of the owners asking what you intend to list. They then will make up their mind if you are indeed the type person they want in their community. They do this to keep the community spirit. I believe it has kept a lot of riff raff out of the sellers on this site.

The site is well worth you checking it out. The URL is: www.seeauctions.com

Click HERE to go to one of my auction pages. They also allow you to  use Paypal, Google Checkout, Cash, Money Order, Cashiers Check, etc.

One of my favorite features; If two people are bidding on your item in the last few minutes of the bid, lets say someone bids in at 5min left to go, the countdown clock is reset back to 5min. It will reset back as long as people are bidding. An auction does not automatically close on two bidders who are fighting over your item! So you can get higher prices for your items!

If you really want to find that special place to list your Antiques and Collectibles, this is it! This site actually is exactly how eBay used to be like before it became the multi-billion dollar enity it is today. I believe the bigger a Company gets, the harder it is to see the bottom rung of the ladder. It’s unfortunate, because its the customers standing on the the bottom rung and we pay their salaries!

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eBay Not Protecting Sellers on Paper Payments Ban?

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I am a daily ready of a blog by Ina Steiner called ‘The Auctionbytes Blog’. If you don’t already subscribe to this blog, you need to start now! This blog has the most up-to-the-minute information for online sellers available anywhere!

To join, click here AuctionBytes Blog.

Well, as usual, she reports the scandals as well as the news. Yesterday, a post brought out all the pent up frustration eBay sellers have been feeling for some time now. The post addressed a problem a seller had with accepting a paper payment from a buyer. Read the post here:

eBay Not Standing with Sellers on Paper-Payments Ban

By: Ina Steiner

Wed Feb 4 2009 10:19:44

A long-time AuctionBytes reader forwarded us an email from eBay that shows that, at least in one situation, eBay is not supporting sellers who comply with its paper-payments ban. The seller asked eBay for help in a transaction in which the buyer said he needed to pay by check because he didn’t have a PayPal account. Since eBay bans sellers from accepting checks and money orders as part of its Accepted Payments policy, the seller reported the request to eBay, explaining he did not accept checks and had long ago set his account to block any buyer who did not have a PayPal account. The seller ended the communication to eBay with the following: So we are surprised that in 2009 we received the following message from a buyer: I need to pay by check. I dont have a paypal account. thanks (name of buyer withheld) The eBay customer service representative apparently skimmed the letter and thought it was the buyer who had sent eBay the email. He replied to the seller, thinking his letter was going to the buyer in the transaction. Nowhere in the response to the “buyer” did the representative explain that it was eBay’s policy to ban sellers from accepting checks. Rather, the rep apologized to the buyer for the difficulty he was having with the transaction, and encouraged him to contact the seller. But the real punch line is this part of eBay’s letter to the supposed buyer: “If you’re still unable to reach the seller by email or by phone after a reasonable amount of time, we encourage you to leave appropriate Feedback. This will alert other bidders about your experience. Here’s how to leave Feedback,…” Is this a case of one eBay customer service rep who doesn’t understand eBay’s Accepted Payments policy? Or has eBay failed to communicate to its reps that sellers are banned from accepting checks? Or does eBay condone its reps telling buyers it’s okay to neg a seller if they don’t accept checks, even though eBay bans sellers for advertising that they accept them? Well, the comments started flying. Most of them to do with sellers having the same situation. It was really an eye opener to me to see how many sellers were still not clear on the policy! The new policy states, No listing can have a reference to a paper payment ie. check, Money Order, etc. However, if a buyer does not have a Paypal account, he can contact the Seller to see if the Seller will accept a paper payment. No problem. So the answer of course is, yes…Sellers can accept paper payments – they just can’t tell anyone they accept them! I think this is due to the fact that eBay cannot force customers to open a Paypal account to buy items on its site. That would lead to…ummm, a monopoly?! I’ve had my own ups and my downs with eBay. Do I still sell on eBay? Yes. I have several sites I sell on, but the fact remains…eBay is my money maker!

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How Can I Increase My eBay Shipping DSR?

Winter Weather Delays

Severe winter weather in the U.S. is affecting all transportation carriers. UPS operations have been impacted, including UPS WorldPort, our main air hub in Louisville, KY. Poor highway conditions have also affected ground and freight transportation. UPS has deployed contingency plans and is making every effort to keep your shipments moving.

Twitter: Is it worth $250 million?

Image by luc legay via Flickr

I found this fascinating quote today:

Have you heard of Twitter? Of course you have. It’s yet another concept in the evolution of social networking and digital communication. We’ve come a long way from AOL and instant messaging. Now, we have sites like Facebook and MySpace to keep in touch, as well as all kinds of messaging devices. Twitter, however, is building a brand identity based on short little messages, an evolution of texting capabilities. These little bursts of communication, not longer than 140 characters, can be distributed across many web and mobile platforms.Mallas Steven, Twitter: Is it worth $250 million?, Jan 2009

You should read the whole article.

I think Twitter users would say its worth that and much more!  The price for using Twitter in their online businesses for marketing is PRICELESS!

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What is this Rock Star’s Secret to Success?

This Rock Star was sighted recently as she was getting ready for her trip to eBay Live! 2008, in Chicago, June 19-22! Want to know the secret to her success? Want to know how to live the Rock Star lifestyle like visionaire, author and creator of OSI Rock Stars, Janelle Elms? Watch this video for some important clues about how you can become a Rock Star!

What is the buzz surrounding eBay Live! 2008…Listen to Uncle Griff’s eBay radio , June 12th broadcast to learn more…

Are you attending the eBay Live! convention in Chicago? You will not want to miss information on the upcoming ‘Spot the Rock Star’ contest that will be held at eBay Live! this year. Make sure and go to Spot the Rock Star and learn how you can win some fabulous prizes and learn more about OSI Rock Stars!

These OSI Rock Stars choose Success and are living the Rock Star lifestyle! They look forward to seeing you at eBay Live! They will have the information about OSI Rock Stars and how you can Choose Success!

and the ‘Style Statement’ Book winner is…

First of all, thank you to all who entered and posted comments in this forum featuring the ’Style Statement’ book giveaway. I for one, have enjoyed reading your comments and felt the excitement for everyone who had a chance to win. I do have to confess though, my personal book is not autographed…so I am maybe a little (OK, a lot!) jealous!

Everyone who commented to reveal their individual style received an entry into the bowl and a winner was drawn. The drawing was held and moderated by the prestigous board of Drei Katzen Media: Keira, Jesus and Susie. This was a very somber affair, no catnip allowed while conducting business!

and the winner is… (insert drum roll here!)

Jennifer Smith of Precisionbluing!

Jennifer’s name was selected and her address given to Karryn, Marketing Director with Carrie & Danielle, the very talented authors of  ’Style Statement’. They will be mailing her personal autographed book to her soon!

Jennifer left the most fabulous comment for her entry into the Style Statement book giveaway:

Wow! Mary – after reading your blog, if I’m not rustic, NO one is! I so thoroughly enjoy my family and all things described in your definition. It felt like someone had just written a few paragraphs about me in particular!

So, I would have to say Rustic would also be my foundation word. My Creative Edge word would have to be persistant (although I have yet to read the book). I am often described as stubborn, but I really like the sound of persistant better! Just try telling me I CAN’T do something!!

Excellent review! You’ve most certainly gotten my attention!

Jennifer Smith
http://www.PrecisionBluingPlus.com

Make sure and visit Jennifer’s website and look at the fantastic items she and her husband have to offer! If you are like me, you’re probably saying to yourself, ‘What in the heck is Bluing?’ Go to her website and find out about this process. Great stuff for collectors!

I would also like to thank the following entries into this giveaway. Everyone submitted great comments:

Pam….her website: http://ComfyCottageCrafts

JanieRuth…her website: http://janieruths.com  Janieruth’s Fabulous to Funky Finds

Brandy Tipton…eBay seller, you can visit her items for sale, ID: bcalbr01

Alice…her website: http://www.aliceinstitches.com  Alice in Stitches

Marlene…her website: http://www.savvyseller.com The Savvy Seller

Jim & Barbara Nelson…their website: http://grandpastradingcompany.com Grandpas Trading Company

Rina…her website: http://www.nichemarketplace.com  Absolutely loved your post!

Thanks to everyone for posting. I wish we had copies for everyone! You can pick your copy up on Amazon by clicking on the photo below. By the way, I have found out this has officially become an Amazon bestseller!!

Congratulations to Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte on their new Best Selling Book!

Mine, Yours and Our Style Statement Revealed!

Make sure and read through the following post for a chance to win your own autographed copy of ‘Style Statement, Living by Your Own Design by Carrie McCarthy & Danielle Laporte’!

I had so much fun introducing everyone to this wonderful book, Style Statement, Living by Your Own Design, that I missed my opportunity to reveal my own style to my readers. The journey to learning your unique style statement is the most intriguing and thought provoking part, even more than the final result!

By following along with the chapters of the book step by step, you learn how to arrive at your two words to describe your style. When you discover these words you are then introduced to how to apply the words to your everyday life and business. The process is about empowering you to lead an empowering life.

First, you learn how to define your style statement, remember it is all about you! The principle is 80/20…80% is your inner self, then 20% is what moves you forward and gets the results. You will then learn how to design your life, See it-Feel it-Be it. Carrie & Danielle then give us 50 ways to express your style statement. Finding your two words is definitely not the end of the journey but the beginning. You learn how to continue to define yourself for life using a Lifestyle Map or checklist of how to apply your style.

In this post, I would like to talk about how to use your Style Statement for success in business. I reveal my two words, Rustic/Dedicated. At first glance, I can hear you say “How in the heck can you use these two words in business?” With just a short walk through, you will see how I can apply these two words for Success!

Foundation Word: Rustic (as defined and copied from the book, Style Statement)

SPIRIT: Rustic is the salt of the earth and as genuine as the day is long. Warmhearted, devoted, and loyal, they place family at the center of their lives. They invest their resources close to home and weave a close-knit circle of friends, relishing the strength and vitality of their own community, as well as others they visit in their travels. With their feet planted firmly on the ground, Rustic is a no-nonsense decision maker who is in it for the long haul. Their bounty is homegrown and handmade. Domesticity and nesting are their forte. Sometimes they can become too settled and need to push themselves to venture beyond familiar territory-both emotionally and physically-to keep learning and truly growing. Incredibly nurturing, and supportive, Rustic is the friend who shows up to help hold down the fort, fix what’s broken, or offer some old-fashioned tender loving care. They adore tradition, holidays, and any reason to bring good people together. Rustic enjoys tranquillity when they find it, but fully embrace the beauty and richness of sometimes chaotic full living.

LOOK & FEEL:Country, rural, small town. Homespun, handmade, craftsmanship. Roughly finished woods, textured appearances: heavy textiles and materials like stone and wrought iron. Earth tones, terra cottas. Natural. Charmingly simple, agrarian, agricultural, austere, bucolic, charming, countrified, homey, honest, natural, pastoral, picturesque, plain, pleasing, primitive, rural, simple, sylvan, unaffected, unpolished, unrefined, unsophisticated, verdant. 

OK, so I’m a great neighbor that is dedicated to nuturing and fixing your stone and wrought iron fence around the holidays…right?! I don’t think so, not by a long shot!

I’ll show you how I have unknowingly already applied these two words to my business and business style.

                                                                                                                                                                      

My eBay store is Drei Katzen Media. That is German for 3 cats. You can read the complete story by going to my ‘About Me’ page on eBay. In short, I have a German  ancestory and two daughters. (tradition, family) We began to make homemade all natural soap together. (handmade, natural) I really wanted to have a venue to sell the soap on eBay and came up with the name, 3 of us and German heritage. I also had the models ready to go for the logo, my 3 cats! (what’s more rustic than 3 cats?)

                                                                                                                                                                       

I’ve worked as a manager for a few companies in the past and my management skills were always based on the golden rule and common sense. First of all, ‘Do unto others…’, ‘Honesty is the best policy’  and the homespun (there’s that word again) motto’s, ‘Don’t sweep your neighbors porch..’ when listening to others talk about someone else, etc. I have found by following these simple, basic rules (are you beginning to see a pattern here?) You can succeed in business.

                                                                                                                                                                       

The items I sell are based on Rustic as well…vintage collectibles. I absolutely love finding items that have been around for awhile and cared for by someone. I often pick it up and wonder about its origins, where did it come from? who used it? where has it been? I am in my element when learning the history of a particular item. All of this ties back to Rustic.

                                                                                                                                                                        

Today with my eBay store, it is exactly the same rules that help me succeed. Whenever I’m faced with a challenge, I go back to the simple, basic rules of life. Even though my Foundation word is Rustic, don’t let it fool you…I absolutely adore a trip into New York City for a Broadway play and a wonderful gourmet dinner at a 5 star restaurant! I get a chance to enjoy myself with the play, taste the good life, be sophisticated…and go home to my comfortable rural setting in the hills!

                                                                                                                                                                   

The Creative Edge word is: Dedicated 

Dedicated: (as defined Dictionary.com)

ded·i·cat·ed –adjective

1. Wholly committed to something, as to an ideal, political cause, or personal goal: a dedicated artist

2. Set apart or reserved for a specific use or purpose

If you were to take a poll of my friends and associates, I am sure this word would be at the top of  everyone’s list in describing me. My life foundation has been dedicated. Whatever I do, I do it to the fullest. I am like a dog with a bone when it comes to my causes, beliefs and whatever I decide I want to accomplish. I won’t be deterred. I set goals for myself and even find I make little challenges for myself on a daily basis. While working, I set my goal in ‘To Do’ lists and try to do one better, just to show myself I can do it.  I have my 2 year, 5 year and 10 year goals set for my business. I am dedicated to doing the best I can. I also have my dream vacation tacked to the wall in front of my desk. I know I will be on my European cruise soon!

Whenever I worked for a company, I often took a lower position to get my foot in the door. Usually, by the 6th month, I would be managing it. I made it my goal to learn everything I could about the operations so that I could run my position and everyone else’s positon if needed in a pinch.

Hopefully, now you can see how my unique style is applied to my business. This was a somewhat short tour, but you can get the idea.

Now its your turn! After writing my first post, I received a wonderful invitation from Karryn Ransom. She is with the authors Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte. They would like to sponser a contest on this blog! The winner will receive from them, an autographed copy of their book: Style Statement, Live by Your Own Design! How could I resist this opportunity for a lucky reader!

                                                                                                                                                         

OK, so down to the rules:

1. Please submit a comment to this blog describing your own business style. Try to come up with a Foundation word and Creative edge word that you would use now to descibeyour business style. Follow those words with a short blurb about why you choose those words. 

 

2. Submit your comments beginning today through 9pm EST, May 15th. The contest will be closed at that time.

 

3. All entries from comment posts will be put into the drawing to receive a copy of this (soon to best selling) book, signed by the authors Carrie & Danielle!

                                                                                                                                                                    

That’s all there is to it! What could be easier, especially to win such a great prize!

 

If you already own the book, you probably have a good start on your Style Statement. You can use it for your comment…then if you win, you have a great gift for someone else!

If you don’t have the book already, it doesn’t matter, in fact it will probably be fun. You just have to sum up what you think your words would be, then if you win the prize…get your book and see how close you were to being right!

 

Remember: Post a comment with your business style statement between now and May 15th, 9pm EST.  If your entry is drawn, you will receive an autographed copy of ‘Style Statement, Live by Your Own Design’!

 

Anyone can win, what are you waiting for?!  Post your comment…

  

 

 

 

What is Your Style Statement?…and Why Do You Need One?!

I was first introduced to Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte on my educational eBay success website, OSI Rock Stars, created by a very successful visionaire and mentor, Janelle Elms. Janelle invited Carrie & Danielle to give a podcast on this subject, What is Your Style Statement? The podcast was so intriguing, I went immendiately to Amazon to order their book that was not yet published, Style Statement, Live by Your Own Design. I pre-ordered it through Amazon and received it the next week.

I received my book and was just amazed! First of all, it was listed as a soft cover book. What I received was so much more than just another book! It has to be one of the best books I have seen in awhile. (I have to say, I looked at my receipt to see how much I paid and was amazed at the low price vs the actual book!) Every aspect of the book was created with such attention to detail. The pages are a semi gloss and almost every page is filled with beautiful works of art or photography. I absolutely fell in love with the book. I know Carrie and Danielle had a lot of input into the design of the book If nothing else, I could just look at photos all day!

Carrie McCarthy & Danielle LaPorte are two friends who discovered this very important concept to help people be successful by following their natural style and applying it to all facets of their daily lives. Once you find your own Style Statement, you can apply it to your personal and professional life. It will help you to brand who you really are…

About the authors: Carrie McCarthy has designed and styled for homes, magazines, and luxury hotels; she has been a wedding dress designer and a competitive track athlete. Carrie’s style is Refined Treasure. Danielle LaPorte has masterminded business and communications strategies to promote social visionaries and causes. She is the former Director of a Washington, DC-based think tank for global futures strategies. Danielle’s Style Statement is Sacred Dramatic.

Your Style Statement consists of two words to live by, it defines your authentic self. This book helps you to find that statement and surround yourself with your true expression of those concepts. This book is laid out like a journey to discover your own style. It starts with a discussion of style, why it is so important to know and how to apply it to your life. It then takes you on a step by step ‘journey’ to organize your thoughts and ideas to arrive at your two words to describe your style.

Your ‘Foundation’ is your 1st word and is 80% of your style. It describes your spirit or inner foundation. It describes your being, what you are, your roots.

Your 2nd word is your ‘Creative Edge’ and accounts for 20% of your style. This word expresses your outer spirit or style. How you express your being, how you do what you do as expressed to the outside world.

To arrive at these two words, you take a series of questions that begin as a series of two words and you select the words you like the best. You continue towards some more challenging thought provoking statements for you to answer. The questions begin with you finishing the statement.

Throughout the book, there are examples of others that have already found their Style Statement and how they have applied it to their lives to enrich and bring them success.

This is such a wonderful concept to explore. If you believe in the positive forces in your life, you will certainly enjoy this book. The concept is so basic, yet so relevant to helping us discover not only ourselves, but a way to brand ourselves for success!

If you would like to learn more about Carrie McCarthy & Danielle LaPorte go to their website www.carrieanddanielle.com

Make sure and sign up for their newsletter, it is sent out on Fridays and is always filled with wonderful tips and information!