Tips for Selling on eBay

A friend recently asked for an ebay primer and I was more than happy to share what I've learned from trial and error and more error in the vast e-mercantile that is eBay. Every few months, I get on a cleaning bender and find several items that could be eBay worthy. This leads me to my first tip: 1. Set aside a box for selling things in-season. Buyers generally don't want to load up on a snowsuit in July. Likewise, few people will be scanning the sales for a tube top in January. Some may, but the bidding wars seem to happen when you have a large stock of in-season goods.

2. Items that sell well, based on my experience: Brand new cosmetics Designer shoes, handbags Children's clothes from Hanna Anderson, mini-Boden, crewkuts, Matilda Jane, other chi chi purveyors Maternity clothes - especially office attire Work-out videos

3. For used baby items: group them in a lot. Sell in a 3 day sale, list Thursday with sales ending Sunday evening. I usually only charge $1 or so for shipping and have found that the bids on these lots rise more quickly.

4. For unused items with the tags still attached, list at a price that you feel a consignment store would charge.

5. Always, always get tracking on packages and hang on to the tracking info. until you are sure the package has been received.

6. Answer questions from potential buyers with as much information as is requested. Be transparent about any flaws in the item.

7. Try to resolve any disputes through messages with buyers; a passive-aggressive low rating of a seller will only hurt you as a seller (lest the buyer retaliate).

8. Reuse boxes, envelopes, packaging. Good for the earth and envelopes can be expensive and will cut into your profit.

Feel really free to share in the comments field any tried and true advise that has worked for you.

Happy selling!

Then, there. Carnations.

This past week, the emotional pendulum swung far and fast in both directions. I'm still feeling the whiplash. I spent time with my dear, dear Boston mama friend, which was adrenaline-pumping and giggle-festing and then she was gone. Then, back to a sink full of dishes and wearing my crankypants when there is never a towel in the bathroom when I need one.

Wednesday morning was possibly one of the worst mornings of my whole life. I believe I am mercifully recovered from Wednesday morning now. Perhaps the awesome face-collapsing funny e-mails I traded with my best friend the next two days are responsible.

All throughout the week, my heart kept swelling with huge love for my husband. And then I'd find his Freeze Pop wrappers all over the floor. Pendulum. Swing.

This morning, I tried to go to the gym and there was a diminutive diva (who did not want to wear clothes today) standing in my way. There were tears. There were prayers. There were more tears. There were 45 minutes of childcare at the gym when we finally arrived. I rowed my guts out for 45 minutes and felt high on life at the finish line.

While I was making dinner, I glanced at this image on my screen and it spoke to me like a wink from the Heavens. These carnations are so simply assembled, and so naturally vibrant. They don't need to be gilded.

I am slouching toward sabbath now and somewhere across the pond, there are Olympians racing and swimming and balance beaming to golden glory.

But after this week of extremes, I am so grateful for a day of simple rest. Like a jar filled with pink carnations. Perfection.

Sugar-laden

The last two weekends have been sugar covered, and then dipped in another layer of sugar which was then blanched in sugar. My lands, the sweetness that was overflowing... Last weekend the wee ones attended four Easter Egg hunts which is three more apiece than any child needs to attend/year. There are many secret benefits to living in an insular Christian community and these secret benefits live in the form of a marshmallow Peep tucked covertly inside a pink plastic egg. Ho ho, and there were many of them.

Photographic evidence:

HIIIIIGH AS A KITE.

One particular egg hunt was sponsored exclusively by our landlords for our children and was followed by a tractor ride around the property.

Tennesseein' is Tennebelievin,' y'all.

*** This past weekend has been equally sweet and marvelous. On sabbath, I got to hear some of my talented students sing in a Gospel Choir. I know there is a large-lunged Gospel singer inside of me trying to beat her way out, but until she breaks through, I am going to leave the work to my students. They are amazing.

Today we got to go to an Elmo Birthday party hosted by a Salvadorean mama and a Dominican papa. Can we agree that Latinos throw the best parties? I think that vote was unanimous. In Heaven, I want my neighbors to be Latinos. Or! Maybe in Heaven I will BE a Latino Gospel singer/party planner. Put that in your cereal box and call it a prize.

But prior to the party, we had our own little shindibble here at the headquarters. It was really an excuse to clean our house, let's be honest, that happens about quarterly. But some of my faves came over.

Photographic evidence:

I made Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Mascerated Strawberry Coulis. I am going to be forthcoming here and confess that I didn't use Meyer Lemons. I used your boring ol' standard lemon and mixed in the juice from mandarin oranges. Bladow! Done. And I used half whole wheat flour. But the ricotta adds such a nice consistency to this pancake. I'd say it was worth it to circumscribe Aunt Jemima on this one. 'Scuse me, Auntie J. Gonna go a different route this time.

I also made Key Lime Creme Brulee.

I used the blond Oreos for the crust. Probably overly sweet. But as we have established already, I am not a Gospel singer, a Latino party planner, nor am I a French afficionado of subtle sweets. I am an over-sugared American woman that bakes accordingly. And I now own a torch. Beware.