This was bound to happen. People that can't get their hands on one any other way and desperately want one will pay the inflated price, happens all the time on ebay. My dh told me years ago that he wouldn't doubt if a large portion of items being sold on ebay are stolen goods.....gah!
Fob Bonanza! Run to Nordstrom Rack - Reveal!
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This was bound to happen. People that can't get their hands on one any other way and desperately want one will pay the inflated price, happens all the time on ebay. My dh told me years ago that he wouldn't doubt if a large portion of items being sold on ebay are stolen goods.....gah!
Yes, it IS the free market that drives pricing, and that's what EBay is all about. Sometimes I see negative reviews of Sellers where the Buyer is simply disgruntled when they found out AFTER making their purchase that the Seller had made a huge profit on their mark up -- so the Seller feels duped -- when in reality it was the Buyer's responsibility to research or comparison shop BEFORE buying -- not AFTER making the transaction, and having Buyer's remorse due to the Seller taking advantage of a free market!
I also get a kick out of how quickly the FOS stuff being sold at deep discounts, gets posted to EBay at the highly inflated prices, the SAME day the Seller purchased them online and would not even have received the items yet. So if they auction it off they leave themselves a good week (or whatever they set the auction dates to), for the packages to arrive. But the listings go up on EBay within HOURS of the FOS opening up. They are smart and industrious Sellers!
Regarding these NR charms, I fell into the "You Snooze, You Lose" category. As I posted several days ago, the NR sales gal gave me an idea of their inventory when I called by phone. Well, yesterday (Saturday) I called again, as I didn't have time to go there earlier in the week and I foolishly was hoping they'd still have a good selection of the fobs left. A different person took my call, but obviously word got around really fast, as they were virtually cleaned out of all the "good" charms. She said there was ONE pink topped robot, several boxed metal horse and carriage hangtags, and a few others (I forget which ones, but I know I wasn't interested). She also told me that a friend of hers literally bought up ALL the Baseman characters on the FIRST day they were put out. (Maybe that's why the original sales gal I spoke with told me there were NONE of those). The one I spoke with yesterday, isn't into the Coach fobs, herself, but she confirmed that customers were buying multiple items.
Now, its even a day later, so I missed the boat this time! I won't let this happen again, because with the economy as it is, I was naive to think that a bargain like this would sit around waiting for me. DUH!!
My only consolation is that they never had the leather feather fobs in the first place, which would have been my own favorite since I don't own any feather ones at all and I'm not interested in the enamel version. Or so I'm telling myself....
Of course you are right, I have purchased on ebay but never sold anything (yet!) but I would want to get the best market price, too. It's just that I love finding a great bargain for myself or for gift-giving!
Sorry you were not able to take advantage of the NR sale, maybe next time! (I've taken too much advantage of that sale!)
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Yes, it IS the free market that drives pricing, and that's what EBay is all about. Sometimes I see negative reviews of Sellers where the Buyer is simply disgruntled when they found out AFTER making their purchase that the Seller had made a huge profit on their mark up -- so the Seller feels duped -- when in reality it was the Buyer's responsibility to research or comparison shop BEFORE buying -- not AFTER making the transaction, and having Buyer's remorse due to the Seller taking advantage of a free market!
I also get a kick out of how quickly the FOS stuff being sold at deep discounts, gets posted to EBay at the highly inflated prices, the SAME day the Seller purchased them online and would not even have received the items yet. So if they auction it off they leave themselves a good week (or whatever they set the auction dates to), for the packages to arrive. But the listings go up on EBay within HOURS of the FOS opening up. They are smart and industrious Sellers!
Regarding these NR charms, I fell into the "You Snooze, You Lose" category. As I posted several days ago, the NR sales gal gave me an idea of their inventory when I called by phone. Well, yesterday (Saturday) I called again, as I didn't have time to go there earlier in the week and I foolishly was hoping they'd still have a good selection of the fobs left. A different person took my call, but obviously word got around really fast, as they were virtually cleaned out of all the "good" charms. She said there was ONE pink topped robot, several boxed metal horse and carriage hangtags, and a few others (I forget which ones, but I know I wasn't interested). She also told me that a friend of hers literally bought up ALL the Baseman characters on the FIRST day they were put out. (Maybe that's why the original sales gal I spoke with told me there were NONE of those). The one I spoke with yesterday, isn't into the Coach fobs, herself, but she confirmed that customers were buying multiple items.
Now, its even a day later, so I missed the boat this time! I won't let this happen again, because with the economy as it is, I was naive to think that a bargain like this would sit around waiting for me. DUH!!
My only consolation is that they never had the leather feather fobs in the first place, which would have been my own favorite since I don't own any feather ones at all and I'm not interested in the enamel version. Or so I'm telling myself....
There are sellers on ebay who bought the Baseman fobs when they were first released, and now they have to compete against sellers who bought them at discounted prices, plus the MFF Baseman fobs, which includes one that is nearly identical. I guess that is the risk they take for being resellers.
When I'm trying to find older fobs at decent prices on ebay, resellers are my bane. There are a few that bid on every auction for the rarer styles, and then when they win, list it for more than double what they paid. Since I'm the one they outbid, it hurts!
There are sellers who do sell at inflated prices but other times, I wonder where they are getting their merchandise because their prices are better than Coach. Years ago, I got a Sophia at the outlet, but it was cheaper on ebay, so I returned it. Around Christmas I bought a Chelsea crossbody NWT on ebay for about 1/3 retail, free shipping and no sales tax. Coach hadn't even put it on sale yet. When they put it on sale a few months later, it was 50% off, so still a lot more than I paid. When I bought mine, there were several sellers who had the same item at a comparable price, so it wasn't a fluke.
I would try a hobby store, like Michael's or Joann's Fabrics
I have some keychains that need repair but I've been too lazy to look for the crystals. Someone mentioned the crystals they use for manicures as they are likely to have the smaller sizes.
It's interesting to me to learn more details about the EBay culture. I hadn't realized to what depths those resellers will go to, to end up profiting from their initial purchase -- and how that affects YOUR chances of finding a bargain, or even a fair price, for your specific category of items (older fobs). It's like a microcosm of the Supply & Demand universe, eh?
Finally found some!!! Walked into Off 5th (outlet for Saks) and was surprised to see a whole fob display! I ended up getting black cherry feather and the black cherry little album with turnlock.
Wow! I never thought to look beyond Nordstrom Rack, great find and excellent choices, congratulations!
Are the prices similar to NR? I think that the leather feather fobs were between $17 and $25 at NR.
They were all about 45-50% off. Feathers were $39.99, reg $75, except for the yellow on right which was $49.99, reg $95, because it had an extra charm.
Little album key chains were $24.99, reg $50.
Since they have the leather feather fobs that I want, I'll have to check that store, which is near me too! At least it's still a decent discount! Thank You!
Wish me luck -- I just called back that NR store and the lovely sales gal is holding their LAST pink top robot and blue leather feather in the back for me till closing time -- they're open till 8pm! For both, my tab should be under $30 total!
There were also a bunch more that I'm not drooling over (metal boxed horse and carriage hangtag, glitter hearts, padlock with key), but if they're discounted enough I'll have future stocking stuffers -- I'll post a mini haul reveal tonite!
PS -- Thx to Kitts, I also called the Saks Off 5th (right next door to NR), who has ALL the leather feather colors, but at the lesser discount! But since it's right next door, it can't hurt to stop in! I REALLY want that yellow leather feather too.
Wahoo!! Off to shop now!
