Thursday 30 July 2015

EBAY SELLING TIPS

 
Bright and breezy: 80s oversized shirt dress - Saturday Sister Vintage

Ever dabbled in selling on Ebay, but made a dissapointing amount of cash? Maybe I can help. I've been using Ebay as my fallback for about 7 years now. During periods of unemployment or when I've been saving up for something special, I've relied on it to supply me with a little extra money, or sometimes if I'm lucky a nice healthy pay cheque. I now use Ebay to sell vintage clothes, shoes and accessories, and it's going well.

I'd like to share with you some tips I've learnt whilst dealing with all kinds of people and selling all kinds of things (nothing too weird) on Ebay. From requests to wear an item of clothing for a few days before sending, to the girl who ripped me off really bad when she reported to Ebay something I'd sent her smelt like fish and demanded a refund (I launder all my garments before sending, and I'm a vegetarian thankyou = still bitter). I've experienced quite a chunk of the Ebay buying population by now, and I hope to be of help to you, the Ebay curious.

1) WOULD YOU BUY IT?
During each stage of selling an item I try to think like a buyer. Does this picture make the item look cool? Does this description sound appealing? And ultimately, would I buy this? I know you're getting rid of said item and so no, you probably wouldn't. But I always feel my job is done when, having listed the item, I've sold it so well I think 'why am I selling this? I want it!' If you don't look at the listing and want to buy it, then chances are other people won't either.

Floral on floral: Topshop Bag, Saturday Sister Vintage
2)PHOTOS
A classic. Ebay can bang on about how buyers love pictures until they go blue in the face, but I still see so many listings (yep, some of my winnings get spent on Ebay) featuring a dark dank living room, curtains drawn, with a sorry old M&S top hanging, or worse, laid out on a carpet. It's such an unappealing scene. You can't see the item, you don't want the item. Give me beautiful white backgrounds and well lit pictures any day

3) THE PRICE
''I wouldn't pay £20 for this shitty cardigan, but someone will! There's so many people using Ebay that I will no doubt get the attention of the one person who will think it's worthy of £20 and buy it from me!'' This is the thinking of an amateur. No such person exists. Look at the item realistically, how much would you pay for it? Don't rip yourself off, but don't have your standards set so high that it won't sell

4) BEWARE OF UNUSUAL REQUESTS
The girl who emails you saying she wants you to hold a buy it now item until next week when she gets paid? Or the guy who insists he'll be paying for the jeans soon so don't open a case against him yet PURLEASEEE! They speak only lies. I don't know why they bothered to bid on it, or send that email, but my theory is people get a thrill out of the bidding process, or from leading you on. They will most likely not pay so the best thing you can do is stay professional throughout, don't get emotionally involved and remember it's only money. You don't have to indulge them, just be polite and firm (a lesson for life too, perhaps?) What it comes down to is they're a loser who has missed out and you're a winner 


5) BUT IT PAYS TO BE KIND SOMETIMES
On the very odd occasion, I do give in to people. I have a heart after all! I can't remember the exact situation, but there was a girl who bought a dress from me and then couldn't pay. She told me some story about losing all her money and I felt sorry for her. I held that item for weeks, missing out on other potential sales, not reporting her to ebay, and eventually she paid. She was extremely grateful and sweet. You have to trust your instincts. Some people are nice. I also like to add a little extra thing in with a parcel now and again for really good customers, maybe a scarf or necklace, and that always gives you the good feelings

6) BE DESCRIPTIVE
Use a great title, always be honest, include the brand name if it's exciting and highlight all the best bits about the product. For example, a pair of neon 80s shorts (which admittedly already sounds pretty great), becomes 'VINTAGE 80s High Waist PASTEL Rainbow NEON Festival Summer Shorts'! Whoa, I want them now! Also, don't be afraid to use whole capital letter words in your title, some say it's the equivalent of shouting the word, but in a marketplace so saturated with things for sale, a little shout might not do any harm

I have other tips about start prices and postage, buy it now vs. auction, but that's all pretty boring, so for now I'll conclude

Go wild, I hope you make some cash 

Ebay & Instagram: saturday_sister_vintage

Friday 24 July 2015

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL: Lusts

I subscribe to Elle magazine, so I get a regular window in to high fashion trends and highstreet substitutes. I like Elle because I feel it has a slightly alternative edge, despite being a mainstream fashion magazine. I would love to write for Elle one day, but now I'm really going off topic. 

Via Elle I have seen a few key pieces recently which I would buy if I had cash to burn (not just regular wages, I'm talking lottery win). These are items I'll probably never be able to afford, items which rich kids might even think twice about. But it's nice to look at them, think about them, and not buy them.

www.gettyimages.in
Miu Miu Yellow Faux Snakeskin Coat
This isn't even for sale yet, it's from A/W15 Paris Fashion Week. Whoa. I predict it will be in the £1000's when it's finally released to the masses via something nice like NET-A-PORTER or the Miu Miu website. I love the colour, the kitschy texture, the slightly short sleeves, the collar which nods to the 60s, the fact it looks like a 1970s kids coat which has been made a bit bigger for a woman. . .

www.selvedge.org
Celia Birtwell for Valentino Pre Fall 2015 Collection - Dress
I would wear this amazing see through nudey embroidered dress to get married in! Again, the price is very elusive (either it's not for sale yet, or I'm not wealthy enough to even know the price). The grey makes it a tad ugly, which I like. It's a striking choice when juxtapositioned with the bright sunny references that are splashed all over it. It's transparency stops it from being twee.

www.openingceremony.us
Jacquemus La Robe Manches Longues Shirtdress
I'm a big fan of the off-kilter tailoring of this piece, the subversive use of underwear as outerwear and the Star Trek costume gone wrong look. I'm not joking - I think it's cool. 430 (US Dollars). 

Thursday 9 July 2015

VINTAGE PRINTS & TEXTILES

I've just added a few pieces featuring beautiful prints to my vintage clothing shop on ebay! Prints are the ideal way to instantly freshen up and brighten your outfit, a printed shirt under dungarees is a great festival look, a statement printed dress for weddings or summer parties is always a winner, and an interesting print on a blouse tucked in to shorts is fantastic for summer. A great print adds a splash of colour and interest to your wardrobe, whether it's tropical, gingham, abstract, painterly, polka dot, there are so many brilliant ones out there!

Vintage prints are the most quirky, kitsch and fun of them all. Here are a few:

Tropical Palm Leaf and Parrot Print, circa 80s/90s on cotton festival sun dress, Size M, £18 & free postage

Safari Lion, Deer & Tree Print in a painterly watercolour style, circa 80s on a slouchy button up shirt, Size M, £12 & free postage

Jungle Palm Leaf Print, circa 80s on a slouchy loose fit tee, Freesize, £8 & free postage

Gingham Print, circa 70s on a cropped tie front blouse with cute collar tips, Size S/M, £9 & Free Postage

Floral & Circle Psychedelic Print, circa 70s on a button up blouse, Size UK 6/8, £12 & Free Postage
 50's Print, indulgy.com


SALE Vintage 50s Novelty Kitsch Fruit Print by LaConchaVintage

 50s Novelty Fruit Print, LaConchaVintage


Wednesday 8 July 2015

MY CURRENT OBSESSIONS ~ July 2015


2) Curling Tong & Brush (Ceramic Coated) by Boots
This amazing hair styling tool was only £10 from Boots and it really is the ticket. You know those days where your hair looks MEH, maybe you have roots coming through or you just can't find the inspiration to do much more than a top knot. Well, plug this in and within minutes you'll have a subtle wave to your hair with added volume, no more stupid hat hair. I've found taking large sections of hair and twisting it with my fingers, then clipping the end of that section on to the tong and curling it round, holding it for around 20 seconds and then ruffling it gently once released, acheives great subtely curly hair. Just don't forget heat protecion spray kids
~
3) Doing an MA
I've thought on and off about going in to further-further education having finished a uni degree a few years ago. Now seems like the right time. I'd love a career doing something I love and I think an MA is the way I will achieve this. Now I just need to raise some (a lot) of dollar. Learning is mighty expensive
~
4) Giving Stuff Away
I've given an awful lot of stuff away to charity shops, friends and strangers via Ebay recently, and this will continue. I almost breathe a sigh of relief each time I get rid of more stuff. Ofcourse, there are things I would never get rid of... favourite jeans, albums, the dress I wore on the first date with my boyfriend, (the word date used loosely). But increasingly I'm finding it more liberating to give things away then buy things
~
5) Pretty Little Liars
Super trashy. But smart enough to keep me interested for already 2 series (each series houses around 20 - 1 hour long episodes), and to spur me through another 3 series yet to come. I actually started watching this show when I was in India a few years ago. It was the only western show on TV and me and a friend became kind of obsessed with it, as a little thread to something more familiar. Now every episode is on Netflix, and I'm smitten

Wednesday 1 July 2015

SATURDAY SISTER VINTAGE... My Faves

Here are a few of my favourite pieces taken from my brand new vintage clothing shop, Saturday Sister Vintage. All items are handpicked by me, because I love them and I'd wear them. Each item is on trend and priced fairly and affordably. I've sourced each piece from across the UK and across the world, some of them have come all the way from Asia! I'm passionate about vintage clothing, I believe it's better for the environment, better quality  and more special and unique than any mass produced garments could ever be, plus it's often much cheaper to buy vintage too - a no brainer.

Here are my favourite five newly arrived vintage pieces:




80s Yellow Abstract Print Button Up Blouse, S/M- £12 & Free Postage
Check out this incredible blouse, handmade, so it's completely unique! It can be worn tucked in to a high waist or tucked out, and cinched in with a belt. It's perfect for summer and adding a bold bright splash of sunny yellow to denim shorts, skirts, jeans... The abstract painterly/modern art print make it trend focused, and it can be dressed up easily with luxe fabrics and a statement necklace


60s/70s Leather Strappy Mary Jane Block Heel Sandals, UK 4.5- £15 & Free Postage
Sweet vintage sandals, perfect with a 70s maxi dress or 90s strappy dress for summer days out, festivals and nights out. Super cute


50's Style Vintage Cotton Handmade Sun Dress with Kitsch Illustrated Food Print! UK 8/10- £14 & Free Postage
Beautiful and unique dress cut in a 1950s style, with a cute food ingredients print. Absolutely perfect for summer!


80s/Early 90s High Waisted Denim Cut Off Shorts, UK 14 - £14 & Free Postage!
Fantastic vintage shorts in a muted burgundy/maroon pallette with a super flattering high waist. Perfect with a band tee and Dr Martens. I really love the colours and stripe design on these


Beautfil 70s Vintage Cameo Brooch, £6 & Free Postage
Gorgeous vintage classic, perfect pinned on to the collar of a blouse or attached to a chain as a pendant