posted on January 1, 2001 09:47:57 AM new
HI all -
I hardly ever try that - buy something on sale in a retail shop and list on ebay. For one thing I spend very little time shopping and haven't even managed to hit the New Years sales this year, though I do need stuff.
I did discover that our piece goods store has Simplicity patterns on sale today for 99 cents. Unfortunately, I know next to zero about that product, being a non-sewer. No idea how much they usually cost or what people want to buy. Only the price seems attractive as an experience, since it's what I usually pay for a hardcover book to list. I did browse some auctions but saw a lot of no-sales in the completed section so I wonder if it's a hit or miss category.
Same with fabric. I had to get some curtain fabric today and I think the price was good [about $2.60 a yard] but I have no idea if any of the sales stuff would be worth buying to list.
posted on January 1, 2001 10:25:04 AM new
Don't buy things you don't know on a guess that you might sell. Stick to things you know or study up on things you don't.
I happen to know the area which you are asking about because I do sell those items. Some things to keep in mind. 250 other people had the same idea before you. You will get burned on sales unless you know specifically the popularity and seasonality of the item and when it needs to be sold. This requires thinking 6 months to 1 year in advance. Be prepared to sit on your stock for that long if you intend to make a profit. Don't sell to a market that's already flooded with offerings or you will not sell or make 25 cents after posting and closing fees.
posted on January 1, 2001 10:51:16 AM new
I have Bought a few Items at close out stores there were unique and I was sure would sell since it mouldnt be readily avalable every where.
I dont recommend buying these things in large quanity till you know the item will sell usually you can buy one or two and list for a few days to see the responce if its good you can usually still get more later.
Unique decoritive things porclin ceramic glass type items These items are close out not being made any more or distressed never found the right market to sell to and discountinued Ebay yahoo reaches all markets and in many countrys giveing online seller a bit of a sporting chance of selling for a bit of a return.
Fashions in clothing & music that falls out of favor in the USA market quickly will sell online to some countrys out side the USA where these fashion can take up to 1 or 1 1/2 years to even reach them and come into favor.
One of the best market research tools on the web you have to find out what is hot in fashion in other countrys like holland germany and so on is penpal go in to the usenet soc.penpals find people from other countrys looking for penpals try to find serious ads and reply to them you will be suprised what you can learn about whats hot and whats not in other countrys at this time through penpals.
I had 22 penpals at one time in various countrys and found it interesting how far trends are behind in some countrys.
posted on January 1, 2001 10:52:34 AM new
I bought a ton of Simplicity patterns for 25 cents each from a Ben & Franklin that was going out of business.
I was lucky to get $1.00 each for them and thought I'd never get rid of them all.
posted on January 1, 2001 11:35:21 AM new
I have sold many items that I bought on sale at clothing and jewelry stores but they were a really good deal and designer brands. When I buy these items I keep the sales slip so that I can prove I bought the items and state this in my TOS just in case I get a notice from the designer house. When I sell designer brands I bought at estate sales I also keep the sales slip and state that in my auctions. It is becoming a cut throat market and we now are guilty until proven innocent.
posted on January 1, 2001 11:48:00 AM new
Keziak -
Just an FYI - you can almost always get patterns on sale for .99 (at least around here) I know that the retail prices on them look attractive (upwards of $10), but I have sewed for years and can honestly say that I have only paid full retail for 2 patterns (due to time constraints). I believe that active sewers would know this.
I have found that my older patterns and pattern books sell well - from the 60's and 70's - I'm not sure if it is for collectors or someone actually sewing/knitting those styles as they are coming back into fashion.
As far as material, I have sold some items from my stash, but I have never bought fabric with the idea of resale (even though I get great bargains at a place that sews commercially - I pay $5-$10 per box for remnants which are often pieces 3 yards and larger). But then I'm a fabricaholic, so I only part with items that I know I will never, ever use or that have been sitting there so long that I forgot my original plans for them. (Needless to say I have more plans than time!) The vintage and unusual patterns have done well for me.
*Sigh* Wishing I had more room - I have one room packed with sewing items and one room packed with ebay inventory - I'm thinking that I'll soon be forced to sell a child so that I can take over another room......
posted on January 1, 2001 11:48:48 AM newAvaloncourt said it all - except that virtually all dress patterns except Vogue regularly go on sale at many fabric shosp for 99 cents. I think the spend more time on sale than they are regular price.
posted on January 1, 2001 05:42:13 PM new
I buy patterns for 10 to 25 cents. I choose only uncut patterns. Very old, unique, or classic for clothing, or not clothing and so not sized (the size can be the real hangup). I get patterns for interior design items, pillows, curtains, costumes, fashion accessories, etc. Also very versatile or dressy patterns for children. Usually sell more than half and then donate the non-sellers after 2 lists. That is my pattern experience.
-- http://www.valeriet.com
posted on January 1, 2001 07:05:44 PM new
UNUSUAL (costume) or vintage patterns can do well. I bought a 1919 Halloween constume pattern (very Poiret) for $7 and sold it for $60. Issey Miyake Vogue patterns regularly sell for $50-150. Smocked garmet patterns are a hot seller, as are Folkwear and ethnic designs. But anything else done after 1955 had better be pretty darned interesting or it'll be much, much more trouble to list than it's worth.
posted on January 1, 2001 07:25:41 PM new
keziak--Watch for doll clothes patterns, especially Barbie. Other than that, I would only take a second look at ones in garage sales that are vintage and UNCUT.
posted on January 1, 2001 07:48:15 PM new
Since we are talking abouy patterns-I bought a huge box of them at a garage sale and paid a good price,now what? They are really sweet as they tell a story from about 1930-1970,Brides dress,nightys for wedding night,maternity clothes,then baby clothes,little girl dresses,maternity 3 more times! Lots of school clothes,then weddings,maternity for the girls she had,and so funny hippie stuff-will they sell or should I just donate them? Thanks,I am new to selling,Emily(and typing)
posted on January 1, 2001 10:07:14 PM new
handmadeshabby- why don't you just sell them in a lot? You might do OK with them that way. Or maybe break them into 2 or 3 smaller lots. That way you won't drive yourself nuts with all the packing, shipping, emailing, & feedbacking.
posted on January 2, 2001 04:46:55 AM new
I just sold a lot of 2 dozen c.1950 patterns for $13 and was thrilled with that bid. The pattern market has been very, very soft for some time now (I watched it dip during the time I was selling off parts of a lot of 100 or so). Make sure you give CLEAR pix including the sizing chart (sizing changed midcentury), that the pattern's uncut or that all pieces are there, and that you make shipping very, very reasonable. There is a LOT of competition out there. I've had the best results with (surprise) small lots of uncut 1940s patterns in what would now be a size 12; early lingerie/bridal patterns; and quirky stuff from the early '60s (I sold a great Emma Peel-style catsuit awhile back). My experience is that of all the textile-related categories, this is where you'll get the most deadbeats.
