I love looking at vintage white linens on eBay and when I find beautiful napkins like these something comes over me and next thing I know I'm bidding on them. The sad part is I didn't get either one of these. They were both sets of 12 napkins. The one above had a reserve that wasn't met. I actually loved them so much I bid more than I usually would. I was so frustrated that I emailed the seller after the bidding was over and asked her (in a nice way) what the reserve was. It was a $100....that's more than this single mom on a budget can spend on napkins! That's not a bad price when you consider that there are 12 of them but I still can't justify spending $100 on them.
This set of 12 above I almost won. I bid $25 and I was so excited because I had them....until the last 2 seconds when someone swooped in and outbid me! I tried frantically to put in a higher bid but the time ran out.
Yesterday morning I loved eBay and by 5:05 pm last night I hate it!
For those of you who asked about my safety with the fires in California, thank you for your concern. I live in Northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area so I'm not anywhere near the fires in Southern California. My heart goes out to everyone down there, I hope you are all safe!
Still no Victoria! I don't even get excited anymore when I open the mailbox because I'm tired of being let down. I'm now wondering if there was a problem with my subscription. It's supposed to be out in the stores on Oct 30th so worst case I will have it next week!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
My Love/Hate Relationship with eBay
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36 comments:
Hi Cindy,
I'm new to your site. It's a lovely place to drop by and visit. I live in No. Cal also and have yet to receive my Victoria magazine. I did call and verify my subscription and the lovely gal on the phone said I should have received it already. : ( She checked to see if she could send out another but, alas, they have no more copies to send out! I am still checking my box but planning to venture into the nearest city (I'm rural) to find a Barnes and Noble store to pick up the issue. I will add that the lady in the subscription department added an additional month to my subscription for my trouble, but I just really wanted that premier issue in my box! Maybe today ...
I collect odd napkins that I find in Charity shops (thrift stores) and call them a "harlequin set". Much cheaper and just as nice.
I, too, have not received my Victoria; when I called the magazine they said it wasn't "late" until Nov. 11th and that if I don't receive it by then, they will either re-send me that issue, or extend my subscription. I'm not waiting until Nov. 11th to get one -- I'm going to Borders on October 30th!!!
I know what you mean about eBay... right now I hate it too. I lost out on a book I've been trying to find for over 3 years. Sigh.
I can certainly understand your love/hate relationship with eBay. I've done my fair share of buying (and losing) from eBay--so much so that my family and friends call me "The eBay Queen."
One strategy I have is I try never to get too emotionally invested in what I'm bidding on. I TRY to maintain the attitude, "If I win, okay, and if I don't, that's okay too." Anyway, it seem that if I don't win, chances are something else usually comes along that is even more "perfect" and cheaper.
I've also developed a little trick that seems to help prevent someone else from swooping in and winning the item in those last few seconds of an auction. It's not 100 percent foolproof but it seems to have increased my winning. If you're interested, let me know and I'll try to put it into words via email.
Don't give up on eBay, Cindy. There are some great deals to be found on there and it can be fun (just like thrift shopping!). Although those napkin sets were very pretty, I'm sure there will be others offered that are just as beautiful and more reasonably priced.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that has issues with ebay. I don't like the whole bidding thing... if I want it... I want NOW... I have even used the" buy now" so somebody doesn't get what I want... oh my ..maybe I have some other issues.... lol... you think???
There's just something about beautiful linens......
Sorry you didn't get those.
Also sorry your Victoria hasn't arrived.
Hope it arrives soon; you'll love it!
Hi Cindy,
Those napkins are sooo pretty! I also have a love/hate relationship with eBay. Here's a litte tip next time you are interested in bidding on an auction that has a reserve... I will usually email the seller before the auction ends to find out what the reserve is. More times than not, the seller will let you know what the reserve price is. Occasionally, you will have a seller who will not share what it is. At least then you can decide whether or not it is within your budget. I have done that a few times.
Keep up the good job! I love your blog site :)
Oh Cindy! I would have thought your Victoria has arrived by now! I will sen good vibes your way...Cindy NEEDS her Victoria!
I feel the same way about ebay. : )
I knew you were in No. Cal and safe from the fires...it is so awful isn't it? We have several old Navy friends in San Diego. One lost their home yesterday...
Stay well and smiling!
Hugs,
Sue
Hi Cindy,
I feel the same way about ebay.
I have had that same thing happen to me too many times. Some people!!
Hurry Victoria!
Thanks for the well wishes.
Rosemary
Beautiful napkins, but not meant to be. We have Trade Me in NZ and the same thing happens to me, I either forget when the auction is closing, out of my price range or out bid -UGH!
Oh Ebay! It can be very frustrating....Those were beautiful napkins though....
Penny
Cindy, have you called the mag subscription department yet?
I hate it when I lose an auction in the last few seconds!!! It's happened to me more times than I care to think about :-)
Manuela
Oh Cindy, these are beautiful. I too get frustrated with e-bay, and have lost the bid on things at 3 secs to go! Don't give up though. I will keep an eye open for you if I see some pretty ones.
Debbie
Shari,
Would love to hear your tip for winning things on e-bay. Would you share please? You can e-mail me at
dustbun55@aol.com. Thanks so much! :)
Debbie
Oh, Cindy, I've been in your shoes sooo many times on that goofy Ebay. I finally decided the only way I could do it is to bid my absolute highest bid and then if someone outbids me, I don't go quite as balistic. Any, you are right...those napkins are beautiful
I just know VICTORIA will be waiting in your mailbox tomorrow...at least, I hope so!
~bj
I live in Northern Cal too and I just received my Victoria yesterday. I bet you get yours today!
I just received mine today....in PA. There doesn't seem to be a very consistent delivery system. :-(
Sorry you missed out on the napkins....they were very beautiful. I gave up on Ebay....too frustrating.
Hi Cindy,
Just stopped by to see if all was well with you due to the fire situation in your state and am happy to read that you are in northern Cali. My heart goes out also to all those in harms way.
Doesn't that drive you crazy when someone swoops in at the last second on e-bay? Sorry for your loss of the gorgeous linens.
Take care,
Sue
Those napkins are gorgeous,Cindy! I usually do the Buy It Now things. I've only bought a few things and probably bid on about half of them. I understand your frustration!
My daughters have pretty good luck bidding and getting what they want.
Pat
Someone had mentioned that the subscription department had a bit of a mix up...you may not be on their list. I would call them/email them and find out. If not, let me know and I will send you my copy! ;O)
xo Cat
i got my victoria late (sounds like we're obsessed with something here huh!) and i, too, emailed the publisher. it's hard when everyone else was ooing and ahhing about having their magazine! blessings!
I find ebay to be very frustrating.
I've had that happen to me before.
I prefer to pay a set price.
~elaine~
Hi Cindy! I know your frustration with not winning an auction. Have you looked in antique stores for old linens? We have several shops here in Modesto that sell old linens. If I come across any I will let you know. Keep trying! You'll end up with some lovely ones, I just know! Take care, Becky
I am so glad you are safe from the fires. They are so terrible. The napkins are very prety though. Sorry you did not get them. LOL Mary
Oh Cindy, I had no idea how much a set of napkins are worth, wow, I'm sure I've seen the at garage sales for quite an affordable price, I will watch out from now on and hopefully buy a set for you as a pressie for a thankyou for all your hard work in keeping us inspired and entertained
Gail xxx
Hi, Cindy! Hmmm? I ordered my Victoria issue on their website and received it within 2 weeks! Is there any way you can email Victoria or call them about your issue?
I am in S. Cal, but grateful our home is not in jeopardy. I went to law school in Malibu, so I am familiar with the area. Very sad. We see the smoke over the mountains and the air quality requires us to stay indoors, but our inconveniences are nothing compared to the devastation these fires are causing. Now there is news that arson is suspected. Unbelievable. Prayers to all. Cindy
have you ever tried bidnapper.com? I think they may have a free trial period. It puts in a bid for you at the last minute. I think it is worth the money, because I don't have time to watch auctions when they end, or I forget completely.
Those napkins are gorgeous! I have had better luck at Goodwill than thrift stores. In fact, I may have something for you--e-mailing you now! ~A :-)
Hi Cindy,
The napkins are beautiful. However, it's always more fun when you find things at a bargain. Did you get your Victoria magazine yet? I wonder if the fires has anything to do with the delay. I live in Ohio, and I certainly feel for everyone affected by the fires.
I contacted Victoria through their web page and discovered they hadn't received my subscription. Big mess... But the good news is they didn't cash my check either, so I am going to just get my mom's when she's done... Boo.
Hi Cindy,
I am with you on Ebay...in fact, I've gotten to the point where I only buy things that have the "buy now" option. I hope you get your magazine soon :)
Hugs,
Dena
I'm so sorry you didn't win your laces. Just wanted to tell you I copied your lace on the toilet seat flower idea for my new bathroom. Of course I didn't use vintage lace, but it looks really nice.
Thanks for the idea and you tips on painting.
I think that has happened to all of us. One time I bid on these beautiful porcelin buttons made by Royal Copenhagen. Oh - I dreamed of how beautiful they were going to look on my blue silk blouse...until they arrived. They were teeny tiny! Silly me - I had not paid attention to the description of their size! :0(
Thank you, my friend...I just emailed you my thanks.
bj
Oh, Cindy, those napkins are gorgeous. I have never tried to bid on anything on ebay -- just kind of nervous about the whole process. Hope you have better luck next time!
xoxo,
Mary
Hi,
I'm new to your blog and so far I like what I've seen.
As for getting outbid on your napkins, check out this site. You might want to try it sometime. It has worked for me before. There are other similar sites and if I knew the web addresses for them, I would also post them for you.
www.bidnip.com
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