The Highs and Lows of Online Secondhand Shopping

On Saturday, I experienced the distaff sides of online shopping.
Two packages, two distinct experiences.

The first that I tore into came from Suzanne Carillo's VintageBySuzanne Etsy Shop.

Look! It's a present!

Suzanne blogged about this item and as soon as I read her words "it’s just not my vibe" I pounced.

Cool buttons!

It is my vibe it most certainly!

Package number two: Fluevog Supervog Safety Oxfords, purchased on eBay.
A "smile" greeted me as I opened the envelope
(Yes, I paid $14 postage for shoes wedged into a tyvek shipping envelope without any padding).
This was not a happy smile to see:

[Thinks to self: On noooooo. Expensive cobbler repair. Let's see how they fit].
[On dear. They were very large looking].
Advertised as Size 7.5, they were MEN's 7.5.
10" footbed - 1.5" too long! And both shoes have the sole splitting issue in front.
Damn. They are really pretty (albeit heavy) shoes.

Comparing sizes: a shoe that fits, a shoe that doesn't.

I went back online to check the photos of the listing to see if I'd overlooked the flaws, and to see how the sizing had been described, but the detail photos and additional description [which I didn't know about before. EBay newbie, me] were gone.
I asked for a refund and was issued a purchase price refund, without the shipping. So perhaps this is how the seller makes his money? I don't know. I messaged the seller to see if he wanted them returned, crickets.
I guess their destiny is my Poshmark shop. Sigh.

Have you experienced any online shopping highs or lows? Do tell!

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday.
Catherine's #shareAllLinkup

#SecondHandSeptember Tips for Reselling

Let's hear from an expert Etsy seller, Suzanne Carillo.
Her shop is Vintage by Suzanne

These are my tips to reselling...

• Take the best photos possible in natural light.

• I clean and or iron/steam all of my items for sale so they photograph well.

• Take multiple photos, close up, all sides, and full length on a mannequin or model so they can see what it looks like on a body and not just a hanger.

• Give accurate complete measurements.

• State brand/label and where it was made.

• State fabric contents so they know how to clean it.

• Show satisfied customer comments. It proves you are trustworthy.

• Ship as soon as possible. If there is going to be a delay in shipping let you customer know.

• Stay in communication with your buyers. Let them know what's going on, when the item's shipped and if it has a tracking number.

• Disclose and photograph any issues with the item, stains, holes etc. People don't want to be taken by surprise. This includes bad smells.

• Consider sending a handwritten note with the order. People appreciate it when you show you care.

• I try to consider what I expect when I shop for vintage/used clothing and then provide it for my customers.

Thanks for those great tips, Suzanne!

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#SecondHandSeptember Charity Shopping Like a Pro

Let's refer to the notes I took back in 2012 at the TxSC (Texas Style Council) Conference during a Thrifting 101 Field Trip to Savers:

Link to photos from the shopping trip

Can you read my scribbles? The most important notes:

Shopping tips:
Pay attention to fave areas, start there
Keep running shopping list
[Quality garments have] inside as good as outside
[To determine] when a piece made:
Zipper metal - pre 70's
ILGWU Union label will date [helpful link]

Things to bring:
Measuring tape
Hand sanitizer
Flashlight to see holes

Wear:
Tank
Leggings
so can try things on over

Wash everything when you get home
Biz for stains (if no metal on garment)
Dryelle [at home dry cleaning product]
How to remove smells from leather via Suzanne Carillo
More cleaning advice from Suzanne

Best advice of all:
Instead of measuring a garment for fit by holding it up to your waist,
hold it from your navel to the middle of your back!
genius, right?


Have any additional advice? Add in the comments!

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Rose Shirt Rehab

I mended this last weekend, but haven't yet worked it into an outfit.
Maybe this week, maybe this combo.

[From last year. Still valid]

Or maybe for Fluevog Day (Wednesday, May 15) with The Fluevog Dress?
We shall see!

I got this from Suzanne Carillo's Etsy Shop, Vintage by Suzanne -- she posted it on Instagram or maybe her blog and I HAD to have it.
There were some fit issues.

View this post on Instagram

Flora and Fauna on my feet! More socks I didn't wear. COTD (colors of the day) Friday: FLORA AND FAUNA! #COTDstyle #cotdrewind #cotdthrowback Shirt from #vintagebysuzanne

A post shared by anne m bray (@annembray) on May 25, 2018 at 8:01pm PDT

[I had to check PayPal to find when I purchased this -- it was A YEAR AGO!]

The shirt has an unusual '90's sleeve, which you can't see at all because the print is so distracting, so I drew flats, front and back:

I could rip out the center back sleeve seam, remove a couple of pleats and make room for my shoulders. And that's what I did.

Here, everything is ripped out and ready to reconfigure. I used extra fabric from cutting off the cuffs for the patches.

I used a 1" thick piece of corrugated cardboard as my "voodoo" board.

Everything in position to sew, need to sandwich upper part of patch between the outside and inside collar stands.

Added another interior patch in the same location.

Done! Once I get my sewing machine repaired, I can add matching edge stitching at the base of the patch.

Whoa, that was a lot of detailed work!
Time to party!

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Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness
Catherine's #ShareAllLinkup