Here's Looking at you, Finova Real Estate Group

It’s happened more then once, and it’s sure to happen again. I find a great article of clothing, in this case a Ralph Lauren XL Navy Sweatshirt. 

 It’s in nice condition, soft and plush with a red Ralph Lauren logo on the front (important when selling Ralph Lauren items, if it has an outer logo, it will sell for more). I buy this sweatshirt for $1.00 and by the end of the week, I've listed it on eBay for $9.99.

A bidding war starts and when the listing ends, the sweatshirt has sold for $25.00. It’s my top sell of the week. I recently figured out how to print my postage at home, so I print off a shipping label and find the sweatshirt to package. I fold it once, fold it over again and that’s when everything stops. I can’t believe it.

Look what I have staring back at me!

On the slim chance the customer who bought this shirt is a member of the Finova Real Estate Groups, he is going to be thrilled, otherwise, I have a problem.

I can’t sell a sweatshirt for $25.00 that’s been embroidered on. It’d be like selling a dress shirt with the monogram D.T. to a guy with the initials J. R. I’ve picked up Tommy Bahama shirts not knowing until I’m home they’re advertising a golf course or golf tournament on the sleeve.

So, sorry customer of the Ralph Lauren XL Navy Sweatshirt. After I emailed you the dilemma, I gave you the option to purchase it for $1.00, but you didn’t want it even at that. After all the work to win it, I had to refund your money.

It’s a nice 65 degrees. I have a cup of peppermint tea next to the computer I’m sipping on. I’ve requested a refund of my pre-paid postage. I’m wearing fuzzy slippers and a very cozy Ralph Lauren XL Navy Sweatshirt with a Finova Real Estate Group logo.

And if anyone out there is a member of the Finova Real Estate Group, I wish you great success and there’s something I want to sell you.
And, on a different note, Kelly and I are busy on our latest project.  To be announced later today.  We are so excited!

Sleep Deprived and Top EBay Sales of the Week

Reef, my youngest son, just barely two, has always been a great sleeper until recently. He’s turned into a climber and crawls out of his crib throughout the night. What started out as a milestone,

“Wow, everyone, Reef crawled out of his crib. What a big boy.”

has turned into a major problem.

“Reef, you’ve got to stay in your crib. Its midnight and Mommy and Daddy need some sleep.”

Last night, the counselor and I gave up around 12:45am and Reef got what he wanted all along; to sleep in bed with us.

This has been going on for almost two weeks.

Actually, once he’s in our bed, he’s a darling little sleeper. He falls asleep within seconds and doesn’t move or make a peep all night. I do love taking a few moments to stare at his sweet little face and brush his hair aside. What is it about her sleeping child that melts a mother’s heart?

On the other hand, the counselor, practical and logical in his thinking, reminds me a new baby is coming and Reef’s nighttime routine needs to be broken as soon as possible. I understand the reasoning, really I do, but I only have Reef as my baby for a few more weeks. The transition of letting go off my older baby to welcome a new baby has always been an emotional one for me. The good news is once the baby’s here, the struggle’s gone.

Needless to say, I’ve been posting my EBay listings with Reef on my lap (or at least what’s left of it). I do my EBay listings at night and usually the kids are asleep, but Reef seems to be taking a break from sleep. Taking measurements and typing is not easy, with Reef shifting here and there, but my lap is obviously where he wants to be. I wonder if he senses a change coming? This might explain his need to be stuck to me like glue.

EBay sales of the week are super great. Things are really moving and I’m most especially excited about my .99 relist sales. They've started plenty of bidding wars and I’m making great profits off these items.

Some of my .99 cent re-list's for the week are:

These American Eagle size 12 Cropped Jeans didn't sell for $6.99, so I relisted them at .99 cents. The next week they sold for $13.50.

This darling Ralph Lauren Size 12 ruffle skirt didn't sell the first week for $6.99. After relisting it for .99 cents it sold the next week for $12.05.

And this Banana Republic Size 8 Pencil Skirt, after relisting it, it sold for $8.5o.

My top sales of the week are as listed:

This week Chico's was hot, hot, Hot. I found these Chico's pants, size 3.5, which I'd never seen Chico's go larger then Size 3. I was curious how they'd sell and they did great at $15.52.

These Chico's linen overalls are so cute and I was tempted to keep them for myself, but I gave into the EBay pressure and they sold for $14.50.

Chico's Traverlers has a huge following. These pants are made out of acetate so they never wrinkle and they have a lot of stretch, making them very comfy. They sold for $14.50 as well.

I love Fresh Produce and this was another item I was tempted to keep for myself, but being so big and pregnant leaves me feeling like I'll never fit into anything "normal" size again. Anyway, this skirt sold for $10.10.

Sometimes size 0 sells, sometimes it doesn't (my theory, their aren't many size 0 girls left in America). Anyway this J. Crew Size 0 Oriental fan skirt sold for $8.50.

The change of seasons is a great time to list items. Most of my buyers are looking for clothes for spring, so spring and summer clothes are selling great. Good luck and wish me some sleep.

Taxes, Craig's List and my Top EBay Sales of the Week

Yesterday the counselor and I had an appointment with our accountant.

Image found here.

Taxes are stressful and for a girl who’s not to detail oriented( remember the counselor calls me reactive), I had to step it up a notch. I downloaded my PayPal earnings and EBay fees. I deducted my Goodwill and USPS receipts. The counselor and I worked all day on piles of paperwork and tax forms. The fact that we are still in love really says something about his good nature and our commitment to each other.

The day went from busy to busier when I had a couple of calls off my Craig’s list postings. I made two sales. Remember the chair I purchased last week from Goodwill for $32.00.

I brought it home and cleaned it up a bit.

The boys loved it. They brought out their blankets and snuggled up with each other while we watched Aliens in the Attic. Today when they came home from school they were very sad because the chair was gone. I was thrilled because it sold for $95.00.

Last week, I made my way to Salvation Army for their Wednesday 1.00 day. It’s was a bit of a zoo with a full parking lot and no shopping carts to speak of, but I found some great things.

For example, this beautiful Jam's World Shirt. Remember, last week a pair of Jam's World Pants sold for $16.09 so I hope to make a nice profit off this $1.00 investment.

Anyway, after I shopped I made my way outside and saw a Salvation Army truck picking up trash. I spotted a beautiful table/desk and asked the attendant if I could buy it.

For $5.00, I brought this beauty home. With just a little dusting, I placed it on Craig’s List & it sold for $45.00.

I haven’t done Craig’s List in a while, but Kelly is the expert that inspired me to give it serious consideration again. Craig’s List has no fees and is local for your area. So, my sells are listed for the Phoenix area and picked up at my home. I must advice, use caution with Craig’s List. You can always count on SPAM/fraud email to come into your email account (just don't open it) and always have someone with you when you open your home to a stranger. Personally, I’ve had a great experience and think the Craig’s List community is very nice. I still have posted this Lane Chestnut Hope Chest. I purchased it this weekend at a yard sale for $40.00 and have it listed on Craig's list for $100.00. It's a beauty and a great buy for someone out there.

Yesterday was also a shipping day. You know how I feel about shipping (it’s not my favorite part of EBay selling), but after our tax appointment the counselor and I made it to the post office. The automated machine makes it so great for after hours. I do have 2 international sales this week (Canada & Switzerland) so I’ll be back at the post office waiting in line later today.

I can't believe another week has passed (that means only 4 weeks until baby girl is born). Here are my Top EBay Sales of the Week.

A pair of overalls is always a sure sell. These Tommy Hilfiger Large Denim Jean Overalls sold for $17.50.

I fell in love with this Women's Small Curious George Primal Bike Shirt. I had a ton of interest in it, with over 12 people following it throughout the week. Only two people bid, but I was still happy with the sell at $9.49.

These Ann Taylor Loft Pants Tan Career Pants sold for $15.53. I'm not sure why they sold so high, only that two very serious people wanted them. New, they'd be around $50.00 and both bidders were aware of this. The interesting thing about these pants is I relisted them for .99 cents because they didn't sell the first week at $6.99. Sometimes a .99 cent listing gets a lot of attention and turns into a big sell.

I found this Ralph Lauren Plus Size 3X Denim Jean Dress at the Mountain View Rummage Sale. The dress has two small sunflower size tears at the sleeve. Even with this defect, I listed the dress and mentioned the flaws. The dress still sold for $24.99.

I was bad and sold the Eileen Fisher bag I promised I'd never sell. I only sold it because I knew the bag would be dirty in about one minute of use. I sold it for $10.49 to a customer in Germany. I hope she enjoys it.

This lot of Ralph Lauren Medium Shirts, purchased for .50 cents each at a yard sale, sold for $9.99 as a set. Cute, aren't they.

This weeks EBay sells are looking just as good. Be sure to become a follower and you'll be qualified for our 3 current give-aways (check the top right of the screen to see them listed). Also, I'm looking for resale success stories. Be sure to leave your story under any blog posting in the comment section. It's exciting to see what you're doing and you could be featured on My Dear Trash and win the EBay shirt give-away.

This Weekend In a Wrap: Goodwill, Fraser Field Swap & the Garrett Tanner Benefit Yard Sale

This weekend was sweet and savvy, fun and full of surprises. This weekend was a gift. If a weekend is a party, then my weekend started on Thursday because I partied at Goodwill big time.

I saw this amazing wood chair last dollar day, when it was still $99.99.

“A used wood chair for $99.99?” I thought to myself. "That seems way too high."

Don't get me wrong, this chair is unique and wonderful, but it was either way over-priced or there was something really special about that it I didn’t understand. I checked to see if there were any markings or numbers on it and this is what I found.

Either way, I knew there was no way it was selling at Goodwill for $99.99. I looked at the week on the tag, I realized if it was still here on next weeks dollar day, it would be $1.00.

Kelly mush have this chair! I’m dying to see what Kelly will do with this chair.

So, I wait until this Thursday. I told the counselor I needed to arrive at Goodwill right when the store opened.

It’s not easy getting this pregnant body out and moving early. Mayer's artistic interpretation of my bulging belly is about right.

Me, my belly and baby girl.

I arrived at Goodwill at 9:00am. I pushed my cart to the back of the store and there sat the chair. My chair for $1.00. The manager helped me carry this chair to my car. He told me I had the deal of the year.

"This chair was looked over by our antique expert and is valued at around $250.00," he said.

It looks like Kelly and I have some research to do on Hale maple wood chairs.

I also found these wood shutters for $1.00. My mind raced. What amazing home décor will Kelly turn these into?

With Kelly on my mind, shopping at Goodwill is much more fun then it used to be.

Needless to say, I did find some great clothing for $1.00 to sell on Ebay.

Remember the brand Horny Toad. Funny name, serious re-sale. I found this Horny Toad dress and snatched it up.

Liz Claiborne continues to be a consistent seller, even styles that I may think are out dated.

I love Hot Cotton by Marc Ware. It's easy to spot this label because the linen is of such fine quality and the fabrics are alive with color. Super sweet. These Hot Cotton pants are a plus size 1X.

My trusted Ralph Lauren. This white career shirt looks like it's never even been worn. I'll take that for sure.

And for the counselor and all the boys he's brainwashed, I find this U of A plaque. Joy!

And this collection of arrowheads would bring Payson's ultimate happiness. I'll see if it's still here on dollar day next time.

Speaking of Payson, he and Mayer have been playing (a nice term for fighting for turns) with my size 10 roller blades.

They each want to wear them all the time.

These Goodwill roller blades came into my life just when I needed them.

Now they each have a pair. Funny thing is, they both still want to wear my size 10's. Hey, Goodwill can't solve all of life's problems.

Now, onto the Fraser Field Swap. I wish I could’ve dressed up vintage, but seriously! Vintage & maternity do not collide. But, look at these darling guests with their tiny waists.

The spirit of the swap was alive and well.

There were so many cool things to pick from. My favorite? Something handmade for baby girl.

A sweet compliment came to Kelly when another friend named Kelly featured her cheese dome make-over, inspired by a My Dear Trash original featured here.

The two Kelly's bond over more ideas and I witness creative minds at work.

Lastly, the yard sale for Garrett Tanner was amazing. I transfered "the apron" over to Becky and she wore it with pride.

It's funny, Becky is barely 100 pounds and I'm not, but an apron fits us both. Nice.

Jann was able to get this jumpy free for the morning.

Becky had help from Jann, Anna and Ashley.

Together, they were able to raise $600.00 to help pay for Garrett's physical therapy. Great work, girls.

And yes, Kelly, I did purchase this amazing frame for you. How could I not?

Garrett you are such an inspiration. We'll turn "trash to cash" again soon for your cause.

Believe it or not, my weekend's activities are not over. See what else happened on tomorrows posting. Have a great day