Lynn’s eBay E-zine Volume II, Issue Number 10

 

Hi Everyone!

I hope you have all survived the heatwave. I am trying to stay cool and luckily it is in the low 100’s today. Yikes! A really neat article just came out about me from the USPS and we have a link for you below. Also, my first eBay Boot Camp was a smashing success! We have some videos for you to watch.

Be careful with that china in your cupboard. You could be eating off of a dinner plate valued at $50. Check out the top ten dinner patterns as reported by Replacements.com. Finally, there is a really neat service free to eBay bidders that will help you buy from your favorite sellers. Learn more below. Take care and happy selling!

This e-zine is published twice a month.

August 8, 2006 Volume II, Issue 10

  • USPS Impact Article
  • eBay Palm Springs Seminar was a Blast!
  • Top Selling Dinnerware Patterns
  • Check out Auction Trust Network’s Reconnect for Buyers

USPS Impact Article

I was asked by the USPS to film a small business impact video for their website last December. It was a really fun shoot and we did it in Santa Monica in front of the pier. I talk about how the USPS is a big part of my business. To watch this footage please click here.

After I filmed this spot, the USPS Impact magazine decided that they wanted to do a written piece about my business. The title of the article is “From Storefront to eBay Royalty–USPS helps Auction Queen Keep her Subjects Content.” How cool is that?

I was in Washington DC for Book Expo in May and that is where we did this photoshoot. I went to the photographer’s studio which was right by Embassy Row. It was a really fun photoshoot and the article turned out great. It was just published this month. Click here to read it in pdf form. I am in the Small Business Impact Magazine in the center column. Click on the pdf link to read the issue.

eBay Palm Springs Seminar was a Blast!

Last weekend was my first ever eBay Boot Camp. I had 9 students join me here in the Desert and it was amazing!  It was so much fun and we all learned so much. We are all still on an eBay high! Some of the highlights included:

Lynette wishing she were coming back this weekend to do it all again!

C.J. taking the plunge and deciding to ship internationally. Congrats!

Lia driving her dream car–CJ’s convertible Jaguar–to garage sales!

Janet finding Sketchers Roller Skates for $3 that are selling for close to $50!

Pat keeping us entertained with her purchases of masks at almost every sale!

Louise buying so much at the Indio Thrift Stores that she had to repack at the airport!

Saul listing 25 things his first evening (and he had only ever sold two things on eBay!)–It gives me Goosebumps.

Linda taking the plunge and lowering her starting prices and then selling items! I am proud.

Jen cracking us up with her sense of humor and decided to list a ton of stuff in her eBay Store.

Click here to see some videos from the weekend.

It was one of the best working weekends of my life and I can’t wait to do it again on August 25, 26, and 27th in Bellingham, WA. It was so great that Saul will be attending again and bringing his wife. There are still a few seats open so email me quickly if you are interested.

 

Top Selling Dinnerware Patterns

I am still doing really well with dinnerware on eBay. It is a no-brainer and I highly recommend that you all try selling some. Here are the top ten everyday patterns as reported by www.replacements.com (one of my favorite websites!). Note that 4 of the top-selling patterns are by Lenox, 2 are by Franciscan, and 2 are by Wedgwood. Remember these manufacturer names!

Top Ten Everyday China Patterns:

1. Lancaster by Adams–A red floral (looks like a tulip) with green leaves and cobalt blue lines. Discontinued and made from 1969 to 1998. A dinner plate retails on the site for $21.99.

2. Christmas Tree by Spode–Green trim with a Christmas Tree in the center. Manufacture began in 1962 and this is a current pattern. Prices for dinner plates vary by the age of the backstamp. The newer dinner plate lists for $14.99.

3. Kutani Crane by Wedgwood–A Bird and Floral design with Asian Accents. Discontinued and made from 1971 to 1998. A dinner plate lists for $49.99.

4. Runnymeade Blue by Wedgwood–Pink Shells on a cobalt blue rim with a floral center. Discontinued and made from 1972 to 1998. A dinner plate retails for $59.99. I want to find a set of this when out garage saling!

5. Desert Rose by Franciscan–I think we all know what this looks like! It was my great-grandmother’s pattern. Be very careful with this china as it is not as durable as some and often has edge nicks and dings. A classic American design that features a large rose motif in bas relief.  Discontinued and made from 1941 to 1984. Prices for dinner plates vary by the backstamp (signature). The more recent USA backstamp dinner plate lists for $17.99.

6. Brookdale by Lenox–A typical Lenox pattern with white and yellow flowers on an ivory rim. Platinum trim. Discontinued and made from 1963 to 1993. A dinner plate retails for $53.99.

7. Weatherly by Lenox–An off-white swirled sophisticated pattern with a platinum edge. Very understated, yet elegant. Discontinued and made from 1959 to 1986. A dinner plate lists for $54.99.

8. Moonspun by Lenox–A white floral pattern on an ivory-colored background. The floral pattern is very subtle and is on the rim and in the center. Discontinued and made from 1968 to 1995. The dinner plate retails at $47.99.

9. Apple by Franciscan–Once again be careful of this china as it tends to get a lot of edge nicks and dings. The pattern is a red apple. Discontinued and made from 1940 to 1984. Many different backstamps but the American signature dinner plate lists for $21.99.

10. Windsong by Lenox–“Your Windsong Stays on my Mind.” Do you remember those T.V. ads? I am probably dating myself. Oh well! It is a typical Lenox floral with white flowers and blue leaves on an ivory base. Discontinued and made from 1965 to 1993. A dinner plate lists for $47.99.

Make a cheat sheet with these pattern names to tuck into your wallet or purse and carry it with you when garage saling or thrift shopping. Notice that most of the top ten are discontinued but were made for close to 30 years. This ensures a large following of customers willing to pay top dollar to keep their sets complete.

 

Check out Auction Trust Network’s Reconnect for Buyers

If you are an eBay buyer, this is a great tool to install on your computer. It sorts items by your favorite eBay sellers first (you get to pick them), and then compares those prices to Amazon.com, Buy.com, and many others. I have this on my desktop and I love it! There is no charge to use this service. Here is more information:

Never miss another eBay deal! Try the FREE Reconnect eBay shopping tool and get entered to win a $250 eBay gift certificate from Auction Trust Network on August 30, 2006!

Reconnect is the free eBay shopping tool from Auction Trust Network that lets shoppers compare eBay listings to items from Amazon.com, Buy.com, Overstock.com, and over 20 of the most popular online shopping sites! Reconnect users pay an average of 34% less in their online shopping!

  • Compare eBay listings side-by-side to over 20 premier shopping sites
  • Filter searches by your favorite eBay sellers
  • Get the best deals online – save 34% on online purchases

 

Try Reconnect FREE today, or view an online demo of how Reconnect works to learn more! Reconnect is an eBay Certified Application.

Happy Buying & Selling!

Lynn

For more great eBay tips and stories, visit my website at:

http://www.thequeenofauctions.com

Please contact me with any questions or suggestions for future issues. I would love to hear from you Lynn@TheQueenofAuctions.com

Lynn is an experienced eBay Power Seller, author, and teacher. If you want to know the eBay tips, tricks, and tools that Lynn uses for buying and selling at an online auction click here.