Enormous Sale

[clubesquire]

I can’t help it. I’m so excited I just have to share 🙂

We’ve sold a ginormous cache of our items. Nothing to do with eBay, which is even better - no fees.

Long story short, we’ve been dealing with a very wealthy, but humble and lovely South African (British/German) man now for about three years. He’s purchased big before, but not like this. He was in Australia for just two days and spent a lot of his time here with us, culminating in a massive order. And, according to him, he’s not finished yet and will be returning before Christmas.

We’ve really laboured and fretted over how long it was going to take to clear our stock and collections. This is truly like a heaven sent gift. We knew it was possible from conversations, but kept our hopes in check. But now?? I can’t sleep tonight. Hehe!! And no, I’m staying right away from my favourite Merlo. I couldn’t trust myself .... lol.

I’ve been busting to tell all day - the boys telling me to ‘Settle Petal’ - but, I just couldn’t hold it.

Some dreams can come true in spectacular fashion.

 Goodnight all. I so wish something the same for you all 🙂

Melina.

[brerrabbit585]

Woohoo!!  A big congratulations from me.  You should be high enough without needing Merlot!

My biggest sale on ebay was over $1,000 but I've had bigger ones elsewhere, but they don't sound as good as yours.  It's a wonderful feeling to see the light at the end of the tunnel steadily getting stronger.

[collect247]

I think Melina has already gone the merlot as she doesn't know if the man was South African,British or German hahaha

[chameleon54]

Fantastic news Melina. You have mentioned before that the thought of having to move so much stock is weighing on you. Having a Knight in shiny armour come along and take a big order must be a relief.

Now you dont happen to know some-one who will buy all of my stock do you ???

[clubesquire]

Thanks Brer, yes it’s wonderful. It takes a whole lot of pressure off. Mind you, he’s a hard bargainer, but gentleman nonetheless. The way it should be done.

Chameleon. It was always a worry, because our items mean nothing to the kids. I always had visions after we depart of someone offering the kids 2/10th’s of nothing and parting company with it all. It made a nice dent, but mind you, you’ll still have to put up with me for a few years yet. Sorry about that .... lol.

Kollector. My Mer-lot. I always forget the t. I promise I was sober though, I think 🙂  The South African/British/German bit? I was going to tell you a bit about that, but forgot it in my excitement. Before he settled in SA he had homes in both England and Germany. To have his collections safely dismantled, safely packed and freighted to SA cost a small fortune. I can’t remember the exact figure, but it was breathtaking. then on top of it he purpose built many glass and mirror walls, with all the mood lighting and stuff like that, in his sprawling new home on his property. Every wall has special compartments to display his pipes, each with it’s story and history within gold foil edged frames behind it. I mean, a collector doesn’t get much more serious. But anyway, The final cost of getting them re-located and the new safe keeping and display of them made me straightaway think of the cost of a really nice home somewhere here in BrisVegas. More than breathtaking. But, with all his wealth, he’s a lovely man, very ordinary and down to earth. That’s just a bit of trivia attached to it all.

I must stop chattering. I’m still so thrilled.

Mel.

[collect247]

Haha well done especially when times are tuff for some sellers,cheers.

[brerrabbit585]

I wouldn't give things away but I do believe that a huge order often justifies quite a discount.  Remember that he's spent a fortune on his collection and hasn't stinted himself, so don't sacrifice yourself at his expense.  Having said that, bear in mind all the work involved in individual orders, the possibility that the things he buys may not sell to anyone else, the extra work of relisting and relisting and relisting until they do sell, the possibility that someone could break in and steal half of it (do you have it well documents for insurance purposes), the fact that you could be run over by a bus tomorrow and not get to enjoy the proceeds, the possibility of you getting sick and being unable to continue selling, the fact that ebay could raise fees even more (I've heard etsy are raising theirs), the fact that another GFC would mean your collection is worth a fraction of what it was, and the list goes on.  Which would you rather, a little bit less money and a life, or to be tied down to selling for years and years to come?

For quite a while the amount of stock I had was a weight on my mind/shoulders but I've been feeling a lot better about it this last few months.  Sometimes a bird in the hand is worth two one and a bit in the bush.  Just as an aside, do you realise that if your items are vintage (over 20 years old, I believe) you can list them on the other E site?  I'm not sure they'd be any more viable there but they may be if you sell internationally.

[clubesquire]

Oh God yes Brer, everything you say is indeed a possibility. Anything can happen, anytime. We’ve been treated to a few of those surprises in life. The bargaining was fair and the concessions made worked to everyone’s benefit. Thats how a good business deal should work - win, win.

You are so right too about ‘weight of mind’ and it does rest heavy at times whether you know it or not. We’ve still got a long way to go really, but I can say I am much relieved today. We’re not getting any younger and that is a tangible issue.

The other site? Yes, we’re there, but only in a small way at this time. The biggest issue we have is time. It is quite labour and time intensive over there, compared at least to eBay and you do need to know you’re way around with SEO to ensure you are found in searches. Those things aside though, I do love it, it’s quite different to here in a good way, and we’re working towards a greater presence.

But, being honest, we’ve always been treated very well by eBay. What troubles me is the knowledge of how some others have been treated at times. Some behaviours are just inexcusable, and as we all agree some policy is beyond redemption, but as invitees to their sand pit we either play by their rules, apply workarounds, or get on the next bus. Generally we’re very happy, just wary, and ever grateful for this forum and those in it.

Thanks Brer. Always take note of what you say 🙂

Melina.

[ozstockman]

I hope you are not trading gold bullions with some guy from South Africa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QdPW8JrYzQ

[clubesquire]

Oz, I sincerely hope you’re not suggesting I’ve done my 1,500 quid!!