Click here to see article.
Click here to see Joan's company website, Greene & Lam Studios
3/31/2011
How much profit is acceptable?
It's a topic that comes up over and over again. How much profit is acceptable?
The newest Poppy Parker gift set, "I Love How You Love Me," has been shipping to collectors throughout the US this week. The retail price of this set was $150. plus shipping. I have seen three different people asking $500. for the set since yesterday. That's pretty shocking I wonder if anyone is desperate enough to pay that much.
I'm not saying that I don't resell and make a profit on certain new items because I often do, but when I see someone asking for a really huge markup right on the W Club board before most even got their new doll, I cringe because of the "in your face" timing and location of the sale. You see this all the time on eBay and sometimes on the Show & Sell pages but there it's different.
A few years ago when I was buying the FR grails I needed, I paid way over retail especially for Poesie Sans Couleur Vanessa and Cosmetic Takeover Natalia. These dolls had been out for quite a while and were in extremely high demand. I did not resent the sellers for taking their profits at all. Many of the other early dolls I purchased were also high priced. I am happy to have most of these still in my collection - most notably the Veroniques from conventions.
One of the wonderful things about being part of a good doll community is trading. Once you have established a good reputation as a seller/trader, you can find people who have stuff you want and can trade. No money needs to be exchanged and you both get what you want!
My last Vanessa grail, raven AFL, was a result of a trade. I had a convention Agnes and she had the Vanessa. We both got what we wanted due to the successful completion of a trade.
Then on the other hand, maybe it's good that collectors are upping the prices. Doll values had fallen or stayed flat for the last two+ years. Is this a sign of economic recovery?
What I would really love to know is how much this set (or any doll) cost to manufacture.
The newest Poppy Parker gift set, "I Love How You Love Me," has been shipping to collectors throughout the US this week. The retail price of this set was $150. plus shipping. I have seen three different people asking $500. for the set since yesterday. That's pretty shocking I wonder if anyone is desperate enough to pay that much.
I'm not saying that I don't resell and make a profit on certain new items because I often do, but when I see someone asking for a really huge markup right on the W Club board before most even got their new doll, I cringe because of the "in your face" timing and location of the sale. You see this all the time on eBay and sometimes on the Show & Sell pages but there it's different.
A few years ago when I was buying the FR grails I needed, I paid way over retail especially for Poesie Sans Couleur Vanessa and Cosmetic Takeover Natalia. These dolls had been out for quite a while and were in extremely high demand. I did not resent the sellers for taking their profits at all. Many of the other early dolls I purchased were also high priced. I am happy to have most of these still in my collection - most notably the Veroniques from conventions.
One of the wonderful things about being part of a good doll community is trading. Once you have established a good reputation as a seller/trader, you can find people who have stuff you want and can trade. No money needs to be exchanged and you both get what you want!
My last Vanessa grail, raven AFL, was a result of a trade. I had a convention Agnes and she had the Vanessa. We both got what we wanted due to the successful completion of a trade.
Then on the other hand, maybe it's good that collectors are upping the prices. Doll values had fallen or stayed flat for the last two+ years. Is this a sign of economic recovery?
What I would really love to know is how much this set (or any doll) cost to manufacture.
SouoL by LouoS - Supporting Relief Efforts in Japan
In support of the relief efforts in Japan and other countries hit by the recent natural disaster, 50% of the sale of items from his "May You Blossom Again" series will be donated via Paypal to the Salvation Army.
One example from the collection:
Visit LouoS ArtFire site by clicking on the image above.
One example from the collection:
Visit LouoS ArtFire site by clicking on the image above.
3/30/2011
Coupons and Bargains
—Thursday, March 31 is the last day to redeem your first $20. reward at Barbie Collector.
—At Noon (EDT) on Thursday, at Tonner Direct, gift sets are 40% off and shipping is free!
The sets that the company is offering didn't originally come packaged as sets but they definitely work together. The sale ends on april 8th at 11:59PM EDT.
13" Women of Power Gift Set of Three Dolls
LOTR Elven Gift Set of Two Dolls
Ladies of Oz Gift Set of Three Dolls
Twilight New Moon Gift Set of Three Dolls
Clash of the Titans Gift Set of Two Dolls
It would be fun to have those OZ dolls. I think they are so creatively designed. Of course I want them. I want everything I like but I'm not getting them. There is one tiny bit of impulse control left.
Perhaps if the 13" dolls had an attractive sculpt...well, I've said it already. They are mannish-looking.
—At Noon (EDT) on Thursday, at Tonner Direct, gift sets are 40% off and shipping is free!
The sets that the company is offering didn't originally come packaged as sets but they definitely work together. The sale ends on april 8th at 11:59PM EDT.
13" Women of Power Gift Set of Three Dolls
LOTR Elven Gift Set of Two Dolls
Ladies of Oz Gift Set of Three Dolls
Twilight New Moon Gift Set of Three Dolls
Clash of the Titans Gift Set of Two Dolls
It would be fun to have those OZ dolls. I think they are so creatively designed. Of course I want them. I want everything I like but I'm not getting them. There is one tiny bit of impulse control left.
Perhaps if the 13" dolls had an attractive sculpt...well, I've said it already. They are mannish-looking.
Update: Renegade Dasha will come to Woodstock
A wonderful doll collector friend has allowed me to take over her lottery win for Dasha! I am thrilled.
But my darn GPS can't find the location of this tree.
In the meanwhile, Red Rabbit Misaki would like to say hello. Beware. She will eat your crops.
In the meanwhile, Red Rabbit Misaki would like to say hello. Beware. She will eat your crops.
3/29/2011
W Club Lottery Results
I was not lucky in this one. Apparently my luck has run out permanently as I haven't gotten a bite in more than a year! The spousal unit's account wins once in a while. So far joining the W Club this year has been a waste of money. I didn't order any of the upgrade dolls and I didn't get the opportunity to purchase a darn thing.
Bah Humbug.
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