Sass Class: EBAY: total distraction & new obsession

My apologies for being an absentee blogger. I've got quite a lot going on this week (namely an all you can eat and drink baseball game last night) so I haven't had a second to really focus and put in a good effort -- half ass blog entries are the worst.

Another huge distraction in my life (besides endless hotdogs and draft beer)? EBAY.
I had one unfortunate incident with Ebay in college, involving a britney spears themed party, red catsuit, and chinese seamstress, but that story is for another time.
The point is, it was a huge fail and I didn't really see Ebay as more than one huge digital yardsale.

UNTIL NOW. All it took was a couple lessons from my ebay savvy friend on how to effectively search for iteams, and the rest is an exhilerating treasure hunt. Type in some of your favorite labels - from Fendi to Free People to French Connection - and then either enjoy the endless pages of items, or continue to narrow yuor search by size, color, price range, etc.

I am partial to the items that are up for auction as they are usually cheaper, (and who doesn't love the thrill of competition) but there are also items that are available to "buy now", eliminating the chase. My Ebay advice, should you choose to take it:

1) there is a WATCH button that compiles a list of items you like, and sends you emails right before the auction closes to see if you want to place a bid. After accidentally bidding on 5 items and winning them all... the watch button is my new best friend.

2) Don't get too attached. The reason for my bidding spree was out of sheer anger that a DVF dress i was DYING for sky rocketed from $40 to $190 in the last 5 minutes of auction, some psycho cyber spender ripping it from my virtual fingertips at the finish line.

3) Do your homework to make sure you don't get screwed. Background check your seller, make sure they've received positive reviews from other buyers, and look for items with lots of pictures. Also, make sure you look at the shipping cost - some people jack it up to over $25.

All in all? One of my new favorite ways to shop. Sort of like a hybrid of sample sale and vintage shop, but without that musty smell. It has wasted hours of my life, but the thrill of a glorious find gone unnoticed by other cyber shoppers... is totally worth it.

On my WATCH list:

This gorgeous Rebecca Taylor silk blouse (HUGE for fall) is usually $300, but could be yours for $19.99!

I drooled over this Milly dress (picture does not do it justice) at a local boutique for ALL of last year, but at $515 it was never going to happen. I am estatic to say that I found one on Ebay in my size for $49!! Yes it has been worn, but there is no harm that my local dry cleaner can't fix!! Me: 1, Overpriced designers: 0