Monday, January 24, 2005

eBay Stores

Ever since eBay announced increased fees recently, the message boards all over the web have been buzzing; and thousands of protesting eBay store owners are making plans to move to more seller-friendly auction sites. One site alone, http://www.wagglepop.com, has received over 2000 requests for store and auction space.

The new, increased eBay fees are scheduled to go into effect on or about February 18. Based on the news reports, some increases are as much as 60%; and many eBay store owners are saying that they can no longer make a reasonable profit on eBay.

I have only operated an eBay store for about 4 months, after leaving another auction site, after having been there for about 4 years, and that had just increased their fees! So now I am faced with yet another move and another increase, since the eBay increases will just about match the costs at my previous auction site. My sales on eBay have not really been much better than previous; so, I have nothing to lose by moving again. This time I think I will spread around my antique Wedgwood, Pfaltzgraff, old lamps, 50's collectibles, Amateur Radio gear, Time Share Rentals, and other goodies to several different auction and store sites that either do not charge listing fees or have minimal charges.

Some of these sites will be:

http://www.wagglepop.com
http://www.bidville.com
http://www.overstock.com
http://www.livedeal.com
http://www.yahoo.com

I will be researching others as the days go by. In the meantime, my store is still operating at http://www.pennyspantry.net on eBay (for now). Check in for regular updates.

Penny


Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Fairfield Resorts, Newport, RI - Great Place!


Fairfield Resort, New Port, RI Posted by Hello

Grand Pacific Palisades, Carlsbad, CA - Great Place!


Grand Pacific Palisades Resort--Great Place! Posted by Hello

Pfaltzgraff One Piece Chip and Dip Posted by Hello

Wedgwood Cobalt Jasperware Etruscan Jug 100+ years old Posted by Hello

Travel and Time Share Resorts

Since we recently retired, my husband and I have been traveling and enjoying the use of our various time share resorts scattered across the USA and other countries. From time to time, we will post our travel experiences and hope to hear from other like wanderers.

We like driving to various parts of the USA and Canada, and enjoying the varied scenery along the way. Sometimes we take the Northern Routes, the Southern Routes, and the Inbetween Routes, depending on the time of year and the weather. Over the past five or so years, I think we have been to about all of the 50 states and two Canadian Provinces.

Sometimes, during our travels in the USA, we take time to seek out local Antique Shops, in search of our favorite "things". We have even purchased or sold items on eBay or other auction online sites; and then made arrangements to pick up or deliver the items in person, if we happen to be traveling in that direction. It is interesting to meet the Seller or Buyer in person. Look at my website, http://www.pennyspantry.net, for some of the "things" we have found in duplicate.

The Time Share places we frequent are both "Weeks" resorts, where you stay for a full week, and "Points" resorts, where you can stay from two nights or more. We have found a need for both of these vacation options. And inbetween resort accommodations, we find our favorite motels/hotels when just an overnight stay is needed.

If you are looking for bargains in Time Share purchases, just look on eBay. There are hundreds of resales to choose from. We have bought several from eBay auctions and have been very pleased with all of them.

Penny

Monday, January 10, 2005

Pfaltzgraff Gourmet Pottery

Many years ago my hubsand and I received, as a wedding gift, a starter set of Pfaltzgraff dinnerware, in the Gourmet pattern. Much later, when we decided to add to the set, it was unfortunately determined that Pfaltzgraff had discontinued the pattern. So I began haunting Antique Shops and Thrift Stores, looking for Gourmet pieces. In these places I have found many things in the Gourmet pottery by Pfaltzgraff--pieces that I did not even know Pfaltzgraff produced.

My kitchen cabinets are now full of Gourmet casserole dishes, soup tureens, all manner of coffee cups, serving dishes of all shapes and sizes, hot plates, pitchers, bowls--you name it, we probably have it. EXCEPT for the few pieces I am still looking for; i.e., beer steins and a set of canisters. And, of course, I am sure there are Gourmet pieces out there somewhere that I am still not aware of, since the Pfaltzgaff Pottery Company did not publish or keep a list of the Gourmet pieces they produced from the fifties through the 1980's. I even have a set of four ???? pieces--I have no idea what they are called or used for.

If anyone knows a source for the Gourmet items I am looking for, I would be glad to hear from them. If I can figure out how to post pictures here, I will add pictures of my Pfaltzgraff collection and my WISH list.

And as usual, I have collected duplicates of many Pfaltzgraff Gourmet pieces during my journeys to Antique Shops, Thrift Stores and Garage Sales. Visit my eBay Store, www.pennyspantry.net , to see these items and many others.

Penny

Sunday, January 09, 2005

Wedgwood

Welcome all Wedgwood collectors and all persons interested in Wedgwood. When I figure out the process for adding more pictures to this blog, you will see some of our Wedgwood pieces.

My husband and I have been collecting Wedgwood--mostly Jasperware--for several years. My Mother-in-Law started her collection more than 50 years ago; and when she passed away in 1999, we continued to haunt antique shops and eBay for additional pieces.

As with most collectors, we very often end up with duplicate Jasperware items. So last year, I opened up an eBay store, http://www.pennyspantry.net , in an effort to find a good home for these extra pieces. Take a look; and if something sparks your interest, let us know. We are fast running out of space in our display cases and would like to pass on some of our inventory so that there will be room for more discoveries. (Grin)

I have several Wedgwood reference books and would be happy to share information from them with other collectors who may have questions about Wedgwood.

Penny