Resolution "LOW-BUY" 2014! Who wants to play?

[kerry-jane88]

It's ridiculous, isn't it? I think this week you can get 10% off if you've got the Douglas card but - seriously - you can always find a 10% off code on the internet and shop online. hboy: What also bugs me is the fact that people don't want to pay reasonable prices for used items - no offense to anyone - but (I don't know if this is only the case in Germany) you basically have to offer your product for nothing in order for people to buy it. I want to sell one of my NARS blushes and it has only been used three times max. and I paid good money for it (about 28€) and I want to get 15€ (shipping included) out of this deal but for some people it is still too much. I don't know what to do with it. I'll see if I can get myself to like it. My friends don't use makeup and women's shelters don't take anything that has been used or opened. And I'm definitely too stubborn to sell the blush for 10€.

Yeah that annoys me too, I've sold some stuff at insanely low prices because everyones a cheapskate these days. I had one woman moaning about my 3.99 postage charge for a bnib dolce and gabbana quad I was selling for £10. Really!? It works both ways of course, I've got even brand new products for less than I fiver, and I feel bad that they've sold so low, I wish we could all make more money! I struggle to list when youre up against fake products and people starting listings at 99p! :/

 

[SleepingBeauty]

This is what's frustrating me too. Unless it's a currently over-hyped product you practically have to give it away. I have 3 Tarte quads that are in Ulta for $25.00 each. I'm trying to sell them for $15 (all of them together) with free shipping and I can't sell them. Really? $75.00 of eyeshadow for $15??? Ugh. So much money wasted. I'm sure a million people would trample over me if I offered them for free.

Wow, this is even worse! They'd save $60 if they bought them from you. Some people...
Mhh, I guess that helps us to think twice about buying something new.

I wish you all the best for your workshop, by the way! Hope you will feel better afterwards.

 

[Anneri]

@Sleepingbeauty: Did you try Kleiderkreisel already? I've had some good results there, especially with Mac items.

 

[Rainbunny]

I wish Ulta would quit sending me coupons, it's SO hard to pass up 20% off. lol. I know in the long run I'm not really saving, but it's hard to break that sale mentality. 

What I sometimes do to discourage myself is to deduct the sales taxes from the percent off to show myself I'm not saving that much, really. E.g., for me in Canada, there is 12% tax (GST and PST combined), so 20% off is really only 8% off the purchase price in reality, which isn't so great.

 

[Spikesmom]

Wow, this is even worse! They'd save $60 if they bought them from you. Some people...
Mhh, I guess that helps us to think twice about buying something new.

I wish you all the best for your workshop, by the way! Hope you will feel better afterwards.

YES I have stopped thinking, oh well I'll just sell it. Uh, not so much.

Thank you so much! I hope I emerge from the experience with some new insights that will really help me.

 

[Audrey C]

I don't even bother trying to sell things anymore. Even though I always charged less than retail, Canadian shipping is never less than $6-8 dollars so no one has been interested. I know people counsel against returning items, but I've never been successful at selling anything so I end up BTM or gifting a product away. No more. If I don't like it, I return it without apology.

I have a few more items that I know people like (a Sun Dipped bronzer that was swatched twice, 2-3 blush that are in the same state, 3 BNIB Forever Marilyn); maybe I should make an attempt to do a swap on that kind of item. It would only cost each party postage so pricing isn't as relevant.

I have my second (and perhaps third) purchase of the year planned so I'd like to clear out the items I'm not reaching for.

 

[GoldenGirl]

I caved on the Viva Glam Rihanna.

But it's not matte, which makes me happy because I am not a fan of the mattes, AND I am sure I'll use it... especially once the weather breaks and I can rock my red lippies with my sunglasses... AND it's for a good cause. I've bought nothing else since I posted in here. Just some CP's for a fellow UK Specktrette. And I sent her money for a lipgloss from illamasqua! But it's on sale! LOLOL!!! And I swear that's it.

 

[SleepingBeauty]

@Sleepingbeauty: Did you try Kleiderkreisel already? I've had some good results there, especially with Mac items.

No, I haven't but I will check it out! Thanks, Anneri!

 

[veronikawithak]

On the re-sale point, I definitely sympathise. However, I think [@]HerGreyness[/@] described it perfectly: makeup is not a collectible item - it is a consumable item. Its value immediately drops once you open it, no matter how gently used it is. Motivation for me to only buy what I will reasonably use.. haha.

 

[kerry-jane88]

On the re-sale point, I definitely sympathise. However, I think [@]HerGreyness[/@] described it perfectly: makeup is not a collectible item - it is a consumable item. Its value immediately drops once you open it, no matter how gently used it is. Motivation for me to only buy what I will reasonably use.. haha.

Oh it's definitely made me a lot more picky!

 

[Audrey C]

Oh it's definitely made me a lot more picky!

For me the problem is less that I made purchasing mistakes (although there's a little of that); it's that I've found versions I like even better. I only ever had a few MSF, but along came the Hourglass Ambient powders and they put some of them to shame. And so on.

I'm not crying over spilled milk; the items I no longer want are long since bought and paid for. They're a sunk cost. I think I've just gotten to the point of not necessarily wanting to finish them if I've found a better one. I hate to BTM a virtually brand new product though because it's so wasteful - that's why I've given so many away.

 

[SleepingBeauty]

Oh it's definitely made me a lot more picky!

 

[Glitteryvegas]

I don't even bother trying to sell things anymore. Even though I always charged less than retail, Canadian shipping is never less than $6-8 dollars so no one has been interested. I know people counsel against returning items, but I've never been successful at selling anything so I end up BTM or gifting a product away. No more. If I don't like it, I return it without apology.

I have a few more items that I know people like (a Sun Dipped bronzer that was swatched twice, 2-3 blush that are in the same state, 3 BNIB Forever Marilyn); maybe I should make an attempt to do a swap on that kind of item. It would only cost each party postage so pricing isn't as relevant.

I have my second (and perhaps third) purchase of the year planned so I'd like to clear out the items I'm not reaching for.


Quote: Originally Posted by veronikawithak

On the re-sale point, I definitely sympathise. However, I think @HerGreyness described it perfectly: makeup is not a collectible item - it is a consumable item. Its value immediately drops once you open it, no matter how gently used it is. Motivation for me to only buy what I will reasonably use.. haha.

These are such interesting perspectives to hear - re: reselling items. I very recently have considered selling BNIB items that I have, but it really is a hassle. I mean, I am trying to sell things for cost, and because of shipping no one is interested and I can't blame them honestly! I think the answer really is to consider what you're buying at the time and not think about re-selling as an option. I mean, it's also a time thing, isn't it? How much time am I willing to put into something to literally make the money (or less than!) back that I spent? It doesn't make sense logically and I think for me personally it is more about the hoarding/collecting issue than it is about making money back - thinking about items, listing items, buying items, swapping items - the thrill of getting that elusive item is almost as good as using it, no?

I have used up 7 items so far this year (of my 30!) and am thinking about the new Viva Glam gloss. The good news is that it's around all year, so I should shift that focus maybe onto something else - FOF Fluidlines? Hmm...the question is, how much am I going to use a teal green eyeliner as a teacher? And I already have a few teals/greens.

 

[Audrey C]

These are such interesting perspectives to hear - re: reselling items. I very recently have considered selling BNIB items that I have, but it really is a hassle. I mean, I am trying to sell things for cost, and because of shipping no one is interested and I can't blame them honestly! I think the answer really is to consider what you're buying at the time and not think about re-selling as an option. I mean, it's also a time thing, isn't it? How much time am I willing to put into something to literally make the money (or less than!) back that I spent? It doesn't make sense logically and I think for me personally it is more about the hoarding/collecting issue than it is about making money back - thinking about items, listing items, buying items, swapping items - the thrill of getting that elusive item is almost as good as using it, no?

I have used up 7 items so far this year (of my 30!) and am thinking about the new Viva Glam gloss. The good news is that it's around all year, so I should shift that focus maybe onto something else - FOF Fluidlines? Hmm...the question is, how much am I going to use a teal green eyeliner as a teacher? And I already have a few teals/greens.

Maybe we need a Team Low Buy Swap thread? None of us want to just toss our barely used items and I bet we all own things that others might enjoy. I don't want to enable anyone, but I'd rather send Pixie my Sun Dipped (for instance) than let it sit in my drawer another two years. For me it's not about the money - it's about getting these products into the hands of others who actually WILL use them. And if it keeps us from buying, so much the better (assuming it doesn't just become another way to hoard). Hm...I'm thinking out loud here, so I'm sure there are challenges with this but I'd love to know what others think.

As for the teal fluidline, I have Siahi (used it once) and Deep Dare (used maybe 2-3 times). I like both colours but I rarely reach for bold liners. Now that I have the Ocho Loco set, I'll wear them even less. If you have a few teals, maybe you could pass and add something that would get more love instead.

 

[IHughes]

Oh that's a shame to hear about reselling. I was coming over to tell you guys I had decided to sell a few things but reading this has really discouraged me!! I have way too many lipsticks (32 plus the ones I was going to sell which are another 6 or 7) and I got them all last year so I don't see myself finishing any anytime soon. Now I'm not sure what to do!!

 

[NaomiH]

I've been so proud of myself for skipping the MN collection this long, but I keep getting more and more tempted to cave and get the msfs and blushes.

 

[Glitteryvegas]

Maybe we need a Team Low Buy Swap thread? None of us want to just toss our barely used items and I bet we all own things that others might enjoy. I don't want to enable anyone, but I'd rather send Pixie my Sun Dipped (for instance) than let it sit in my drawer another two years. For me it's not about the money - it's about getting these products into the hands of others who actually WILL use them. And if it keeps us from buying, so much the better (assuming it doesn't just become another way to hoard). Hm...I'm thinking out loud here, so I'm sure there are challenges with this but I'd love to know what others think.

As for the teal fluidline, I have Siahi (used it once) and Deep Dare (used maybe 2-3 times). I like both colours but I rarely reach for bold liners. Now that I have the Ocho Loco set, I'll wear them even less. If you have a few teals, maybe you could pass and add something that would get more love instead.

I'm loving the Low Buy swap thread - amazing idea. For example, I have a BNIB PP lipstick from Divine Nights that I would have to sell for $30 to just break even, but if I were to swap for a much coveted item I wouldn't feel like I 'lost out' on funds. LOL I love that I just broke down swapping for everyone - No thank yous needed ladies

I really like that idea.

I have tonnes of teals actually - I got Ocho Loco 2 also and Mars is amazing, I have Undercurrent as well. I do have my fill of teals. I'm still considering Phylox Garden or whatever it's called, but I love purple liners - I will only get it if it pulls purple though, not pink!
Thanks for your help Audrey - you are a great Specktraite to have around here!

 

[Glitteryvegas]

I've been so proud of myself for skipping the MN collection this long, but I keep getting more and more tempted to cave and get the msfs and blushes.

I got Superb and Perfectly Poised (I think it's called) from MN - they are great, but mine wear off after a few hours of wear, which I don't think is uncommon for ED finishes. They're pretty, but honestly, if you have something similar I would probably go with that!

 

[LinenWhite7]

I'm loving the Low Buy swap thread - amazing idea.  For example, I have a BNIB PP lipstick from Divine Nights that I would have to sell for $30 to just break even, but if I were to swap for a much coveted item I wouldn't feel like I 'lost out' on funds. LOL I love that I just broke down swapping for everyone - No thank yous needed ladies :haha: I really like that idea. I have tonnes of teals actually - I got Ocho Loco 2 also and Mars is amazing, I have Undercurrent as well.  I do have my fill of teals. I'm still considering Phylox Garden or whatever it's called, but I love purple liners - I will only get it if it pulls purple though, not pink!   Thanks for your help Audrey - you are a great Specktraite to have around here!  

Let's swap! I've got a lightly used NARS Deep Throat. Is there a way to weigh the product to see how much is actually used? I have owned it for years but I don't know how much is gone. I have a food scale at home...

 

[Naynadine]

Maybe we need a Team Low Buy Swap thread? None of us want to just toss our barely used items and I bet we all own things that others might enjoy. I don't want to enable anyone, but I'd rather send Pixie my Sun Dipped (for instance) than let it sit in my drawer another two years. For me it's not about the money - it's about getting these products into the hands of others who actually WILL use them. And if it keeps us from buying, so much the better (assuming it doesn't just become another way to hoard). Hm...I'm thinking out loud here, so I'm sure there are challenges with this but I'd love to know what others think.

As for the teal fluidline, I have Siahi (used it once) and Deep Dare (used maybe 2-3 times). I like both colours but I rarely reach for bold liners. Now that I have the Ocho Loco set, I'll wear them even less. If you have a few teals, maybe you could pass and add something that would get more love instead.

I kinda like the idea. But not sure if it's possible. It obviously would have to happen in the Clearance Bin.
In the german beauty forum I used to be they had something like a ''swap box''. A package that was send from person to person, people would put stuff in that they don't use anymore and take something out that they liked. I never joined, the system seemed a little complicated and strict (the worth of the items had to be determined depending on the percentage of product left, and you could only take out products with the same worth)