Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Asaaan Bazaar: Vintage Giveaway and eBay Tips Interview!


Sunita of the eBay shop Asaan Bazaar is a vintage selling machine! She's a featured eBay seller with a perfect score, her high sales help her pay the household bills (She blogs about her daily life here). Today Sunita's offering a plethora of goodies from her vintage stock.

You Could Win: 1.) A stack of plastic bowls 2.) Boxed set of cocktail forks and spoons 3.) Vintage Christmas Labels 4.) Vintage Wooden Spools 5.) Pretty Napkins 6.) 60s playing cards with cute graphics 7.) Ekos Soap 8.) Cute vintage stationary

Details on how to win are below, but first I had to ask Sunita how she's done so well on eBay while balancing a busy family life!

 
Tell us a little bit about yourself, Sunita.

I am a stay at home to 4 kids, 12 yrs to 5 yrs old. I have lived all over USA: Boston, Boulder, Pasadena and now Snotty Bay Area. I sell on eBay and have been writing a blog for the past 6 years.

I can speak and curse in 4 languages. I grew in Singapore and have 3 younger sisters. I met my spouse online in 1995, back when internet wasn’t so scary.  I started thrifting less than 2 years ago when I got hooked onto ATG’s blog and a few others. I decided to sell when I needed to fund my addiction.


I first started with selling clothes. However, I soon changed directions and started selling vintage housewares, BAR CARTS, sewing notions and the list goes on and on.

You're a featured eBay seller with a perfect score and tons of sales under your belt, can you share your top 3 eBay Reselling tips with us?

1.) Buy insurance to protect yourself. I use shipsurance right from eBay’s app center. All purchases above $45 are automatically insured. It has saved me from scammers to protecting me when my shipment arrives damaged or lost.

2.) List everyday. Even if it's relisting. Use sell similar instead of relist this. Tweak titles. Lower the price by a few dollars. Increase the price and add free shipping.

3.) Run Markdown Managers every week or so. I run various sales. A 20% 48 hour sale. A 50% 12 hour sale. It doesn’t cost anything and almost always snags 2-3 sales.

The extra income you earn from reselling on eBay helps you pay for many of the household expenses! What expenses do you pay thanks to your Reselling revenue?

I paid for my youngest’s  preschool tuition last year. I paid for swim lessons and eating out. A monthly housecleaner. I bought my sister a nice Xmas present. A plasma tv for our house. Like I tell people, my spouse earns the bread and butter and I supply the jam.


What's a typical day like for you? I've gotta know how you do it all: kids, extracurricular activities, maintain the house, and resell like crazy!

Come fall, I would have a very different schedule. I would have all 4 in school (youngest would be in kinder) However, this past school year:

Mondays: I worked in my son's preschool.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: My stay-at-home days when I get to list items online.

Wednesdays: I hit thrift stores from 9 to 11:30 AM.

Fridays: I hit estate sales. I would take photographs in the afternoon right after I picked up the kids during their snack and TV time. We would be home by 3:30 PM. Shipping (I print labels at home) would be done at night after they went to bed.

Saturdays: Morning estate sales. If I had a backlog of inventory, my spouse would take the kids out for the day and I worked on listings.

(Psst: The house looks like crap most of the time! Also, "Asaaan" is the initials of everyone in my house. My 4 kids all have A names. It's also the name of a yoga pose :)

How do you keep organized amid the flurry of your daily life?

I add every single item to Google Calendar. It then pops up a reminder on my phone. Sometimes I have both email and a pop up reminders. From wear green to school day to doc’s appts. I love my G2. Email on the go, Accepting offers, answering asq (ask seller questions) .


What's are your favorite things to collect while thrifting?

OMG where do I start. I have a collection of trivets that hang on my kitchen wall. Leonard silverplated. I keep an eye out for those. I always look for boy’s clothes since they are so rough on their outfits. Plants although I need to stop. My balcony is over-crowded. I have a drool worthy collection of Griswold cast iron skillets and pots. I love cooking in them.


What are your top thrifting tips?

Shop Frequently: I make it point to drag my kids for a 5 min thrift store run while doing errands. My friends always comment on my finds saying they NEVER find anything good.

Don't Fight: I almost always never fight  over items, there will be another sale next week! If the other person wants your item that bad, give it up, unless it a CatherineHolm or a Vitamix. (I don't sell jewelry, books, or silver, too much competition.)

When an estate sale opens up, everyone runs to the living room where the “fine goods” are, I always stroll to the kitchen and pick out the Dansk and Griswolds. 

Be Nice: The dealers have noticed my niceness (or maybe my cleavage) and I have been emailed about preview sales that allow me to shop in peace before the sale opens to the public. I am in touch with 3 estate sale vendors who let me do this.

Take Your Time: Always take time to dig under tables and inside boxes. I have found many an item that were still left in the box.


You Could Win: 1.) A stack of plastic bowls 2.) Boxed set of cocktail forks and spoons 3.) Vintage Christmas Labels 4.) Vintage Wooden Spools 5.) Pretty Napkins 6.) 60s playing cards with cute graphics 7.) Ekos Soap 8.) Cute vintage stationary.

Here are the rules:


1.) Shop Asaaan Bazaar and select your favorite item.
2.) Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite item is!
3.) Make sure to include your e-mail so I can contact you if you win.
4.) Follow Asaaan Bazaar blog and leave a comment on on this post for an extra entry.
5.) Follow Asaaan Bazaar on Facebook and leave a comment on this post for an extra entry.
6.) Follow Thrift Core and leave a comment on this post for an extra entry.

Good Luck! You have until August 9, 2011 to enter for a chance to win vintage swag from Asaaan Bazaar!  


(By the way, the winner of last week's giveaway was commenter #50, Missy! I've e-mailed you to gather your shipping information!)


* Asaaan Bazaar is a Thrift Core Sponsor. Click Here to read more about becoming a Thrift Core Sponsor or contact me.

Daily thrifting updates, information, & Inspiration: Follow Thrift Core on Twitter and Facebook.

80 comments:

  1. My favorite item is the Oval Blue Le Creuset Casserole Baking Dish Ceramic. The color is so lovely!

    My e-mail is rkrobinson9@yahoo.com

    Here is hoping I win!

    smiles,
    the Joyful Thrifter

    ReplyDelete
  2. Absolutely love the 23 lb vintage scale. Love that there are no numbers.
    Karen G

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am now following Asaaan Bazaar Blog. Looks like fun.
    Karen G
    kareng@undalumni.org

    ReplyDelete
  4. Have been following you for a few weeks since i found your blog. Love it.
    Karen G
    kareng@undalumni.org

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love her spunk! She has great items too. And I discovered some tips that I'd never thought of. Thanks!

    My favorite item is the package of little vintage Santa money holders. Santa + money = win/win cute.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Already a follower of your blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. And I thought I was busy! OMG...we should all learn from her how to manage properly our time :)

    I love the thrifting tips....cool.

    Thanks for introduce her to us Vanessa.

    ciao!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my gosh, that Royal Quiet Deluxe portable typewriter is so lovely!!!

    Tara-Marie
    tara at shipwrecksandbravery dot come

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm also following you on my google reader. :)

    Tara-Marie
    tara at shipwrecksandbravery dot come

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is incredibly inspiring. Love the tips (and her blog/shop!)
    I'd enter the giveaway but I have way too much stuff right now. I'm having to clear out our storage closets to get rid of ten years worth of stuff. There's a lull in the estate sales around here, so I might as well use this time wisely.

    Happy thrifting, everyone!

    -Dani

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have to say, the Atari console+games has to be my fave (am I dating myself?), but I don't want to enter...unless there's a SWEET owl from this collection ^ up for grabs!!! I've got too much suff right now....

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great blog! My favorite item in her shop is the Griswold Square Skillet!

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  13. I already follow Thrift Core! ;)

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  14. Thanks Van.

    I loved being interviewed. And finding stuff for the give away.

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  15. Love the square Griswold frying pan.

    sweetiesuzy@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congratulations S :) you are a bundle of enthu and all that you do is so inspiring. loved reading your interview.. found this link thru your tweets.. I read your blog, follow you on fb, love your work.. and here's wishing you all the v best!
    If I were the winner, I would like the playing cards or the spoons minus the forks :)

    Cheers
    Tara

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the vintage girl guides handbooks!

    vintage_sweetheart@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I follow the Asaaan Blog!

    vintage_sweetheart@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm a thriftcore follower!

    vintage_sweetheart@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh my she has so many things But even tho I love marbles I am going to say my fav thing is the royal Typrewriter think I am a bit in love now.
    Just in case I win (fingers crossed)

    nellysvintage@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm already a reader/follower...and wanted to say I love the stuff you find!

    Not entering the contest, cuz I've got tons of stuff already!!

    Also, just wanted to say that your Stanley Roberts' flatware pattern is Contempra. Hope that helps!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks Nelly. I will add that to my listing
    I had an awesome sales day today and my youngest can eat wheat! He has been wheat(soy,eggs,dairy,fish,nuts) free since he was an infant.

    I am bursting with happiness today

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love the Oval Blue Le Creuset casserole dish! I always want the vintage pieces but can never afford them.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I follow Asaaan Bazaar on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for taking time for sharing this article, it was excellent and very informative it’s my first time that I visit here i found a lot of informative stuff in your article keep it up thank you.

    ged schools

    ReplyDelete
  26. My favorite item is the Griswold Square Skillet 55 B Cast Iron.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I like Asaaan Bazaar on FB.
    dbombach at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I follow Thrift Core via reader.
    dbombach at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love the Otagiri Trio Of Quail Birds Japan.
    jas8929 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love the cast iron fondu set. Thanks
    audreymorgan1971 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I really like the glass Hummingbird
    tjfirth
    @yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. There are so many great things, but as I'm slowly but surely collecting corks to make a mat, the 100 Wine Corks would be a great help! Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I now follow Asaaan Bazaar with Google Reader.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I follow your blog with Google Reader.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I loved the diamond crystal lamp chandelier prisms! chefl@swbell.net

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am following you on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Since I like anything retro or vintage Christmas, I do like the Vtg Ceramic Xmas Lighted Tree Atlantic Mold 17".

    magickalblessings26{at}yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. 7 Royal doulton Old Trentham Sprays Rimmed Soup Bowl

    emmaspeel(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. i Follow Asaaan Bazaar on Facebook as Emm Enger
    emmaspeel(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am following Asaaan Bazaar on Twitter as bambini4u. Bambini4u@comcast.net is my email. I love Sunita's posts on eBay!
    my favorite item is the fondue set or the double beaker orange deskoware pan (love the color orange right now)!! I would buy it..I like it so much

    ReplyDelete
  41. i love the Descoware Small Saucepan Belgium Flame Orange W/ Lid!!

    ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. gfc ferriz

    ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. fb fan xferriza2 danielle b

    ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I like the Descoware Oval 2 Spouts Teak Handle Saucepan

    ReplyDelete
  45. glass brown hummingbird crystletellerday@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I have two faves. One are the cuckoo clocks and the other is the Frary Clark scale. Both would go great in my house!

    olwyn8(at)telus(dot)net

    Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  47. What a fun giveaway and such fun to browse her ebay shop too! My favorite is the 6 Villeroy Boch Petite Fleur Salad Plate-so pretty!
    smchester at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I follow Asaaan Bazaar on facebook as Susan Chester
    smchester at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I follow you on GFC.
    smchester at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. sweepentries@live.com

    My favorite item is definitely the vintage Cel-U-Tone Fruits Pets Congress Playing Lapin Cards! So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I like the Vtg Oval Descoware 10" Flame Casserole Dish W/ Lid
    lusizova at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Follow Asaaan Bazaar on Facebook = Lyudmila Sizova
    lusizova at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. i love the vintange scale, so many cute items
    DianeBaum
    esldiane@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love the Etched Glass Electric Table Lamp Crysal Prisms

    Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Descoware Small Saucepan Belgium Flame Orange W/ Lid

    LOVE ORANGE!!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Descoware Small Saucepan Belgium Flame Orange W/ Lid

    LOVE ORANGE!
    NFRIDMAN@GMAIL.COM

    ReplyDelete
  57. My favourite item is the Royal Doulton Old Trentham Sprays Square Plate.

    brownhairgirl7@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I follow Thrift Core with Google Friend Connect.

    brownhairgirl7@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I really like the Cast Iron Fondue Set Denmark R. Nissen Bodum LeanS12(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I've subscribed to Asaaan Bazaar's blog via RSS feed on google reader. LeanS12(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I follow via Google Friend Connect LeanS12(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  62. LOVE the Descoware Oval 2 Spouts Teak Handle Saucepan!

    strycker@slu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  63. i like the Bucilla Christmas Needlecraft Christmas Stocking 1867
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I like the Shelley Rosebud 13426 Fluted Teacup Saucer.

    stormraven at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. The Pampered Chef EASY ACCENT CAKE COOKIE DECORATOR.
    My email is in my profile.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I like the Otagiri Trio Of Quail Birds Japan.
    spcale at yahoo dot com.

    ReplyDelete
  67. follow on GFc carol lewis
    spcale at yahoo dot com.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I like the 7 Royal doulton Old Trentham Sprays Rimmed Soup Bowl because they remind me of my nana.
    discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I love all the orange cookware but this one is my fav: Descoware Orange Flame Skillet Casserole Lot

    Thanks so much!

    deannecurran at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I liked http://cgi.ebay.com/Brass-Glass-Vtg-Lawyers-Justice-Scale-/230658323406?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b44eb3ce. Those pretty glass scales are just too perfect.

    cyprith@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I like asaaan Bzar on Facebook as Crystal Lynn.

    ReplyDelete
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    Relevant!! Finally I've found something which helped me. Thank you!

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