posted on November 5, 2005 10:28:24 AM
This was a 3-day end of year event for off-price retailers (eBay sellers, boutique owners, dollar store merchants, etc.) The show was sold out. Unfortunately, buyer attendance was spotty, at least on Monday, which was the second day. Many vendors had that unmistakeable what-am-I-doing-here expression on their faces. There were quite a few jewelry sources.
I was amused to see Pugster (pugster888) had a booth there, mostly those Italian Zoppini-style charms. Hasn't anyone told them yet that Italian charms are SO over? I looked at some of the other items and asked if they sell these on eBay. They said yes. "Why would I want to go up against you, then?" They had no answer.
A couple of Italian guys had brought Murano trinkets and their booth was mobbed by buyers...one of the few that got a lot of interest. There was much personal gift-buying going on there, judging by the comments buyers made.
Indeed, it wasn't clear to me how many of the sparse crowd of buyers were there to actually stock their stores. I suppose a vendor doesn't mind much if a purchaser only picks up a couple of things but it can't be the volume he was thinking he'd do when he booked the show. Some vendors had firm minimums. One with nice tiny jewelled frames for around $4 had a $100 minimum. I would have liked to have picked up some samples but I didn't need 25.
The hit of the show was an Asian lady who brought popcorn tops. They look like dog sweaters or maybe doll clothes, but they expand so you can fit a ladies size 14 or 18. Amazing. One gift shop buyer was picking them up in matching pairs, intending to sell them as owner/dog sets. Nutty! But maybe it'll fly. I see some people are trying to sell them on eBay, but it doesn't work because you can't get a true sense of how tiny these things are until you see them in person.
There weren't as many dollar store suppliers as at previous shows; maybe there's been a shakeout in that industry. Heaven knows dollar stores here, which once sprung up like mushrooms, are disappearing.
There were a few jewelry vendors who didn't seem to understand their market. I tried on a sterling silver rhodium-plated CZ choker with peridot-color faceted drops -- at least that's what I thought it was -- only to be told that it was white gold and diamonds...only $4,000 for the necklace and matching earrings. Yikes. It sure didn't look like white gold. Another vendor hawking sterling silver gemstone jewelry from India had his discounted prices about three times what I can get it for from people who sell on eBay themselves. It's true what they say: You make your money when you buy, not when you sell.
All in all, a most enjoyable experience. I found a hotel new to me, the Miyako in L.A.'s Little Tokyo. I recommend it highly. At $79 a night, it's the best bargain in downtown, plus you're surrounded by Japanese restaurants.
posted on November 5, 2005 11:00:10 AM
Hey fluffy, long time no see...nice to see you posting again.
Sounds like the show only demonstrates how the industry is constantly changing the marketplace and how eBay may be switching gears once again and what's hot and what's not. As far as the popcorn shirts, like most of those types of trends, probably it's just another flash in the pan and they will be out of style before we know it.
posted on November 5, 2005 11:14:07 AM
O...M...G...!!!!
IT's Fluffy!
Where the tarnation U been GRL??? (Besides ASD)
It has been fairly quiet here without you.
As for popcorn shirts, the east coast has been "been there done that" already about 3 summers ago. Hdn't thought of the pet owners though. That would be a cute marketing approach.
