Why I regret selling my Lilly for Target on ebay

First of all, I am not an Ebay seller. I had every intention of keeping what I bought but I ended up having buyer's remorse over a few houseware items. I am NOT someone who bought a bunch of stuff to later sell on ebay -- not that I'm judging anyone -- just trying to clarify.

Living in Wisconsin, Lilly doesn't have the same kind of impact it has on my friends in the South. So, when I waltzed into Target on Madison's East side, the store had fully stocked shelves well after 8 a.m. Sunday. I asked one (male) Target employee, "Where's the Lilly stuff?"  He responded with, "What's that?" He clearly missed the red team memo.

Hours later, the shelves were still fairly full, though by that time, folks from Madison's west side had made the 25 minute trek to the Lilly oasis. I'm telling you this because I didn't feel bad buying two bags instead of one... or 3 pillows instead of two. I certainly didn't go nuts but I didn't feel like I was taking anything away from anyone.

I ended up buying two dresses, a scarf, hair ties, a headband, one small makeup bag, two totes, two blankets, wine charms and three pillows. However, when I got home, I realized I could do without a tote bag and possibly the pillows. I loved all the pink I bought because it will work really well when we Race For the Cure for Susan G. Komen this May. However, I filled up a bag with returns and my husband appreciated my practicality.

Love this for Race for the Cure

However, one of my friends had a brilliant idea -- she suggested I sell it for profit.  I thought about it and decided... well, it would be interesting to see what would happen! I have only sold one thing on ebay before and that was more than two years ago. I didn't want to be too greedy, so I posted the $30 bag for $40 on ebay. The "buy it now price" was set at $70. Shipping estimated to be roughly $10.

Ironically, someone from North Carolina paid the $70. I was ecstatic. In fact, I shared the story with all my work friends because I felt shocked at how many people were willing to spend more than double its value. I wrapped up the straw tote ever so lovingly -- I didn't want to bend it because I thought it might ruin the bag. I even covered it in bubble wrap and a plastic bag and left a note that read, "I hope this goes to a good home!" 

My excitement quickly changed when I went to the post office on my dinner break.

Shipping charges were $45!!  WHY?!  The answer was simple - in order to avoid ruining the straw tote, I had to send it in a big box.

I could save $15 if I shipped it at a slower speed. And the box itself was $5.99. Paypal and ebay charge their own fees... so if you're doing the math, it's too much work and not enough money. We're talking around $10.

If I bent the hell out of that bag, then I could've stuffed it into an envelope for less than $10 in shipping but I would have felt awful about it.  I guess it's not about the money (like I had originally said) but I certainly don't think it was worth the hassle.

And wouldn't you know it, as soon as I returned from the post office, my darn pillow sold on ebay. I have to get to Target to follow through with a return before I go broke.