April was a great month for our growing collectibles business.  Our inventory (currently about 250 items) continues to expand.  The ticket price for our items is also increasing.  Here are the top 5 items sold for the month.

1.  $59.99 – Lenox “Tea at the Ritz” Porcelain Figurine (1984)

We picked this item up at the end of a local auction.  It quickly sold and was shipped to Japan.

2.  $54.67 – Hummel 179 “Coquettes” Figurine (1960-72)

We found this at an auction in Chattanooga last year and decided to part with it.  We listed it as an auction.  Twelve bids later and it was on its way to Pennsylvania.

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SOLD!!!

Today we shipped off 2 glasses that we picked up at a Goodwill Thrift Store.  They were vintage glasses featuring the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.  I remember these team glasses from my youth.  Since I am a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, I had to think twice about buying something that promoted the Eagles.  In the end, I am glad that an Eagles’ fan will get to enjoy our find.

2 Vintage NFL Philadelphia Eagles Glasses

Sale Price:  $6.49

Shipping Destination:  Levittown, Pennsylvania

SOLD!!!

Today we shipped off what has probably been the most beautiful piece of china in our inventory.  This tea cup and saucer is very ornate.  We found this item at a garage sale on top of Signal Mountain in Tennessee.

Company:  Mintons

Pattern: Talbot

Country of Origin: England

Sale Price:  $12.99

Shipping Destination:  Alameda, California

Recently, Suzie and I were browsing through one of the newer thrift stores in the area.  The store proceeds support a worthwhile ministry to women in the area.  We love this store for several reasons.  The staff is amazing.  Prices are reasonable.  Plus they give us 20% off of all of our purchases.  Each time we have gone to this store, we have found items which have sold quickly.  This particular day was no exception.

We located two Norman Rockwell mugs that looked brand new.  We paid $3 for both of them.  Since both mugs had a similar theme of a man taking a boy fishing, I decided to list them together in our ebay store.  The first mug featured a Rockwell piece called, “Closed for Business.”  The other mug’s art was titled, “Trout Dinner.”

2 Norman Rockwell Mugs

Sold — $12.11

Shipping Destination:  East Saint Louis, Illinois

Be sure to browse through our store for other collectible items that we locate for you.

As we wander through thrift stores, we inevitably spend some time taking a look at the fine china pieces that have made their way to the shelves.  At times, these pieces will linger in our on-line store waiting on the right person to latch onto them.  Recently we purchased four bread and butter plates from the Mikasa Maxima line of china products.  These plates are 6.5 inches across and were decorated in a lively pattern called “Fantasy Isle”.

This particular line was manufactured between 1992 – 1997.  The pattern featured palm trees and sail boats.

Many times we will only find one particular plate of a pattern.  This time we had found four.  We paid less than 4 bits per plate and listed them for sale individually.  In about a week, a buyer purchased all four of the plates and we happily shipped them off to their new home.  Perhaps they were reunited with other matching pieces from this china set.

1992 – 1997

Mikasa Maxima Fantasy Isle Bread & Butter Plates

Quantity Sold: 4

Sold – $18.28

Shipping Destination: St. Petersburg, Florida

Our customer received a great deal on a discontinued line of fine china, and we were thrilled with our profit.  A win all the way around.  We currently have several other china pieces available in our eBay store.

Fruzie’s Collectibles has been awarded eBay’s Turquoise Star which is based on customer feedback.  We now have received over 100 feedback ratings from our customers.  On top of reaching 100 feedback ratings, we also have a positive feedback rating of 100%.

These ratings are based on individual ratings in the following areas:

• Item as Described
• Communication
• Shipping Time
• Shipping and Handling Charges

This means that you can be assured that you are dealing with a reputable and conscientious seller when you purchase from us.  If you should ever have a question about our service, please contact us.  We will do our best to make sure you are more than satisfied.

Suzie and I love to wander through our local thrift stores in search of collectible treasures.  Goodwill stores have always been places that make our list of thrift stores to hit.  Like many thrift stores, we also enjoy that what we spend will benefit the needy in our community.

Recently, we were in one of the larger Goodwill stores.  Suzie first noticed a couple of 2008 Kentucky Derby glasses sitting on a shelf.  As we looked around we discovered several more.  We do not find Derby glasses in South Florida like we did when we lived in Louisville.  With fond memories of attending the Derby ourselves, we asked the manager for a deal if we bought all of the ones that he had.  He gave us a price of about a third of what they were selling for individually.  A great deal.  So we took all of them.

I listed them in our eBay store at a set price or for a set of four glasses with two sets being available.  I also included an option for buyers to make an offer.  After a couple of days, I encountered my first negative exchanges with a potential buyer.  He initially made an offer for one set that was 90% off.  Nice try.  I don’t blame him for trying, but I certainly was not going to accept that.  I countered with a 15% off offer.  He countered again for  80% off.  I told him my 15% off was as low as I would go.  He accepted and clicked to make the purchase.  Then he sent me a message that he would not pay for shipping.  Shipping was clearly listed and included in the offer he accepted.  In the end, I agreed to cancel his transaction altogether.

I was not thrilled by the turn of events with the glasses, but my joy-meter shot back up just a few hours later.  Another buyer purchased both sets of four and made his payment in full.

2008 Kentucky Derby Glass

Quantity Sold: 8

2008 Kentucky Derby Glass

Sale Price for all 8: $23.50

Shipping Destination:  Lexington, Kentucky

It was a great deal for the buyer.  The Derby Glass price guide lists these glasses at $5 a piece.  It was a great deal for us.  If you are in the market for a Kentucky Derby glass, check out what we have to offer in our eBay store.  Click here for all of our Derby items.  Keep in mind that we will regularly be adding items in this category.

If you like collectibles, you will be interested in a new show on The Discovery Channel.  Auction Kings takes a look at Gallery 63 auction house in Atlanta.  You will see some amazing historical and collectible items that go up on the auction block.  The show is entertaining and informative.  Here is a promo video for the show.

Do you collect certain items?  If so, we are looking for you.  Please leave a comment or email us at fgantz12@yahoo.com.  We will do the leg work to find what you collect.  When we find an item, we will contact you with a good price.  You will never be obligated to buy what you do not want.

Let’s link up now.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Fruzie’s Collectibles would like to recommend to you More Flights of Fancy (MFOF).  You will see them listed in the 1st spot in our sponsors’ section.  MFOF specializes in a fine selection of antiques including sterling silver, jewelry, table smalls, collectibles, political and historical memorabilia, glass, pottery, books and other ephemera.

They have proven over a period of time to offer nice collectibles at great prices.  This is evidenced by having attained the “Top Rated Seller” designation on eBay.  This designation is awarded when a seller demonstrates the following:

• Consistently receives buyers’ highest ratings.
• Ships items quickly.
• Has earned a track record of excellent service on eBay.

They have logged thousands of transactions and ratings on eBay.  They can be trusted.  Why do they do it?  Read what they have written:

We…find it fun, interesting and at times even challenging. I enjoy the process of sending unique items to people that have bid on pieces which, in most cases, have special meaning to them.

So check them out.  Check regularly as new items are regularly added.  Let them know that Fruzie’s sent you.  You can shop their store by clicking on the picture or by clicking this link: More Flights of Fancy.

UPDATE: Mention “Fruzies” at More Flights of Fancy and get 10% off.