Quick Heads Up: JCrewAficionada on eBay {still not me}

Last week I posted in the ""Quick Heads Up: JCrewAficionada on eBay {not really}" post that there is an eBay seller named "jcrewaficionada" that is not me. I want to reiterate this point:

The "jcrewaficionada" Seller on eBay is not me.

I have never sold anything through the use of the J.Crew Aficionada name or blog (so if you were under the impression you purchased something directly from me, unfortunately you did not).

So why all the posts about this now? The "jcrewaficionada" Seller turned off the setting for Buyers to contact her through eBay Messages. As a result, I have been receiving more and more direct emails from potential Buyers with questions about those listings. (Even after the initial post.)

I completely understand the confusion among the Buyers of eBay. Which is why I contacted the Seller, who kindly let me know that she will be slightly modifying the screen name as soon as she can.

Until then, I hope this second post can clarify the situation and avoid any more misunderstandings among eBay buyers. :)

Quick Heads Up: JCrewAficionada on eBay {not really}

It has recently come to my attention that there is a seller on eBay named "jcrewaficionada". To avoid any misunderstanding or confusion, I just want to say that is not me. Although, I am flattered that someone liked the phrase enough to use it as their own personal screen name to sell J.Crew merchandise. (I like the phrase too!) :)

On a semi-random note, the first time I saw "J.Crew Aficionada" on eBay was when I saw the image of the JCA header in a listing. The listing also mentioned "as seen on J.Crew Aficionada...". I smiled when I saw it for I knew this blog had made it. ;) Hazzah!

Have a great weekend JCAs!

You Paid How Much? {eBay edition}

This blog has mentioned some sky-high pricing on J.Crew items listed on eBay before. (Check out the "The Secret is Out {pricey J.Crew finds on eBay}" post as an example.)

The following are some recent examples of some top bids being placed on eBay.

Alexia (in this post) gave us the heads-up about the Dot Flouncette Blouse being sold for a whopping $399.99 on eBay. Mind you this was originally selling for $98 and went on ultra-sale for around $30. Best part? Alexia reached out to the Seller to ask if there was a typo to find out there was not. Yikes!

"Thanks!" to Liz, as well as Cuckoo (in this post), who let us know that a Bella Jacket in Navy recently sold on eBay (click here) for an incredible price of $405! There was also a Bella Jacket in Grey that sold for $350 (click here). The retail price was far less just a few years ago, just a mere $198 in J.Crew stores.

It's kind of incredible with some of the final bids on J.Crew pieces. On a bright note, it does show how timeless J.Crew items are.

Are you surprised by how much certain items are going for on eBay? Please share your thoughts on this topic!

The Secret is Out {pricey J.Crew finds on eBay}

This post is inspired by two comments from fellow JCAs that are spot on (in my humble opinion):

Silver_lining (in this post) said...

...JC would be smart to take a look at eBay - their old pieces are getting snatched up left and right. I used to be able to get great deals on there, but as more and more people flock to get the "vintage" (read: QUALITY) JC items, the prices have been going higher. It's saying something when shoppers would rather have years-old (and used!) items than your new offerings. ...

D*ska (in this post) responded...

silver_lining, You're so right about buying 'vintage' JC items on eBay. They used to be such good deals. Now not so much. Everybody now knows the secret. ...

So very true! Don't get me wrong, I love me some eBay shopping. It was a great place to find pieces that I missed out on at a great price. I remember a few years back getting a NWT Lexington Blazer (the white one with yellow trim) for like $40.

There are still some deals that JCAs find on eBay. However, I noticed a trend in the past year or so with eBay listings for J.Crew merchandise... the prices for final bids are going up and up. The secret is totally out!

There seems to be a flock of JCAs on eBay to find those quality pieces of J.Crew long ago. (Refer to the "Dear J.Crew, Bring Back the Bella {bank it!}" post as an example.) In addition, I noticed there are lots of Sellers on eBay who are listing J.Crew merchandise with higher starting prices.

I totally get it: Demand is up and the market is reacting.

Guilty as charged when it comes to my demand increasing over the years. I really miss the quality and style of certain pieces no longer offered, so I scour eBay in the hopes of locating one. (Refer to the "J.Crew Jackets & Blazers... Still The Same?" post.) This now means that I am more likely to either pay top dollar for the item or pass up on the item all over again. It just is what it is.

What are your thoughts on J.Crew prices at eBay? Have you noticed the trend of increasing final bids? Are there still deals to be had at eBay? Please share your thoughts on this topic!

Even The Dark Side Hearts J.Crew

"Thanks!" to jbird (in this post) who discovered one great J.Crew listing over on eBay. The listing has a woman modeling the Cotton Cady Dress and a Darth Vader mask.

I have to give credit to the Seller for coming up with a creative way to offer her dress. (Especially since I love Star Wars, well Episode 4, 5, & 6. Don't get me started on Padmé Amidala and that birth scene of hers, or Mace Windu's improbable death.)

Best part? (Better than the photo? Yup!) The simple description of:

Brand new with tags J. Crew Cotton Cady dress. The color is light pewter. Size two. Never worn, only for this photo. This is truly a fine dress, however unsuitable for ruling the Empire.

So true! I mean, a dress like that really is impractical to rule the Empire. But it is pretty!

J.Crew Jackets & Blazers... Still The Same?

So I recently was in my closet and made a startling observation: I had not purchased a jacket or blazer from J.Crew's current collection in awhile. (Okay, just the past few months. But even in the previous months, not many were purchased.)

I never thought about it because I had still been buying J.Crew jackets like crazy, but they were all from eBay (from seasons' past). This got me thinking "why?" After awhile, the answer for me is that the style, construction, fit, and quality are different.
Take for example the two jackets pictured above— the Schoolboy Blazer in Navy (Item 28233; $188.00) that is currently offered on the left, and the Wool Hacking Jacket (Item 74125; $235.00) from 2007-8 on the right. Both jackets are similar in look and both are absolutely lovely. However, I am drawn to the details of the Wool Hacking Jacket a bit more. In particular the tie silk fabric under the collar. Such a delicious detail that makes you want to show it off by popping the collar. (I should add that I own this jacket and pop-the-collar as often as I can!)

J.Crew offered the best little details on jackets, besides the silk-tie prints under collars. For example, they also used the most beautiful prints on the inside lining of their jackets. Like a little surprise when you took off the coat. :)

They also had the best buttons— whether they were gold crested or nautically-themed, they had character of their own. I recently checked out the Indigo Pea Jacket (Item 39331; $148.00) from J.Crew's current line. The coat is super cute (so much so that I got it this week!), but I found the gold metal buttons to feel a bit cheap.

Even things like fit seem different now. I use to find the older jackets (like for the Lexington Blazer and Juliette Jacket) were tailored and fit me well all-around (shoulders, sleeves, waist, & length). Now, I find the current jackets' shoulders are snug and the body is fine, or the shoulders are fine and the body is loose, or even the sleeve lengths being a tad short. Is this just me?

I should add that I still really like J.Crew's jackets & blazers. I am just not "in love" with them like I once did.

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's jackets and blazers? Do you think their current line stands up to its predecessors? Do you find the fit to have stayed the same for you over the years? If so, please share! :)

How Much For That J.Crew Jacket? {eBay edition}

It's no secret that I like to check out eBay to find pieces from J.Crew's past to round out my collection.

Tonight I saw one listing that caught my eye. Now, I have seen some of J.Crew's past season items being sold for two or three times it's original retail price. But this one particular listing took the prize for being the most expensive.

That is right, the mint jacket is being sold at a starting bid of $3,499! I am assuming the seller made a decimal mistake ($34.99 seems like a better starting price). But nonetheless, I chuckled at seeing this. I mean, I love J.Crew too. But not this much! ;)

Dear J.Crew, Bring Back the Bella {bank it!}

As I mentioned before, I often check eBay to purchase missed J.Crew merchandise opportunities of seasons' past.

I saw an auction on eBay end (not my own!) for the Wool Herringbone Bella Jacket in Grey (in size 2, just my size!) What amazed me was how much it sold for... $172.49 plus an additional $10 for shipping! There was also a Bella Winter Coat that recently sold for $169.50 plus $10 for shipping. Amazing!

This jacket (& coat) came out in Fall 2007! The fact that shoppers are willing to pay so much for it after all these years is a testament to the desirability of this classic piece.

I get why so many are willing to pay so much too! I own the Grey and Coral Red versions and would not give them up for anything. I would gladly pay $180 for this jacket (in rich colors like Azalea and timeless Black) if it came out this Fall/Winter 2010. :)

I seriously think J.Crew should consider re-introducing this one-of-kind jacket. They could make so much money off this one item too! :)

What are your thoughts on the Bella Jacket? Do you still love it after all these years (like I do!) Do you think J.Crew should re-introduce the exclusive jacket of theirs?