Twice: App / Website Review

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Ok, so some people in the world have Caviar taste, but a peanuts budget...  Folks like say, ME...  I have really GREAT taste, I just can't afford the thing I love...  So, I have to get thrifty and smart with my money and find creative ways to afford the fabulous products that I can't truly afford.

It's been several months since I discovered sites like:  Poshmark, Threadflip and Twice.  However, I hadn't yet purchased from Twice until recently.  I had received $20 credit from downloading the app onto iOS.  See, if you have iOS, you get $10 for signing up and then another $10 when you download the app....  When you have android, you get the $10 sign up PLUS a 50% off coupon (which really turns out to be more than the $10 ios users get) when you download the app.  PLUS, when you have friends who signup, you get $10, then if they send in some items to be sold you get another $10 credit!

So, I had racked up a total of $40 from my initial signup credits plus a couple of referrals (You don't get your $10 until they actually purchase something), so I found this purse and couldn't hold off shopping any longer!

Paid $14.95 case after Credits and Coupons!

How I paid $14.95 for a Dooney & Bourke Purse

So, as I mentioned before I had $40 in credits, plus I had a 50% off coupon!  So, when I went to purchase this Dooney, it was listed at $105.95 I believe, after my $40 in credits then the 50% off coupon, I only paid a whopping $15!!  I mean and it's an ostrich leather purse, this is a nice purse.  Can you tell it's been used?  Yes, it doesn't look brand spanking new ,but it's new TO ME and that's all that matters.  

The Condition:

The condition of this item truly was pretty stellar considering that it was previously used.  It appears that there may have at one time been a strap that is missing.  However, there are NO visible signs of tears or markings or anything.  It just has a bit of a worn look to it, but absolutely in pristine condition, if that makes sense.  The leather is nice and "lived-in", but with no pen marks, or tears or what have you!  I really, really TRULY LOVE this purse!

Inside my Dooney

So, as you can tell in the pictures above, there are absolutely ZERO markings inside this purse!  It truly is in Like-New condition on the inside!

BOTTOM:  The bottomside of the purse also has absolutely NOTHING, no marks, no stains no tears it's in PRISTINE condition. 

In Conclusion:

Obviously when you are dealing with secondhand items, each item is a case by case basis and you might have different experiences.  If you go in and realize that you are purchasing a second-hand item and know you shouldn't expect it to be BRAND NEW, then I think you'll be mostly satisfied with your purchases.  However, if you think you are going to get a $10 Dooney and it's going to have the tags still on it, then you probably aren't going to be happy.  It's all in how your mindset is going into purchasing second-hand.

For the most part, these sites tell you upfront of any type of wear and tear or defects that might be present.  So, when you are shopping these sites, make sure you read about the condition of the items and look closely at the pictures so that you know what your getting.

Sign-up for Twice and start SHOPPING!

My link for Twice

Social Shopping: Threadflip

Social Shopping:  Threadflip

It's been quite awhile since I discussed social shopping.  Social Shopping is a fairly new way to shop.  Sure it's been around with sites like Ebay and even Amazon (kinda).  But, now even more people are cashing in on the idea of buying from others.  And why not?  It's a great way to find great deals!  I purchased this Juicy Couture purse off of Threadflip, I had $25 credits from "referrals" and I had a 30% off coupon, so I paid like maybe $10!  For an "excellent" used Juicy Couture.  

Now, there are ways that you can social shop and still purchase new, how??  Well, us women we tend to either OVEREAT when we're depressed or if you're like me, go on a shopping frenzy.  Then you get your stuff and you have "buyer's remorse", sometimes you can't take the stuff back to the mall so you're "stuck with it".  Well, apps like Threadflip and Poshmark, allow everyday people like myself and you turn your closet into cash.  I, myself, have probably made at least 50 sales and purchased probably about 20 items!

There are loads of other sites that you can use.  Threadflip just happens to have been my first foray into the world of Social Shopping!  I love it, I can't afford to wear "designer" clothes, unless it's buying this way.  I have absolutely no problem wearing someone's handy me downs.  There's no shame in it.  I LOVE saving money, but, I also like to shop as well!  

I, not long ago purchased an almost BRAND new Coach bag for like $95!  Now, I was too scared to use it because it was in such nice condition and I ended up selling it for much less than what I had paid for it, but it was still a great deal!  And someone benefitted from my "impulse" buy!  I've now purchased a TON of fabulous purses and clothes via social shopping.

Another fabulous way of buying from others is INSTAGRAM!  Instagram I swear to you is like the "underground" mall of social shopping!  You can truly find some awesome sellers out there with some KILLER prices!  

Some of my Previous Threadflip Purchases

Images Taken From the Threadflip site...

This was my Second Purchase:  I think I paid $95???  Not bad for a Coach Kristin Double Satchel in Brand new condition

We The People: Free People

Juicy Couture:  $65 

Romeo & Juliet Couture top

Awhile back I did some "social shopping tips" for shopper's who are a little reluctant to giving social shopping a try!  It can truly be a really great experience.  For both the seller and buyer, it can be a scary process.  Buyer's don't realize that we as seller's are taking risks as well.  I've been shopping from sites like Threadflip, Vinted, Poshmark and Instagram now for over five months and I have to say 99.5% of folks are truly good hearted people.  

Social Shopping:

Social shopping truly can be an awesome experience.  I've purchased from some lovely ladies and love the deals I've gotten.  I've made friends through the whole social shopping scene and treasure and cherish those ladies!

So.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on Social Shopping...  Have you taken the plunge??  It truly can be a fun experience!  Tell me your experiences good or bad...  No holding back!

MONDAY MAYHEM: Shop Spotlight

MONDAY MAYHEM: SHOP SPOTLIGHT

Cutting through the junk, to bring you some fabulous finds...

Fashion is clearly a part of beauty.  You can have the most fabulous beauty routine and the greatest face money can buy, but if your clothes are duds, all the trouble was worth nil.  So, part of my beauty blog is going to be dedicated to scouring the social sites to highlight some little shops and individuals that offer fabulous items.  I hope that you enjoy this part of the blog, as it is going to become, hopefully, a weekly edition.

Vintage Spiderwear on Poshmark

My first ever Poshmark purchase was made in this fabulous closet.  I am so super glad that it was.  It was purchasing from her and receiving her package and how she packaged it that taught me about how important branding yourself is.  She has definitely mastered the art of branding herself.  She is a woman who is selling a lifestyle.  She is what she sells.  She sells a variety of items.  From thrift finds to upcycled clothing to "Free People" inspired jewelry (that she makes).  You can find it all.  Looking through her closet, you want to rush to Colorado and find yourself a nice cabin, build a fire while it's snowing outside and snuggle down with some fabulous flannel pajamas and a piping hot mug of coffee.

Items Created by: Vintage Spiderwear (aka daughter14)

Her items are absolutely gorgeous.  I have yet to be able to purchase one of her uniquely crafted items, but believe me it is on my need to buy list!!  She is so incredibly talented and my goal is to be her one day.  Well, not HER that would be kinda Misery stalkerish like, but definitely I aspire to her greatness.  I had never before owned a scarf before purchasing one from her.  I thought that it was "old ladyish" to own a scarf. Man, was I so unbelievably wrong (it happens).  I now own several scarves!  I also purchased a fabulous wooden owl brooch.  I was so super excited when I was able to finally wear my fabulous new owl brooch. So, I wore out shopping a couple of days after receiving it.  Took the picture below while driving (I was a stop sign OF COURSE) and later when I got home and reached down to take it off, it was missing.  I was so super distraught.  After messaging the seller to tell her I had lost her fabulous brooch, a couple of days later I found it at the bottom of my purse.  Not before, however, discovering that this fabulous piece of art once belonged to her mother.  Can I TELL you how badly I was stressing after I found THAT out.  I was heartbroken enough, but to think that I had lost someone's family legacy was somewhat of an emotional stresser.  It made it all the more sweet to find it!!

These of course, are just a couple of examples of the fabulous items that she has.  I hope to one day soon own my own "Vintage Spiderwear" bag.  So, if you adore "Free People" style, then you are guaranteed to love her style of items.  To shop her closet, please click Vintage Spiderwear aka Daughter14 .  Tell her "prtynpink" sent you...  To Visit Vintage Spidewear on FB: Vintage Spiderwear on FB

Well, that's it for now....  I still have some other closets that I want to spotlight, but will have to do those another time, as it is like 4:00am and I desperately need some sleep!  I sincerely, hope that you guys will consider checking her fabulous closet out and help support this fabulous artist.

Thanks!!

Until next time!! xoxo

Sassy Gal

Social Shopping

UNDERGROUND SHOPPING aka THE ART OF SOCIAL SHOPPING

 A little History

In 1995 from the living room of San Jose, the history of retail as we know it was to forever change.  Pierre Omidyar probably didn't forsee how huge is little idea of an online marketplace would become and how it would change the way we shop.  Thankfully it is people like Pierre who brought the world or retail to small town America and gave us a new and interactive form of retail.

That same year, out of a garage in Bellevue Washington, Amazon first went online.  It originally was called cadabra.com and out of fear that it sounded too much like "cadaver", founder Jeff Bezos decided to change it.  Choosing Amazon, with the thought process that the "A" was preferential due to the probability it would occur at the top of any list that happened to be alphabetized.  What once started out as an online bookstore, soon began diversifying and now even has a grocery delivery service in some parts of it's service area.  Amazon truly is trying to take over the retail world.

Then came the explosion of "social shopping".  While still somewhat a baby in the world of retail and kinda like a little insider's secret, it's a huge trend in the retail world.  There are so many apps and so many sites in which one can sell their items, it can be a tad overwhelming and very time consuming to navigate the murky waters of social shopping.  You have sites such as Threadflip and Poshmark where users can automatically connect with their Facebook friend's "closets".  Poshmark is definitely a more social based feeling app and even has a tendency to feel "cliquish".

I, myself, am new to this whole social shopping world.  But, like with everything I do in life, I jump in 150% and tend to over obsess and over indulge.  I suppose that is the "addict" in me.  Once an addict, always an addict, I've just traded in my "other addiction" for a new one.  The deals one can receive are remarkable.  The very first purchase I made was a Juicy Couture houndstooth purse.  Being an Alabama "Roll Tide" girl, houndstooth is our "unofficial" print, first made notorious by the famous, Paul "Bear" Bryant.  But, that's a whole other post....

It wasn't but perhaps about a month ago, that my eyes were opened to the fact that Instagram was a freaking mall.  One has the ability to really do well on Instagram.  Although, there is no rhyme or reason that I can see to one's success.  Some people seem to sell everything that they post, while other's struggle to make a sale a week.  I tend to be one of the latter.  Although, I am very good at buying.  I can manage that task, unfortunately, too well.  As part of my beauty blog, I am going to start scouring the "closets" and profiles on all of the apps and highlight a few shops that I find interesting and having great deals.

So with all the different methods available to potential sellers, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing where to sell your goods.  First, what are you trying to sell?  If you are creating your own unique items, then Etsy perhaps would be a good place to start.  However, the other options such as Poshmark as well as creating your own store on Storenvy are also great ideas.  It can be quite time consuming to post multiple items on multiple sites, as well as confusing.

A FEW DIFFERENCES

One of the things that can be quite confusing if you were to list on multiple sites is different price points.  I am always terrified that friends or customers are going to notice that I have items listed at different prices on different sites.  The reason is quite simple.  Threadflip, sellers either must pay for their own shipping or figure in the $7 hidden shipping fee when listing their item.  I, personally choose to pay for my own shipping, because that $7 could be in my pocket or my buyer's pocket versus Threadflip's pocket.  I usually only have to pay $1.93 on most of my items, unless of course a buyer is purchasing multiple items.

Ok, so Threadflip items are usually priced higher (for myself) than say if I list on Poshmark, but not by much. Poshmark, the buyers must tack on an additional $5 for shipping.  So, I usually, will try to price my items with this factor in mind.  Not all sellers think about the buyer's bottom line, but I do.  I'm a poor chica, so I am very empathetic to the needs and costs of my buyers.

Ultimately, there are of course, different reasons you might would price items at different prices on one site versus another.

This post was meant to be a spotlight on Instagram and the Underworld Mall, but instead it has turned into a how-to guide.  That's ok.  I spend a lot of time helping inform other sellers on tips for selling.  I was amazed after being on Threadflip of learning that most of the sellers were opting in for that $7 label.  I will go more into THAT on another post.

To Wrap UP...  The world of social shopping can be a great and fun and inexpensive alternative to retail shopping.  One of the things that I love about social shopping, is knowing that I am helping an individual out. A lot of times you can negotiate the price on items, and if you are purchasing multiple items, you can usually get a good "bundle" price.  Although, I think I have been giving too good of bundled items, because when purchasing people don't ever seem to be quite as generous as I am.

You can find insane deals.  Just tonight I sold my Coach purse, which was practically brand new for just $60.  The price was quite low as I was pretty desperate for money and so some fortunate person is going to benefit from my need.  It was a purse that I had been attempting to sell, but at a higher price.  I don't just sell, I am also a buyer of social retail.  I have purchased quite a few items (way too many).

From Kmcdowell56 on Poshmark: $23

The above picture is a bundle I purchased from Kmcdowell56 a very sweet seller on Poshmark.  It was my second purchase with her, and man did she hook me up.  Two of the tops were bonuses.  I believe I ended up receiving 7 items for just $23!!  Not too shabby!

ALL Saints Cardigan (a $190 sweater) Threadflip $35 (a gift from my cousin)

The above was a fashion crisis I was having.  I was rushing trying to get people to sign up on Threadflip so that I could receive the $10 referral credits and purchase this fabulous sweater that I had been eyeing for sometime!  Much to my surprise and delight I received this fabulous sweater a few days later.  At $35, it was a steal.  I had seen the same sweater, just a few weeks before on Ebay and it went for I believe almost $90! 

These are just a couple of the fabulous finds I've lucked out on.  I will definitely be posting more quite soon.  

COMING UP on SASSY GAL BEAUTY:

Reviews:

The Balm: How about Them Apples'

Urban Decay:  The Glinda Palette (I know I'm a little late, but I'm stoked I have this fab palette)

BH Cosmetics: Lilac Blush Palette

Fashion:

More Social Shopping Tips

More Fabulous Finds

Closet Spotlight

So, please be sure to bookmark this page and follow my blog!  There are some fabulous things coming just around the corner and you definitely don't want to miss out.

If you haven't yet started trying to turn your closet into cash and are interested in some selling tips, please feel free to ask!  I will likely be posting more tips on social selling.  What would you like to see on this blog??

Below are some links to Threadflip & Poshmark!!  Download the apps and use my referral codes and get $5 to spend in the app!! (NOTE:  If you use the Threadflip link to join, PLEASE comment so I can make sure that it's working correctly- I haven't been receiving credits for my referrals.)

Download Threadflip!                                     Download Poshmark (Referral Code: BNFMP)