Five Tips for Successful Holiday Shopping

Do you remember “A Charlie Brown Christmas”? If you’re a Gen-Xer, it was actually made before your time, but like many of us, you’ve watched it year after year. It is, after all, a classic.

My favorite line is one by Lucy Van Pelt, when she talks about what she really wants for Christmas. From the movie database, IMBD.com:

Lucy Van Pelt: I know how you feel about all this Christmas business, getting depressed and all that. It happens to me every year. I never get what I really want. I always get a lot of stupid toys or a bicycle or clothes or something like that.

Charlie Brown: What is it you want?

Lucy Van Pelt: Real estate.

I’m with you, Lucy Van Pelt! And if I could, I’d give you real estate. But until the bubble really bottoms out, I’m sticking with eBay.

(Come to think of it, you can buy real estate on eBay! Lucy van Pelt may be in luck!)

Whether you are in the market for real estate, collectibles, the ever-popular vintage T’s or something special for mom, here are five rules for savvy holiday shopping on eBay.

1. Shop early.

Now is the time to make your list, start bidding and bring in the goodies. You’ll need time to check them out, wrap them, and send or bring them to your recipient’s destination.

2. Shop often.

Today is good day to download your eBay toolbar (and please, see my earlier article on the eBay toolbar) so that you can shop while you work and play online.

3. Be flexible.

Your brother loves The Rolling Stones. (He’s definitely a Baby Boomer, hmm?) If you can’t find the one import CD that he doesn’t own, try searching for memorabilia, posters or other Rolling Stones must-haves.

4. Don’t be too flexible.

You need make a budget and stick to it! It’s easy to get caught up in a bidding frenzy, especially if it’s for the good cause of finding the perfect gift for your loved one. If you start early (like, turn off the TV and start now), you’ll feel less pressured to buy the first “perfect gift” that comes along.

5. Enjoy “many happy returns” (which equals, NO returns!).

Now, this is where it gets a little tricky. It’s important to look for items that are guaranteed by the seller, but typically the guarantee is limited: you receive the item, check it out, and say, “Yep, that’s what I wanted” or “Nope, it’s broken” and take it from there. Chances are your gift recipient will not have the opportunity to return the item. So, if your recipient is persnickety (and that includes most teens), think big and buy something that is sure to please. For example, if your sister is an Anthropologie fan, buy something she can use to decorate her apartment, rather than a skirt that might not fit. If mom loves to sew, buy some fabric from Hawaii, rather than a sewing book she might already have. You get it.

Don’t forget what Sally Brown said,

“All I want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share.”

Bless her pre-eBay heart – she was just a little ahead of her time.