Nov 14, 2013

Nov 14, 2013

Let's Discuss: The Woman Who's "Ruining" Fashion Collaborations

The Isabel Marant x H&M collection launched today and it has caused quite the stir in fashion town. This collection has been projected to be one of the most anticipated thus far. With all of this designer collaboration buzz, an interesting Refinery29 article caught me dead in my tracks. The article, titled "The Woman Who's "Ruining" Fashion Collaborations," touches on those eBay resellers that buy out the entire collection and resell it online for a ridiculous markup. Refinery29 even went so far as to interview an eBay reseller who was willing to divulge her methods, motivations, and her thoughts on people who don't agree. We all know their kind... We see them in line bright and early at these sales. They push their way through as soon as the door opens, sometimes causing a domino affect of injury. They block off areas in order to get to them first and hoard it all. And they even have a habit of stealing things out of people's carts. Now, I am not a violent person, but I have personally had altercations with these people on numerous occasions. They make me sick. 

eBay resellers have become somewhat of an epidemic. We've seen it with every mass collaboration, notably Missoni for Target & Phillip Lim for Target. While I admit this article is very interesting, I find the whole eBay reselling thing to be unethical. I understand a person selling things that were initially purchased for themselves. Sometimes you buy things that can't be returned be it designer collaborations and/or sample sales. Sometimes what you think may look great on you in the fitting room looks like a big mess when you try it on at home. Leaving you stuck eating the cost when you (and by you, I clearly mean me) don't have the money to be spending on this shit in the first place. I understand wanting to make your money back and even sharing the wealth with others that may not have faired so lucky. But that is as long as you are selling for face value, or just enough over face value to cover eBay fees. I'm sorry, but these people have completely taken advantage of the system and have taken the fun out of the whole freakin' experience.

Okay, enough of my bullshit complaining. It's time for you to give this article a read and let me know your thoughts.

Let's discuss... 

Photo: eBay

16 comments:

  1. Oh my... that article was crazy. I can't imagine buying all that and selling it on ebay. I think it is unethical. Also, these people are bizarre. Crazy article... and crazy people!

    Nikki
    thefashionablewife.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Seriously! It is completely unethical. And makes me rather sick to my stomach. It needs to be stopped.

      Delete

  2. I completely agree, I unfortunately waited too long to purchase from the 3.1 Phillip Lim Target collection. I was so excited to find some of the bags for sale online, but that excitement quickly disappeared when I realized sellers were asking double to triple the original selling price. That's just crazy to me and down right mean.

    http://simpleeasystyle.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Right?! I understand buying it and changing your mind about the purchase and wanting to give it a good home (and by good home I mean by selling it at market value to someone that was not lucky enough to get their hands on it). But the situation has gotten completely out of hand! I saw some of the Phillip Lim for Target on eBay for more than triple the price with tons of bids. It's ridiculous!

      Delete

  3. I think that in cases such as these, they should really crack down on resellers, whether it be on eBay or at H&M. I've even worked for companies who flag customers in store because they are resellers and refuse to sell to them. It's not fair to the company, the company and the designer lose out and I think that there needs to be more oversight. It really ruins the fun. I can attest since I desperate had to buy a Philip Lim mini satchel that was double the price. Seemed unfair but I saw worse. I'm glad you posted this, you know, as someone who is new to blogging and is taking the plunge at trying this "dream" of being a lifestyle blogger, it takes the joy away from us bloggers who passionately love fashion and have made it a part of our lifestyle, and resellers for collaborations tend to hurt everyone, including those who try to passionately love fashion for what it is and more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. First and foremost, welcome to the blogging world. I could not agree with you more! It's very disheartening and there needs to be a system to crack down on this behavior. While I will say, those willing to pay astronomical amounts for these products are almost, if not just as guilty as well... They are fueling the fire. But with that said, it's completely unfair to those passionate consumers that just (a) really love the designers and (b) always dreamed of owning a little piece of some designers and are not able to afford it without a diffusion line.
      p.s. would love to check out your blog send me the link.

      Delete

  4. The problem is caused also by the people who want those items so desperately that they are willing to pay whatever price they find what they want. And that's what feeds ebay. it is not only the crazy resellers. The monster was created by certain customers with no values in life who are willing to pay any amount for a sold out product. That's what capitalism is. Sadly, we like it or not our economy reinforces this type of trades. With this I am trying to say that I totally agree with you but we have to see beyond the obvious and think why this practice is popular and succesful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. You are completely right. Those consumers willing to shell out the cash for these pieces are almost, if not equally guilty in the situation. They fuel the fire and let this continue on. But there needs to be a point where this is regulated or stopped. The resellers have gotten way out of control. It is literally ruining the entire experience for everyone involved. I've witnessed these people first hand and they are ruthless to the point that it makes the entire experience no longer enjoyable. I mean, let's face it... I am guilty of stocking up on these diffusion lines for myself. I have also sold some pieces that did not fit or I changed my mind about on eBay. But I have done it honestly without marking it up. I'd rather see someone enjoy it for what it's worth than have to fork up their entire bank account just to attain it because other people got to it first and decided to sell it all online.

      Delete

    2. Yes...those people are some really different type of "animal". I am the type who thinks that if I did not have the money to buy something I really want and I couldn't find it at a decent price in eBay so it was not meant to be mine, I continue living. Some people think they "need an Isabel marant or Phillip lim in their lives" to be....complete?? Anyway. Getting a little bit existential here. Not the purpose. But I do think as you have said: at some point regulation must be needed to stop the madness!!! Now...do you think the fashion industry hates this much? I don't think so! I tend to think they sort of like this type of things...

      Delete

  5. Such an interesting article. Not sure how I feel about people buying in bulk and then hiking up the price online. But if people are willing to pay more than its worth. . . To me it takes the fun out of a collaboration or fashion in general. Both parties are ruining it for everyone else. If people are willing to pay ridiculous prices for items, then other people will continue to buy and sell at higher and higher prices. its a vicious cycle, and how do you stop it?
    savedbyfashion.net

    ReplyDelete

  10. "Welcome to the web experts treatment of various types of diseases, do not forget to get the best health solutions here"
    Cara Menghilangkan Bekas Cacar

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)