Have you thought of building an Ebay house?

"Was CEO with $50,000.00 (insured) St John collection; now living Montana-casual. Watch for future listings as the closet is cleared for jeans, t's, and the occasional Hermes scarf!" (October 15, 2005) This was my introduction--and still is--to my selling ST. JOHN KNITS on Ebay. I began my partnership with Ebay, however, as a buyer several years earlier. Then in 2004, we built a new home--THE HOUSE THAT EBAY BUILT.

 I was a novice. I thought that when a house came with a sink that it included the cabinet, the strainer, the knobs--THE SINK! When I went to the lighting store to buy the light fixtures, I assumed that the builder's budget for lighting would cover both inside and outside lights. Imagine my surprise when I found a vanity light bar that I liked and it consumed 20% of the budget. What did I do? I hurried to Ebay where I bought a $26,500 lighting package for $2600. 

Here were my steps: 1. Enter ceiling lights into Google and determine top brands. Find the web stores and/or a local retailer that carries the brands. 2. Do an ADVANCED SEARCH on Ebay with dollar parameters; for example, "ceiling light: $.09-$20.00." 3. If 6 matching ceiling lights are needed, check the listings for the number and/or email the seller to learn if they have the requisite number. 4. Check with the web or local retailers to learn the retail cost of the lights. 5. If the lights fit your taste and budget, BID. Expect multiple items to cost a few dollars more; some less.

I was able to buy 3 top name brand bathroom vanity bar lights with 24 kt gold trim and lead crystal globes that were "New in Box" that regularly retailed for $950 for an average of $55 plus shipping. Shipping was reduced because of the multiple items so the total average price was less then $75.00. Our 6 matching ceiling lights were $17 each ($240 retail) plus a total $50 shipping fee. The matching bedroom wall sconces retailed for $249, but I paid less than $50. I also got 3 crystal hallway lights that had been in an old Chatanooga, TN hotel that was being dismantled for $100 each--one of the few items that was used--but what beauty and history. The sink was a similar story. The cabinet was a part of the contractor's price. The Swanstone sink was $125 (confirmed at $459 retail by an upscale "kitchen-by design" store); the brass strainer was $5; the door knobs were $2 each ($14 retail); the faucet was $69 from $400-something; the faucet knobs were $55.00. I was versatile and selected knobs that were chrome and brass combined, which allowed me more choices AND I was able to find faucets and knobs for the kitchen and three baths that matched.

The story continues throughout the house--and outdoors. The hot tub, even with a $600 delivery charge was 33% of retail. I went to the closest large city to pick up a $25 drop-leaf table that I had won on Ebay and bought five cedar-cypress trees, delivered and planted for $75 each. The Ebay table owner was showing us his tree-house home (Yes, they lived in a tree house.) and mentioned needing to thin 100 young trees. He played golf in our town, so serendippitously, he sold and we bought 5 trees. They are now 20 feet tall and magnificent. The story goes on and on with everything from paintings to china to Adirondack chairs. I love our home.

Now we are preparing to build our "vacation" home and anticipate repeating the process. An important part of the process was the delight that we experienced by upgrading every space while staying on budget!