Before you read any further, you should be advised that I sell things on the internet.  Not, many things, but until a few months ago I was selling quite a bit.  So I'm very sympathetic to internet sellers.  I think my real problem here is that so many more people are doing it now, and, well, I'm getting ahead of myself.

I also buy a lot from interent sellers.  It is much cheaper than filling my car with that liquid gold aka gasoline.  It helps out small business people and it is great knowing I've given old things a new life, far from the landfill.  So I get lots of packages in the mail.  But it was quite a shock to open one of my latest finds and to see this:

The cutest 1970s novelty knit ever - with the Salvation Army tag still attached.

First, it does not bother me in the least that the fabric came from the Salvation Army.  I'm no stranger to that chain of stores.  It does not bother me that the seller paid .99 plus tax for an item that I turned around and gave her $6 plus shipping for.

In fact, I'm exactly sure what bothered me about this.  It is that the seller didn't care enough to remove the tag.  It wasn't at all hidden, so she must have seen it.  Can you imagine walking into a retail store and on the tags was the actual cost of the item to Gap or Ann Taylor or Armani?  Most people would put the item back and wonder why they were being cheated!  You can be darned sure these big companies do not want consumers to know that the sweater you are thinking about plunking down $98 for, actually cost them $8.67.

And then you have the thrift stores who have decided they do not want to sell to resellers.  It doesn't matter that thrift stores are booming in a time when retailers are struggling.  And a lot of that is due to the 1000s of people who are shopping thrifts for items to resale.  Some thrifts have put up signs saying they do not sell to ebayers, and so on, and others simply deface the merchandise:

Frankly, I'm of the opinion that any efforts to reuse old objects should be applauded.  One of the great things about the internet is that it has allowed people to sell millions of items that might have otherwise ended up in the trash.  The thrift store gets the same amount of money whether the buyer is a reseller or not.

And unfortunately, some thrift stores still have not heard about the resurgance in home sewing, as I know of at least three stores near me who refuse to "fool with" old patterns.  I'm doing my best to enlighten them.

First of all I'd like to say I love your blog, I have only just found it. I did't realise I was a vintage lover until I started looking at places on the net and comparing them with my collections. Secondly I agree with you about the still attached tag. It was bad manners along with everything else. Well take solice in karma, it will catch up with that person. Anyway, keep up the good work!
Regards Jess (Australia)

Jess, thanks so much for the kind words. I'm so glad you are enjoying my blog! I'm still shaking my head in wonderment at that seller! Lizzie

I have one word for that tag left on - TACKY.

Hi Lizzie, Love your blog. Your knowledge is inspiring! It never ceases to amaze me when people do this, and it's not uncommon anymore, at least when buying on ebay:-? Best regards, Holly