Back before I started blogging, I was already a beauty product junkie. I would run out and buy stuff and when it didn’t work for me, or if I had stockpiled one too many back ups, wonder what to do with them. And then I discovered Ebay. At the time, things were more relaxed and I could sell lightly used cosmetics there. Then, they started clamping down on used products and charging high fees and I gave up. It was too much effort.
Then, I noticed that many people started using their blogs as an avenue to sell their lightly used cosmetics. I have purchased one or two items from such blog sales from blogs I read and trust to know how well they care for their products and items. But in the main, I am not a blog sale consumer. I have been asked to run a blog sale too, and believe me, the prospect is tempting.
I’ve chosen not to though. Primarily because of time and effort (I’m living in a time deficit!) but also because of the horror stories I hear from some bloggers – buyers backing out, bargaining over shipping costs, harrassment if packages go out late, allegations that products aren’t as described or that packages go missing etc etc… I think somehow, its about as bad as operating an online store, if not worse! With an online store, you sell for gain, but with a blog sale, its mostly making losses or making back just a fraction of what you paid for the item.
Yet, for buyers, blog sales are a really good place to pick up a bargain. Want to try a Chanel lipstick or blush? Maybe eyeing a limited edition item that sold out before you could get your hands on it? If it turns up on a blog sale, you could score yourself a bargain.
For sellers, its a good way to offload products that don’t work for you, that you don’t use, extra back ups or products that just don’t get enough love. You can’t recoup the full price, but at least get something out of it as opposed to letting it rot. Or maybe you went to a warehouse sale and bought too much stuff and are regretting it when you see your credit card bill. Been there, done that! Warehouse sales are evil. I used to go for them and end up with so much excess and if this happens to you, then blog sales could be the answer.
But my beef primarily, is when I see something a blogger proclaimed to love in their review go up on their blog sale. It makes me wonder if the review was indeed genuine or if we really do have such short attention spans? Also, there is no way of telling if a product was purchased themselves, or sent by a brand PR or from a goodie bag, in which case, selling it would be crass. Some people get lots of press samples, some of which may not see light of day as a review on the blog. So does that make it alright to sell? Personally I’d say no but will it happen? Yes it does. Sometimes, I know when it does and that really really bugs me! Don’t even get me started on people who sell items they win in a blog giveaway.
I realize this steps on a lot of peoples’ toes so I’m going no further. I like the concept, and I think its a win-win situation for everyone. But like many concepts, execution sometimes fails.
What do you think of blog sales, both as a seller or as a buyer? Any stories from either side of the fence?
To answer my question, I have never sold but as a buyer, I once picked up a limited edition blush I missed out on and I love it. One woman’s junk is another’s treasure after all. I think blog sales are a good way to get rid of clutter but really, I also question the perceived need for that much clutter to start. Food for thought? As Becca has pointed out before, I tend to rock the boat quite a bit and talk about taboo subjects. Lets hope my boat doesn’t spring a leak 😛
Paris B
Janice says
September 18, 2012 at 8:45 amAs a buyer, I think one of my main concern would be how much can i trust the seller. So, if a beauty blogger were to have a blog sale, I would be more confident to purchase ! simply because beauty bloggers put in a lot of effort and time into their blogs and (I assume) they wouldn’t want to tarnish their blog’s name by selling a lousy product, or providing bad services, or not delivering what they promised etc. And I would also assume that beauty bloggers take better care of their skin care/make up items, since they’re interested and passionate about these things
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:10 pmGood points, Janice 🙂 The only misgiving I have is that as with everything, there is always one side that is for public scrutiny and another that is unseen and we just never know do we? Well, unless we happen to know the person in real life. Its easy to say that products have been kept in a cool dry place, but were they? really? 😉
LeGeeque says
September 18, 2012 at 8:53 amI’m neither! 😀 To be fair, I have bought stuff from blog sales before but only once and only from Tine cos I know her and I know she doesn’t have cooties 😀 I refuse to buy used cosmetics simply for hygiene reasons. I’m quite a germaphobe.
Kaye says
September 19, 2012 at 6:18 pmHAHA… cooties. Sorry, completely off topic but that made me laugh 🙂
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:11 pmHaha the 1 or 2 times I bought, it was from bloggers I sort of “knew” too. I couldn’t buy from just any random blogger, especially used products 🙂
dom says
September 18, 2012 at 9:17 amI see your points, and they’re pretty valid. I like blog sales and I sell as well, and my issues have been related to delays (on both seller and buyer’s sides). When both sides are so busy, it’s hard to organize a COD to meet up, etc. But this is a minor problem compared to those who sell PR-given items, or missing packages, etc. I absolutely detest those who sell PR-given items; I feel it’s unethical. As for selling items that were reviewed positively, I guess there are circumstances explaining it. For me, it’s because I went overboard on a buying spree (haha Vichy, when it exited the market) and I realized that there was no way I could finish up all 3 or 4 bottles of cleanser without killing my attention span :p.
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:12 pmAh but you see, Dom, you were selling your backups 🙂 The ones I have beef with sell the “lightly used” highly raved product. That is what I have most trouble with but maybe its just me being fussy 😉
Joyce says
September 18, 2012 at 9:23 amThat makes me sad that people sell pr samples 🙁
I plan to set up a blog sale this week, and I decided to do it because I have SO much stuff and many unloved products that I think others could enjoy! I do see all the cons that you mention too. Maybe I’ll have more thoughts on this after I do my sale! 🙂
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:13 pmYeah, when I first found out, I was sad too, and the problem is, we all get tainted with the same brush 🙁 Good luck with your blog sale anyway, Joyce. It looks like there are lots of people who are happy to buy preloved products at a bargain and give them a good home 🙂
Joy Chong says
September 18, 2012 at 9:38 amI have had a good experience recently but mainly because I trusted and knew the person was legit. If possible, customers who would like to know if the products is safe or in good condition what soever, I think it’s best to do COD if possible. If that is not always the case. Buying online is always a gamble for both parties I believe.
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:15 pmI think knowing the person or “knowing” them is key to a successful transaction. Buying online is a risk, I will agree, which is why I stick to stores 😉 The 2 times my package didn’t arrive, they sent a replacement and I appreciated that!
Stacey says
September 18, 2012 at 9:41 amI love snagging a good deal of a lightly used / brand new item from a blog sale. but the hefty international shipping fees are quite a turn off. I’ve stopped buying for a while though.
You’re right, there’s no need for so much make up! I think I’ve hit a saturation point, where I feel I own way more makeup than I should be.
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:16 pmI’m glad I never chased all the latest and the limited editions in all the brands out there. I’d be broke and have way too much more than I could ever handle 😀 Now I only buy whatever interests me, and that makes me happy and less saturated 😀
Hanny Daforcena says
September 18, 2012 at 10:19 amI used to attempt at planning blog sales, but then again, the stuff that I want to sell are so cheap that the shipping costs would be more expensive! I’ve relegated them to be used in FOTDs heh heh. I tend to reserve my higher quality and more well-loved items for daily use too, so it’s alright with me. Heh heh heh.
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:17 pmBut you will buy from a blog sale then, Hanny?
Rachel says
September 18, 2012 at 10:33 amI’ve been tempted by some blog sales, but never have I bought anything. Primarily, I am concerned about hygiene; I wash my brushes but do not disinfect my own cosmetics, and I doubt many others do. I know some people use lip brushes for lipsticks, but double-dipping definitely happens. I can’t stand the thought of wearing someone’s lip flakes on my lips! Lip glosses are worse — there is no way of cleaning the applicator or product, eek! I think the product I’d be least squeamish about buying used would be eyeshadows…
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:19 pmding ding! 😉 Lets be honest. None of us really disinfect our cosmetics. Firstly, there’s no real way to do it. With powder makeup, you can scrape off the surface and that should be what the seller should do before sending it out but we never see that. With lipsticks, you can cut off part of it, but its debatable how clean it is. People have said that dipping it into alcohol will sanitize lipstick, but I dread to think what reaction it might have on our skin! So as you have said, practically, there’s no way disinfection or sanitization can be properly done, so its pretty much what you see is what you get, lip flakies and all! 😉
synical says
September 18, 2012 at 10:49 amDon’t think I get enough traffic to pull off a blog sale, let alone sales. Also, don’t have much to sell to begin with 😛
Lightly used I can deal with, but it depends – anything that can’t possibly be hygenic is an obvious no-no…I tend not to haggle down the price anymore, particularly as postage is out of anyone’s control. So one can say I’m the perfect buyer 😛
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:20 pmHaha were that everyone was as good a buyer as you are! 😉
jean says
September 18, 2012 at 11:09 amhmm.. i myself did a blog garage sale on beauty items before, mainly selling those premium size samples that I got from with purchase (I don’t really need) or some makeup item that I bought but end up never use. On product that I got for review purpose, sometimes it’s really hard to decide to sell or not to sell. by right we shouldn’t but what if I really didn’t like it and I know it will end up expired under my bed? sad case. Maybe I can give it to friend, make a giveaway (but if used can’t giveaway!) or if really there is interested buyer, sell it at a low price. However I no longer doing this garage sale because it take too much time!! =x
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:21 pmWith press samples, I think the reasonable thing to do would be to give them away, whether to a friend or family or just any extended friends or relatives who may not mind a lightly used product. It came without a price tag after all 🙂
giddy tigress says
September 18, 2012 at 11:14 amI personally know of a friend/blogger who openly mentioned she would sell something she won (not beauty-related though), and when I told her off that she should not, she had the cheek to ask, “Why not?” That just makes me fuming mad.
I’ve not bought anything from blog sales though, probably because I’m paranoid about my sensitive skin and all.
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:22 pmI guess some people think that once they win something, they can just sell if it they don’t want it. But it beggars the question why they entered the contest if they didn’t really want the item anyway? Hmm…
Tine says
September 18, 2012 at 12:09 pmGood topic and good post! I’ve been both a buyer and seller.
Buyer’s POV: I’ve only done two purchases. They were from friends I already know and meet up with regularly. I haven’t bought anything from people I don’t know. I’m not sure I want to, since I don’t know how people treat their stuff, whether they’re going to be clean or not. It takes a big leap of faith to buy stuff from blog sales because 1) I don’t know if the items are clean, 2) if the seller is going to honour the purchase and send the stuff to me as is.
Seller’s POV: I’ve only sold stuff on my blog once, and it was a real eye opener as to how much stuff I had lying around unused. It was quite a slap in the face realising how much money I wasted on stuff that I thought was so pretty at the time, but in the end I didn’t use. I’m very glad that the items I sold were well-received and I know they’ll go to a good home (I know most of the people who purchased from me). It’s also an expensive lesson to learn: stop buying so much crap I don’t need.
As for people selling PR samples, I’ve heard on the grape vine that a few bloggers in Australia were caught selling stuff sent to them for review on eBay. They were immediately blacklisted by most PRs. Word travels very quickly. If you’re going to do the nasty, people will know one way or another, and there goes your reputation. It’s so not worth selling PR samples for a few bucks and tarnishing your reputation you took so long to establish as a blogger.
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:26 pmI would buy from someone who I know too but among most of us who have preloved items, we just tend to have a free for all 😉 Like you, I think buying from a blog sale depends a lot on your relationship and familiarity with the said blogger.
I remember your blog sale. Would have picked up an item or two if you were nearer LOL! 😛 But yes, it is definitely a reminder of how much crap we tend to accumulate. If we dislike it enough to sell it, why did we buy it in the first place; and if we like it, why not use it more? Hmm….
I would hope that the PR scene wises up sooner rather than later. I don’t know how rampant it is here yet (I think many local people may take their business to lowyat where I never step into) so no one may realise the extent of it… yet 😛
Lily says
September 18, 2012 at 1:11 pmI’ve sold some items myself and tried buying something but didn’t succeed.
There are a bunch of impatient buyers out there who hassle you to send the product almost immediately and never replies when you follow up with a courtesy email to see if they received it. Selling stuff i hardly use anymore is a good way to keep clutter at bay but it does reveal my impulsive buying habit and my fickleness. I’ve gifted some PR samples to friends and family and even used them in giveaways (all clearly mentioned and all parties informed) but i think its understood that we shouldn’t make any profit from it. Unethical.
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:28 pmFunny how we all seem to understand the ethics behind not selling a PR item but how so many people don’t eh? I prefer to just give stuff to friends, family or extended friends and family. Unused items sometimes get sent as extras in giveaway prizes so they all go to a good home (hopefully, and not ebay 😛 )
Kay says
September 18, 2012 at 1:38 pmI was shocked when I found out that there were such things as blog sales. I know you can get herpes from contaminated lipstick and once I got conjunctivitis after eye makeup application in a department store. I can’t confirm that the conjunctivitis was caused by the eye makeup but I’m very wary now of makeup counters. Used products are just too scary for me — but if others want to take their chances, that’s not for me to judge.
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:30 pmYep, makeup testers are a breeding ground of bacteria but it might have been the mascara or the brush or liner that caused your problem. In makeovers, I usually refuse the mascara and liquid liner because the risks of infection are just too high.
Sze Ling says
September 18, 2012 at 2:05 pmI’ve never been on either side of a blog-sale. To me, it’s just too much hassle and “risks” involved, for both the buyer and the seller. Not worth the effort and time, IMHO.
Oh and I know, the crazy-beauty-product-buying-stage. I was once there, and is now back to earth. Haha. On hindsight, I shouldn’t have bought 50% of what I bought. And my family members probably think that I have a disorder. LOL. 😛
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:31 pmNot even if there’s a Diorblush up at just RM30? 😉 That was what I caved for LOL Too good a deal to pass up 😀 So long as you use everything that you buy and have little regrets, I think you’re still alright 😉
Swati says
September 18, 2012 at 2:13 pmyes, people actually do sell PR samples or organize a giveaway with the PR samples which were meant to be tried by them and provide a review…and, I never heard anyone selling the products received in a giveaway but I can well imagine some doing that!!!
I have never personally participated in either but I think it is a lot of hassle and more often, the blogger ends up on a loss front…its just that one can get rid of the unused items!!!
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:32 pmThe selling of a giveaway prize happened to me. I noticed a prize winner selling the product won in one of my giveaways and that upset me. I would have been happier if she had just given it to someone else and made them happy 🙁
peach_ says
September 18, 2012 at 2:25 pmI like the fun topics you come up with! 😀 I haven’t been a buyer or a seller. I supposed I’d be ok with purchasing unused cosmetics, but then again, who knows if it’s been opened or how long it has been since purchase? I would worry about expiration and would rather buy a fresh product from a store.
I would definitely be confused if a blogger sold an item that she/he previous raved about. Sounds to me like these blog sales are more troublesome than they’re worth.
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:34 pmWhew! I’m glad you enjoyed this Peach! 😀 Its the confusing bit about a “favourite HG” that gets sold later, that really gets me. I’ve seen it happen so often! :O
ProudMummy says
September 18, 2012 at 2:35 pmI bought some brand new makeup from a blog sale once. And not to use on my myself, but for display purposes for my business only.
My business is too small to receive free samples for advertising, so I bought them only for photos or to show my customers what fits. But never used makeup though.
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:35 pmGiven a choice between a used or unused makeup item in a blog sale, I would prefer to buy the latter – it would be similar to buying in store or from an online store (or so I rationalize) but then it would depend a lot on the blogger and whether I trust them enough 🙂
MK says
September 18, 2012 at 2:40 pmInteresting topic! I am a shopaholic and bought many stuff online. However, have never bought used or new skin care or cosmetic before. I am not sure if I trust the person selling it or if it was handled well and clean before. I am not a seller and always buys a lot of stuff and have a tendency to try out so called ‘tried and tested/proven’ products regardless of pricing, so far….(and all these experimenting had been really expensive). So, I think I will pass on sales like used items or even samples for sales. That said, this buying habit did make me end up with a fair bit of skin care and make up which had been bought and ended not used for some reasons. I’d rather give away these items to people who wants them, then there is no ‘strings attached’….but that’s just me and I am sure not everyone thinks or agree on this. Not sellers anyway. The blog i have which is non skincare/cosmetic related, I had a lot of request on sponsor and giveaway to readers but I always declined. Since its a personal blog, I find I am not interested to commercialised it, and there is nothing wrong in commercialism..perfectly good and well for many. I guess it’s just different people with their own opinions on how they best run the blog 🙂
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 5:37 pmIndeed MK 🙂 There are different angles one can take with one’s blog but like you, I prefer to just give stuff away to people I know because as you have said, there are no strings attached then! I have also given random gifts out to some readers who I know really appreciate it, so that makes me happy too. Sometimes, it shouldn’t be about the money right? 😉
Kate says
September 18, 2012 at 3:44 pmIts a timely topic cos I was just discussing this with my friend yesterday. I have been a follower of some beauty blogs and then I read reviews of how the blogger/writer rave about the particular product/brand, love the product and wish it will not disappear from earth. Then 3 months later… GUESS WHAT!!.. the product goes on the blog sale. Sorry but I can’t just help to think that the blogger/writer is so hypocrite and makes me wonder the authencity of the feedback and evaluation. Its so sad especially if the product was given as a press release.. poor company, they would seriously need to review and ban them from re-selling. Sorry, just my 2 cents worth of comment
Paris B says
September 20, 2012 at 6:01 pmHaha That’s what I thought the first time I noticed it, Kate. I was so puzzled by it!