eBay is probably the most used app on my phone any given day. I fell madly in love when we went into quarantine due to severe thrift withdrawals and I don’t anticipate stopping anytime soon. Also just to clarify - this is in no way affiliated with eBay or paid by to promote, just sharing how I find what I love.

A lot of people seem intimidated to start on eBay for some reason, thinking it’s all bidding (it isn’t) or it somehow feels shady or not legitimate. At least these are some of the reasons people list off to me personally. I do always check the ratings and reviews of the people I purchase from just to make sure there aren’t any red flags, but I’ve never had an issue with any purchases.

There are a few things that are a little hard to get used to. In our world of free day 2 shipping everywhere, it hurts to eat some of the shipping costs at times. You’re also likely going to pay more for something than you would if you stumble upon it in a thrift shop or goodwill. However, I try to shift my thinking from “this is more than I would normally pay” to “someone has already done the driving, sourcing, cleaning, packaging, hard work for me and I’m clicking a button and it will be on my door step, all without leaving my home with my toddler.” Most people that I’ve purchased from seem to do this for a living, and like all of us in creative industries; they deserve to be compensated for their time.

Of course, there are some things that are flat out gouging / over priced but learning that honestly just comes from experience thrifting and if the item is ultimately worth it to you.

Pointer: If you “watch” an item or even add it to cart, oftentimes sellers will offer a discount as incentive. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s just enough to cover shipping, but regardless it’s nice.

Keywords I search on a regular basis:

Vtg Turkish rugs, lamps, trays, bone or pearl inlay, vases, framed prints, brass trinkets, art books, brass bowls, capiz shell, art plates,
MCM, art deco, Hollywood regency
Anthropologie curtains
Vtg fabrics, you can also find great secondhand deals on Schumacher and Lee Jofa
Vtg wallpapers

Some things I’ve purchased lately:

Vintage bowls and a large stack of Metropolitan Seminars in Art books

Vintage fabrics for Vivienne’s room: we’re doing a window seat and some pillows. I also purchased her rug from eBay a while back.

Vintage vase, mother of pearl inlay trinket box and the phone

The wooden tray and the bowl; I threw a bunch of 4x6 family photos in it and it’s amazing how everyone that sits down in that spot starts to peruse through them. Also several of the bowls and vases in our built ins are eBay as well.

The wall plate is one of three I purchased, the other two are hanging in our built ins

Serving tray, mini vases, art books, table cloth

I hope this helps! I think the character and curated feel of secondhand is unmatched. It brings so much life into a home and creates something special that can’t be duplicated, at least not in a copy and paste fashion.