wish and wear: anya hindmarch

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Thursday, May 12, 2016

The Nest - Access All Areas

I hope you enjoyed part 1 and part 2 of my interviews with Shian - here is the conclusion!

Do you have any ideas how many bags you have sold?

That’s a good question and would take quite a lot of archive delving to find out! I do know that on an average (non promotional) day at the Nest, there are usually between 3 and 5 purchases which for one person is quite manageable. It gets a bit manic at Sale time, when I draft in hubby to help me, as purchases can spike up to 50 in a single day. Thankfully he’s now a dab hand at gift wrapping, knows his way to the Post Office in his sleep and best of all, he’s free!

What were highlights for you over the last 11 years?

Probably the launch of the website, 5 years ago. It was a bit of a leap of faith setting up on my own as having the massive audience of ebay for so long, it felt like the Nest might be forgotten or overlooked. Thankfully, my lovely and loyal rock bed of clients gave me so much support that within a few months it was obvious that it was the best thing I’ve ever done. Getting on to the first page of Google felt fabulous too as this brings in even more bag-loving folk and lots of people find the Nest via Google images, (the lamps in virtually every Mulberry Search you can do!).

Do you have a funny/interesting anecdote to share?

Two rather embarrassing incidents spring to mind…..The first one was many, many years ago when I was just starting out on ebay and didn’t have the reams and reams of tissue paper and bubblewrap that I do now. I was photographing a little Mulberry Tyler bag and the closest things to hand to stuff the bag with was from my underwear drawer. I selected some non-holey socks and began snapping away. Of course, when the bag sold and I posted it out I soon realised I’d posted all the socks out with it! The buyer was delighted with the bag and thankfully was in stitches about the socks. (I was just relieved they were some of my better pairs!)

The other incident was shamefully only a few years ago now. The Nest’s Re-use / Recycling policy basically works on the basis that, like me, most people don’t like packaging waste and are happy to receive pre-used cardboard boxes when they buy an item. Being very lucky that my local corner shop saves all their boxes for me, I rather obliviously posted a clients very lovely new LV out in one of these and looked forward to hearing from the her, (as it was a really stunning bag!). The next day she got in touch, absolutely thrilled to bits with her LV…..but…..did I realise the box was from ‘Tena Lady’. Oooops. After much effusive apologies I think my client saw the funny side! (I do now make a conscious check of the origin of the boxes I use now and make sure none of the ones from the Chemist sneak in!)

Do you have any plans for the Nest?

Just carrying on as I’ve always done really. The last 11yrs has been amazing and I’d love to hope the next 11 will be even better. :) (I might retire then, but I doubt it!)

Well, even if our bank balances (or husbands/boyfriends...) wish you'd close up shop, we sure hope you carry on, Shian!

Check back for some top tips from Shian on how to make your bag look its best!

Thursday, May 05, 2016

More of The Nest - How to Sell

I hope you enjoyed part 1 of my chat with Shian of Naughtipidgins Nest! Ready for more?

How does it work if I want to sell my bag through you?

"It's very easy as you just drop me an email! As long as the item is in an Excellent+ condition and from a designer I stock, then I’m always delighted to assist. I just need a few photos of any of the item's issues, (even Brand New bags can have small scratches from display or handling) and then can provide an approximate resale value. The Nest's standard commission is 25% of the sale price, (though for the more expensive items, this is often less) and if you decide to go ahead, you just post the item in to the Nest and I do the rest. No need to worry about anything and just 14 days after your buyer receives the item, you'll receive your payment, directly into your bank account, or if you are overseas, by PayPal. No risks of Chargebacks, no returns, no hassle."

Vital stats for those coveted bags are being collected

What are the advantages of selling through you?

"Buying or selling at the Nest is economical and just so easy. There’s no guesswork or hard work and there's zero stress! When you buy or sell via ebay or a marketplace, you’re responsible for all the questions, all the communication, shipping and, if you’re a seller, managing returns. From experience, there is a much higher incidence of disputes on these sites and it can be quite soul destroying if you’re one of the unlucky ones who comes across a ‘bad’ buyer or seller.

Buying or selling at the Nest is totally straightforward. No small print, no catches, no hidden charges, no disappointment. Easy!"

Know what else: you won't have to worry about taking all those pictures in the 'right' light
and worry that the colour looks all wrong!

By the way: Do you know that famous candlestick? Well, I thought it was a candlestick...

...it's actually a working lamp!

How do you decide on selling prices?

"‘Value’ is a tough one to quantify, actually, as it’s a combination of an item's cost, its condition and its current desirability. Just because a bag was hugely expensive to buy new, doesn’t mean its resale value will be high. Similarly, some bags may retain a good proportion of their original price as the colour or design isn’t available any more. On some occasions, bags resale prices will have increased from first purchase, if the condition warrants it, as with the escalating price increases, they can be a better investment than an ISA!"

Do you have any great tips on keeping my bags looking tip top?

“It depends on the finish. You would treat a lambskin leather differently to an LV canvas, but generally the golden rules are:

Ensure you know how to care for your finish
Make sure you have the right products
Remember to clean and care for them regularly (which again will depend upon finish and usage)
Store with stuffing inside their dustbags to maintain their shape."

Are there any bags you'd consider a safe investment?

"I don't really like to think as bags in these terms, as though it is possible to invest in Leather Goods in the same way as you’d invest in Property or Stocks and Shares, my interest is more personal. The real ‘value’ of the bag is in the pleasure and enjoyment it brings to you when you carry it, whether that be a £8K Hermes or a £100 Kors. Though we all need to be financially aware of value for money, I would never influence anyone to buy a bag because of its investment potential, it has to about how much you love it."

Shian will share some great tips on how to prep your bag for a sale, so make sure you check back for the next post!

Also don't forget to pop by the Nest's Birthday Event to win that gorgeous Gucci bag or one of the many other goodies on offer!

Wednesday, May 04, 2016

Behind the Scenes at NaughtiPidgins Nest

I'm just going assume that if you know me and you like bags, you will know Shian of NaughtiPidgins Nest. After all, my bag reviews have been around for only one year and Shian's Nest is now celebrating its 11th anniversary! Being one of our trusted sellers, she's somewhat of an icon in the world of preloved designer bags and admired (as well as envied!) by many of us.

I've been planning to do a bit of a profile for ages and the anniversary has given me the perfect opportunity to coax Shian into answering some questions. Not knowing when to shut up, we ended up with so much material you can look forward to a whole series on Shian and the Nest!

Hi Shian, firstly happy birthday to the Nest! Thanks for taking the time to give us an insight into what many of us bag-lovers would consider the ultimate Aladdin's cave! How did it all start? Why handbags?

“It started from the need to downsize my own collection when we moved from London to Lancashire in 2005. I started selling my own bags on eBay and both Buyers and Sellers seemed to like the way I took lots and lots of photos and described things very honestly. It wasn’t long before people were contacting me to ask if I could sell their bags for them and it really went from there. In May 2011 I decided eBay had served its time for the ‘Nest’ and set up my own website which has been incredible fun and I’m loving every minute of it.”

When or how did you fall in love with designer handbags?

“Though I dabbled with a few Bally’s in my late teens, my first ‘wow’ moment was the first time I walked into Chanel Rue Saint-Honoré. I left with my first Chanel 2.55 and the rest is history.”

How many bags do you have now and what's your favourite?

“My collection is rather sadly depleted from its peak, but it is true… I really don’t need two different bags a day, every day of the week, each month of the year, anymore! (At least that’s what I try to keep telling myself when my collection creeps up in size. An occupational hazard of the job, so I’m not too hard on myself.) I now tend to keep a core of classics that I rarely stray from, and a varied collection of Mulberry (mainly older styles as it seems to take me a while to ‘warm up’ to newer ones.) As long as they all still fit in my designated ‘personal-bag-space’ then I know I’m still in control! My current favourite is a rather battered Mulberry Euston in chocolate Darwin. I love an easy to wear boston bag.”

Where did the name Naughtipidgin's Nest come from?

"It was my eBay ID, and as word spread, it stayed with me. How it actually came about in the first instance is a bit of a mystery really… not the easiest name to say or spell, so, had I known I’d eventually have a business, I’d of chosen something a bit more relevant! I changed the website url and name to NPN Bags a couple of years ago now as felt it was just easier for people to remember (and type!)”

What do you love most about running the Nest?

"I do love the fact it’s just ‘me’. When I worked in teams I was never great at delegation and knowing that everything is down to me gives me great sense of pride and also responsibility. I’m not afraid to say I’m a bit of a control freak so when the buck stops with me, I know exactly where it is!

The business model has changed throughout the years though as when I started the company I was buying items for resale and though the financial outlay was sometimes a little scary, the mechanics of the business were more straightforward. No ‘third parties’, just a buyer and me so the decision making process for things like prices, promotions and discounts didn’t require any consultation. As such, I was able to turnover a much higher level of items, (a record week on ebay once saw over 120 sales!) which was great, up to the point where the UK VAT rules began to loom and I realised that if I didn’t want to have to charge people VAT, that I’d need to do it differently!

Now, how much would you love to be let loose in that store room?!

The launching of the website in May 2011 saw a new era and opportunity as the Nest began offering a Consignment Service, whereby instead of buying Sellers bags for resale, I simply sold them for them for a small commission. This had three great advantages. My financial risk was lessened, the Sellers financial return was greatly increased and my business turnover was limited to the profit of the sale, not the entire sale amount.

It’s a fantastic business model and though it is a lot of hard work… there are over 300 Sellers to look after at any one point…..it really is a labour of love. I can’t imagine doing anything else now."

Thanks Shian, I really enjoyed that! But just like that time when I did the interview with Aqila, I couldn't shut up - so you can look forward to more from Shian: some tips and tricks, a couple of funny anecdotes and more pictures!

Before I finish for tonight though hop over to the Nest's Birthday Event page for your chance to win £250 in Nest vouchers or a gorgeous Gucci Jackie!