Fashion
Missoni for Target and eBay: Is it Selling?
The marketplace phenomenon of Missoni for Target continues to fascinate me. It’s a modern day scrabble for luxury goods gone wrong. Just my opinion, maybe but look at the facts. Today there are $14,590 items labeled Missoni for Target for sale via eBay. That’s a helluva lot of items to have for sale four weeks after the collection’s launch in Target stores. Although The New York Times reports that some eBay sellers are making handsome profits, frankly, I just don’t see it. A brief search of eBay this morning shows me that there are thousands of items for sale, many with zero bids. Sure, maybe some people are willing to pay triple the Target retail price for some of these items, but I think many consumers are disgusted by the inflated prices some sellers are asking. The returns rack at my local Target shows evidence of this. There is now a nice collection of Missoni for Target dresses and sweaters hiding in the back of my local Target store near the clearance rack. With the returns coming in, I’ve had the opportunity to see more of the pieces in person, and I can tell you, some look good, and some are simply awful. The ladies dress shirts in polyester with the bright Missoni prints really don’t look good. They remind me of the 80’s disco looks, and not in a good way. The puffer jacket in blue, with the complimentary blue zig-zag print looks cheap, and runs small. It’s not worth the price whether it’s the Target retail price or the inflated eBay sales price.
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Pictured: My new Missoni for Target Gold Cardigan Sweater |
I just picked up a cardigan set for the Target retail price at my local store. I have to say, that it is one of the better pieces in the collection. But, I also own the pumps, and they are downright painful. I would return them if I could, but since I wore them I can not. Bottom line, don’t believe the hype here. This collection has good pieces and bad pieces as has every single Target Go collection to date. Most of the lingerie is painful to look at. Some of the tote bags look cheap.
As I write, there are almost 5,000 pieces from the Missoni Women’s collection on sale via eBay sellers. That’s a lot of inventory. What do you think readers? Are you in a hurry to snap them up? I’m not. In my opinion most of it will end up back on the Target return racks, and when it does, this collection won’t be the hot new must have. Something else will have come along by then. For tips on shopping Missoni returns, check out Target Addict.
Target-Addict
October 17, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Thanks for the shout-out! Interesting that your local Target store now has a decent selection of clothing due to returns. My closest Target store has none – not one piece! And the other two stores near my work have only had a handful.
V
October 17, 2011 at 9:35 pm
I'm hoping to snag some of the returns in store, I refuse to buy at the inflated price on eBay.
V
October 17, 2011 at 9:37 pm
I'm hoping to snag something from the returns that make their way back into the stores…I refuse to buy at the inflated price on eBay, I find it appalling that people would be so greedy!
Hilary Anne
October 17, 2011 at 11:26 pm
I agree! I tried on one of the Missoni for Target dresses to only realize that it was ill-fitted and came with a hefty $45 price tag. Too much for a badly fitting dress and definitely too much for Target.
corrin
October 18, 2011 at 2:42 pm
I picked up a few good pieces and returned others. I did sell several throws on eBay and made a very nice profit ($125+ each). I've been to two local Targets in the past week and both had a decent selection of home goods and cosmetic cases, but no clothing or bags.
April
October 18, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Interesting…I have totally been in the dark about all of this! Why would folks sell stuff on ebay that you can get at Target? For those who do not have a Target in their area? I'm lost…
Anonymous
October 24, 2011 at 4:49 pm
April, people lined up outside Target for hours to get inside and get the Missoni stuff with the SOLE PURPOSE of selling it on eBay and making a profit.
Which meant that, in many cases, people who simply wanted to buy one or two pieces for themselves couldn't do so, because it was all sold out so quickly by people hoping to make a quick buck.
I'm kind of glad to see the Missoni stuff languishing on eBay.