I've been looking for an affordable Orkidea vase by Timo Sarpaneva for years...literally years. They're not hard to find, if you don't mind paying $600. I see them at that price on eBay all the time, even for the smaller ones. Then, on March 6, I spotted one with an opening bid of $49 and no reserve.
I checked it several times each day, and no one bid. Finally, two days before the auction was to end, someone finally placed the minimum bid. I was determined to wait it out, even though I was sure the bidding would go wild in the last few minutes. The auction was to end at 9 a.m. last Sunday. I set my alarm clock so I could wake up early enough to be clear-headed and in top bidding form.
When the alarm went off, and I got up, opened my requisite morning Diet Coke, checked my email and blog comments, played a few computer games, talked with a couple of friends on the phone and then went to the store to work...and never gave eBay a thought until my SIL asked me if I had won the vase.
I was heartsick that I had forgotten to bid...and even sicker when I found out that the winning bid was a mere $89.
In case you're not familiar with the design, here's a wonderful example from a fellow blogger, Charlie's Design Diary (open only by invitation, which is why I didn't include a link).
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| Orkidea vases by Timo Sarpaneva charliesdesigndiary.blogspot.com |
And here's the actual one that got away...::sob::
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| ebay.com - fernary |
:( what shame Dana, next time, as my mother says!
ReplyDeleteMothers are pretty smart, and I'm sure yours is right. There is a next time for everything. :)
DeleteOuch...I hope there is another one, out there, for a great price.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was an ouch moment...but they seem to be plentiful, and eventually someone will be cleaning out grandmother's house and think it's just another old vase.
DeleteDon't beat yourself up over it, there will be another. Probably at a better price. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Beating yourself up over a mistake just compounds the injury...and won't get me the vase! :)
DeleteFingers crossed for another one coming along soon. Things do seem to appear in groups, I've noticed. They are remarkable.
ReplyDeleteYes, a lot of things come in threes...3 celebrity deaths, 3 coins in a fountain, 3 sheets to the wind. Maybe there are two more Orkideas out there just waiting for someone to put a cheap price tag on them. :)
DeleteAwwwww, so sad!! I have done this before too. I am certain this only happened because an even cheaper, better one is bound to cross your path! Good luck ;)
ReplyDeleteWhew...that makes me feel better. I was leaning toward the senior moment thing. :)
DeleteJust pretend it had a chip in it.
ReplyDeleteThat's an idea! I feel better already. :)
DeleteLOL!
DeleteYou're fired... :P
ReplyDeleteI should be so lucky! LOL
DeleteShoot! And I liked John B's comment :)
ReplyDeleteMe too...I'm still laughing about that poor person who got a chipped vase!
DeleteExquisite, never seen one before.
ReplyDeleteSorry you missed the bid, hope you snag one quick!
I'm back on the trail of one...and won't stop till I snag it. :)
Delete*Oh Dear*
ReplyDeleteNow I am upset too!!!
I seen one of those at Salvation Army about a month back. I took it off the shelf and looked at it. (DIDN'T have the slightest clue as to what it was....) So I put it back down. And now because of you I come to find out .... *AHHHHHHH*
I am sorry you forgot to bid. Don't worry another shall come along. Just think about how many people that are out there who don't have the slightest clue of what it is. (LIKE ME)
Yikes...so sorry you missed out too. I really believe another will come around for both of us!
DeleteI hate when I forget to bid! I've started using auction sniper whenever I really don't want to forget. Actually I've been really good and haven't bought anything from ebay for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI've considered doing that too, but I kinda like the thrill of bidding myself.
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