With the economy the way it has been lately, we’re all looking for a great way to save money. If you need new stitching supplies and would like to find some at great prices, eBay is an excellent source. When you browse the categories, there are literally thousands of auctions just in the Cross Stitch category.
Here are few tips when shopping on ebay:
1. The most important thing! Always check the seller’s feedback! You can find this toward the right side of the page – right after the seller name.
There are 2 things that you want to look for. The first is the number after the seller’s name. This number can give you a general idea of how much the seller has been on ebay. There are some sellers that have over 100,000. This does not mean that a seller with a low number is not good! They could be just getting started, and haven’t built up many feedbacks yet. But many times, when a seller has a higher number, and they have been on ebay for some time, they will have a better streamlined selling process, which can make for a more pleasurable ebay experience.
The second thing that you will want to look at is, the percentage number at the end. This can give you an idea of how well the seller follows through on their end of the transaction. This number is calculated by Ebay based on how many positive feedbacks, and how many neutral/negative feedbacks the seller has received.
You can click the seller’s overall feedback number (the 6480 in the picture) and you will see a result similar to picture at right. This is where you can see how the seller has done in the recent past as well as long–term. What you want to look for here, is to see how many neutral and negative remarks there are.
Important note: If a seller just has one or two neutrals/negatives, but still have many positives, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are a bad seller. There are occasions where other ebay members leave unwarranted feedback, so if the seller has a good overall track records, keep this in mind. You can also click the tab “Feedback as a seller” to see the exact comments that buyers have left this seller about their transactions.
2. Use the search box! If there is something in particular that you are looking for (example DMC floss) use the Search box at the top of each page. When you start to type in what you are looking for, ebay will also recommend some phrases. If you don’t have enough results returned in your search, you can check the box “include title and description” and you should see more results. (The default search only searches auction titles.)
3. Browse categories. From any item page, you can see what category it’s listed in. Near the top of the page, you will see something like this:
This item is in the Cross Stitch Fabric category, which is a subcategory of Cross Stitch, which is a subcategory of Needlecrafts & Yarn, etc. You can click on any of these categories or subcategories and you can browse pages and pages of items. (FUN!)
4. Buy It Now or Bid? Some auctions have a Buy It Now option, but the price will probably be a bit higher than the bid price. Whether you bid, or use the Buy It Now is a personal preference. If you bid, then the item will proceed as an auction and there is a chance that you can be outbid, even the last minute. Ebay recommends that you bid your absolute highest bid, and then the system will proceed with “proxy bidding” which means that Ebay’s system will only put your bid in for the lowest that’s need to top the high bidder, but Ebay will remember how high you are willing to bid. Then if someone else bids on that item, Ebay will raise your bid for you to compete with the other bidder. In no circumstances will Ebay enter your bid higher than you have set as your maximum.
Some people prefer just to use the Buy It Now (BIN) feature (if the item offers it). As mentioned earlier, the BIN price will probably be a bit higher than the starting bid, but the good thing about BIN is that it assures that YOU will get the item. If you use the BIN feature, the auction will immediately end, so that you can get your item faster.
5. If you are new to eBay, youwill need to register. Don’t worry – it’s painless and quick. 
Basically when you get ready to purchase something, you will be asked for a userid and password. If you aren’t a member already, you’ll be given a chance to sign up. Ebay will ask for your name, address, email address and date of birth (just to make sure you are 18). They will not share any of this information, so don’t worry about getting thousands of spam emails. They will send you an email, just to confirm that you really own that email address. Once you verify that, you are officially an Ebay user!
So, that is Ebay 101! Ebay can be a great place to get bargains. We recently sold a large lot of brand new DMC floss (almost 2000 skeins) for a little over $400. That comes out to about 22 cents per skein! There’s no where that you can get DMC for that great of a price. As of this writing, here are some general prices for patterns: Mirabilias – $5-6, Prairie Schooler – $1-4. Another note is that many times sellers will have large lots of items. These are usually great finds, as you can get a huge assortment of items for a great price.
We’ve listed a few auctions to get you started here:
DMC Floss:
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Vtg Primitive Geese Pillow Cover + DMC Embroidery Floss
$4.99 |
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XS Kit - Mermaid Mother and Daughter - With DMC floss
$20.99 |
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100 DMC CODE CROSS STITCH FLOSS YOUR COLOURS
$0.99 |
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98 x CROSS STITCH FLOSS THREADS SKEINS DMC CODE
$0.99 |
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100 DMC CODE CROSS STITCH FLOSS YOUR COLOURS
$0.99 |
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98 x CROSS STITCH FLOSS THREADS SKEINS DMC CODE
$0.99 |
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33 SKEINS DMC LIGHT EFFECTS FLOSS NEW ALL DIFFERENT
$18.25 |
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103 NEW DMC Floss, 6 ply, NO DUPLICATES
$19.99 |
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DMC COLOR VARIATIONS Floss BLUE BOX 12 SKEINS 12 COLORS
$15.99 |
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New 50 Skeins DMC Embroidery Floss 100% cotton
$17.00 |
Lots of multiple items:
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LOT BABY CROSS STITCH BIBS,SHOES, KIT, & PATTERNS,
$14.99 |
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LOT 6 CROSS STITCH CRAZY MAGAZINES HALLOWEEN ALPHABETS
$12.00 |
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7 Cross stitch Kits Lot
$1.75 |
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2 Cross stitch Kits Lot
$0.49 |
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Lot of 7 Cross Stitch / Crewel Kits VARIETY NEW (B)
$5.49 |
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Lot of 2 Counted Cross Stitch Pillow Kits Sealed
$3.50 |
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Lot of 2 CLOWN Cross Stitch Books
$0.99 |
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Mixed Lot Cross Stitch Patterns Xmas Seasonal more
$0.99 |
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CROSS STITCH PATTERNS LOTS OF BIBS FOR BABY 34 DESIGNS
$7.99 |
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LOT 3 NEW CROSS STITCH KITS JANLYNN BUTTERFLY PINEAPPLE
$3.99 |
Beatrix Potter items:
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Beatrix Potter Cross Stitch Christmas Stocking
$5.99 |
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35 Cross Stitch Patterns Leaflet Lot Beatrix Potter +
$2.99 |
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NEW Cross stitch kits Mixed Lot,Beatrix Potter,Bucilla
$14.99 |
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Beatrix Potter Two Bad Mice Cross Stitch Pattern Book
$2.99 |
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PETER RABBIT Beatrix Potter Cross Stitch Patterns #'s
$2.99 |
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Peter Rabbit Cross Stitch Kit Beatrix Potter
$5.50 |
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COUNTED CROSS STITCH BOOK Beatrix Potter ALPHABET baby
$4.95 |
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BEATRIX POTTER HUNCA MUNCA STOCKING Cross Stitch
$6.49 |
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Vintage BEATRIX POTTER Cross Stitch Pattern Book 1983
$9.99 |
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Peter Rabbit Beatrix Potter Bunny Cross Stitch Kit
$5.99 |
Mirabilia items:
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Mermaid of the Pearls Cross Stitch Pattern Mirabilia
$9.99 |
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Mirabilia Nora Corbett Cross Stitch Chart ~ ORCHID
$8.89 |
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Mirabilia Cross Stitch Chart ~ LILLY OF THE WOODS FAIRY
$10.33 |
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Mirabilia Cross Stitch Chart Pattern ~ THE FAIRY MOON
$9.23 |
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On Grandmas Quilt Cross Stitch Pattern Mirabilia
$9.99 |
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Ring Around Rose Tree Cross Stitch Pattern Mirabilia
$9.99 |
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Rose Arbour Cross Stitch Pattern Mirabilia
$9.99 |
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Rose Celebration Cross Stitch Pattern Mirabilia
$9.99 |
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Rose of Sharon Cross Stitch Pattern Mirabilia
$9.99 |
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Royal Holiday Cross Stitch Pattern Mirabilia
$9.99 |
Hand Dyed Floss including Gentle Art, Crescent Colors, Weeks Dye Works, and more:
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Chinese Natural Silk, Hand-Dyed Embroidery Floss/Thread
$6.50 |
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Chinese Natural Silk, Hand-Dyed Embroidery Floss/Thread
$6.50 |
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Chinese Natural Silk, Hand-Dyed Embroidery Floss/Thread
$6.50 |
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Chinese Natural Silk, Hand-Dyed Embroidery Floss/Thread
$6.50 |
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190 Skeins of Hand Dyed Floss by Carrie's Creation~NEW!
$65.00 |
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15 CARDS OF WEEKS DYE WORKS HAND DYED FLOSS (LOT 1)
$14.99 |
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15 CARDS OF WEEKS DYE WORKS HAND DYED FLOSS (LOT 2)
$14.99 |
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15 CARDS OF WEEKS DYE WORKS HAND DYED FLOSS (LOT 3)
$14.99 |
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15 CARDS OF WEEKS DYE WORKS HAND DYED FLOSS (LOT 4)
$14.99 |
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Ayrloom Hand-dyed Floss ~ 20 - 8 m skeins Full Set
$26.00 |
General Cross stitch items:
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NEW *DISNEY CARS ~ FILLMORE* Cross Stitch KIT
$80.00 |
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Celebration Alphabets ~ Cross Stitch Book
$5.65 |
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JANLYNN BIRDFEEDER COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 5"X23"
$23.99 |
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JANLYNN CAT'S HAVE SLAVES COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT-10X8
$17.99 |
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Stoney Creek- FLORAL BORDER & PINK ROSE -Cross Stitch
$2.19 |
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JANLYNN CATS CATS CATS COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT -11X14"
$19.99 |
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Cross Stitch Pattern LIZZIE KATE January Stamp Flip-It
$4.00 |
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JANLYNN CATS PILLOCASE STAMP CROSS STITCH KIT-20X30 2/P
$7.99 |
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JANLYNN CRANES COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 10X18"
$37.99 |
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JANLYNN CURIOSITY CAT COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 8X10"
$15.99 |
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JANLYNN DOGS EYE CASE COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT-3.5X6.5"
$9.99 |
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JANLYNN FOREVER WILD HORSE COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT-5X7
$7.99 |
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JANLYNN FOREVER WILD TIGER COUNT CROSS STITCH KIT -5X7"
$7.99 |
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JANLYNN FOREVER WILD WOLF COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT-5X7"
$7.99 |
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VICTORIA SAMPLER HARBOUR VILLAGE CROSS STITCH BOOK
$12.00 |
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JANLYNN FOUR SEASONS CAT STAMPED CROSS STITCH KIT-14X14
$19.99 |
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JANLYNN FROGGIE COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 2.5"
$1.99 |
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JANLYNN FUNKY CAT COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 12X12
$15.99 |
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Baby Blanket Cross Stitch Kit
$6.00 |
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JANLYNN GOODNIGHT BEARS COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT-14X10"
$17.99 |
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Cat Cross-Stitch Motif Afghan CROCHET PATTERN
$2.29 |
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JANLYNN HANG IN THERE COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 6X8"
$7.99 |
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JANLYNN JOY COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 11.5"X15"
$17.99 |
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JANLYNN KITTEN MINI COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 3" ROUND
$3.99 |
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JANLYNN KITTENS IN A ROW COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT 20X8"
$19.99 |
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JANLYNN KITTY LOVE PILLOWCASES STAMPED CROSS STITCH KIT
$7.99 |
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JANLYNN KITTY PILLOWCASE STAMPED CROSS STITCH KIT-20X30
$6.99 |
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JANLYNN LOVE MY CAT STAMPED CROSS STITCH KIT - 5"X7"
$7.99 |
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RICO MAGIC OF AUTUMN GERMAN 40 PAGE CROSS STITCH BOOK
$14.00 |
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JANLYNN MANCHURIAN TIGER COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT-18X13
$23.99 |
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JANLYNN MYTHICAL PURPLE DRAGON CROSS STITCH KIT 11"X15"
$17.99 |
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JANLYNN NORTHERN LIGHTS W/WOLF CROSS STITCH KIT 11"x14"
$15.99 |
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JANLYNN OOPS! CAT MINI COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT 5"X7"
$6.99 |
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JANLYNN RAINBOW BIRD COUNTED CROSS STITCH 21X7"
$17.99 |
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A NEW HOME WELCOME BANNER DIMENSIONS CROSS STITCH KIT
$3.99 |
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JANLYNN RETRIEVERS DOG COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT 16"X12"
$15.99 |
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JANLYNN SAFARI COLLECTION COUNTED CROSS STITCH 16x16"
$19.99 |
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NEW ROSEWOOD MANOR PHEBE WARNER QUILT CROSS STITCH BOOK
$14.00 |
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JANLYNN SLEEPY BEARS COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 19X7"
$17.99 |
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JANLYNN SPIRIT OF HORSE COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT 14x11"
$19.99 |
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Nature's Bounty Counted Cross stitch Patterns
$3.14 |
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JANLYNN SUMMER CAT SAMPLER COUNT CROSS STITCH KIT-8X16"
$23.99 |
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14 CT Cross Stitch Black Fabric - Angel Stitch Kit
$12.80 |
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JANLYNN THE MOUSER CAT COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT 5"X7"
$6.99 |
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JANLYNN THE PACK COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 7X22"
$23.99 |
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JANLYNN TIGER PACK COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 8X22"
$23.99 |
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JANLYNN TIGGER & BUTTERFLY COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT- 5"
$8.99 |
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JANLYNN TURTLE MINI COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 3" ROUND
$3.99 |
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ALPHABET KITTIES 35 PAGE ZWEIGART CROSS STITCH BOOK
$12.00 |
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JANLYNN WOLF COUNTED CROSS STITCH KIT - 12"X12"
$25.99 |
